Page 44 of Frayed Owner

So not the point.

Though there was crying.

And drinking.

I ate too. There were burgers and fries. I remembered that even if I didn’t pay much attention. I was more focused on the beer wishing it was something stronger.

Something happened at some point and Kevin went to handle something with someone. I wasn’t sure.

I was pretty sure that I was drunk.

Either way, I was left alone with more beer… And my phone.

Me: I miss you, sweetie. I want to fix this.

Me: Can we work together tomorrow and you not ignore me? That hurt my feelings. This wasn’t my fault. How I handled it was bad, but it wasn’t my fault.

She didn’t respond right away, and I just stared at my phone trying to will her into answering. I smiled that it worked when I saw the bubble with the dots.

Bevin: Your actions are always your fault.

Me: No, what your father did. The start. The trauma. What made us spin out. Not my fault.

Me: Yes, my fault I was an ass. Hol.

Bevin: Is this Kelton? Give him back his phone please.

I frowned. How could she not know it was me?

Me: It’s me, sweetie. I swear.

Me: I can prove it. What do you want to know?

I flinched when my phone rang and almost dropped it instead of answering it. I quickly recovered and swiped it twice before it connected.

“It’s me, Bev,” I greeted.

“Oh, you’redrinking,” she sighed. “Okay, good. That’s—I thought someone stole your phone and was trying to impersonate a college kid to get information or something. Except they don’t know the college kid you are because you write in full sentences and have perfect spelling.”

I sighed. Heavily. “What kind of life have you seriously lived that you immediately think it’s about spying and getting information?” I hurried on when she didn’t respond. “I’m not judging. It hurts—”

“It sounded judgy with the sigh, Kelton. Again.”

“No, it makes me sad. It hurts my heart. That’s what I was trying to say. I swear,” I mumbled, scrubbing my hand over my face. “I hate how much pain you’ve lived with, Bev. It kills me.” I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “What your dad did is so fucked up. I meansofucked up. It’s not right. Dads shouldn’t do that and be like that. Mine was so awesome and—”

“Yeah, well, that’s not the life we all live,” she cut in.

“I know. I just wish it was for you. I wish you had an easier life.”

“I don’t know what to do with that,” she admitted after a moment. “That sounds like you want my life now to be different and…”

I sighed again, which apparently was the wrong thing to do.

“Could you stop sighing at me like you’re annoyed with me or annoyed you’re not just getting your way or what you want?” she snapped. “I’m not a problem you have to deal with or—”

“That’s not why I sighed. I’m frustrated that I can’t articulate what I’m feeling. I should be able to communicate with you better that I miss you and I want to fix this. That I want less pain in your life for you.”

“Thank you for explaining,” she mumbled.

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