Kellen's Moment

by Robin Alexander

  “It has never caused me to have difficulty breathing like it does some people, but I develop a terrible rash even if I eat a few bites,” Leigh explained as she took hold of Kellen again. “I have one of those pens for allergic reactions just in case. So you were going to show me around your beautiful home.”

  Kyle grabbed a woman as she walked in the door. “Harper, let me introduce you to Stevie.”

  “Hi,” Harper said with a huge smile and shook Stevie’s hand. “I’m so glad to meet another woman. We seem to be the minority here.”

  “My bad.” Kyle smiled. “I was in charge of the guest list, and I know more men than women.”

  Harper patted Kyle on the back. “I’m not complaining, I’m still having a good time. Stevie, do you like crab dip?”

  “I do, yeah.”

  “I made some for the party—I’m a chef, by the way.” Harper took Stevie by the hand. “Come taste it and tell me what you think.”

  “Great, Leigh is in the bedroom with Kellen, and Harper is feeding Stevie,” Trent whispered to Kyle. “I wanna smash crab dip in Leigh’s face.”

  “Baby, chill. You can’t force Stevie on Kellen, let’s just let things happen here,” Kyle said and fussed with Trent’s hair.

  “Stevie isn’t gonna get her time with Kellen with Leigh hanging all over her like a wet tortilla since she got here.”

  “Let’s go outside,” Kyle suggested. “Mason brought his helium tank, and he’s gonna make naughty balloons.”

  “I need you to be on Team Stevie.”

  “I am, but I’m not gonna shove them together.” Kyle tilted his head toward Stevie and Harper, and Stevie was laughing. “She looks like she’s having a good time right now anyway.”

  *******

  “I love what you did with the master bath, it’s modern but still has a rustic look to it,” Leigh said as Kellen tried to lead her back toward the kitchen, but they only got as far as the living room, and Leigh planted her feet, still holding Kellen’s arm.

  “The builder had to add it on, there was only one bathroom,” Kellen said distractedly as she peered into the kitchen at Harper and Stevie. “Have you tried Harper’s crab dip? It’s amazing.”

  “I know I told you I’m allergic.”

  “Oh,” Kellen said with a groan as she returned her attention to Leigh. “I can’t believe I forgot that already. I’m sorry.”

  Leigh motioned to the couch. “Do you want to sit and chat?”

  “I would like to, but I kinda feel like I should mingle since it’s my party. Maybe later?” Kellen asked.

  “Sure,” Leigh said with a smile and finally released Kellen’s arm.

  As Leigh headed for the back door, Harper headed for the bathroom. Kellen darted into the kitchen and grabbed Stevie by the arm. “Come with me, please.” She hauled Stevie into the laundry room and closed the door. “Okay, why’re you here?”

  “Hopefully, not to fold your laundry.” Stevie looked around. “I was invited, wasn’t I?”

  Kellen narrowed her eyes. “Does your dad know you’re here?”

  “No, does your daddy know you swipe cases of toilet paper from your job?”

  “I store it here because people steal it. My dad dropped me and Kyle on our aunt and uncle’s doorstep and left when we were five, and we haven’t seen him since. What I’m getting at is do you legitimately want to be here, or were you sent to befriend us and snoop?”

  “I wouldn’t have made that dad comment had I known the backstory, and I’m sorry. As for your questions, I came here because I wanted to, although my desire is waning,” Stevie said, holding Kellen’s gaze. “No, no one in my family knows I’m here because they’d probably interrogate me just like you’re doing.”

  Kellen truly wanted to believe Stevie, but it was so hard not to be suspicious of a Sealy after a lifetime of it. “I know you’ve seen the signs about my family when you’ve driven into town. Your nephew and his friends are responsible for those. I have a trail camera and a file full of pictures.”

  “Send them to my…” Stevie clamped her lips together for a moment. “I was going to say send them to my dad, but he’d probably congratulate Jordan or buy him a new car. What is wrong with you people? I’m not just asking about you and your family but mine, too. Why do you have to hate each other?”

  “Where have you been?” Kellen asked sarcastically.

