Kevin thought of Buddha and David's smile as he sat in Jeff's office. It was a fairly big room, one half looking professional, the other half very messy due to the art supplies and toys sprawled across the floor. Near his desk in the back of the room stood two bookshelves, containing wood-woven boxes, children's books on hard topics and board games on the top. Kid's artwork was sprawled across the wall, making the room appear less office-like. There was a couch and two armchairs around a table, this area looking clean as could be. This is where him and his clients talked.
Jeff met with a variety of people, and nothing much shocked or disturbed him. Being a family therapist and marriage counsellor, he's obviously dealt with a wide amount of issues. Kevin's been seeing Jeff since his parents got divorced one year ago. He never thought seeing Jeff was necessary until Edd died. Now, he couldn't imagine life without Jeff, the mental health professional trained in psychotherapy. Jeff always starts the appointments with "How was your week?" Today, Kevin wanted to talk, but not about his week. He had to work his way around his shyness and inability to speak openly and truthfully about his feelings. So, instead of the usual question about his week, Kevin started the discussion.
"You know a lot about families?" Kevin heard himself question. He then realised his question had an obvious answer, and felt the embarrassment creep up. Jeff didn't laugh at him, though. "I'm trained to understand families. I'm licensed to-" Jeff cuts himself off when he realises Kevin is dying to talk. "Why is it that some people feel like family when they aren't?" Jeff made a face that signalled that he was thinking, but Kevin continued to talk. "I know what you're going to say. I know deep emotional connections aren't always from family, but I feel like he was home. He was my family. My heart. Why is it that it can just be taken away from you that quick?" Jeff's eyebrow raised, and Kevin sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"I don't know, Kevin. I know it's not fair, but he had his reasons for doing what he did. We can't help that. All we can do is deal with the aftermath of the situation and try our best to heal. Am I helping you with that?" Jeff asked slowly, his eyebrows moving down with every word. Kevin shrugged. "Yeah. But I'm not helping myself. I keep thinking too much, I don't let myself enjoy life. Sometimes, I wish he would have just killed someone else. That would have been easier to deal with." Kevin's words shocked himself, and Jeff scribbled something down. "Any particular person?" Jeff asked, not looking up from his clipboard. Kevin laughed slightly through his nose. He knew what Jeff was expecting to hear.
"No one deserves to die. Not even Jonny. Definitely not Edd. But I'm saying, if it was necessary for someone to die, it shouldn't have been Edd." Kevin put his hands over his head and rubbed his eyes in frustration. He looked up to meet Jeff's eyes, eyes that pleaded for more discussion. "I was going to marry him, Jeff. I was. I knew it. I felt it in my gut. I know we were young, but we were going to do it eventually. We promised." Kevin shifted in his seat uncomfortably again. Jeff cleared his throat. "Being young doesn't mean you can't be in love. Love happens at any age. You and Edd connected deeply, earlier than most people. That's okay." There was a pause with no eye contact as Kevin thought. But Jeff continued, "But if not Edd, who would die?"
"I don't know. Someone who doesn't matter, I guess." Kevin did a bit of a half smirk as he said this. "Doesn't everyone matter, though?" Jeff scribbled a short note as Kevin answered, "I guess not."
When the hour was up, and Kevin was leaving, David was still in the waiting room. "How'd it go with Gandhi?" He shot another smile, obviously pleased with the nicknames he gave Jeff. Kevin gave a weak half-smile back. "Alright. It was okay. When do you see him?" He asked. "Oh, I don't see him. I don't see anyone." David laughed. "I just mess around around these parts. I've got nothing better to do. Where you headed?" David asked, quickly changing the subject. Kevin was confused, but gave a slightly uneasy laugh and said "Uh, Peach Creek. I'm taking the bus." David gave his blank look again, and Kevin suspected drug use. "...Peach Creek? I'm headed there, too." He said unsurely, after a second.
"Yeah, that's what I said. Who are you friends with in Peach Creek?" Kevin asked. "Friends? No friends. Ex friend. But whatever. Need a ride?" David spat out, quickly and loudly. "Ahh... No..." Kevin started, then suddenly remembered what public transport was like. "Well, I mean, if it isn't a hassle.." He added. "Not at all." David smiled again. And just like that, they were off.