Home Improvement
Chapter 4: We Need to Talk
Mark stood against a wall, waiting for Kenneth. As expected he showed up, looking uncomfortable.
"Mark, why'd you yell yesterday?" Kenneth asked, looking confused.
"Ken, I'm sorry for yelling," Mark said. "But I had to stop you."
"I don't"-
"Kenneth, no offense, you talk too much," Mark said sedately.
"What d'you"-
"Haven't you noticed?" Mark asked honestly. "Tell me truthfully, hasn't anyone ever told you that before?"
"Well, once in Australia, few kids, but I stopped being their friend," Kenneth said. "I knew they were just trying to backstab me."
That statement just made Mark feel uneasy; always a bad sign.
"Who'd want to backstab a good friend like you," Mark asked, trying to get Kenneth to see Mark still wanted him as a friend.
"Look, my mum also said I talked too much as well," Kenneth said. "I have a rough life you know."
"It just got better if you think of it," Mark said. "Your family is back, and I'm just being honest with you."
"But, I don't believe I talk too much," Kenneth said, giving Mark a look that made him feel more uneasy.
"Ken, I want to be your friend," Mark said, trying in vain to keep the best one he had as a friend.
"Mark, I try hard to keep my friends, you try hard to keep yours," Ken said, a hint of anger in his voice. "It doesn't work! It never does! They backstab us, or there's something about them that would drive us nuts!"
"Ken," Mark said calmly.
"I don't talk too much," Kenneth angrily said, now hinting approaching tears. "I'm just conversational, telling you something funny! It could be worse! I could've been conceited! At least I'm modest! At least I stuck up for you, when we were friends!"
Mark was silent.
"Just go away Mark!"
"Kenneth look"-
"Go away!"
Mark bit his lip, holding himself back from jumping at him. He was getting angry too. He couldn't believe quiet Kenneth Kauler was taking it this way.