Sarah and Kevin 39

After practice that night, Kevin took out his mother's engagement ring and laid down on the bed to look at it. Sarah. Why are you falling for Peter? He raped you for Christ's sake. I care about you so much. But I'm not gonna get in your way. If Peter is what you want, then you should have him. You deserve whatever you want.

If I offered you this ring, what would you do? Laugh at me? Throw it back in my face? Or would you take it and marry me after all? Damn. Why are you doing this?


May

Finally, Monday night they did not have a gig. All through dinner, Kevin fought with himself. Should I help with the dishes or not?

After dinner, Peter looked like he was going to linger. Kevin pressed his lips together and was preparing to go downstairs when Scott said, "Hey Peter. Come down so we can work on the phrasing in that new song."

"OK" and Peter headed downstairs. Scott turned and looked at Kevin. He nodded in Sarah's direction as if to tell Kevin to talk to her. Kevin waved weakly at him. Scott raised his eyebrows and walked downstairs after Peter.

Kevin went to the drawer and pulled out a dish towel and tucked it into his pocket. Then he helped her clear the table. They worked together in silence. She was filling the sink when she covered her mouth to hide a huge yawn.

Kevin reached out and took her chin, turning her face toward him. She looked into his eyes briefly and then lowered them. Her eyes were bloodshot and there were dark circles beneath them which showed even darker against her paler than usual skin.

"You're not sleeping, are you?" he asked roughly.

She looked up into his eyes again. She jerked her chin out of his hand.

"No. I'm not. Nice of you to notice," she snapped.

"Why not?"

She turned toward him, arms akimbo. "Gee, I don't know. I had a traumatic experience in March. Mark is not talking to me. Peter wasn't talking to me and now you're not talking to me. I'm on a bit of an emotional roller coaster these days. Why do you care anyway? I'm still taking care of you guys fine."

"Some of us better than others." Kevin snarled.

"Oh, get over it. You act like you walked in on us having sex."

"How much different is it?"

"It's a lot different! He didn't even kiss me on the mouth."

"He was going to."

"But he didn't."

"Your sink is gonna overflow."

Sarah turned off the faucet. She drained a little of the water and began washing the dishes.
They didn't speak while they finished the dishes. Kevin felt his blood boiling hotter with each dish he dried. When they were done, he leaned against the sink and crossed his arms.

"Why don't you ask Peter for help with your insomnia? I'll bet he'd find something for you to do while you're lying awake in bed." he sneered.

She stared at him open mouthed for a moment. When she blinked, a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Why don't you go to hell?" she yelled.

"Because I'm already there!" he yelled back.