Subj: Kate chapter 23
Date: 5/15/00 12:57:48 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen
Willie walked in the Old House as Barnabas was coming down the stairs. Barnabas looked terrible. His face was filled with such sadness that Willie thought Barnabas would collapse from the weight of it.
He walked over to Barnabas and asked, "You okay, Barnabas? I saw Kate leaving. From the look on your face, I guess she isn’t staying, huh?"
Barnabas looked at Willie as if he was seeing him for the first time. "No, Willie," he said quietly, "Kate is not staying. And I don’t believe she will come back, either."
Barnabas walked to a chair and sat down heavily. Willie couldn’t remember when he had seen Barnabas so depressed.
"Um, Barnabas, why don’t you go after her? Maybe you can change her mind." Willie inquired. He stepped closer to Barnabas, then changed his mind. "Ya want I should talk to her? Maybe if I tell her how much you love her, she might stay. Whatta ya think, Barnabas?" Willie asked.
A thunderous look came over Barnabas’ face. He stood up, took a step towards Willie, and thundered, "NO! You cannot change her mind anymore than I can. Now, go away and leave me ALONE!" he shouted.
Willie took off as fast as his legs could carry him. Barnabas hadn’t yelled at him like that for a very long time. Willie had forgotten how frightening it was. He went in the kitchen to make a cup of tea to calm his nerves.
As the water boiled, Willie wondered why Kate would leave Barnabas. She obviously loved him, anyone could see that. Barnabas was crazy in love with Kate, too. They were great together. But Willie kept seeing Julia in the back of his mind. She loved Barnabas, too. Willie wished that Barnabas had fallen in love with Julia. None of this would have happened! Willie thought. I wish I could talk some sense into Barnabas. Kate is great, but Julia has stuck by him through thick and thin. She deserves some happiness in her life, damnit! he said to himself. I am going to see her right now!
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Kate reached Collinwood in time to see Julia get into a cab. Carolyn was standing at the door, wishing her a good trip.
"Have fun in New York, Julia! Don’t get swept up by any New York men. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!" Carolyn laughed at her joke. She stopped laughing when she saw Kate’s expression.
"Kate, what’s wrong? You look awful!" Carolyn cried, taking Kate’s arm and bringing her into the house. "Would you like a cup of tea? Or perhaps a brandy? You look like you could use one." she offered.
Kate shook her head. "I need to get my bags to the car, then I think I will take off. It is time for me to go home." she said sadly.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Carolyn answered it. Standing there was Willie.
"Hi there, Carolyn. Is Julia here? I really need to talk to her." he said, looking around the foyer.
Carolyn said, "Oh, Willie, you just missed her. She is going away for a couple of weeks to New York. I am sorry." She stepped away from the door and looked at Kate. "I think I will get that tea, Kate. Stay right here, don’t leave yet, please." Without waiting for an answer, she headed for the kitchen and Mrs. Johnson.
Kate started to protest, but knew Carolyn wouldn’t listen. She walked towards the stairs, but Willie stopped her.
Putting his hand on her arm, he said, "Kate, don’t you love Barnabas?"
Kate stiffened. "How dare you, Willie Loomis? How dare you ask me that? Now let me go this instant!" she said harshly.
Willie released her arm, and asked the same question. "Don’t you love Barnabas? His eyes narrowed as he asked. Kate felt frightened.
"It doesn’t matter if I do, Willie. I have to go home. I have no other choice!" she cried.
"Yes, you do! You could go and then come back. That is all he is asking you to do." he said. "Kate, please, I have been with Barnabas for a long time. I know his moods, I have watched him fall in and out of love with many women. I have never seen him look at another woman like he looks at you. He loves you so much. Can’t you see that?" Willie asked. "Can’t you see that he may not be able to live without you? Do you want that on your conscience? Well, do you? he said roughly when she didn’t answer.
"Willie, I will not discuss this issue with you any longer. Goodbye, Willie!" Kate said as she walked up the stairs.
Willie called after her. "Can you live without him, Kate?" he said.
Kate stopped in mid-step. She took a deep breath and turned to face Willie. "It doesn’t matter, Willie. I will have to." she said.
With that, Kate turned around and ran up the stairs and to her room. She grabbed her thankfully already packed bags and headed out the door. Hoping Willie was gone, she started for the stairs. Kate could hear Willie and Carolyn talking, faintly, in the drawing room. She ran down the stairs and out the door to her van. Kate threw her bags in without caring where they landed and jumped in the driver’s seat. If she didn’t leave right now, she never would.
Starting the engine, Kate pushed the button on the left of the steering wheel. The van began to shimmer as it transported her back to the future. The last thing Kate saw before she disappeared was Barnabas standing at the edge of the woods, watching as the van took her to the future and home.