Katie In Denver (In Denver Series Book 3) (14 page)

“I want to ask, but I need to know you won’t be upset. I need to know. Did you get pregnant on purpose?”

I see the hurt move across her face. “No, Michael, I didn’t get pregnant on purpose. I hope that eases your mind.”

“Okay, you two, take MJ out of the equation. Michael, do you want to be in a relationship with Katie?” 

I don’t even have to think before answering, “Yes. I love Katie, I always have. I want us to be together as a family, and I want to get married.”

“Katie,” Dr. Franklin says sternly. “Do you want to be in a relationship with Michael?”

Katie takes a minute to answer, “Yes, I want to be in a relationship with Michael.”

“OK, well, here is the plan. I want to keep seeing you as individuals, but I want to see you as a couple every week. We will focus on communication and compromise. I would also like to see MJ in two weeks. I think in this whole thing he is the only one who is blameless.”

“You can go, Katie. I know you have an appointment elsewhere. Michael, you sit tight.” She comes to be with a stack of paper. “This is your homework.” I look at the stack of papers. It’s steps on how to court a lady. It also lists the difference between dating and courting. 

1. Ask permission: Talk to your intended’s father or guardian, and make your intentions clear. You are entering into the process of courting for the sole purpose of marriage.

2. Spend time with your intended: You are to be chaperoned at all times. Any physical contact even hand holding is not permitted in the stage of courting. Show your affection through actions, such as sending flowers or small trinkets. This is not about materials; it’s about showing your intended that you have paid attention to her likes.

3. Supervised Outing: All outings should be in public locations. Also, all outings must be chaperoned. Family events are a great way to have the perfect outings There is to be no kissing, but hand holding is permitted. Take this time to enjoy this physical contact—it’s the first step to intimacy.  

4. Buy a ring and ask your intended to be your wife. Kissing is still not permitted. Outings are still to be chaperoned and in public places. You may add a hug for a greeting and a hug for a goodbye. 

5. Plan your engagement: Most engagements are usually between 3-6 months don’t rush this. Work the courting plan, it will help strengthen your relationship. 

“You are not to be alone with Katie at all. You are going to build a relationship with a solid foundation. She wants to love you; she wants to trust you. But, those are things you have to earn, and they aren’t easy. You will not rush things.”

I look at the steps.

Step one: Asking permission from her father to court her. I have to chuckle. “Are you serious about this?” I look at Dr. Franklin.

“I’m as serious as a case of herpes. Build this relationship by these rules, and I promise in less than six months you will have the relationship you want with Katie, and you will be teaching your son valuable lessons like not getting their teenage girlfriend pregnant and then abandoning her.” I have to flinch at her words, but she is only telling me the truth.

I call Joseph and ask him to meet me at The Mad Batter. I smile as I see Frankie adding cupcakes to her display. It takes Joseph about twenty minutes to get to me and when he does he looks less than impressed. He sits and I say what I have to say.

“Sir, I would like permission to court your daughter, my intentions are to marry her.”

“Michael, you have been down this road a few times. I have this tree analogy when I think of people in life. They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:

“Leaf People- some people come into your life, and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can't depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or the wind blows in your life they are gone. 

“Branch People-there are some people who come into your life, and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life, it's possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it's tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases, they can't handle too much weight.

“Root People-if you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are trying not to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low-key and don't let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you, and water you. If you look at what kind of tree person you have been in Katie’s life, you will know exactly what my answer is.” 

With that, he threw five dollars on the table and walked out. It takes me a minute to understand before I run out after him. 

“You’re right. I have been a branch, but I know I can be a root. I know I can do right by Katie, I know I can give her everything she needs. Sir, please let me prove myself.” I can see my words aren’t making any difference. 

“Michael, your words are empty. Katie is almost twenty-six years old; you don’t need my permission to court her. She is a grown woman with your son. You guys work it out if you want, but keep me out of it and stop fucking over my grandson.”

“I need your permission,” I say, stepping over to block his way.

“Why the hell do you need my permission?” he asks in an aggravated tone. 

“I have to follow these steps in the plan for a healthy relationship my therapist gave me. I am trying to do things the right way this time so I can make Katie my wife.”

I see the breakdown of resolve in Joseph’s eyes. “You have my permission to court Katie. I hope it works out for you, son, I really do,” he says before turning and walking to his truck.

OK, step one complete. Four more steps to go.

Chapter 19

Katie

Come on, Katie, you can do it,” I hear Ian and Percy cheering me on. I still have to use the cane, but I am moving fast. They are on the trail ahead of me, and I’m pushing myself to the limit. Once we get to the stopping point, I sit on one of the benches they have throughout the trail. Just then I see these two older ladies power walk past me on the trail.

“Jesus, I totally feel bad about myself now,” I say with a slight chuckle.

“Listen, you are walking short distances without assistance, it’s the longer distances you are working on,” Ian says.

“Yeah,” Percy adds. “You don’t realize it, but you walked almost two miles. Considering the accident you were in, that’s a miracle.”

