"I thought he liked me," Arnold says for the hundredth time that night. Arnold threw himself down on his bed the second they got to the mission. He hasn't stood up yet, not even for dinner. The fried plantains Kevin brought him remain untouched.
Kevin bites back an annoyed sigh. What he wouldn't give for some coffee... "He likes you, Elder Cunningham. But Sister Hatimbi is his only daughter. It's natural he'd be protective of her. Give him some time to adjust."
Kevin is lying through his teeth. He was at dinner tonight. He saw Nabulungi, her red eyes downcast. Mafala set food in front of her, spoke softly and kindly to her, but when she raised her eyes to him and grabbed his hand in supplication, he shook his head. She ate the rest of her dinner staring at her plate, trying to surreptitiously wipe away tears. It was terrible to watch—seeing the pain on Mafala's face, Kevin knew it was terrible to be a part of, as well—but Mafala is a wise man. He's only looking after his daughter.
Just like Kevin is only looking after Arnold.
He and Mafala are allies. They shared a look earlier today, and it was like they read each other's minds: this wedding can't happen. So they'll do whatever it takes.
Kevin finds himself thinking about his own father. Dad grounded Jack for fourteen days as punishment for eating a maple-gazed doughnut. "It's for your own good, son," he said. "I'm only doing this because I love you." Sometimes, love has to hurt.
The memory of Dad and Jack brings up guilt, as it always does, since it should have been Kevin receiving that punishment. Kevin fights to keep his guilt at bay. Memories of his hell dreams—quick, persistent flashes—aren't helping him with Arnold's situation.
"I just..." Arnold murmurs. "I don't want Dad to be mad at me."
Kevin glances at him. "You mean her dad, right?"
"Well, duh!" He sniffles.
"He's probably just worried how young you both are," says Kevin, visions of skeletons and doughnuts dancing in his mind's eye. Stop it, brain. "About how you've only been dating two months—heck, you've only known her for three and a half."
Arnold leans toward him, lifting up his glasses to wipe at his eyes. "I know it's fast—but sometimes love happens that way! And I love her so much! What'm I going to do, not marry her? I thought he'd be happy!"
"Heck, buddy, I'm happy." Kevin sits down beside Arnold, resting a hand on his friend's shoulder."I'm only doing this because I love you." "But Elder Hatimbi, well... Maybe he's just a bit concerned about how emotionally ready you both are. She's your first girlfriend, right? And I think you mentioned that you're her first boyfriend?"
"That shouldn't matter." Arnold grabs a Kleenex from his pocket and blows into it. "When you find the right person, you just...know. And it isn't because of what he said, either!" His cheeks turn pink. "About...about me only wanting her in my..."
"Of course not." He fights down a shudder at the thought of her and Arnold together. Rob McKinley's red feather boa flashes before his eyes. "You haven't even mentioned how hot she is lately."
Arnold is quiet. He knows this is a lie. Kevin can almost see the gears turning—maybe her looks do play a larger role in their decision than Arnold wants to believe?
Something Mafala said does bother Kevin, but for another reason entirely: he doesn't like the villagers thinking that Arnold is using his religion for his own ends. But that's a thought for another time. Right now he has to focus.
Kevin can taste maple glaze on his tongue when the next thought strikes. "Maybe he's just worried that she cares more that you're the prophet Arnold Cunningham than that you're Arnold Cunningham."
Arnold snorts. "Well, that's impossible. She knows me too well."
"Of course she does," Kevin says quickly. Three, two, one...
Arnold glances away, two lines appearing between his eyebrows. His low self-esteem will take that thought and run with it. And Kevin will be there to pick up the pieces, because Arnold is his best friend.
"I know what you're doing, Elder Price."
Icy needles jab into Kevin's skin. "Oh?"
"You're helping me face Elder Hatimbi tomorrow. And...and my dad. Like a Rocky training montage." Kevin smiles—finally, a reference he gets. "Thanks, buddy."
Satan's guitar solo screams through his mind. "No problem, pal."
