Note: In the play Kevin acts drunk (obviously I took liberties in the order of events and whatnot) when he drinks the coffee, so I decided to make this more realistic and have so that he actually consumes alcohol. Without knowing it of course. That is all, and don't be mad about the lack of McPriceley in this chapter. All good things take time.
Kevin had broken four rules today. He left the mission center, as well as his companion. He was currently drinking his ninth cup of coffee.
And then there was the other one.
The kiss.
Kevin found that whenever he thought about what he did with Connor he was ordering another coffee. It wasn't alcohol, but Kevin didn't need the mind numbing effects that came with the forbidden beverage. No, what Kevin needed was clarity. He needed control. Coffee as it seemed provided both of those things while encompassing his mood with its bitter flavor.
Despite the self loathing that began building up the minute he left the mission center Kevin couldn't help but think he had caused Connor distress. He shouldn't have ran, but what else was he supposed to do? In hindsight returning to his room and remaining awake (he wasn't sleeping for a year) would have been a much more intelligent course of action. Now he managed to disregard three other rules along with the sin of...that.
Kevin was beginning to have an inkling that he didn't like Heavenly Father all that much. The jerk was still up on Kolob, laughing at the humans he managed to screw over. Making people gay, and then declaring it's a sin. Good one God. Not that he was gay. Kevin laughed with his mouth not his eyes, and ordered his tenth coffee.
Connor was a problem solver. He had above average critical thinking skills and perseverance. He could fix a Rubiks cube under two minutes, and at age twelve requested that he be given only puzzles one year as gifts for various occasions. He managed to solve the one thousands piece pictures under eight minutes without interruption, or if forced to leave the game under three days. Connor was a bright person, and prided himself on his natural "Mr. Fix It" talents. The only problem was his lack of leadership abilities. Even as a child Connor remembers Steve thinking of some sort of activity and him following along just short of a step behind, thinking of ways their plans could be executed with more efficiency and style. The fact he was docile did not bother Connor, and it never had.
Until now.
How he had been elected to hold the highest position of their mission center still eludes him. He doesn't exactly ooze confidence like Kevin or charisma like Elder Cunningham. He couldn't even claim to have the most pep like Elder Thomas. Yet here he was pacing the sitting room while everyone else dreamt their non guilt leaden dreams.
Kevin.
Connor decided that above all else he was not going to think about the events that culminated his disappearance. That just wouldn't do for finding the solution, it only served as a distraction, and he already had something else distracting him that refused to leave. The question Connor found himself debating was whether to break the rules and leave the center to search for Kevin alone, which every fiber in his extremely aroused body told him to do, or wake everyone up and have them form a search party. The only problem with that is the additional humiliation of Kevin. The already alienated boy would become a pariah if Connor were to make that call and the other elders would not speak to him for his entire two years spent here. At least that's the scenario that Connor kept relaying.
He decided to compromise. Everyone enjoyed compromise and it usually resulted in both sides being happy at an average level, instead of a grossly disappointed half and an ecstatic half. Connor made sure to wait until his pants barely bulged, that would not sit well with the others, and went to wake Elder Thomas, who was his partner, and Elder Cunningham, who he would force to help if need be. It was quite the silent commotion.
"Elder McKinley," Elder Cunningham squinted, his eyes adjusting to his glasses. "What are you doing?" Elder Thomas didn't even speak. He was not a morning person.
"Look, we have a situation that requires both of you to help." He lowered his voice. "Elder Price has run off, and we need to go find him before something really bad does. I need one of you to stay here in case some one wakes up." His voice was tight. "It would be best if this remained out of the limelight. Elder Price doesn't need anymore negative notice." Connor felt proud of his miniature speech. Sure, the two were barely conscious and he probably didn't sound authoritative, but practice will go a long way. Maybe.
"Why did Elder Price go?" an after thought, "And how did you know?" Elder Thomas made his way to the couch. Connor couldn't help but stifle a laugh. If the elder knew of the events that conspired on the solid cushions, well he figured that he would have pulled a Kevin.
"He was tired of being alone," quick Connor, think of a valid reason why. "I was just, going to the bathroom when I saw him and he just ran." Connor prided himself on the excellent lie. Let the guilt come later. In droves. "Look Elder Cunningham I need you to help me, Elder Thomas already passed out on the couch. We have to find Kevin."
The tone in Elder McKinley's voice was strange to Arnold. He had never heard the other sound even close to pleading, and now that's all he seemed to be doing. Arnold wasn't stupid. He knew that Elder McKinley and Elder Price would meet up in the mornings and talk, well okay granted it was only because he had gotten up to get a glass of water and they happened to be laughing about something on the couch. He panicked and rushed back to his room with a type of grace he didn't know he had. Arnold wished he was the one who became best friends with Elder Price. McKinley wasn't even the other's companion. He was, so why is it that he had to be humiliated on the first day by none other than his "best friend." He chalked up the dismayed sound and broken tang in Elder McKinley's voice as concern for his best friend.
"You mean Elder Price?" That's all Arnold could bring himself to say. It was five in the morning, this was a bit much for his plate at the current moment. Could he take a number and wait his turn?
