*****
When I wake up the next morning, I take a quick shower and go down to Kevin's kitchen to make some coffee and breakfast. It's only 9:00, so Kev won't be up for a while. I take this time to call Kid and get some information on what's going on in Scott's head.
After eight rings, Sean finally picks up with a tired,
Sorry Sean, forgot about the time change, I say as I realize I'm in Florida and he's in California. It's only six out there.
It's okay, I was up anyway.
I ask. Something's got to be wrong for Sean to be up this early.
Been taking care of Scott. He's trying to get clean, Sean tells me.
Yeah, and it's no picnic.
Can't imagine it would be, I say softly.
He's doing this for Kevin. Scott'll be back, Sean says.
I say, because Kev's hurting.
Scott says he hit Kevin.
Yeah, he has a black eye. Kevin's heart is hurting more. He cried the entire time we were talking last night. He doesn't understand why Scott left him.
Tell him, Sean tells me.
I'm going to. He will want to come out to see Scott.
He can't, Sean practically yells.
Scott said no. He'll go back to Florida when he's ready.
When is that going to be? Knowing Scott, it could be five decades from now.
Whenever he's ready, Sean says.
Aren't you a fountain of information? I say sarcastically.
he mumbles, just take care of Kevin.
Sean says quickly and hangs up.
God, that was confusing. Why doesn't Scott want to see Kevin? Kid wasn't any help.
A couple hours later I am reading the sports section when I hear Kevin make his way downstairs. He took a shower, but he still looks like hell.
Mornin. Want some breakfast? I offer.
No, just coffee, Kevin grumbles.
I say and get up to clean up the mess I made with the food. Kevin just sits and stares into space. He's not any better than he was last night. What am I supposed to do with him?
Hey Kev, Detroit won the hockey game last night, I try to start a conversation.
That's good, Kevin says.
The score was 3-2. I read in the paper that it was a real good game.
Okay, Kevin doesn't want to talk hockey. WWE announced the main event for --Lesnar vs. Angle. It's gonna be good, I try again.
He doesn't want to talk wrestling, either. I know what will work.
I called Kid this morning, I say.
He's okay? he asks looking at his coffee.
I guess, Scott's at his place.
Kevin's head jerks up. Why'd he got all the way out there?
Where else did you expect Scott to go? I ask.
I didn't expect him to leave at all, Shawn, he replies quietly.
I don't have a response to that.
Is Scott okay? he asks slowly.
I say, not meeting Kevin's eyes. Why did I just lie? Probably because it's an easier story to tell.
You're lying, I know it. Kevin knows me too well.
I just shrug at him. I really don't want to be the one to tell Kev that the love of his life is suffering through withdrawal. Why did I start this? I am so dumb.
What's wrong, Shawn! Kevin yells.
Calm down, Kev, I say knowing that he won't.
Okay, Scott's getting clean and sober. Sean's taking care of him.
That's my job. Kevin's still using a rather loud voice.
That's not the reaction I was expecting.
I'm supposed to take care of Scott, not Sean.
Kid knows more about getting clean than you.
So, I love him, Kevin says. Now he lays his head on the table and I can see his shoulders shake as he starts crying.
Scott will come back, I tell him as I sit down and rub his back in an effort to console him.
Kevin says doubtfully.
I'm a little shocked that Kevin doesn't think Scott will return. He's usually a very optimistic man. After he's sober, Scott better think of a way to fix what he's done to Kevin.
The crying continues for another twenty minutes. When he's done, I suggest that we watch a movie. Surprisingly enough, Kevin agrees.
I pick Rush Hour, because the last thing that Kevin needs is a dramatic tearjerker. We sit comfortably on his couch until Kevin gets up in the middle of the film. He doesn't say a thing as he walks upstairs.
Just as the credits start rolling, Kevin comes back downstairs carrying two suitcases.
What the hell are you doing?! I scream, even though the answer is clear.
I'm going to see Scott.
Oh, no you're not, I say and make a dash for the bags.
He pulls them out of my reach and asks, Why not?
Because you can't, I say as I struggle not to fall on my face.
Kevin says nothing, just watches me steady myself. I take a deep breath trying to prepare myself for this next battle.
You can't see Scott because he doesn't want you to, I tell Kevin and watch h is eyes fill with tears again.
Why?' he asks in a choked voice.
I think for a little while before saying, I guess it's because this is something that Scott has to do on his own.
Then why did he run to Sean?
Well, Sean's done this before himself, and he understand what Scott's going through. Sean will give him what he needs--nothing more, nothing less, I try to explain. You can't do that Kev.
I can try, Kevin says in a sort of helpless voice.
No. You love him too much. You will try to take his pain away when he needs to suffer now.
I know that Kevin finally understands when he drops to the floor and sobs in anguish. I get down beside him, wrap my arms around his big body, and try my best to make him feel better.
We stay there for several minutes. Kevin gets up, turns around, and walks up the steps to his bedroom. I follow him, keeping my comforting arm on him.
I'm really tired, Shawn, he says before climbing into his bed and laying down. I quietly watch him fall quickly to sleep.
I unpack Kevin's bags while he naps. It's early in the afternoon, and I'm starting to get hungry. I decide to wait until Kevin wakes up to eat; he might want lunch. I sit and flip through the TV channels while I wait.
Kevin lumbers down the steps about an hour later, and he looks a little better.
How do you feel? I ask.
Like shit, he states simply.
I have the perfect cure. You hungry? I can't help but grin slightly.
Maybe a little. Why? He gives me a questioning look.
Put your shoes on, I'm gonna take you somewhere.