  “In Thornwood, New York, and I’m wondering why I didn’t stay there right now. When you look at me, do you see Sealy stamped on my forehead?”

  “No, I see you,” Kellen admitted reluctantly.

  Stevie nodded slowly. “So you didn’t really invite me to your party, it was Trent.”

  “No, we—well, I invited you.” Kellen put her foot directly in her mouth when she said, “I wanted to know if you had ulterior motives.”

  “Well, that’s a shame because I was looking forward to getting to know you. I actively choose not to be prejudiced. I don’t automatically think negatively of anyone unless they intentionally do something to hurt me, and you just did that.” Stevie waved a hand at the jars lining the shelving that took up one wall. “You obviously can. I think that’s cool, and that really makes me mad at you, too. Have a nice time, good night.” Stevie walked out of the laundry room, leaving Kellen behind.

  *******

  “Hello, my name is Dick,” Trent said with lungs full of helium as he met up with Stevie outside.

  Stevie frowned up at the balloon hat he was wearing. “Nice dick hat. Speaking of dicks, Kellen and I had a talk, and I’m gonna go. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”

  “Wait,” Trent said in his normal voice. “What happened?”

  Stevie descended the steps of the deck with Trent trailing behind. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. Please just give me some space.”

  “At least let me walk you to your car,” Trent offered.

  Stevie stopped walking and smiled at Trent. “We both know if we see a raccoon who’s gonna run screaming. I’ll be okay.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Let me go, I’ll be fine, I promise.”

  “Okay,” Trent said with obvious disappointment. “I’m gonna go kill Kellen. Bring me cigarettes in jail, so I can barter for my ass and the best bunk.”

  “You got it,” Stevie said as she walked off. She blew out a breath filled with disappointment and anger and was about to release a litany of profanity when she heard something rustling in the darkness as she came around the front of the house.

  A flashlight beam illuminated Kellen’s face. “I’m sorry,” she said and switched the light off. “Could you imagine just for a moment fighting a war all your life and suddenly you’re approached by someone wearing the enemy’s uniform saying they just wanna be friends?”

  “No, because I would’ve shot them before they even got close,” Stevie said as she continued walking.

  The beam of light appeared again in front of Stevie’s feet as Kellen kept pace with her. “Okay, so you kinda understand where I’m coming from.”

  “Yeah,” Stevie admitted with a sigh. “Forgive me, but I think your war is stupid. That goes for my family too. I’m sure it’s some demented idea of entertainment, but it’s not my idea of fun. You know, there are other sports, like football, for instance.”

  “Yeah, but the victors don’t get a bronze seal.”

  Stevie came to an abrupt halt. “So you really did steal Mr. Sealy.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Congratulations,” Stevie said and started walking again.

  “I was trying to make a joke with the bronze seal comment. Look, I agree with you, the war is stupid, and I’ve been sick of it for a long time. I had to know your intentions, though. No Sealy has ever come to the diner for pie. Would you just stop walking for a moment?”

  Stevie came to an abrupt halt. “What?”

  “Can we start over?” Kellen asked. “I would like to get to know you because no one appreciates canning anymore.”

  “Let me see your f
ace when you say that.”

  Kellen switched the light back on, pointed it at her face, and squinted. “No one appreciates canning anymore…and I don’t want you to leave.”

  “Without the Darth Vader voice.”

  “I want to get to know you. Will you come back to the party after we sit on my front porch and chat, so we can have peace?” Kellen asked sincerely.

  “Will there be wine?”

  Kellen nodded. “And crab dip if I can get back in there and swipe it without anyone noticing me. If I hurry, I’ll probably be successful because Mason is making dirty balloons and has everyone’s attention.”

  “Will you wear a dickhead hat?”

  “You’re pushing it. I did offer crab dip and contrition,” Kellen said as she led Stevie with the beam of the flashlight. “So is Stevie a nickname?”

  “No, my mom is a big Fleetwood Mac fan,” Stevie said as they slowly headed back to the house. “She wanted to name my brother Lindsey, but my dad wasn’t having that. He didn’t like the names John or Mick, either, so they compromised on Linden. Did you can all that food in your laundry room?”

