Stepping Into The Light With You - 6. Chapter 6

“Kathy?” Lucas’ shaky voice called out. “What are you doing?”

She didn’t move an inch. She didn’t turn behind to look either. “Lucas?” It was the calmest voice Kevin had ever heard.

“Yea,” he said. “Listen, whatever it is that’s bothering you, I swear this isn’t going to solve any of your problems.”

“You don’t know that,” she whispered. “You don’t know anything.” The lazy breeze brushed across their bodies interrupting the brief silence. “You don’t know me … or my fucked up life …” Kathy gave a sardonic laugh. “… or my abusive step-father.”

Kevin froze. He stared at the back of Lucas’ head knowing exactly how this was affecting him.

“Oh Kathy …”

“Don’t you pity me. Do not pity me.” She spat each word she uttered. Her voice shook with anger.

Then, suddenly, she burst out laughing.

“I am asking you not to pity me but I pity myself so, so much right now.” She visibly shook her head. “I’ve led such a sorry life … a miserable, pitiful life. They pity me all the time.”

“They?”

“Everyone!” She almost yelled. “Well, don’t you?”

Lucas didn’t reply immediately. What was he supposed to say? Kevin himself didn’t know what he would have said to help the situation. There was no right answer here.

“More than pity, I’m scared for you Kathy.”

“You sure think I’m a coward.”

“No! I don’t.” That came out very convincing.

Kathy let out a loud sob. “I don’t want to live like this. This … scared life that I’m living. I can’t do it anymore.”

Kevin watched as Lucas took a step closer to her. He hadn’t realized until now that he’d been gradually getting nearer to her as they spoke.

“My mom. She was a coward.” Kathy said as a matter-of-fact. “She couldn’t take any more of the abuse, so she ran out on us. Left me behind. Never turned back. Not even to check up on me.”

Lucas palmed her shoulder gently and she gasped. Although there were no sudden movements made, it still made Kevin’s heart jump.

The loud cries suddenly echoed through the air as Kathy lost control of her emotions. Her shoulders shook as the sobbing continued to grow. She screamed and moaned – kept saying how she hated her life. The agony of being betrayed by the two people that brought her into this world. The father who should have protected her from all the demons had turned out to be the devil himself and the mother who had promised to keep her safe no matter what, had succumbed to her own fears too much to even care about the daughter she had.

He remembered Kathy’s mother from the time the school had arranged parents’ night the previous year. She was this frail, fair skinned lady with bloody red lips who had hit it off with his mother right away. Although Kathy Humen and he had never really spoken before, Kevin knew his mother was good friends with Mrs. Humen and would keep herself updated on their lives. Eventually, the topics relating to Kathy and her parents would be shared around the dinner table and Kevin pretended to listen as if he cared. All between the “Oh, is it?” and “No, really?” everything would be lost on him. Probably, that was the reason why he hadn’t realized until now that his mother had not mentioned them to him for a while now.

Thinking back, he couldn’t have pegged someone like Kathy or her mother to be victims of such violence. Not that Kevin had ever met her father before. But, there were no signs to indicate they were living through an abusive relationship. Mrs. Humen always had such a lovely smile on her face. Only if they could have seen the pain she was hiding behind that smile.

“Kevin?” Lucas’ voice brought him back to reality. He had successfully managed to pull her off the edge. He sat on the floor, cradling a crying Kathy in his arms, while looking helplessly at Kevin.

Kevin cautiously walked up to them. Crouching down, he touched her shoulder and whispered, “Hey.”

She gazed at him, confused. The tears had ruined her entire eye makeup. The mascara had spread all around her eyes giving her that gothic look.

The Gothy Kathy. He had called her that the entire time he knew her. Never caring to get to know her. Although she’d voluntarily remained aloof from the entire crowd at high school, Kevin could have attempted to talk to her. Maybe they could have been good friends. Maybe she could have opened up to him about everything. Maybe he could have helped her earlier. Maybe she wouldn’t have even considered taking the step she was about to take.

“Oh, great.” She sniffed, quickly sitting up, wiping away the tears off her cheeks. “More audience to cheer me for my live concert. Go away, Kevin. You too, Lucas. Please.”

“No!” Both of them said it together, much to the other’s surprise.

“Look, Kathy,” Kevin started but was interrupted by her.

“Look, I know our mothers have been really good friends. Doesn’t mean you should feel obliged to help me. You really don’t have to.”

He shook his head. “This is not what it’s about. I genuinely …”

She scoffed. “Genuinely? What do you know about what’s happening in my life huh?”

