Close to Destiny (A Magical Love Story)

Chapter 27

April 10, 6 p.m.

"She wasn't interested," I said, glancing at my sister out of the corner of my eye. Blanche had convinced me to join her at a bar near her uptown office for a drink. Through the dusty windowpane, I studied the passersby carrying briefcases and coffee cups. Women who had exchanged their heels for sneakers rushed down steps to the subway station.

"Kat, are you listening to me?"

"Hmm?"

Blanche wore her annoyed look again.

"Kat, I was saying that it's probably for the best your editor didn't accept the idea. The good news is she wants you to work on some other projects. I think you need to put everything that's happened over the past few months behind you. I'm concerned about you. Granted, for the first time, you seem to be breaking free from the eating disorder. I suppose that's the most important thing. I actually am astonished and impressed to see how your focus has completely changed. In the past, you were never able to move forward so quickly. I should accept that and be grateful, but I can't help being bothered by something else... I'm afraid that problem is being replaced by another. By another obsession of sorts."

I swirled the straw around in my glass of diet Coke and furrowed my brow.

"What are you talking about, Blanche?"

"The whole idea of contacting the magazine was to start anew. You have to face reality, Kat. Either stay with Paul or dump him. But don't get involved in this fantasy world that you've discovered or created with those people you met in London."

"It's not a fantasy world." I felt like a defensive 12-year-old, but I didn't care. "Blanche, so far every time I've followed your advice I've fallen flat on my ass! I went back to Paul and tried to forget about everything. The situation with Paul didn't improve. And then... Let's just say the London experiences intensified."

I couldn't tell her about how Will had whisked me back to London or how Destiny had pleaded with me to believe her unbelievable story. Blanche would be on her phone to have me committed within the next 10 minutes. For the first time in my life, I couldn't share 100 percent of the story with my sister.

Blanche shook her head and took a sip of her martini. I only wished the drink would have a calming effect on her. I curled up in the bucket seat and set my glass on the table separating us.

"Look, Kat, there's a reason I'm adamant about you getting your life back together right away. I've always been here watching your every move, making sure everything was all right. But things are going to change soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I have an opportunity with the firm. A big business deal in Japan."

"You're going to Japan? For how long?"

"That's the thing, Kat... The plan is I'll move there for two years, which probably means it will turn out to be three years."

"Move?"

I tried to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. I hadn't been prepared for this. As much as I complained about my sister, I was used to the sense of mental security she provided. We had never been separated for more than a few months.

She took my hand and leaned closer to me.

"Kat, don't be upset. Then I'll start crying and regret my decision."

"I'm not."

"Be honest."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was afraid of your reaction. Your progress has been so great that my one fear was to put that in jeopardy. But of course it was silly of me. I knew I would have to tell you eventually."

Blanche shook her head. She wasn't used to making silly decisions.

"When are you leaving?" I asked, my voice no more than a whisper.

"In a month."

"Will you be ready by then?"

"Kat, the question is: Will you be ready? I want to have some assurance..."

I blinked to hold back the tears. I felt ridiculous for being such an emotional wimp. The anger toward my sister had evaporated. She was the only one I could really open up to after all. At least about most subjects.

"I'll be fine, Blanche."

"Promise me you'll forget about Destiny and that whole group."

"OK," I said. But it was a lie.

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