Chapter 8 - Relief

Seeing the kitchen still a mess and not wanting to go to sleep in a bad mood, Kendall began cleaning up. There was an odd quiet in the house, as if it was aware of its new tenants and the emotional baggage they carried with them. As Kendall settled into the routine of scrubbing, rinsing, and racking, his thoughts wend to James.

He shouldn't be taking this so hard. So he got a girl pregnant. It definitely sucks for both of them, but he's not the only one to blame here. It takes two to…well, tango. Besides, Cam definitely started it. Sure, he probably should have kept it in his pants, but she wanted it. She knew what could happen, didn't she? She had to know. I mean, we all took that awkward sex ed class from Miss Collins that one time. Jett was so into that…way too into it. Anyway, there's more to this story and I've gotta know what it is.

Halfway through the pile of dishes, Kendall heard his phone going off on the table and grabbed it. Looking at the caller ID, he smiled wide for the first time in what seemed like days.

"Hey, Addie!" said Kendall, sitting down.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Not much. What about you?"

"Same. Just wanted to see if your day got any better."

"Ha. That's funny."

"That bad?"

"Yeah. There's just a lot of shit going down with James and it's kinda my fault."

"What's going on?"

As Kendall spilled everything to Addie, he could feel the weight coming off his shoulders. Talking to Addie was one of the few things he could count on to make him happy. He really hadn't felt this way about a girl since Jo, and even then, there was something different about Addie. Kendall saw a future with this girl. He saw the picket fence, the 2.5 kids, the block parties, mini-van road trips to hockey games and singing lessons, high school graduations, grand vacations once empty nest syndrome kicked in, all with Addie by his side. Of course, he wouldn't dare say a word to her about it, but Kendall didn't even care as long a she was in his life. Kendall was thankful he had someone like her to talk through this situation objectively.

"Wait, so you have another woman and her kid living in your house now? And James is the dad, but they don't want anything to do with each other? And you knew there would be tension, but you invited her to stay anyway?"

"Well, I didn't know she had a kid. And I didn't know James was the father. But other than that, yeah, that's a good summary. I'm an idiot, right?"

"Kind of, but this could be better than you think."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, I'm guessing that kid's never really had a solid father figure, and obviously your friends have a lot they need to work out. They'd never have worked it out on their own. Maybe this was meant to happen, to bring this family back together."

"Maybe. I guess I never saw it like that."

"Of course not. You're in the thick of it. If I were in your shoes, I'd be going crazy, too."

"How do you do it?" Kendall asked after a few moments.

"Do what?"

"Know what to say to make it seem like it's gonna be okay. At least for a little bit."

"I'm a psych major," Addie replied. "It's what I do." Kendall swore he could hear the swag through the receiver.

"Why don't you take a slice of humble pie, there, Adelaide?"

"I TOLD YOU THAT IN CONFIDENCE!"

"Calm down, no one's around. Besides, I quite like the name Adelaide."

"Really?" Addie's interest was piqued.

"Yeah. It really settles that craving I get for tea and crumpets in the morning," the boy chuckled through a heavy British accent.

There was a loud clap through the receiver. "That's the sound my hand would have made against your face if I were there right now."

"Sorry I'm not sorry."

"I'll let it slide this time. I'm attributing this oddly antagonistic behavior to your current home situation and the toll it is taking on your usually calm state of mind."

"Thank you. Really, Addie, thanks. I needed this."

"Sure thing, man. Like I said—"

"It's what you do," Kendall finished. Suddenly, Kendall felt the energy drain from his body as the events of the day finally set in. "Well, I'm going to head to bed now. I have the feeling tomorrow's gonna be an early day."

"We still on for coffee tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. Good night, Addie."

"Night."

Kendall hung up, feeling a slight wringing in his chest as Addie's picture disappeared from the screen. He took a deep breath and got up, finally ready to put the day behind him.