He quietly looked at Lucas and then back at Kathy who eyed him with ferocious anger. “I heard everything you told him.” She looked at him in disbelief and laughed muttering “Just great” before Kevin hurriedly continued, “And that’s okay because I know now and I can help.”

“Help? Help, how?”

“Well, for starters, I think we should go talk to the school counsellor and see what we can do to protect you from your father.”

Kathy laughed and stood up with the boys following suit. “No ways, I am not going to talk to some freak who is eventually going to hand out brochures on how to handle my life problems.”

“No, no. Listen,” Kevin said holding her by the hand to stop her from walking away. She refused to look at him though, acting no better than any rebellious teen. “Xavier is not like that. He is compassionate and understanding. I am positive he will be able to help you in the best way possible. I trust him completely.”

Giving him a killing glare, she tugged her hand free of his grip. “Well, I don’t.” During the whole act of being tough, her fear somehow gave way and a fresh batch of tears poured out of her eyes.

“Kathy,” Lucas called out to her but she didn’t take her eyes off Kevin. So, he called out again, “Kathy, look at me.” It took her a few moments to be able to do that, but her bloodshot eyes slowly tried to focus on Lucas. “I know. I know how scared you are. Maybe you think if you tell others, they will not believe you. They will call you a liar. You are probably thinking that they’d just think you are being a teenager who wants to punish their parent for grounding you. Maybe they’ll find out about that furniture you broke once and that’s why he beat you. Or that you stayed at Gary’s house till a little bit later than you were supposed to and you didn’t even bother to call…”

Kevin stared at Lucas, who had zoned out. His eyes were filled with tears too but damn if he would let them fall. Kathy had realized something was not right with Lucas. And her expressions had softened.

They’d shared the same pain.

Lucas sniffed and shook his head bringing himself back to the moment. “This is just the fear talking. I know, Kathy.” He held her fingers and squeezed them. “I. Know. As time passed, I’ve come to realize it’s not worth it living in such a fear. I regret not being able to do anything about it. I wish I could have been a little bit stronger emotionally. I wish …” He looked at Kevin and smiled slightly. “I wish someone had told me it was okay to ask for help.”

Kevin hesitantly smiled back. He wasn’t sure how to react so he listened.

“We’re here for you, Kathy. Whatever you decide to do. We’ll help you.”

Kathy stared. Her uncertainties had faded away. Lucas’ words seems to give her more clarity. Kevin could see she was considering doing what he had suggested. So, they had to act quickly, before she could change her mind. “Xavier should be in his office right now. We’ve missed our class anyways, so we might as well go see him.”

“Why are you two doing this for me?” Her mixed emotions were pretty apparent in that one question she asked them.

Lucas looked at Kevin and as if he knew exactly how he felt, he answered for both of them, “Because we care.”

*****

“So, then, we went to the counsellor’s office and Kathy told him everything.” Kevin had to narrate the whole rooftop incident to Frank and Justin to explain why he and Lucas had suddenly disappeared after lunch.

A pine cone fell from the tree and hit hard against the concrete floor, not too far from where Kevin stood. His gaze automatically travelled up to look at the tree. It looked beautiful, standing tall in the middle of the school campus. The set of benches, one of which was occupied by his friends now, were set up around the tree forming a perfect circle. He especially liked the earthy smell the tree gave off whenever they sat there or even passed by it. It made him feel close to the nature.

Justin blinked and rubbed his face. “Gothy Kathy. Who would have thought?”

“Well,” Frank asked, waving his hands vigorously to get Kevin’s attention, “What happened after that?”

Kevin nodded. “Xavier had to involve the principal to keep him in loop and then they called up the cops. They didn’t let us stay for long because the matter didn’t concern us and well, Kathy was safe.” He gave a shrug hoping they did right. “Lucas has just gone to check if she is still around.”

He, too, wanted to check on her but he also had to track down the janitor to get help with the money that was stuck in the vending machine. So, they decided to split and meet outside after. He looked behind him toward the school exit and wondered why Lucas still hadn’t come. He considered going back in but then as he looked back again, he did a double take.

Justin was next to notice. “Who is that Lucas is talking to – wait … is that …?”

“Drake-fucking-Warren,” Kevin muttered under his breath.

As if on cue, Frank turned to look at them and so did Lucas. They both waved at the group. Lucas had a sweet, shy smile on his face but Drake was smirking at Kevin and he just what it meant. The two turned to each other and exchanged a few last words before going their separate ways – Drake toward the parking lot and Lucas toward them.

