Every year, Katie’s quiet hometown hosts a spectacular Harvest Festival. Thousands come far and wide to attend wreaking havoc on the local traffic. The landscape is dotted with old red barns, orange pumpkins, and an array of seasonal decorations. Pumpkin pie is everywhere.
Katie’s quilt booth stands out. Aside from the neatly stacked handmade quilts she has sewn to the many antique quilts she has collected, she is confident she will make many sales. She adds bunches of sunflowers to the display with lighted autumn accents. This year’s weather is perfectly magical as a gentle warm wind comes off the hills and the cozy sun greets the crisp October morning. She wraps her fingers around her coffee cup and drinks in the moment.
“Heeey…” Katie answered her phone. “Are you coming?” She asked her friend, Leslie.
“We’re already here, getting coffee with Jeff…and his uncle. Is Pete there?”
“Nah, he’s not coming…we broke up. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it, today is too nice.” Katie answered.
“I’m…NOT sorry, I didn’t like him. You want anything?” Leslie asked.
“I’m good. I had one of those pumpkin spice awesome mega-muffins. You should try one, they’re good. A million calories though.”
“I might, see you soon.”
The morning breezed by. Katie enjoyed the throng of people who walked past, and especially the customers who bought quilts. She handed out dozens of business cards. The one downside of boothing was missing the Festival itself, but she was glad to have a space.
Leslie, Jeff and Jeff’s uncle finally appeared… and Jeff’s uncle wasn’t the old man Katie expected. He was a handsome man about Jeff’s age.
“Hey….” Katie rushed to Leslie with a grateful embrace. “You OK?” Leslie whispered.
“Yeah, I’m fine…”
“Katie, this is Jason…Jeff’s uncle.” Leslie introduced.
Katie extended her hand. “Nice meeting you…Uncle?”
“You were expecting an old man, weren’t you?” He smiled shaking her hand.
“I did,” Katie chuckled.
“I’ve got Benjamin Button disease, you know, I age in reverse.” Jason teased.
“Really, Jason,” Jeff explained, “My mom is his oldest sister, and he’s the youngest, so we grew up together.”
“I see…I think.” Katie replied.
“You know, I’ve lived here all my life, and always avoided this event because of the crowds, but it’s not so bad.” Jason observed.
“I told you it’d be fun.” Jeff said.
“Jason works at the School District, building new schools, right?” Leslie was letting Katie know he was employed.
“I work in the Facilities Department where we do build new schools and other stuff.” Jason added.
“Sounds like a good job,” Katie said. Behind Jeff and Jason, Leslie pointed to her ring finger and shook her head. Katie nodded, and gave Jason another look. He was definitely attractive in a shy kind of way; hmm, this day might get even better, she hoped.
“Hey, why don’t we run the booth, and you and Jason check out the fair.” Jeff suggested.
“I don’t know, I would love to, but…” Katie glared at Leslie.
“Oh just get outta here; cash box, business cards, anything else I need?” Leslie asked.
“No, I guess that’s it, are you sure?”
“Yes, get out of here!” Leslie ordered, smiled and waved them away.
“She’s quite a character,” Jason commented while they walked. Katie looked over her shoulder to see a winking Leslie.
“She is, and the best of friends. Her and Jeff…great couple.” They walked in silence and Katie sensed an exhilarating awkwardness, an exciting foreboding.
“Jeff found a good one,” Jason said nervously, “So is this quilt thing your full time job?”
“No, my hobby, I work in the City, but I live here. I love this town.” Katie relished the ease she had talking to him.
“Me and Jeff grew up here, and most of our family still live here.”
“How big is your family?” Katie asked.
“My sister, Alexis, Jeff’s mom, is the oldest of ten, and I’m the baby. Me and Jeff are the same age. He’s an only child, so we really are like brothers.”
“That must be nice, a big family…” Katie envied large families.
“What about you? Your family nearby?” He asked as they shuffled through the crowd.
“No, it’s just me, my dad died after I graduated high school, and my mom passed a few years ago. She’s the one who taught me to make quilts.” She smiled wistfully as the sun glinted in her watery green eyes.
“I’m really sorry,” he went to touch her shoulder in comfort, but the crowds separated them.
“Katie!” he called. She turned and tried to make her way back to him. He reached out over a group of kids to take her hand. She looked into his brown eyes and felt something she’d never felt before: a warmth, a comfort, a sense of belonging, and something magical happened. She clasped his strong hand and would never let it go.
FROM THE SHOE 