Free Miss Impractical Pants by Katie Thayne Page A

of her again, she pulled out her laptop, whipped out her summary, and went one bold step further: She booked a flight to London for the day after her last final.
    Professor Bell’s reaction when she slapped the assignment along with a copy of her flight itinerary down on his desk was that extra boost of reassurance she needed to know she had gotten back on the right track. He was so relieved that in his elated state, he dropped the paper he was grading, practically hurdled his desk, and captured her in a tight military-caliber bear hug.
    ***
    “Oh, my!” exclaimed Mr. Scott as he opened his front door to Katie. “It’s been a mighty while since I’ve seen you wearin’ a smile as big as that.”
    “Is Heather here yet?” Katie asked excitedly. She removed one shoe and then other before entering his home, which was always kept British-grade pristine.
    Katie had a mission to bring her two friends together, hoping they would eventually fuse their own friendship. It would be nice for Heather to have another friend in town, and Mr. Scott, even if he didn’t agree, needed someone other than Katie to encourage him out of the house once in a while.
    “We’ve been visitin ’ in the front room. Such a pleasant lass,” he said. “Mind, she’s not a harebrain like you—she’s a sensible sort of girl—but very pleasant nonetheless.”
    His words couldn’t have pleased her more. Not only had she made a successful match, but in Mr. Scott’s eyes, Katie was the capricious girl she hadn’t been in far too long.
    “Now, what’s so bleedin ’ important that you’ve had to call this emergency get-together?”
    “I’ve had an epiphany.”
    “An epiphany!”
    She nodded an emphatic affirmation.
    “Lands, child, the things you say! I’m forever on pins and needles wonderin’ what you’ll come up with next. Well, come on then, let’s join Heather in the next room so we can get on with it, shall we?” He made an exaggerated sweeping gesture with his arm for her to lead the way.
    “I’ve been wearing the wrong skin,” Katie blurted as soon as she had Heather and Mr. Scott seated on the sofa. She had begun pacing the length of the sofa in front of them and therefore didn’t notice the confused, uneasy look on Heather’s face.
    When Katie turned her back to pace in the opposite direction, Heather leaned into Mr. Scott and asked in a panicky whisper, “I’m not sure I understand…is she turning Silence of Lambs on us?”
    Mr. Scott patted Heather’s hand reassuringly. “Just give her another minute—she usually comes around to makin’ sense.”
    Just as Mr. Scott prophesied, Katie rambled a few minutes more about her nonconforming skin before coming to the point. “Everybody wants me to be this compliant, practical, uninspired person that is just not me.”
    Seeing Mr. Scott’s mouth open and shut several times in silent, guppy-like protest, she amended her statement. “I mean, except for you two. Mr. Scott—Avery—for what it’s worth, you’re absolutely right—I’m much better as the Old Katie.” She flashed him an uncertain Old Katie smile.
    He crossed his arms, shifted in his seat, and harrumphed, indicating he would not be placated so easily.
    “I turned in the last of my internship papers,” she continued, “and I leave for England right after my final exams!” She fished her flight confirmation out of her pocket and, with both hands, proudly displayed it out in front of her.
    A reverent look stole into Mr. Scott’s eyes and a slow smile spread across his face. Then, he did something that Katie, despite having rehearsed this conversation in the car, could never have imagined: He turned his gaze heavenward and began to pray. Words of thanks and gratitude poured almost inaudibly from his lips.
    Feeling a little shaken by Mr. Scott’s moment of spontaneous spirituality, she cut her gaze over to Heather. Heather bounded from the sofa, grabbed both of Katie’s hands, and began dancing in