Chapter 9: Kate
Ten years later Kate couldn't believe that she did well and completed college while taking many trips. She planned to visit James that summer and couldn't wait to see him; her Aunt and Uncle approved her trip and she was getting her passport. She hadn't been to England since she was a child. It was going to be a surprise to James, but Kate really loved him. Sara warned Kate that she thought James was a jerk and she needed to be careful. Kate thought Sara was only saying things like that because she wanted Kate to be with her cousin Alex. Kate liked him but only as a friend even though Alex liked her more than just friends; she wished he didn't.
The time arrived for Kate to go to England the following morning, so she went to bed early and got up early. She had gifts for everyone and made sure she had them packed. It was a long and boring trip but once she arrived, she checked into the hotel to get some rest before seeing James. Kate planned to stay in England for a while and thought she might get a job while there. Her teacher Mrs. Redman had said she could be used as a reference; Kate hadn't decided. Kate wanted to look good for James so she wore her best dress and hoped he would be happy to see her.
The next day after resting in the hotel, Kate went shopping and saw Rose. "I can't believe you are here, why didn't you tell us you were coming? " Rose cried. "I would have but I wanted it to be a surprise," Kate responded. While Rose and Kate ate, Kate told Rose that she wanted to surprise James. Rose received a phone call and stepped away from the table to take the call. While Kate waited for Rose to return, she saw James walk by and he was with Jill. Kate went to talk to James. "Hello James," Kate greeted. "Do I know you?" James asked her rudely. "Yes, it's me Kate, I came to see you," Kate replied. "I thought me not writing you would have given you a hint that I'm not interested in you! I was only friends with you because my parents made me, but I can't stand you," James declared. "I don't understand, if you didn't want anything to do with me why were you writing to me?" Kate cried. "Did you not hear me, I wasn't writing to you," James yelled angrily. Kate ran from the restaurant because she did not want to listen to James. She ran so fast she didn't think she would ever stop as she cried uncontrollably. She heard Rose calling after her, but she didn't stop running; her heart was broken. Kate thought how wrong she was in thinking James cared about her; he was really a jerk.
The next day, Kate took the first plane home. Her Aunt and Uncle hadn't understood why she came home early, and she told them that she wasn't being rude but needed to be left alone for a while before she could talk to them. Kate got into bed and stayed there crying. Although her Aunt and Uncle were very concerned for her, they respected her wishes. Kate couldn't understand who could have written all those letters if it wasn't James. Was someone playing a mean joke and if so, why would they do that? She was so confused; she just didn't understand.
Sara came over and Kate told her everything that happened. "I can't believe he was so hurtful, but I told you he was a jerk," Sara sympathized. "I know you did, but I didn't want to hear that, I should have listened," Kate agreed. "Do you have any idea who has been writing to you?" Sara asked. "No," Kate replied. "You think Alex might have been writing to you?" Sara suggested. "I don't think Alex would do something so mean," Kate answered. "I don't think they did it to be mean. They probably knew what kind of jerk that James was. Whoever wrote the letters probably wanted to spare your feelings," Sara comforted.
"I was doing a lot of thinking and I am going away for a while. I bought a cabin in the woods," Kate pronounced. "Do you want me to go with you?" Sara asked. "No, I need some time to myself, but thank you," Kate answered. "Are you sure that you want to do this?" Sara probed. "Yes, getting away for a while will make me feel better," Kate responded. "Ok, just let me know if you need anything," Sara conceded. "I will," Kate assured Sara. After Sara left, Kate packed her bag and left for the cabin which was in the middle of nowhere.