Through the Knothole by Kris Knorr

Author:Kris Knorr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dealing with change, church humor, lutheran ladies, widow stories, humor and god, church women, women and church and fiction
Publisher: Kris Knorr

Chapter Eighteen

THE RINGING PHONE startled Kay awake. She sat up in bed, pulling her shirt from her armpits. She hated falling asleep in her clothes, but she’d been too tired to put on pajamas last night.

The phone continued to nag and rattle. Where was Vera? Usually she’d nabbed it by the second ring. “Hello?” Kay drawled into the receiver.

“Mom. Lemme talk to Mrs. Henley.”

“Kevin? Whad’dya need? You okay?”

“Mom! I’m sneakin’ a call from study hall. I need help on a paper. Gimme Mrs. Henley.”

“I dunno where she is. Ask me your question.”

“Uh…I don’t think so. You sound half-asleep.”

“I didn’t get off till late.”

“Good grief. It’s like you’re becoming a teenager. You’re never around. You’re up all hours. You sleep till noon.”

“Except I hate it. You love the lifestyle.”

“Wouldn’t know. Dad doesn’t let us sleep in. Tell Mrs. Henley we’ll be late this afternoon. She’s helping Jules and me with Global Economics.”

“Who’s Jules?”

“My girlfriend, ’bout a week. Well…since I got the Jeep.”

“You’ve got a car and a girlfriend?”

“Gotta go. Ask Mrs. Henley to tell you ’bout it. See ya tonight.”

“Kevin!” The noise of cellular void answered her. “I have to work tonight,” she said to the bed sheets.

*

Kay found two notes on the kitchen counter and no one at home.

Helping with the float. If you ever get a day off, can you join us for an inspection of YOUR Parade project?

The other note had the name and phone number of a man who wanted Kay to design a book cover. Vera had added a bright-orange sticky note:

It’s work in your field!! He said he emailed you, but you never answered. I told him you’d call today.

“Gee thanks,” Kay mumbled, scanning the counter. And when had Vera become her son’s study buddy? He used to make fun of her.

Kay picked up a pen and scratched out a note:

We need to talk. I griped until I got Friday off. Parade inspection then. When were you going to tell me Kevin had a girlfriend—or a car?

Was she happy for him or jealous of Vera? She stretched her jaw while rubbing her temples. Why wasn’t anyone keeping her in the loop? Couldn’t the book cover guy hold off for a few days? Homecoming would be over, and there’d be time to sort kids, job hunting, and church ladies into organized piles.

She stood in front of the pantry doors culling her pathetic food choices. It must’ve been two weeks since she’d been to the grocery store. Cannellini beans or tomato soup were her best choices. Both required a can opener which was more effort than she wanted to put forth.

Grabbing the round box of oatmeal, she ate fistfuls of oats as she returned to her room. Dry, but nutty-tasting. She could see why horses liked them.

*

On Tuesday and Wednesday, energy and noise frizzed through the air at Tulio’s. Each person moved with purpose. The rush of incoming deliveries meant the back entrance was often open, allowing box elder bugs to meander inside and kitchen staff to curse anyone who dawdled in the doorway.

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