Connor blanched. Had he really slipped? After all this time of paying particular attention when addressing Kevin he screws up in front of Elder Cunningham, the Mormon Prodigy? Really? He buried his face in his hands. Sighing he looks up again, not sure what to do.
Arnold saw something once his eyes met Elder McKinley's. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he knew that it involved first names, laughter, hugs, and early morning trysts. Arnold wished he wasn't so dang nice when it came to people. More like sensitive. Whatever. He was a man now, he didn't have to argue with his subconscious about being some overly emotional loser. Which he wasn't.
"It can be Kevin between us. I uh won't tell anyone or anything." Arnold berated himself. He sounded ridiculous. Connor smiled. It was small and sad and insignificant, but it was there. That was enough for Arnold.
"Thanks," a hand out, "Connor."
Arnold blinked. He wasn't quite sure what just happened and he had no idea what was going on with Elder Price and Connor, but he knew one thing. This was his first friend, and he was not going to mess this one up.
"Arnold," shake.
Kevin was almost sure there had been liquor in the coffee, because really once the room starts swirling and you begin mumbling slurred sentiments to yourself about failure there's something wrong. He didn't mind. No that was a lie, he was drowning in guilt and it tasted of coffee and Connor.
He assumed the voice he heard call out to him had been part of this nightmare. That's all this was. Just a...a Spooky Mormon Hell Dream. So why was it that the voice wouldn't shut up? Kevin's head began to throb.
Arnold found Kevin first. He was hunched over the counter of some seedy adult coffee stand. There were espresso machines lined up next to margarita mixers. Arnold sincerely hoped Kevin ordered water.
"Hey buddy," the boy didn't even flinch. "How are you?" Elder Price turned to face him and Arnold would have sworn. He definitely ordered a coffee. Or ninety.
"Oh, just great. But more about you, Prophet Cunningham. That's what they call you right? It's all about you," the last word drawn out to three syllables. Kevin decided he liked coffee, or whatever it was he was drinking. He was never this honest about his feelings. It felt wonderful. He felt like he could face his father if he really wanted to.
Arnold barely understood what Elder Price said. All he got was that the other thought it was hilarious he was considered a prophet. Even though Arnold hadn't fed the other's ego for three months the hero worship was still there. He felt like he was watching Luke Skywalker shake the Emperor's hand. It was disheartening to say the least.
"What happened to you Elder Price?"
"What happened? I woke up, that's what happened," Kevin laughed and walked over to Elder Cunningham. Well it was more of a stumble, but as dignified as one heavily imbibed with alcohol could manage.
"Of course you did," Arnold laughed slightly, weakly. Don't lose your cool. "You drank like 20 cups of coffee." Good one Arnold, now when he hits you at least he'll have a good reason.
Kevin swayed. He didn't feel too good. The floor was jumping up and down.
"Look since you're my companion and stuff I kind of need you to come back to the center." Arnold shrugged and smiled. He still couldn't figure out why he smiled in situations like this. What he really wanted to do was yell at the glassy eyed boy. Instead there was a stupid, nervous grin and a thin layer of sweat. "Well, come on," he reached out to steady the tipsy boy. His normally perfect hair was unruly and his shirt was untucked. It was the least presentable Arnold had ever seen Elder Price.
"What do I say?" The laugh that accompanied the question was short and harsh. Arnold jumped. "I say let's just admit the truth." A wayward finger pointed in his direction. "You think," narrowed eyes, "I'm a big jerk and that I suck." At a different time Arnold would have debated if that last word was a swear.
"No, I don't. Now let's get out of here." Arnold couldn't believe Elder Price thought he hated him. It was basically the complete opposite. He would discuss this in further detail with the other when he would actually remember.
"Don't touch me," it was growled out and Arnold nearly pulled out his hair. Why couldn't Connor have found him? At least Elder Price would have listened to the red head. The last notion nearly made Arnold slap himself.
"I guess I should tell Connor you-"
"Don't say that. Only I get to call him that." Arnold sighed. He was dealing with a child. A drunk child.
"Well it doesn't matter because he thinks you ran away for good."
"Really?" Elder Price looked like a wounded puppy. Arnold decided then that he was not going to break the alcohol rule. Ever.
"Yeah," pause, "and he's really sad about that." Arnold would have clapped himself on his back.
"I didn't mean to do that." Kevin frowned. Why had he left again? Oh right, he couldn't drink that one away. Still all he wanted was to go back to cuddling Connor on the couch. He bet that the other would make his headache go away. And that he would be warm and smell good, that way Kevin could just fall asleep with the other boy and not feel sick.
"Right, so let's head back and talk okay." Arnold knew in that instant he would make a great dad (without the obvious cocky attitude that Kevin often portrayed), and in the process be nothing like his father. He thought about how Naba would make the perfect mother. Kind, fair, and nice. He reached out to Elder Price, confident now.
Kevin's stomach lurched in two directions at once. Before he knew what was happening 20 cups of Irish coffee ended up on Elder Cunningham's polished shoes.