  “Yes, with Trulee. I was so little when she started teaching me how to do it, I stood on a chair to reach the counter. We plant a garden every year in the spring, although I don’t know how much time I’ll have to help this year. My new job as mayor sucks up my time and has put everything I used to enjoy in a chokehold.”

  “You don’t sound very happy about your election,” Stevie said.

  “I didn’t even want to run. I did it because of my sense of family loyalty and because my uncle wouldn’t stop begging.”

  Stevie kept her gaze on the beam of light in front of her feet as they veered off the gravel drive. “You should’ve had a scandal to secure your loss.”

  “I didn’t want to sleep with my campaign managers because they were Kyle and Walt, my uncle. I tried to be mean, but everyone found that endearing. I refused to text naked pictures of myself to anyone because no matter how I angled the camera the look was unflattering.”

  Stevie smiled. “At least you have a sense of humor going for you.”

  “No, I’m dead serious. Have you ever taken a selfie you were truly proud of?” Kellen asked as she led Stevie up the steps of her front porch.

  “You do have a good point.”

  Kellen aimed the beam of light on the porch swing. “You sit here on the swing, and I’ll be right back with wine and snacks. Any other requests?”

  “Leave me the flashlight.”

  Kellen pressed it into Stevie’s hand. “I’m really glad you stayed,” she said and hurried inside.

  Chapter 8

  “What did you do to Stevie, and where have you been?” Kyle asked as soon as Kellen walked in the front door. “I’ve been hunting everywhere for you.”

  “I confronted her about her motives,” Kellen said without trying to sugarcoat it.

  “Trent is so mad at you right now. I thought you were gonna be open-minded.”

  “When she walked up and I was reminded of how pretty she is, the self-protective part of my brain went into panic mode,” Kellen said softly.

  “What did you say to Stevie?” Trent asked angrily as he stomped toward Kellen and Kyle. “Never mind, let me tell you something, Kellen, you fucked up. Stevie Sealy is moment material. She can climb a tree, she likes the woods, she can draw the album cover for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon perfectly. Okay, it was a triangle and a rainbow, but it was fucking perfect! She’s funny, she’s sweet, and she’s the most loyal friend I ever had growing up!”

  Kellen jerked a thumb at the door. “She’s on the porch waiting for me, but I’m in here getting my ass chewed out by a drunk guy with a balloon dick on his head. Would one of y’all grab me the bottle of wine Stevie brought, some crab dip, and crackers so I can get back out there to her?”

  “One picnic coming up,” Kyle said and headed for the kitchen.

  “Why is Stevie on the porch?” Trent asked.

  The front door opened, and Stevie poked her head inside. “So we can talk privately,” she said with a smile. “Love the speech, by the way.”

  Trent bowed. “Meant every word.”

  “We’re gonna go back out before anyone sees us. Would you introduce Leigh to Harper if they haven’t already met?” Kellen asked Trent.

  “Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of her.” Trent stabbed a finger at Kellen. “You fix whatever you did.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kellen said and stepped onto the porch. She laughed after she closed the door. “Trent is your number one fan.”

  “I love that big goof.” Stevie took a seat on the swing. “I can’t believe I let so much time pass without getting in touch. He was the best part of my childhood. We had so much fun together.”

  “He’s a great guy, I love him, too. He’s the perfect match for Kyle. They do everything together, they’re like two furry peas and a crab leg in a pod.”

  “Crab leg?” Stevie asked as the front door opened.

  “I have wine, glasses, assorted snacks, and a citronella candle for ambience and mosquitoes,” Kyle said as he stepped onto the porch holding a tray. “Will there be anything else, ladies?”

  “We may call upon you again for dessert,” Kellen said, doing her best to sound proper. “That will be all for now, you may go.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Kyle curtsied and went back into the house.

  Stevie laughed. “He’s adorable.”

  “You haven’t seen him when the sales circular we get in the mail comes without the coupon page,” Kellen said as she scooted a table to the side of the swing and set the tray on it. “There’s growling and snarling and lots of profanity.”

  “What makes you snarl?” Stevie asked with a laugh.

