Chapter 4: Kate's Place
As she unlocked the door to her apartment, she spoke to Thane over her shoulder. “Just so you know I’m not a crazy cat lady or anything,” pushing the door open she stepped inside and started turning on lamps to light up the apartment.
Behind her, Thane entered and was greeted by movie posters covering the walls on both sides of the hallway. From the simplistic black and white to the digitally produced promotional art of the present day, there was a framed piece for every era.
Inside her living room shelves as tall as him lined the walls, filled with DVD and Blu-Ray movie cases. In the center was a couch facing a large TV on top of a table with a single open compartment where an assortment of remotes were piled up. Kate walked up to him and held out her hands. “Clothes? I’ll go toss them in the washer.”
Thane handed his belongings over slowly, his eyes reading through the titles, many of which he had never seen.
Kate took his blood-stained clothes, and because he was occupied, the opportunity to watch him.
Her gaze went to his mouth, studying his lips as he whispered the title of each movie he read out loud to himself. His facial hair had grown in just enough to darken his jaw; she couldn’t stop from wondering how it would feel against her cheek and neck if they kissed.
Interrupting her thoughts, he said, “Either you like movies, or this is some sort of strange, sentimental inheritance you can’t bring yourself to get rid of.”
“This sir, is what I brought with me when I moved here. I mean, I’ve added on to it since then, but the bulk of it came with me from California.”
“I can’t say I understand the appeal.”
Kate’s smile melted away at the off-hand remark. “The appeal of what?”
Thane looked at her to clarify what he said. “Movies.”
Kate was genuinely surprised, though to be honest with herself, she shouldn’t have been. Of course he wouldn’t be interested in the thing that shaped most of who she was. It made perfect sense.
She turned around to hide the disappointment on her face and in a flat tone said, “My room is on the left side of the theater, the extra room is on the right, each with their own bathroom. That’s the kitchen on the left, make yourself at home or whatever.” Heading to the laundry room in the kitchen she said with a hint of sarcasm, “Your costume should only take an hour or so to clean.”
Thane opened his mouth to correct her about his clothing and explain himself about the movies; but reminded himself it was probably better to have some differences between them.
He sighed and went into the guest bedroom to take a shower.
Inside the room was a bed his feet would probably hand off of and a long table on the opposite wall filled with random items. Curious, Thane walked over to examine them and couldn’t help but smile at what he saw.
Spread out in no particular order were some origami dinosaurs, a book of matches, a door knob with lock picks lying next to it, a couple small kitchen knives and a whetstone, a compass, some fiber partially woven into a rope and a rubiks cube. Tacked to the wall between two posters was a paper entitled “Ways to impress Eva.”
In addition to what was on the table, the list included whistling with fingers, speed reading and moonwalking, of all things.
“You are full of surprises, Ms. Holland.” Thane whispered. Heading to the bathroom, he almost screamed when he pulled up his shirt to take it off. Everything underneath covering his wounds stuck to the material as though it was glued to the fabric. “Bloody brilliant.”
Stripping down to nothing but his shirt, he got in the shower and soaked the clothing and bandages before removing them.
Once finished, he put his jeans back on and draped the towel over his shoulders. He went through the cabinets above the sink but the bandages were too small to cover his wounds.
Going to the bedroom door, he opened it a crack and called out, “Ms. Holland, do you by chance have a first aid kit? I’ll need more than a plaster for some of these cuts.”
He heard her get up from the couch and approach the door.
“We use plaster in America for home improvements, not first aid,” she said as she pushed open the door. “I hope you didn’t-”
She froze and nearly dropped the first aid kit she was holding upon seeing his chest again. Her eyes lingered on his body for too long, she felt her cheeks tint red.
Thane took the small container of bandages just as they began to fall. “Brilliant. Thank you. I’ll be out in a bit,” and closed the door.
Ten minutes later he came out, still shirtless, but with new dressings over his wounds. He walked over to the couch and sat down on the end opposite of her. “Thank you again, for welcoming me into your home.”
She nodded in response. “Not a problem.” Standing up she said, “I made you a couple sandwiches, let me go grab them.”
Now that she’d removed her coat and scarf, Thane took note of the jeans and slightly oversized, tattered shirt covering her thin frame. Her chestnut colored hair was cut short, stopping just below her chin.
