Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 19:30:08 -0800 (PST) From: Author NM Subject: Kevin & Dustin Chapter 49 - Part 2 Kevin & Dustin Chapter 49 (Part 2) By: NM It had been several days since Dustin was brought into the hospital due to his injuries. His parents had both arrived, and went directly to their son's room. They kept by their son throughout the day and night in hopes of a change from Dustin's coma. "Hello, Mrs. Richards," a soft voice spoke as it entered the dark hospital room. "How is Dustin? Has there been any change?" "No. There's been no change, Kevin," Mrs. Richards replied solemnly. "He's still unconscious." No words were exchanged for a moment and then Andrea stood quietly. "Walk with me for a minute," She said coldly. Kevin held open the door for Mrs. Richards and followed her out of Dustin's room. "I'm could go for some coffee. Join me," She ordered. Together, the slowly walked down the long while halls of the hospital passing by all the rooms. Some of the rooms were empty, and some were occupied. Kevin hit the call button for the elevator and they waited in silence as it approached the floor. Once the doors opened, Brian stepped off holding a cup of coffee in his hands. "Brian, I was hoping to run into you," Andrea spoke. "Please come with Kevin and me," she requested. Brian looked over at Kevin hesitantly before yielding a small nod and remained on the elevator holding the doors open for both Mrs. Richards and his cousin. "What floor Mrs. Richards?" Brian asked as the doors shut. "First floor, please." Brian hit the button marked `1' and with a jerking motion the elevator began its decent to the bottom floor. "The three of us have a lot to talk about," Andrea said with a blank stare. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Kevin begin to say something. Quickly she raised her hand cutting him off. "I don't care what you have to say Kevin. It can wait until I'm finished talking to both of you," she spoke. The elevator came to a stop and they left its confines and walked toward the hospital cafeteria. "Kevin, would you get me some coffee with two creams and a sugar, while Brian and I find a table," Andrea requested. "Sure," Kevin spoke before rushing off. "There's a table over there Mrs. Richards," Brian said pointing to a table in a corner. The two made their way to the table. Kevin returned after a few minutes with two cups of coffee and some cream and sugars. "What did you want to talk about?" Kevin asked as he took his seat across from his cousin. "I needed to talk to the two of you about my son," Andrea said before taking a sip of her hot coffee. "What about him?" Brian asked taking another sip from his own cup. "I need to talk to the two of you about him and your relationship with him," Andrea stated. Immediately both Kevin and Brian tensed when she said that. "That's what I thought," Andrea spoke out loud. "What do you mean?" Kevin asked. "Well, it's pretty obvious," she began. "Dustin is dating Kevin. Then somehow along the way, he begins to care for Brian as well," She continued. "How am I doing so far?" She asked. Brian simply nodded to her. She glanced towards Kevin and nodded in agreement. "So," she said pointing towards Kevin, "You find out and are enraged. Dustin tries to make it up to you, but you being the stubborn ass that you are don't listen." "Andrea, please--" "I'm not finished Kevin." She interrupted him abruptly. "Then, I guess that you Brian try to move in and this upsets Kevin even more." Brian only nods in response because he is too ashamed to speak. "So, how did all of this lead to my son's accident?" Andrea asked. At first neither Kevin nor Brian dared speak a word. Andrea kept glancing back and forth between the two angered cousins. "Were the two of you fighting over him?" She asked. "Yes," Kevin replied softly. Andrea looked over to Brian and was met with a small nod of his head. "What was the fight about?" She questioned. "I was angry," Kevin began. "I told Dustin that he had to choose between me and Brian, and that I wouldn't go near him until he chose," Kevin explained. "I tried to leave. I was upset and needed to get out of there, but Brian wanted to settle it, then and there," Kevin stated. "Brian, did you cause my son's accident?" Andrea asked looking toward the younger man. Brian just sat there playing with his fingers as both Andrea and Kevin stared at him. "I...yes...well...sort of," Brian replied in a hushed voice. "What do you mean sort of?" Andrea asked. "Dustin, was trying to break up our fight, and he stepped back out of the way. He stepped back too far and was almost off of the step," Brian replayed the event in his mind. "He screamed for help, and we both moved towards him. I wanted to be the hero, so I pushed Kevin out of the way. But Kevin recoiled and pushed me down instead. I took a hold of his leg and pulled him down with me," Brian explained while a tear crawled down the side of his face. "When Brian grabbed my leg it caused me to fall against Dustin," Kevin said. "That's when Dustin fell." "It was my fault, Andrea," Brian cried. "I'm so sorry." Andrea looked at both of the two gentlemen seated at the table with her. Slowly, she stood up from her seat, with her cup of coffee in her hand. "I want the both of you to stay away from my son," She said coldly. "You've caused enough trouble," Andrea spoke as she left the table. "Andrea please--" Kevin tried to plead but Andrea just kept walking away from the two cousins. "Kev," Brian whispered, "What have we done?" Kevin looked over at his cousin. "I don't know," he said quietly while standing up from the table as well. Brian stood up and followed his cousin back up to Dustin's floor where the other guys were. Andrea opened the door to her son's room. Inside was AJ. He was seated in a chair beside the bed. His hand was interlocked with Dustin's and his eyes were closed. Tears had streaked down his cheeks. Gently, Andrea placed a hand on the stiff man's shoulder. "What are you doing here, Alex?" She asked quietly. Alex blinked his eyes open and turned around in surprise. He let go of Dustin's hand and stood. "I'm sorry Mrs. Richards. I didn't here you come in," Alex apologized. "I'll leave. You probably want to be alone with your son," Alex said moving toward the door. Andrea grabbed him by the arm and halted his movement. "Are you in love with my son too, Alex?" Andrea asked him. ***