Sarah and Kevin 45

After dinner that evening, Kevin helped with the dishes as usual. Sarah hadn't spoken during dinner or afterward as they washed up together.

Kevin put his arm around Sarah's shoulders.

"You promised," he said.

She nodded and cleared her throat. She lowered her head. "Today is the anniversary of David's death. I'm having a hard time with it."

Kevin took her in his arms and hugged her. He kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" she asked.

"Stupid? No. I'm sorry you're hurting."

Sarah sighed. "You're too good to me," she said.

"I hope I'm good enough for you," he said. Sarah reached up and took his face in both her hands.

"You're perfect for me." she said. He smiled and kissed her forehead and then her lips.

Kevin heard the outside door open and broke the kiss.

Mark stood in the doorway. His face was redder than his hair. He was holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"I thought you'd need some cheering up today," Mark snarled. "But obviously your mind is on other things, so I guess you forgot all about it." Marks voice rose until he was screaming. He threw the flowers on the floor at her feet and stormed out. Kevin looked at Sarah. Her face was bright red and there were tears rolling down her cheeks. Kevin felt the rage bubbling up in his chest. He let go of Sarah, put his glasses on the table and ran out the door after Mark.

"Hey!" Kevin yelled. Mark stopped and looked up at him. "Get your sorry ass back in that house and apologize." Kevin strode toward him. Mark slammed his car door and met Kevin in the middle of the yard. They were standing toe to toe.

"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do, you freak?" Mark snapped.

"I'm Sarah's boyfriend. And I'm god damn sick and tired of you coming over here and upsetting her." Kevin poked a finger in Mark's chest. "You owe her a god damn apology."

"I ain't gonna apologize to that bitch. She can't even show respect for the day her husband died."

"It's been five years. Should she cover herself in ashes and wear a cotton sack for the day?"

"You don't know anything about it. So shut the hell up." Mark shoved him. Kevin staggered back a couple of steps. Then he lunged for Mark.

They ended up down on the ground exchanging blows. Kevin heard the back door slam and soon he and Mark were being dragged apart.

"I ought to arrest you for assaulting an officer." Mark yelled over Scott's shoulder.

Sarah, who was helping Tom hold Kevin back turned around. "You shoved him first!"

"This is all your fault, bitch. Shut the hell up." Mark snapped.

"My fault? You're jealous and acting like an idiot and it's my fault?"

Mark shook off Peter and Scott. "Don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't touch you with someone else's hands now."

"Shut up!" Kevin yelled. He pushed past Tom and Sarah. "She loved your brother very much. She was grieving for him today. I was trying to make her feel better when you came in and started running your mouth."

Mark visibly deflated. He looked past Kevin at Sarah. "Can we talk? Alone? Please?" he asked quietly.

Sarah sighed and wiped a tear from her cheek. "OK." She turned and walked toward the house.

"Mark, will you wait in the kitchen?" she asked and, grabbing Kevin's glasses, followed her musicians downstairs. When they got to the bottom, Sarah took Kevin's hand.

"Let me help you get cleaned up," she said quietly. They walked into the bathroom. Kevin saw that his lip was bloody and and there was a bruise forming on his cheek.

"Sit here." she said and pointed at the toilet seat. She took a wash cloth out of the cabinet and wet it. Gently, she wiped the blood from his lips and then the rest of his face. She bent down and kissed him.

"Thank you for fighting for my honor." she whispered and put his glasses back on..

Kevin smiled up at her. She brushed his hair back from his face. "I'll see you after practice." she said and kissed his forehead. She left the bathroom and went upstairs.

When Sarah got to the top of the stairs, Mark was sitting at the table, nose still bleeding. Sighing, she took a dish cloth out of the drawer and wet it at the kitchen sink. She wiped Mark's face and tried to get the blood out of his shirt. Mark watched her as she ministered to him. The band began practicing, so she closed the kitchen door to muffle the sound so they could talk.

"Are you really in love with that guy?" he asked. Sarah looked in Mark's eyes. He sighed and turned his head to look out the window. "Damn." he said.

"Mark, You know I loved David more than anything. When he died, I didn't think I would ever love anyone again. When I first saw Kevin, I knew he was the one who was going to change that for me. He won't ever take David's place in my heart. No one could. But I love him more than I ever thought possible." She kept her voice low so it wouldn't shake.

"After he died, I just wanted to take care of you. And then I fell in love with you. I knew you didn't love me, but I hoped that someday you would. Even after you broke things off with me, I hoped that you would change your mind someday." He cleared his throat and stood up. "I won't stand in your way. You deserve to be happy, even if it's not with me. Can I still call you once in a while?"

"Of course," she put her hand on his arm.

Without another word, he walked out the door.