His otherwise pale cheeks were now red. “Hey, so, um…” He cleared his throat, before saying, “Kathy is alright. Better than alright, I think. She is still here, waiting for her grandfather to come pick her up. But the cops have taken her statement so I’m guessing the father won’t get off that easy.”

Kevin nodded curtly. “And, then, you happened to bump into Drake?”

The diminishing color on his face grew back again and Lucas smiled, “Yeah, nice guy. He just asked me about my first day and offered to walk me home.”

“Wait, Drake Warren wants to be friends with you?” Justin asked. “Man, whatever you do, do not screw this up. This is your ticket straight to the popular club, man.” He stood up and went over to Lucas. Putting his arm around him and flashing a big grin, he patted his chest, “Just don’t forget us man.”

Lucas chuckled. “It’s not like that. I mean, it’s my first day here. So, I guess he was just being nice to the new kid.”

“Honey, guys like Drake do not be nice to kids for no reason.” Frank added. “I bet there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

“Enough about Drake Warren already.” Kevin snapped at them, taking all the three boys by surprise. “Look, can we just go home. I’m tired.” Realizing how stupid his outburst must have looked to them, he looked away.

“I bet you are.” Justin said and dragged Lucas along with him. “Come on, you both have had such an eventful day. I’m exhausted just listening to it.”

As they walked away, Frank came up from behind Kevin and said, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone was jealous.” Kevin looked at him irritated as the guy chuckled and walked ahead to catch up with the two. He hated the guy. And he definitely hated him more right now because he had figured out how Kevin was feeling before he himself could.

*****

Kevin was about to head upstairs to check up on his little brother when his mother walked in through their back door. “Hey, mom.” He said and went to give her a kiss. Taking all the bags from her hands, he led the way into the kitchen. “You got everything you wanted.”

“Yes, yes. I think so.” She huffed and sat by the table.

“Well, the dinner’s ready, so we can just eat.”

She smiled. “Thanks, sweetie. There’s some chicken in there that I got from the diner. I’ll have to heat it up a bit before we serve.”

“I’ll do it.” Kevin offered and got on to it. He could imagine how exhausted his mother would be after working her shift at the diner and then, going to get groceries as well.

“Bless your heart. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You would work your ass off without me and never complain.” He smirked as he wiped his hands.

She laughed. “Sounds like something I’d do,” she admitted. “Why is it so quiet in the house? Is Spencer not home?”

“He is upstairs with Lucas, who apparently is the new favorite person in his life. Spencer insisted Lucas help him with the homework.”

“Don’t be jealous, Kev. Spencer loves his big brother too.”

Kevin laughed sardonically. “That’s the second time today I’ve been accused of being jealous.”

“Really?” His mother asked, surprised.

“Never mind.” He shook his head. “Oh, by the way, a lot of drama happened today at school. Did you know Mrs. Humen - Kathy’s mother - ran away from the family because her husband used to beat her?”

She worried her forehead. “How do you know about that?”

“I’ll get to that.” He walked around the kitchen counter and sat by the table. “The point is why did you not tell me?”

His mother shrugged. “Because I wasn’t sure. I mean she’d confided in me once about that. And yes, she always spoke of leaving town with Kathy once the school year ended. But then she suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth but Kathy was still here. I didn’t know what to make of that.”

“Why did she never go to the cops then?” He asked. “Did you not tell her to?”

“Of course, I did, sweetie.” She held his hand to reassure him. “But Jackie wanted me to stay out of it. She made me promise. She said she was handling it. Whatever that meant.” His mother rolled her eyes.

“Do you know where she is, then?”

She smiled sadly. “Unfortunately, no. But tell me, what happened at school today? I am guessing it involves Kathy which is how you came to know?”

He told her everything that happened. And the topic was never put to rest for the rest of the evening. Even as they had dinner around the table, his mother insisted on knowing every detail. The questions were mostly directed toward Lucas as he was the last one to see Kathy that day.

Kevin had known his mother would stress after knowing about that. Her restlessness was apparent as she loaded up the dishwasher. “I can’t believe it. That poor child. She has endured so much pain.” His mother mumbled every now and then about Kathy as she worked around the kitchen. Kevin and Lucas exchanged looks.

Spencer was quietly helping them clean the table. He was a smart kid. He would sense when the tension was thick around the house and would choose to stay quiet.

“Hey, kiddo,” Kevin said, deciding it was high time they changed the subject, “Lucas has got a surprise for you from school today.”

Spencer looked between Kevin and Lucas, his interest definitely piqued at the word ‘surprise’.

“What? What is it, Lucas?”

Lucas smiled. “Go see for yourself. It’s in my backpack.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed past Kevin to go upstairs with a lightning speed making them both chuckle.