After handing him his food, she returned to her end of the couch and asked, “Do you really not like movies? At all?”
Thane’s chewing slowed down. He kept his eyes on his food as he answered. “It’s not that I don’t like them, I haven’t seen enough to make an accurate assessment. I didn’t watch much of them growing up and when I started work there just wasn’t time.” He glanced at her to see her grinning.
Kate inched a little closer to him. “I know you need some rest, but would you want to watch one?”
Thane shrugged. “I . . . suppose.”
As if by magic, a remote appeared in Kate’s hand, which she pointed at the television. “I already started one while you were in the shower,” the TV flickered on. “I wasn’t sure if it was the best idea to set the bar so high, but, I figured if you only get to watch one, this should be it.”
Thane scratched his jaw. He wasn’t used to the facial hair coming in on his face. “Why does this one set such a high bar?”
Kate waved her hand at him. “Shh.” She unpaused the movie and leaned back into the couch.
On the screen, an old man with a thick, gray mustache stood over a young boy in bed. When the movie continued, the old man said, “I brought you a special present.”
The boy replied, “What is it?”
“Open it up.”
The boy proceeded to open it up and the excitement on his face was replaced with one of confusion and disappointment. He looked up to the old man and said, “A book?”
“That’s right,” said the old man. “When I was your age television was called books.”
Thane shook his head. “On the contrary, I believe television was called television when he was his grandson’s age. Even if he couldn’t afford one, they did exist.”
Kate shushed him.
They continued to watch for a few more minutes before Thane spoke again. “So we are to believe this Westley fell in love with a woman who did nothing but order him around?”
Kate pointed the remote at the television and paused the movie. “Are you going to do this the entire time?”
Holding up his hands in apology he said, “Sorry.”
The movie continued.
On screen, a prince stood atop a wall and was talking to his people. He asked if they would like to meet the woman he was going to marry. When they agreed he announced, “My people, the Princess Buttercup.”
Thane shook his head. “One doesn’t become a princess until after she marries the prince.” Finishing off his sandwich he added, “Ironically when a man marries a princess, it does not ensure he’ll be a prince.”
Kate closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “We are not even eight minutes into the movie Thane.” Standing up she tossed the remote on the couch. “You know what? Maybe this isn’t the best idea.
“Look, I know the bed in there is small for someone like you. Go ahead and use the couch, I got some things I need to get done.” She started toward her room. “Your clothes should be dry soon. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“There is one thing,” Thane said. “I do need to call my client.”
Kate disappeared inside her room and came back with a cordless phone. When she went to hand it to him, he stood up to meet her half way.
Kate didn’t look up at him when he drew near.
Being close to her, Thane noticed a light dusting of freckles underneath her eyes and across the bridge of her nose. It occurred to him that in the past several years he’d never seen freckles on any of the women he’d been around. He absolutely loved them.
Kate looked up at him and then back down to the floor. “You should get some sleep.”
And then she left, closing her door quietly behind her.
Thane shook his head. He returned to the couch and breathed deep, slowing his pounding heart with every breath. Staring at the phone, his emotions dulled and his mind began to still. When he finally dialed the number, he was a completely different person.
The other end picked up after one ring.
“Yes?” Even over the phone, Thane could feel the power emanating from the voice.
“This is Ambassador Thane Edwards from the IVSCD headquarters in London, scheduled to meet with Lord Jarren Skettus in two days. I am calling to request a seventy-two hour postponement due to an incident I will disclose on my arrival.”
The man on the other end was silent.
Thane waited almost a full minute before he answered.
“Mr. Edwards. The proceedings will take place in two days' time. Request for postponement is denied.”
“Then I request a local meeting, with Lord Skettus or his top-ranking advisor.”
The voice was silent for another full minute. “Advisor Varujan is not available to-”
“Then get someone who will meet with me. Tonight. North of town. You know where I am.” Thane smashed the “end” button on the phone and tossed it on the other side of the couch.
Looking at the TV, he picked up the remote control, turned down the volume and pressed play. He needed rest, but knew if he sat in the quiet apartment he’d lie awake thinking about the future meeting.
Thane looked at Kate’s door, regretting that he’d involved her as much as he had. Of all the people he knew, none were less deserving of the world he was a part of than Kate.
After he’d had his rest, he’d leave this town.
And never look back.