Four Hundred Seventy Four

Four Hundred Seventy Four
"I mean... it was last minute", I shrug. "They took us to see an off Broadway show".
"Yeah we heard. Jeanette mentioned it this morning when I stopped at the restaurant. Heather was jealous by the way. You know she loves 'You Can't Take it With You'.
"Which reminds me"! Alicia claps her hands. "Wasn't Heather in the play with Jonathan"?
"She was. She was Essie. So don't worry. She wasn't Alice. She didn't kiss your husband".
"Well... no... I hadnt thought of that.
Does she have a copy of her script. Or maybe pictures or video"?
"Well I know she taped one of the shows, but we gotta dig through her million boxes of tapes".
"Alicia, You don't want to see it. Trust me", I shrug.
"I really do".
"Shit now we gotta find the tape"! Kenny laughs.
"How are you liking it here so far"? Kenny asks Cecily as he takes a seat at the table.
"So far it's cool. I only got here last night".
"Oh yeah! There's a package by your door".
"And you didn't think to bring it inside with you"?
"Well... no. It looked heavy, Jonathan", he shrugs.
I bring the box inside.
"I'm guessing this is the stuff you ordered on prime"?
I take a knife and open the box.
"Oh it is! Can you put it in the den for me"? Alicia smiles.
I carry the box into the den and shutthe door.

"Kenny! You have to find that video for me".
"Why is it so important, Alicia"?
"I don't know. It's just.... When we were at the show he just seemed really happy".
"Ok. I will ask Heather".
"Thank you"!
"What are you gonna do? Kinky role play where you're Alice and he's Tony"?
I roll my eyes. "No, Kenny. You have to excuse him. He can be inappropriate at times, Cecily".
"I'm harmless".
I catch Kenny glancing at Cecily quite a few times.
"You look totally different with the blonde hair", he nods.
"Different as in bad or"?
"Different as in you look very pretty as a blonde. Not that you weren't pretty before", he blushes. "What I mean to say is that you look great".
"Hardly", Cecily whispers. "I'm too plain. But Giana looks way better than Cecily for sure".
"Don't be so harsh on yourself" I nod. "Cecily, You are a very gorgeous girl".
"She most definitely is", Kenny agrees. "She must have hella boyfriends".
"No. I don't. I'm not that interesting. Guys don't like girls like me. Always nose deep in a book or a sketch. Total need here", she laughs.
"You've been hanging out with the wrong guys then". Kenny says. "Smart. Artistic, and reserved. It's quite a rare combination".
He fiddles with a napkin on the table and blushes. He clears his throat and changes the subject.

"I went ahead and took the box upstairs", Jonathan winces.
"Are you okay"?
"Yeah. Just winded. It was a heavy box.
You two should go and see if everything is the right size. I will clean up the dishes".
Cecily and I head upstairs.
"Thank you for breakfast", she says
"You're quite welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed. When you have time... make us a list of foods you like. I have to go grocery shopping today".
"Ok", she nods. "See you later, Kenny", she smiles
"See ya around Cecily". She gives him a polite smile and I swear she's blushing.

.......
"So... I take it things are going good" Kenny asks.
"Yeah so far. She's a bit nervous though. Her self esteem is shot to hell".
"Yeah she's been through a lot. I almost didn't recognize her with the long blonde hair". Kenny quickly changes the subject,
"I didn't want to give the real reason for my visit 'cause I didn't know if you had discussed what we talked about to Alicia".
"I kinda did. We both think it's best that in a few months we take a step back and spend more time with the kids".
"But does she know you are considering selling the restaurant to Anthony"?
"No". I nod.
"And she doesn't know the... other shit"...
"No".
"How are you feeling"?
"I feel fine. I'm sure it's all good".
"Man... You gotta tell her".
"It's probably nothing and if it is then I will tell her. There's no use in worrying her if it's nothing".
"But dude... if it's come back you need to be on top of it. Trust me. This is something you can't keep from her"!
"She's been sick herself, Kenny. And now she's concerned about Cecily and the gallery opening in a few weeks.
It's almost Christmas.
And after Christmas I will go get it checked out".
"You wont. Estella's birthday party and then New Years"...
"I will tell her after New Years".
"I don't agree with any of this. If you suspect your cancer is back"...
I put the dishes in the dishwasher and lean against the counter.
"What if she leaves me again like before"?
"She won't do that. She was scared and you two weren't in a good space.
You cant ignore this".
"What if she takes pity on me"? I spit.
"She won't do that either. She will love you".
"And then devote herself to dote on me and chuck the gallery and everything she's worked so hard for"!
"Look. I can't tell you what to do. But this shit is really weighing on me. I hate not being able to confide in Heather".
"I'm sorry I'm making you lie to her".
"You need to tell her. I'm serious. Tell her tonight".
"The kids come home tonight and we have to make sure that Cecily is cool"...
"And you will. But I'm sorry. I can't keep this from Alicia dude. You have to tell her today".
"Kenny! I can't break her heart"! I choke.
"It will break her heart if she loses you.
Do you want me here when you tell her"?
"Kenny... I'm scared. I can't tell her tonight. I will do it tomorrow. I will pick her up from the gallery tomorrow night and take her someplace.The kids"...
"They can come home tomorrow, Jonathan".
"School"...
"Tomorrow is the last day before break and nobody goes to school the last day".
''Cecily"...
"I can invite her to come over and hang with me and Heather. They get along".
"She has really bad social anxiety Kenny"...
"Ok... how about"...
Alicia comes downstairs with Cecily.
"What are you two plotting"? she smiles.