"Hey Kyn," Catlyn said walking through the front room to the door. "I'm going to Wal-Mart. Wanna come with?" she asked glancing over at Kyndall. Appearing to be engrossed in her book, she didn't bother to answer. "Ya know, this is getting ridiculous. It's been almost two weeks. You could say hi," Catlyn stated walking over to answer the telephone. "Hello?"
"Hey Cat. Is Kyndall in?" Howie asked.
"Physically? Yeah. Mentally? No idea," she replied.
"Hang in there Cat. She'll come around," he consoled her.
"Whatever. You just gained what use to be my best friend," she complained. Walking over to Kyndall, she handed her the telephone. "It's Howie," she stated. Catlyn watched as Kyndall's face lit up brightly as she took the phone. Catlyn's heart broke silently. Walking out the door, she leaned up against the wall of the building, her body racked by sobs. "She honestly hates me," she whispered.
"Good news," Howie announced happily.
"What's that?" Kyndall asked setting her book down.
"We're coming home in two days."
"Really?" she asked excitedly.
"Yeah. Gonna be home for about a month. Then we're going over to Europe for a couple of weeks," he said.
"Way cool. So do I getta see you?" she asked.
"But of course. We're having a cookout at Nick's place in Tampa," he replied.
"Who's we?" she asked suspiciously.
"All of us. Me, Nick, Brian, Kevin, AJ. Probably the girls," he shrugged. "Nick's been having some problems with Crystal. And well, Miranda is being Miranda."
"Hmm. Perhaps I shouldn't go," Kyndall said thoughtfully. "Please Kyn. It would mean a lot to me if you showed up," he begged.
"Oh, fine," she conceded smiling. "I couldn't resist you even if I wanted too."
"I know," he teased.
They talked some more, the time passing quickly as they jumped from subject to subject. Their conversation covered everything from his tour, how things were in Florida, and somehow turned to the current state of Kyndall's relationship with Catlyn. "She's hurting Kyn. She truly regrets telling AJ. She just thought she was helping."
"I know," Kyndall sighed. "I just feel so betrayed. I guess it's silly for me to still be upset."
Howie smiled. "Has she ever done anything like this before?"
"No," Kyndall replied softly. "And I honestly don't think she would again." She sighed. "I guess it's more frustration at the whole situation, rather than me being upset with her."
Howie nodded. "I think ya'll need to have a talk."
"I know," Kyndall mumbled. "I know." Howie's voice became muffled suddenly and Kyndall could barely make out his, "Be quiet, I'm on the phone," as he talked to someone in the room with him.
Sighing, Howie grumbled. "Rude butt people I have to put up with."
Kyndall laughed. "Who was that?"
"Nick. He wants to go to eat, but no one will go out with him," Howie said shaking his head.
"Want that I let you go?"
Howie shrugged. "I guess. He's not going to leave me alone unless I go."
Kyndall smiled. "Okay sweetie. Thanks for calling me."
"I'll talk to you later. Remember, you need to talk to Catlyn."
"I will," she promised as she hung up the phone. Dropping the phone into her lap, she closed her eyes. "What am I getting myself in to?" she mumbled.
Catlyn wandered around Wal-Mart gathering the items she had came for. She made her way to the electronics department, browsing the CDs. Flipping through them occasionally as she passed through each aisle, she sighed. She found a George Straight CD that she didn't have, so she picked it up and tossed it in the cart. She also came across the Reality Bites soundtrack which she'd been looking for. Putting it in the cart, she made her way over to the movies. Glancing through the titles, she grabbed "Con Air" and "Grosse Pointe Blank". She was a huge John Cusak fan and had seen both of these movies at the theatre. She'd been meaning to buy them for a while. Leaving the electronics section, she passed by the Nintendo 64 games. Catlyn stopped and looked at them, impulsively buying Donkey Kong 64 and Mario Party 2. Deciding that she'd better leave before she spent anymore money, she walked slowly to the registers up front. As she was walking up there, her cell phone rang. Pushing the button, she answered it. "Hello?"
"Catlyn? AJ."
"AJ? How'd you get my number?" she asked pushing her cart into the first available lane.
"Howie gave it to me. Anyway, I've a question for you," he said speaking quickly.
"Umm…kay," she said. "How'd Howie get my number?"
"I don't know. Does it matter? I need you to do me a favor."
"Okay, what?" she asked, unloading her cart.
"Could you make sure that she is home tonite at say 8:00?" he asked nervously.
"Why? What are you going to do?" Catlyn asked suspicious of him.
"It's a surprise. I just need ya to make sure she's going to be there."
"Fine okay. Whatever," Catlyn shook her head and handed the cashier her credit card.
"Thanks. You're a doll. I owe you one," he said blowing her a kiss.
"Yuck. Save it for Kyn-err…Miranda," she said.
"Yeah. Kay. Gotta go, bye," he said hanging up.
"Freak," she murmured, turning off her phone and hooking it back on her shorts.
"Not that I would have had any say in anything anyway," Catlyn mumbled looking up at the clock. She was still wondering what it was that AJ had planned for Kyndall. The girls still weren't talking, but Kyndall did smile at Catlyn when she walked in the door. Catlyn was playing Donkey Kong. Kyndall was in the other room on the computer. "At least she's here," Catlyn sighed. "Dammit," she complained as Diddy Kong fell down off the block again. "You're really starting to get on my nerves," she muttered glaring at the TV. The doorbell rang, causing her to use her last life. "What the hell?" she exclaimed. Making a face at the TV, she stood up and walked to the door. "Yes?"
"Is there a Kyndall Laine here?" the guy standing there asked looking at his clipboard.
"Umm…yeah. Hold on a second," Catlyn said stepping inside. "KYNDALL!!" she called. "There's a delivery for you."
"What?" Kyndall asked walking into the room.
"It's for you," Catlyn said sweeping her hands towards the door.
"You Kyndall Laine?" the delivery guy asked.
"Yes," she replied, confused.
"Sign here please," he said handing her the clipboard. "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Kyndall said looking over at Catlyn.
"I have no idea," she said shrugging and turning back to her game.
"Allrighty," the guy returned a few minutes later. "Here ya go," he said handing her a large heart shaped pink balloon with a white teddy bear inside it. He also handed her a box with a dozen white roses in it.
"Umm…are you sure you have the right address?" Kyndall asked looking at the gifts.
"Kyndall Laine. 875 Derbyshire?" he read.
"Hmm…Okay. Thanks," she said still confused.
"No problem. Have a nice night," he waved as he walked off.
"Who in the world?" she asked as she closed the door. Setting the box down, she opened the card that was enclosed.
FORGIVE ME FOR MAKING YOUR LIFE HELL. I HOPE THAT I CAN SOMEDAY MAKE IT UP TO YOU. I'VE BEEN THINKING OF YOU. HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN REALLY SOON. ALWAYS - ALEXANDER MCLEAN
"Oh," Kyndall said, sniffling.
"What?" Catlyn said glancing over.
"It's from AJ," she said softly.
"Yeah, I know. He told me he had a surprise for you," Catlyn smiled. "Didn't realize it would be quite THAT extravagant."
"This is crazy," Kyndall said laughing.
"No. That is AJ," Catlyn remarked.
