"Oh my god, AJ," Kyndall exclaimed as she looked at his watch sitting on the table.
"What baby?" he asked wrapping his arms around her waist and peeking around at her.
"It's like 4:00 in the morning."
"So," he said kissing her ribs, nibbling gently.
She started giggling and squirming because it tickled. "Stop it AJ," she said trying to push him away. "And I need to go home."
"Why?" he pouted.
"I have some stuff I have to take care of. And I can't do that if I'm in Orlando," she said.
"Fine," he mumbled standing up. "Let me go get you a shirt."
"It's okay. I can wear this one," she said holding up her wine-stained T-shirt. "Or not," she said making a face.
He blushed. "Well, come on. Let's go find something for you to wear," he said holding his hands out to her. Helping her up, he held her hand down the hallway to his bedroom. He left her standing by the door as he opened his dresser drawer pulling out a white T-shirt. "How's this?" he asked holding up.
"That's fine," she smiled at him. He handed it to her, turning back towards his closet. She noticed the look of concern that crossed his face and how quickly he walked to the door. He pulled the door open, almost slamming it into the wall. AJ's face turned white as he stepped in the walk-in closet and looked around. Walking back over to the dresser, he jerked open drawers that were empty.
"Fuck!" he mumbled, walking to another set of doors on the other side of the room. He flung them open, revealing another set of drawers. He pulled them open, not even bothering to shut them. They were all empty as well. He almost ran to the restroom that was adjacent to the room, his eyes searching frantically.
"What's the matter?" Kyndall asked softly, a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. She knew what was wrong. She knew the cause of his panic, the cause of the heartbreaking sobs that were racking his body as he sank down next to the large tub. She knew it had nothing to do with her, and there was nothing she could do to help him.
"She left me," he cried softly. "What am I going to do now?" he asked to no one in particular.
Kyndall watched him; the pain she felt mirrored that of his. But she couldn't express it to him. She turned slowly and walked out of the room. AJ was too lost in his world of loss to notice. Kyndall made her way to the phone; her face streaked with tears that she didn't want him to see. Picking it up, she dialed a number that was becoming all too familiar. A soft, sleepy voice answered, "Hello."
"Howie? I am sorry for waking you."
"Kyndall?" he asked, his mind fuzzy.
"Yes. I have a huge favor to ask you," she said trying to conceal her emotions from him.
"What's the matter? Are you okay?" he asked fully awake now, and concerned by the tears he heard in her voice.
"I'm…I'm okay. I just…I'm at AJ's…and," she broke down crying.
"I'm on my way darlin. Wait for me outside."
"Thank you," she said hanging up the phone. She covered her mouth with her hand to hold back the sobs that threatened to overcome her. Her other arm was wrapped around her stomach, trying to control the pain that was gripping her. She made her way to the entertainment room, grabbing her things. She then walked towards the front room and out the door. Sitting down on the porch, she waited for Howie.
AJ couldn't remember how long he'd been sitting there. All he knew is that he felt like shit. Miranda was gone, taking with her the only bit of safety and stability that his chaotic life had. That was except for Kyndall. The woman who had shown him what true love was. The woman who had taught him what happiness was. The woman who'd given of herself completely without asking for nothing in return. The woman that he loved and wanted to spend his life with. That thought stunned him, as he slowly began to realize what he'd had in front of him the whole time, but was too blind and scared to see.
"Kyndall," he said standing up quickly. Wincing at the stiffness of his muscles, he limped his way out of the bathroom. "Damn, I was in there for two hours?" he shook his head as he looked at the clock. Stretching a bit to loosen up, he walked towards the entertainment room. Her wine-stained shirt and her purse were gone. The stuffed animals, the box with the mask, and the other small things he'd gotten or won for her were still setting there. He ran into the front room, hoping she was there. But she wasn't. He walked back into the entertainment room and collapsed on the couch. Her perfume clung to the cushions, surrounding him. Taking one of the pillows, he pressed it to his face inhaling deeply. "God," he prayed, crushing the pillow to his chest and staring up at the ceiling. "Please don't let her be out of my life forever. Give me one more chance to make it right, and give her everything she deserves." His voice faded into a hoarse whisper as he cried himself to sleep, clutching the pillow to him as if holding on for dear life.
