The next morning, Lila and Kevin were sitting out on the back patio eating their breakfast. Lila kept insisting that she wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat but Kevin was more stubborn, he made her sit down and said she could go back to bed only if she ate some of her food. As much as food seemed to be disgusting her at that moment, she had to admit it was good cooking. Kevin was a damn good cook. Now if only her stomach would quit rolling and rumbling. She knew that as much as the food tasted good NOW that later it wasn't going to be pretty.
Kevin was watching her closely, she was getting paler by the moment. Finally, she pushed the plate away from her and grimaced, "I can't eat anymore."
"Are you okay?"
She shook her head and then gulped down the glass of water she had brought out, "No."
"Are you sick?"
She didn't answer but bolted inside the house for the bathroom.
Kevin cleaned up their breakfast and put the dishes into the dishwasher. He found her in the hall bathroom, gripping tightly to the side of the counter. Kevin grabbed a washcloth and wet it, "Sit down."
She did and groaned, "I don't know what's wrong with me all of a sudden..."
"You probably have a cold and you're stressing over Scott.."
She groaned, leaning her head against the wall, "I think if I even THOUGHT about food right now I'd hurl."
He smiled, "So ladylike."
"Uh huh..."
"Come on, let's get you upstairs...I think all you need is some rest."
She nodded and he helped her stand up and then up the stairs to her room.
Kevin made sure she was asleep before going back downstairs. He cleaned the kitchen up and then got bored so he went to go watch tv. The doorbell ringing a few minutes later startled him. He stood to get it and was surprised to see Scott's mother, Mary, standing outside. "Mary? What are you doing here?"
"Hi Kevin..where's Lila?"
"Upstairs asleep...I think she's sick."
Mary stepped inside, "I don't want to disturb her then.."
"Mary? What's wrong? You wouldn't just come down here unless....something happened, didn't it?"
Mary sighed and sat down, "Sit Kevin."
"Mary--"
"I said sit Kevin."
He did so without another word.
Mary kept wringing her hands together, in and out, "They called us last night....Scott's dead Kevin."
She looked up. Kevin sat there like a stone statue, he stared straight out, not blinking or anything. The only way she could tell he was still alive was that he was breathing. He finally blinked and made eye contact with her, "Are you sure?"
Mary nodded, "Yeah..they found his dog tags."
She saw the tears rise in his eyes and wanted to cry again herself. She stood up and hugged Kevin tightly as he began to sob into her shirt.
She rocked back and forth, a few tears spilling from her eyes as well. Kevin finally pulled away, his eyes red and puffy, "I can't believe this..."
"Me neither..he was my baby."
"God....Lila's upstairs.."
"I know..I'm gonna go tell her...would you call and make some flight arrangements for us for tomorrow?"
"Sure..I'll do that why you umm..go tell her.."
"I know this is hard for you Kevin...you two practically grew up together..."
He nodded and stood to go into the kitchen.
Mary walked up the stairs and into the master bedroom. She looked off to the side to see a picture of her son and Lila together; she didn't want to tell Lila this...she didn't need this.
Lila was on one side of the bed curled up. Mary sat down and brushed her hair away from her face; Lila had become like a daughter to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she groaned, "Mary?"
"Hi honey...Kevin said you weren't feelin' too good..you okay?"
"I think so.."
She smiled sadly, "Ok.."
Lila sat up, "What are you doing here? Did Kevin call you? Because, I can really take care of myself...but I..I thought Kevin should know about Scott...and....and...."
"Shhh..you're rambling honey...Lila, Kevin didn't call..I came to tell you something."
Lila was quiet as she tried to read into Mary's eyes; realization came over her, "Oh no...no...please don't Mary..."
"I'm sorry Lila."
Lila buried her face in her hands, "He can't!"
"He died Lila...Scott died.."
Lila began to sob; Mary too. The two women hugged one another.
Kevin had come to tell Mary that he had made flight arrangements but stopped when he had heard Lila begin to cry. He leaned against the door jam, willing himself not to cry. He watched as Mary leaned over to hug Lila and Lila clung to her like she was her lifeline.
The next day, Kevin had to leave to rejoin the tour. Mary and Lila were leaving to go to Kentucky. Lila would barely talk to anyone and as far as Kevin knew, she got no sleep the night before. She just sat in her bed, staring out into the darkness. He couldn't sleep more than an hour and had ended up watching her most of the night.
"Lila..promise you'll try to take care of yourself?"
She nodded, "I'll try.."
"I know this is hard on you..."
"I know it is on you too...you knew him longer than me.."
"But he loved you Lila...don't forget that, ok?"
"Ok.."
"You can call me anytime you want; just to talk or whatever."
"Ok..are you going to come to the...the...you know."
"Yeah..I'm gonna try...we may be overseas by then but I'll try, ok?"
"Okay.."
Kevin sighed and hugged her. "Be careful.," She said.
"I will...you two have a safe trip."
Mary and Kevin hugged and he went to board his flight.
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