“Sweetie, don’t run!” Their mother looked at Kevin and asked, “Well, what is this surprise?”

“Just wait for it.” He winked. And right on cue, they all heard a loud squeal coming from upstairs. In a matter of seconds, Spencer was down back in the kitchen hopping like a cute, little rabbit with the candy bar in his hand. His last hop ended up in Lucas’s arms.

“Thank you, thank you!” He said between his happy laughter. The happiness was so infectious around the room that even the worry on his mother’s forehead had disappeared and a smile played on her lips.

“Lucas? Did you buy that from the money I gave you for dessert?” She asked.

He smiled back as he stepped away from Spencer’s hug. “Yes.”

“You. Are. The. Best-est!”

“Hey, brat… I thought I was the best-est.” Kevin feigned offense.

Spencer smiled shyly as he looked at him. “You are the best-est too.”

“But, Lucas, you didn’t have to do that, sweetheart?”

“It’s no big deal, Aunt Gwen. Look how happy he is.”

Kevin couldn’t take his eyes off Lucas at that moment. He didn’t just look like an angel, he was an angel and Kevin felt thankful for his presence. It seemed silly now that he had been so opposed to the idea of Lucas living with them in the beginning. In a matter of few days, he had won their hearts in a heartbeat. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

He watched his mother walk up to Lucas and ruffled his hair. “Silly boy. Come here.” She pulled him into a big mama bear hug.

“Me too. Me too.” Spencer jumped with excitement and they pulled him into their hug laughing.

“Hey, don’t make me feel left out!” Kevin rushed to them and his mother put an around him as well. It was a big, perfect family hug.

“It’s such a sweet moment.” His mother laughed. “And I still can’t stop crying about Jackie and her daughter. My emotions are all over.”

Kevin rolled his eyes and broke free from the embrace to look at his mother. “Will you just let it go already? This topic ends here. That’s it. We’re now cleaning up and going to call it a night, okay?”

His decision was agreed upon by all unanimously. “You know what?” His mother said, “It’s almost done here anyways, you all can go. I’ll take care of it.”

“You sure, mom?”

“Yes, honey. Go.”

They said their good nights and both of them went upstairs.

“Fuck! What a day!” Kevin threw himself on his bed and enjoyed the comfort it gave to his tired body.

“I can’t agree more.” He sat by the edge of the bed. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

Kevin kept his eyes closed. “Will you not ask if I say no?”

He sighed. “Shoot, man. And stop being so uptight about everything. I was kidding.”

“Oh, I just… wondered how you knew the counsellor Xavier. You said…”

“I said I trust him completely, yes.” He still had his eyes closed but he couldn’t help but smile. “How long have you had that on your mind?”

Kevin opened his eyes slowly to find Lucas looking at him with a sheepish smile. “Ever since you said it, of course.”

He turned on the bed resting his elbow on the bed and holding his head in his hand. “You remember I told you about my dad leaving us right?” Lucas gave a cautious nod as a reply. “Well, it didn’t bother me much when he did leave us. I was merely ten back then. I didn’t even understand it back then. I always thought he went on a long vacation or something and he would be back to us soon.”

“Oh.”

“Yea, and the gravity of the situation hit me when I was beginning my freshman year. Some asshole decided it was the best way to torture me by mentioning how my dad had left us all because I was not good enough. And oh boy, did it hit me hard. I stopped eating, I would lay wide awake at night thinking about what he’d said and about what I might have done wrong to scare away my dad. I truly blamed myself. Mr. Hernandez – my math teacher became concerned of my declining grades. So, he recommended that I go and see Xavier.” Lucas was listening intently. “He is really good at what he does. I owe it to him for how I am today you know?”

He smiled. “That’s great.”

The buzzing of the phone interrupted them and Kevin rolled over to grab it. “Fuck! Eighteen missed calls. I hope nobody’s dying.” He joked. He hadn’t checked his phone since he had gotten back from school.

“Who are they from?”

Kevin furrowed his eyebrows as he scrolled down the list. All the calls had come from an unknown number. He checked his messages and there was one. He read the message, then re-read it and sat up.

“How did …” He looked up at Lucas. “Did you give my number to Kathy by any chance?”

“Oh yeah, I told her she could call you if … wait… is that her? Kevin, what happened?” The panic rose in the room.

Kevin held up his finger as he dialed 9-1-1 quickly. “Hi, I think my friend might be in danger.” His voice shook uncontrollably. “Her name is Katherine Humen. I have a text from her saying she is going to kill herself.”