Sarah and Kevin 15

After practice, Kevin went into Peter and Scott's room and sat at the computer. Scott had just got them online earlier that afternoon. He typed a quick note.

"Hi Mom,
Scott got the computer set up and we scraped together the money to get online.
Sarah's a really good cook and we're all still alive and well.
I wrote another song and Scott is getting us work again.
I'll keep you updated.
Love,
Kevin."

***

The next evening after dinner, Peter lingered in the kitchen while Sarah and Kevin cleared the table. As Sarah filled the sink, Peter came over and stood next to her. Kevin felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

"How long ago did he pass away?" Peter asked gently. Sarah stopped what she was doing for a moment.

"Four years ago," she said quietly, not looking up. She continued to fill the sink.

"You should have told me. I wouldn't have come on so strong," Peter said.

"I don't like to talk about it," she said, still keeping her head down.

Kevin bit his lip as he watched Peter and Sarah. He wanted to tell her what a phony Peter was. That he didn't give a crap about her husband, or her or anything except getting her in bed.
Peter reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"If you ever do want to talk about it let me know, OK?" Peter said.

Sarah nodded without taking her eyes off the dishwater.

Peter squeezed her shoulder and gave Kevin a look of triumph as he walked out of the kitchen and down the basement stairs.

Sarah bowed her head even lower and clenched her fists. When he was out of earshot, she looked at Kevin.

"He thinks he's got me all figured out doesn't he?" She spit the words out in a low growl.

"Yeah, he does." Kevin agreed.

"He doesn't know the half of it." She snarled and began washing the dishes like she was trying to scrub the glaze off the plates.

"Peter's just used to the kind of women who hang around after a show. Not a lot upstairs, ya know?" Kevin felt he should explain, even though Peter didn't deserve it.

She turned and looked at him. "You don't have to make excuses for him. It's obvious where he thinks he's going with this." She frowned and returned to doing the dishes.

They worked in silence for a few moments.

"So," Sarah said and sighed. "Do you all write music together or does just one of you do that?"

For the rest of the time they spent cleaning up the kitchen, Kevin filled her in on the creative processes of MourningStar. She asked questions and expressed amazement at Kevin's ability to write music.

Too soon, the dishes were done.

"Thanks for your help again," Sarah said and smiled at him.

Kevin smiled back. She turned and went to her quarters.