Page 38 of Smut

I find Kevin sitting with his back against a blossoming cherry tree, playing a game on his iPad mini.

“Are you winning?” I ask him gently, trying to see over his shoulder.

He twists away, trying to not let me see. After a few beats he says, “It’s not about winning in this game. There are no winners.”

“Are there losers?”

“Yes. You can die.”

“That doesn’t sound like a very fair game.” I pause. “Actually it sounds a bit like life, doesn’t it?”

When he doesn’t answer I crouch down beside him. “Look, I know you don’t want to talk about it and that’s fine, but when you do want to talk about it, I’m here for you, okay?” I put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “Okay?”

Finally he nods.

“Tell you what, we’ll do whatever you want to do for the rest of the day.”

He glances at me shyly before shoving his glasses up his nose. “For real?”

I hesitate, not sure what I’m getting myself into. “For real. I could dress up and we could wage a battle. You know I was thinking of you the other week and I bought some fun props for us to use. Elf ears, witch makeup, a new sword.”

“Really?” Now he’s excited.

“Just for you buddy,” I tell him. “I was saving it for when my school quiets down but we can use them now.”

He nods, chewing that over. Then he says, “No, we can save that. You know what I want to do today? Visit Fluffy.”

I groan. “Kevin,” I whine.

“Please,” he says and then adds sternly. “You promised. Anything.”

“Okay, fine,” I say getting to my feet and hauling him up to his. “I’ll take you to see Fluffy. But you are not to take him out of the cage, you got it?”

“It’s a terrarium,” he corrects me.

“Whatever. It’s Satan’s playground is what it is.”

He smiles gleefully and then takes off running toward the car, arms raised, waving his sword like he’s about to battle an enemy. I can’t help but feel the same way.

Luckily everything goes well and Kevin was just content to tap on the glass and feed Fluffy crickets, which I was forced to watch with him as he gave the gruesome scene some National Geographic worthy commentary.

When I got back to the house, Kevin was in a lot lighter mood, even though he started pouting when I had to leave.

“Please, stay for dinner,” he whines as we stand in the hall.

Angelica pokes her head around the corner. “You’re welcome to stay Blake.” And if my eyes aren’t failing me her expression is practically pleading. I guess she sees how much her son needs a friend right now.

I sigh, unable to say no. “Okay,” I say and he shrieks with joy. “Let me just make a phone call first.”

Even though I’m glad Kevin’s happy I know Amanda isn’t going to be. I dial her number—it doesn’t feel right to text her this—and head outside to talk.

“Hey,” she says, sounding surprised and I can’t help but smile briefly at hearing her voice. I wipe it off my face right away.

“Hey, listen,” I say and then I hear her groan over the phone. “What?”

“I know what you’re going to say,” she says flatly.

“Pretty sure you don’t. I have to cancel tonight. I’m so sorry but?—”

---