*****

At the ice cream bar around the corner I indulge myself in some delicious chocolate-chip, and Kevin greedily eats a hot fudge sundae. Between bites we tell each other stories about our neices and nephews. We also talk about the hockey season, and the current happenings in wrestling. It's really great to see a smile on Kev's face.

We continue to laugh and have a good time when we get back to Kevin's house. we put on our swim trunks and jump in Kev's large in-ground pool. With a grin, Kevin challenges me to see who can make a bigger cannonball splash. I foolishly agree but Kevin wins, even though I try to cheat. We dry off and wander back inside at dinner time.

Kevin and I get dressed, then work together to produce a very good steak dinner. After we're full we move into the living room and settle to watch a hockey game on TV. I head upstairs to the guestroom when the postgame interviews go off. Kevin stays downstairs to watch some of the late night shows.

A few hours into the night I wake up to the sounds of Kevin crying himself to sleep. I can only imagine how much it hurts Kev to walk in that room and lay in that bed he used to share with Scott, but Scott isn't there. He left to go suffer through withdrawal. I hope that I can make Kevin smile tomorrow with fun activities like we did today.

For the next week Kevin and I follow a pattern. I wake up and call Kid for an update on Scott, and Kid only half-answers my questions. Kevin has a good long sobbing session and refuses to eat breakfast. We go out for lunch and have great afternoons filled with laughter. We watch some TV before going to bed, where Kevin cries himself to sleep. That pattern of daily life changes about one week after Scott's departure.

I wake up in the morning and Kid tells me that Scott isn't feeling ill anymore, but he's still not ready to come home. I fix some pancakes for breakfast, and wait for Kevin to come to the kitchen.

When he does come down, Kevin looks better than he has all week. He doesn't look great, just better. Mornin, Shawn, he says and piles some pancakes on his plate.

I reply. I'm a little surprised that he's eating this morning.

So, what do you have planned for today? Kevin asks.

Nothing. What do you want to do?

I kinda want to see that new Jackie Chan movie.

Sure, it looks good, I say and fall into silence.

When I get up to clean the kitchen, Kev asks a question he's never asked before, What did Sean have to say this morning?

Not much, I shrug.

How's Scott?

Kevin's neer asked me about Scott's well-being since he left.

When's he coming back?

Don't know, Sean said he's still not ready, I reply.

he mutters and picks the phone up off the table.

What are you doing? I ask alarmed.

Calling Scott, he says simply.

You're not supposed to.

Fuck if I care. I want some damn answers, he says angrily.

I watch as he dials the number and waits for an answer. Apparently Kid answers, because Kevin demands to talk with Scott, but Kid refuses. Suddenly, the phone flies across the room and shatters against he wall.

That fucking sonofabitch hung up on me!

Told ya, I say stupidly.

Shut the fuck up, Shawn! he yells at me.

Oh God, Kev's really pissed off. I better be careful. Calm down, Kev.

Fuck you!

I start until he picks up his coffee cup and throws it at me.

I quickly duck, and hear it crash against the cabinets.

Stop it! I scream at him when he reaches for my coffee cup. What is wrong with him?

He pulls his hand back and slams his fist down on the table instead. Kevin screams at the top of his lungs.

I yell to get his attention.

he yells back at me.

Why are you mad? I ask in a quieter voice.

That fucker left me! Kev doesn't stop yelling.



For no damn reason!

I thought we covered this. Kev, he left to get sober.

What kind of a reason is that?! He can do that hear in Florida with me!

I sigh and say, Kevin, we've been through this already. He can't really get sober here.

Stop making excuses for him! Kevin is just getting more mad.

I'm not! I yell at him, because I am suddenly mad at Kevin.

You are to!

I am not! Great, we're arguing like little children.

What do you call it, then?!

Trying to talk sense into your dumb head!

Kev yells at me.

Stupid jackass! Now we're calling each other names.

Fucking idiot! Kevin calls me while he stomps up the stairs to his room.

Dumb fucker! I yell back just to get the last word. God, we are so inmature.

I look around the kitchen. There's a shattered phone on the floor and pieces of his coffee cup covering the counter by the sink. I should probably clean this mess up.

I hate it when Kevin gets angry. He always yells and throws things. No wonder Scott left. I know that I could never put up with Kevin. It always pisses me off when he starts acting like an idiot. Then, I start actling like an idiot. The two of us are so stupid when we fight.

While I'm on the floor picking up pieces of plastic I hear Kev stomp back downstairs. I don't look up to see what he might be doing--I'm too stubborn.

I'm going to the gym. Kevin says in a voice that's far from nice.

Fine, leave, I say just before the front door slams.



~~~~~
TBC
Sorry for the lousy cut-off here, I'm tired of typing. There will be more tomorrow.