The Apartments - Part three
By the time we understood what happened, it was already over.
“He’s what?” said Addie.
“He’s not here,” said Uncle Phil.
“He didn’t come,” said Auntie Rita.
They were side by side on the couch. Bobby’s dad sat in his usual recliner. His mom came in with a tray of cups and little plates. Snacks were already out.
“We were looking forward to seeing him,” said Addie, not looking at her parents.
“Yeah,” said Bobby. “Why didn’t he come?”
Auntie Rita sighed. “He wanted to. It just wasn’t a good time.”
Uncle Phil shifted in his seat. “He’s had a few… challenges. Can we call them that?” He glanced at his wife.
“They’re more than that,” she said. “His girlfriend broke up with him.”
“Oh no,” said Addie.
“He had a girlfriend?” said Bobby.
“She was cheating on him,” said Auntie Rita.
Addie’s mouth fell open. Bobby turned to me, eyes wide.
“It gets worse,” said Uncle Phil.
“Worse?” said Big Winnie. Todd had gone home for supper.
“He caught them,” said Auntie Rita.
“This day can end anytime,” said Big Winnie.
Addie frowned. “Wait, she broke up with him?”
“Yes,” said Auntie Rita.
“But she was the one cheating.”
Auntie Rita took a breath. Let it out slowly. “Kent loved her. He was afraid of being alone again.” Her voice started to go. “He told her he’d live with it. She wouldn’t.”
“What the absolute fuck,” said Big Winnie, on the bed in Addie’s room.
“I wish there was a way we could have recorded this entire day,” said Addie. “Just to prove it actually happened. I almost cried when they told us about Kent.”
“You don’t cry, Addie,” said Big Winnie.
“That’s why I said almost.”
“I feel like garbage,” said Bobby.
“You should feel like garbage,” said Addie.
“And Anish isn’t a loser,” she added, before he could say anything.
Someone knocked softly on the door.
“They’re going to knock off early tonight,” said Bobby’s mom. “They’ve had a long travel day. Come on down and say good night.”
We tromped back downstairs. Turned the corner into the living room.
There was Kent.
Smiling to beat the world.
“Surprise!” they all said.
“Had you goin’,” said Kent, clapping his hands.
“Yes, you did,” said Addie.