CHAPTER 8, Part 1: Theme music came through Katherine’s headphones…
Theme music came through Katherine’s headphones, and at a signal from Laurence, she began. “Good day, this is Katherine Glee, and you’re listening to Health and Healing.”
Glancing at the notes in front of her, she moved on to the introduction. “Today’s guests are Steven Moore who’s a winter camper, James Holland talking about his triumph over illiteracy, and Cecilia Cornwall, who sares her shecrets – Sorry,” she said, stopping as she tripped over the words. Shaking her head, she paused and took a deep breath.
“Pick up,” she said giving Laurence his marker, who scribbled a note for editing. She tried again. “And Cecilia Cornwall, who shares her secrets for incorporating meditation into her daily life. We’ll hear from her in a moment, but let’s start with the sport of winter camping.” She paused and watched Laurence in the control booth. He was looking at her through the glass, and his voice came through her headphones.
“The pickup’s fine, but the intro to winter camping is a little flat. Do you want to try that again, with more of a tease or something? Then I’ll bridge to the interview with some wintry music I’ve got.”
”Okay,” Katherine said, thinking Concentrate. Get with it. Stop being so distracted. “Laurence? Can I hear the bridge music first? Maybe that’ll give me an idea.” She waited while Laurence flicked some switches. Forget about everything else, she was thinking, and then heard the sound of blowing wind and tinkling music that suggested falling ice. “Okay, I’m ready to try again,” she said. She waited for his signal, then stared at the microphone and said “We’ll hear from both James Holland and Cecilia Cornwall later in the show, but now, snuggle into your sweaters and put your hands around a mug of hot chocolate as we hear about winter camping.” She looked up at Laurence, who was nodding as he worked his controls. Good enough, she thought with relief.
“That’s better,” he said. “Now we’ll tape the close, right?”
Katherine frowned, trying to remember the pre-taped interview, and Laurence said “Do you want to hear the last bit of that?”
“Please,” she said. How did that end? I’m just not with it today. But the moment she heard a few words of the interview, it all came flooding back to her, and she nodded to Laurence. She waited until she heard the closing theme music begin, and when his finger pointed at her, improvised with “Try to make time in your life for short moments of meditation and reflection. On tomorrow’s show, Pat Berg talks about freefall writing, Andrew O’Reilly talks about journal writing, and Rick Lassiter drops in to talk about his support group for writers. This has been Health and Healing, and I’m Katherine Glee. Be well.” She remained still until Laurence looked up from the panel.
“That’ll do, but now tomorrow’s show is sounding a bit dull. And you repeat the word “talk” a lot. Do you want to try that again, or just go with it?”
Can’t we just go with it, she thought wearily. I’ve had enough of this. Instead, she said “Remind me again what’s so good about tomorrow’s show?”
“It’s all about writing, remember? Different aspects of how writing can make you feel better, I think.”
“Right, right. Yeah, they were interesting interviews. How anyone can write and tap into hidden parts of themselves. Okay, so where do you want me to start?”
After Laurence’s instructions, she forced herself to smile and began with more energy, “Tomorrow’s show is dedicated to writing, and the ways that writing can make you learn about yourself and feel good. Pat Berg encourages us to try freefall writing without a parachute, and Andrew O’Reilly reads to us from his journal. Also, Rick Lassiter will be here with suggestions on forming and running positive support groups for writers.” She peeked up at Laurence who was watching her intently. “This has been Health and Healing, and I’m Katherine Glee. Be well.” She held her breath while Laurence punched some buttons and gave a satisfied nod.
She exhaled loudly and pulled off the headphones. Am I ever tired, she thought. Can’t stop these thoughts chasing round my head. She stood up and suddenly felt a little funny. Putting one hand against her belly, she felt a dagger of fear tear through her. Pregnant! seemed to scream in her mind.
Laurence pushed open the heavy studio door. “That was harder than usual. What’s with you today?”
“Nothing!” she barked, causing him to flinch. “Just tired,” she said softly.
“Want to take a walk?” he offered.
“No,” she said firmly and quickly.
“It might relax you.”
“I don’t need to relax, I need to work more. That is, I have a lot of work to do, and I want to put my mind to it. If we’re done here, I’m going back to the office.” Katherine knew she was acting like a hormonally-imbalanced person, but couldn’t help herself. If I can just bury myself in some work at my desk, I’ll be all right, she thought. Her hand was on the studio door before she hesitated and turned back. “There’s one thing you can help me with.