As the days past, everyday seemed to slow down a little more than the day before, and it was always the same. Christel would feed Quincy, water the plants, and take care of Quincy's liter box, only when needed. After that she was off to work. After work, she'd return to Kevin's house, bring in the mail, feed Quincy again and water the plants again. Since she was still staying at Kevin's house she would force herself to eat a little something for dinner and then go to bed, the next morning starting the whole process over again.
All of these things she didn't mind doing for him, she'd just find herself in Kevin's room going through his closet sometimes. Sometimes she'd borrow a t-shirt or a hat and when she was staying at his house she made sure she slept on his pillow where his scent would cling. It was so hard for her not to pick up the phone and call him, but her pride and stubbornness wouldn't allow it.
Eventually, the gifts stopped coming and another month went by, two months without any contact with Kevin and three more to go. She thought she could handle those three more months and almost did until, she got another gift from Kevin. Apparently, someone told him that she was staying at his house because that's where the package arrived although it was addressed to her. Christel also noticed that this box had small holes in the top and around the sides. Carefully she pulled the top off and peered inside. In the box laid a sleeping kitten upon a soft red pillow.
"Aaawww, it's a kitten. The exact kind I wanted a Persian longhair," she replied lifting the kitten from the box. The movement awoke it and it made a soft 'meow'. When Quincy heard the soft meowing he came trotting into the livingroom and looked on curiously as she cuddled the kitten to her heart. Christel's mind was a blur. She reached for the pillow and laid it beside her to put the kitten on it. Under the pillow, at the bottom of the box was a note which read,
Dear Christel,
I really miss you. I know we aren't supposed to contact each other but, please call me. I just need to hear your voice and I'll be fine. It doesn't seem right that we can't at least talk to each other. I have so much to tell you and can't do it in this stupid letter. I can't express my heart like this. Please, please call me.
Love 4 Now 4 Ever,
Kevin
Christel felt horrible he sounded so sad. Kevin was hurting and she was responsible for it. This she could not bare, but she didn't want to break down and call him when she said she wouldn't.
The next day she came back to Kevin's house from the mall, she just wanted to drop off her packages and then she was going to her own house to check on a few things and make sure the house was still in order. Before she could put anything down the phone rang.
"Why is it you always ring as soon as I get in the house? Ok, I'm coming, I'm coming," she said dropping her bags on the sofa.
"Hello?" she replied.
"Hey, Chris, is that you? It's me Brian."
"Oh hi Brian. So you've found my hiding place huh?" she replied plopping down on the sofa.
"Uuuhhh, hi. I called to uuhh talk to you," he said seriously.
"Why? Wow, Brian you actually sound serious, that's unlike you."
"I know but I have to be, this is serious."
"What is it Brian? Is it Kevin? Is something wrong with him?" she asked growing more and more scared.
"Well he's fine considering what he's going through. I mean, he's not dying if that's what you mean. It's something else. . ." he broke off.
"Well what is it?!?!" she asked anxiously.
"Kevin won't eat, he's barely sleeping, he won't talk to me at all, he's crabby, really sarcastic more than usual, and at interviews he speaks only when spoken to directly. He's hurtin' Christel and only you can do something about that."
"What can I do?"
"You can call him. AJ isn't being very supportive of Kevin either. And I know AJ has been sending you gifts but, I've been able to keep that from Kevin. He and Kevin aren't speaking at all, now."
"I realize it's hard for him Brian, but it's hard for me too. I'm not sleeping and I'm hardly eating too," she said.
"Look, I'm not tryin' to pry into your relationship but, I can't take it. Kevin is really falling apart here. He needs you! Why can't you see that?" Brian almost yelled.
"I need him too," she mumbled close to tears.
"Than come to him Christel, please."
"How can I do that you're in Sweden! I don't have the kind of money you have to just drop everything and fly to Sweden," she replied.
"I'll pay," he blurted out.
"You will? Wait, Brian I can't ask you to do that for me," she replied.
"It'll be my pleasure. I really don't mind, anything to get Kevin out of his rut," Brian replied.
"Wait what about my kitten?" she said to herself but, Brian heard her.
"What kitten?"
"Kevin sent me a kitten it came yesterday."
"He sent you a kitten? So that's what he decided on. Have you gotten any other gifts?"
"Uuuhhh yeah AJ replaced the cookie jar he broke and I've gotten a lot of things from both of them for the past two months," she told him.
"Oh. . . well you should come here. For Kevin anyway," he said.
"Uuummm Brian I don' know if I can let you do this Brian," she muttered.
"Please Christel, I hate seein' Kevin so not put together, that's my job," Brian replied.
"Brian no really you're a good friend and an even better cousin but, I can't," she said tears streaming down her face.
"You can and you will. I won't take 'no' for an answer, Christel," he said his tone laced with frustration. After a long pause Christel finally responded with, "Alright Brian. . . I'll come."
"Good," Brian said triumphantly. Brian continued to give Christel directions to get to Kevin.