“I agree.” I close my eyes and think about the accident that almost ended my life. The trucking company is offering a huge payout, but everyone has told me not to accept and to sue them. The driver of the truck that hit me hadn’t slept in seventy-two hours because he was on a tight deadline outlined by the company. I don’t want to draw this out any longer than it has to be, but if I take the payment I have to remain silent, and the trucking company will keep forcing their drivers on the roads. 

It’s been two weeks since Michael’s breakdown in Dr. Franklin’s office. We have each been working on our individual recovery, but we are due to meet again tomorrow. In the last two weeks, Michael has sent me flowers and small gifts. Things that he knows I would enjoy like scented candles, a few books he knows are on my wish list on Amazon—he also sent me a few movies, movies we saw while we were dating and he attached notes to all of them. It was sweet. I stand up and look at Ian and Percy as they embrace. 

“I’m ready, guys. I hope the walk back isn’t as rough.” They each stand at one side of me and help to make sure I don’t fall. We make it back to Ian’s truck, and they drive me back to my house. 

When I get to my door, I wave. I can hear the phone ringing and rush in to get it, but when I answer it’s the silence again. I thought the calls had stopped. I haven’t gotten any since the accident, and now they are going to start back up again. Heading to my room, I wait for MJ to come home. I haven’t driven since the accident. The truth is: I’m too scared to get behind the wheel again. I make my way to the shower and turn the water to as hot as possible—every part of my body is aching. I’m glad I have a day to relax before Ian comes back for more torture.

“Mom?” I hear MJ call from the living room.

“Yeah, I’m in my room.” I’m trying to rub Ben-Gay on my leg, but I’m too sore to reach down.

MJ comes in and helps rub it into my calves that are burning with pain. 

“I want to see my dad,” he says while he focuses on my leg.

“MJ, I never told you that you couldn’t see Michael. I want you to spend time with him. I’m not angry at your dad we just need to pull back on our relationship to build it up. We want to be the best parents for you, and in order for that to happen I have issues I have to deal with and your dad some issues he has to deal with, but none of this is about you. You are the best thing that ever happened to either of us, but your dad and I need to fix the things wrong with us before we can be a couple. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, but I thought he told us to leave, that he didn’t want us.”

“Oh no, honey, that’s not what happened at all. This wasn’t because of anything other than us trying to find what was right for everyone. Your dad and I are working through some issues, and soon we are going to have some counseling as a family so that we all have a fresh start.”

“Ok, Mom. I love you. I’m glad you and dad are getting your stuff together. I know he loves us I just really liked living with him, and I like the way he took care of you like a real husband, like grandpa takes care of grandma. Mom, can we have pizza tonight?”

“You have been here for five minutes, and you’re asking for food already. Kid, you’re going to eat me out of house and home!”

“Well, what do you expect, Mom, I’m a growing boy!” I look at MJ—it looks like he has grown a foot. This time last year he was tiny, now he towers over me. At almost 5’7 he is a giant amongst other ten-year-olds and has surpassed most of the female teachers. 

MJ and I sit on the sofa and kick back for a night in. ”What do you want to watch, Mom?. He is looking through the DVDs on the counter. ”What’s this, Mom?” He holds up the box Michael sent me filled with movies we saw.

“Your dad sent me that box of movies. They are all movies we saw while we were dating.”

He pulls out a movie and looks at the cover confused. “This movie is old, Mom, like black and white.”

“Yes, sweetie, it was from when we use to go to ‘Romance in the Park’, and they would play old romantic movies on a big screen. Once a month we would take a blanket and watch the movies under the stars.” He holds up the movie, and I smile. “That was the movie we saw the first time your dad kissed me,” I say with a sad smile. He pops it in the DVD player and lets the previews start. He runs to the kitchen and grabs us some drinks and plates and napkins. When the pizza delivery guys rings the doorbell, I hop up to grab the two extra-large pies. I make it to the sofa before he does, and we sit down for our dinner and a movie.

When the movie is over, I hear a sniffle and look over at MJ, who is sitting with his arms crossed. 

“Are you okay, MJ?” I ask.

“Yeah, Mom, my allergies have been acting up all day,” he says, walking the plates and cups to the kitchen. I pull the DVD out and put in back in the box. 

“Why did she have to get hit by the car? She was going to meet him and then BAM! everything gets messed up,”  he says with a frown on his face. 

“That is true. Things took a turn for the worse, but in the end they end up together because true love always wins. That’s the moral of the story,” I say walking over and throwing my arm around him.

“I think I’m in love with Lacey Billings,” he says with a red face. “My heart beats all fast when she sits next to me. She handed me a pencil, and when I touched her hand, I felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest. Can we watch another movie out the box?” he asks bashfully. I see the blush creeping up his neck.

“Oh, I see what this is. You think you’re in love, so you want to watch romance movies.”

“No, that’s not why I just want to spend time with you, and I know you don’t like all the new movies, you say they are all junk.”

“Okay, Casanova. Pick one and I will be right back.” I steady myself on my cane and make my way to the bathroom. I can’t wait till I can walk on my own again. I look at myself in the mirror. The bruises are long gone, the cuts on my face and neck have healed, and I can only see a trace of the really bad cuts that took the longest to heal. I have almost all my rotation and strength back in my arm, but my leg has a hard time keeping up. I still have to use the cane for most of my walking.