  “Those plastic bags you find in the produce department at the grocery store because I can never get them open.”

  “Yes,” Stevie said with a growl. “Somebody told me to lick my fingers and I’d be able to open them easily. As if I’d consider licking my fingers after touching anything in a store. The biggie for me is the pockets on women’s jeans. You can’t put anything in them because they’re so shallow.”

  Kellen threw up her hands. “Thank you! Our sweaters piss me off, too, they’re like tissue paper. Do the people that design them actually think women don’t go outside? The kicker is they usually cost more than men’s sweaters, and our jeans do too.”

  “Preach it, sister, preach it,” Stevie said with a nod and smiled when Kellen handed her a glass of wine. “Now tell me what gives you a thrill.”

  “King cakes. Somebody brought one with strawberry and cream cheese filling and hid it in my bedroom closet without an ounce of shame. That’ll come later tonight when I’m sitting on the edge of my bed eating the cake directly from the box with my fingers.”

  “Which one is your bedroom then?” Stevie asked casually.

  Kellen laughed. “I need to find a new place for my cake. Tell me what gives you a thrill.”

  “Finding hidden king cakes and days when I wake up and realize there isn’t anything I have to do.” Stevie smiled. “I love having a lazy day.”

  Kellen nodded. “Especially when it’s cold and raining. So you moved back here from…where again?”

  “Thornwood, New York. My ex took a job there, and I moved with him. I thought it was a nice place, but it wasn’t home, so when the relationship ended, I decided to move to New Orleans. I’d made an offer on a house, but the deal fell through, and I let my parents talk me into moving into their guest cottage,” Stevie said with a sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I dearly love my family, but I’ve never felt like I fit in. We don’t value the same things.”

  “You know I have to ask now what you value.”

  “Simplicity. Everything my family does has to be done in a big way.” Stevie held up a hand. “Here’s an example. We all went to breakfast at my brother’s place this morning, and they had a buffet set up with the really big serving dishes like
you find in hotels with the sliding lids. Do you have any idea how hard it is to clean hash browns out of the hinges on those things? My parents have a pool, but they’re contemplating putting in another one behind the guest cottage just because someone they know did that. My family has a dress code. I can’t even run out to get a cup of coffee in a pair of jeans and a hoodie. I’d forgotten what they were really like until I moved back to Sealy.”

  “No wonder our families don’t get along, we’re on the extreme opposite of the spectrum. The McLins don’t spend money, they sock it away. My grandpa used to say all the time to never let people know you have money, or they’ll find a reason to sue you for it. This is why Walt is probably watching TV right now wearing used painter pants and the mismatched socks he bought at the hardware store. He rarely ever takes a vacation, and poor Trulee had never seen anything besides the Southern states until Kyle and I grew up and started taking her on trips. Traveling with Trulee is like being on the red carpet filled with landmarks. I’ve posed for pictures next to rocks, a seagull, an odd-shaped cactus, and with a man who kinda looked like Al Pacino. It’s all step, pose, step, pose, run from bees. That happened in Yosemite.”

  Stevie laughed. “Did you get stung?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Kellen nodded. “I got off lucky, though. Kyle got a face full of llama spit at a preserve. Trulee caught a picture of that, too. Have you traveled much?”

  “I went to Kuwait when I thought I wanted to be a war correspondent. I knew it was gonna be hot, but I felt like after living in Louisiana’s heat, I’d be able to handle it.” Stevie sighed. “I was so wrong, and I have never eaten so much sand in my life. It constantly blew on me and stuck to whatever exposed skin was showing. I ended up spending most of my time watching military training exercises, and I realized then I didn’t have the grit it would take to do that job. The high side was I lost ten pounds, and I didn’t have to exfoliate the whole time I was there. Other than that, I have seen a lot of the Eastern seaboard of our country and all of the South. What perfume do you wear?” she asked suddenly.

  The question caught Kellen off guard. “Now that you ask, I can’t remember the name. It’s not perfume, it’s cologne Trulee gave Kyle for Christmas. He thought it smelled too feminine, and I liked it, so he gave it to me, and I bought him one he liked.”