Sarah and Kevin 36

Kevin did not get a chance to do dishes with Sarah again until Monday night.

"He just really hates me, doesn't he?" Sarah asked Kevin after Peter went to the basement.

Kevin shrugged. "His ego is just bruised. He'll get over it."

"At least he's still singing," she said as a haunting wail floated up from the basement.

"He sings better when he's emotional about something." he said. "Your bruises look better."

"Pineapple juice and warm compresses twice a day. In a couple weeks you won't even know they were there," she smiled at him.

He smiled back. The dishes were done. He leaned over and kissed her cheek softly. He wanted to kiss her lips, but he held himself back. He went down to the basement.

Peter gave him a black look when he walked into their practice area.

"What's your problem?" Kevin asked.

"Why do you even bother?"

Kevin looked at him for a moment. This sounded remotely like the conversation they had before Peter attacked Sarah. Kevin sighed.

"You know what we were talking about? You. She's worried about you. And she thinks you hate her. Why don't you cut me and her and everyone else some slack. We're all cutting you some." Kevin punctuated his sentences with an angry index finger. He walked over and picked up his guitar.

"She's worried about me?' Peter asked.

"Yeah. Do you think she's making you go to these meetings to punish you? No. She's trying to keep you from self-destructing and taking all of us down with you."

Peter sat down on his stool and stared at the basement wall for a minute. When he came back to himself, he looked each one of them in his eye. He took a deep breath.

"What are we doing first?" he asked quietly and grabbed his microphone.

***

Thursday night came again. Peter still hadn't spoken one word to Sarah. She waited in the hallway outside her door while he got dressed. Kevin stood next to her.

"He hasn't said anything to me at all." She whispered to Kevin.

"Don't worry, he'll come around," Kevin whispered back.

"He's talking to you guys, right?"

"Yeah," Kevin nodded.

"Well, then I won't worry about it, I guess." she whispered and shrugged her shoulders.

Peter came out of his room.

"I'll talk to you later," she said to Kevin and led Peter out to the truck.

Again, they drove to the church in silence.

"I'll be here when you get done," she said as she pulled into a parking space. Peter hopped out of the truck without a word. Sarah took out her journal and her flashlight and began writing.
A couple of hours later, Sarah saw everyone filing out of the church. She closed her journal, turned off the flashlight and looked for Peter. No Peter, but no Jason either. Maybe he's helping to put the chairs away, she thought.

Thirty minutes passed. The basement lights were still on and she hadn't seen anyone else leave. She had a sick feeling in her stomach. She got out of the car and practically ran to the church. She was reaching for the doorknob when the door opened, cracking her in the hand.

"Ow," she said.

"Oh, Sarah. I'm sorry. Are you OK?" Jason asked. Peter was right behind him.

"Yeah. Sorry, I was getting worried," she said.

"That's OK. We were just talking," Jason said and put his arms round her. He gave her a big hug. "Have a good one. I'll see you next week," He turned to Peter and held out his hand. "Peter. Take care." Peter shook his hand.

"You, too. Thanks." Peter said. Sarah had almost forgotten what his speaking voice sounded like. She looked at him, blinking for a moment. He looked like he had been crying. For the first time since the attack, he didn't turn away from her gaze.

"You ready?" she asked. He nodded.

They drove home in silence. It was an unusually warm evening, so Sarah had her window partially open. The night air smelled moist and muddy, like a spring evening should smell.

When they arrived home, Peter was out of the truck like a shot again. Sarah sighed and turned off the truck engine. She got out and closed the garage door. When she walked around the side of the garage, Peter was standing there, hands jammed into his pockets. Sarah felt her heart leap into her throat.