A/N: Hi, folks! Yay! I didn't wait months to update! :D I'm feeling more motivated to write now than I did before, so this chapter is a bit longer than the previous one. This chapter also took a slightly different direction than I intended it to, but there's no problem with that! How's everyone been doing? I'm still doing the same old, same old, while staying at home, but I feel like I have a million writing projects to work on, which is why I have an announcement to make in the bottom Author's Note!
Chapter 31: The Drive Home II
Marv's PoV:
Kate keeps looking at me, and I'm unsure of what to do. I look over at Harry, who looks just as equally as confused as I am. How can two men explain to a woman that we won't hurt her?
I start to speak, even though I don't know what I'm going to say, "Kate…"
She firmly interrupts, "Take me home, Marvin,"
"Kate, we're not gonna hurt you…" is the only thing I can think to say.
"I don't care. Take me home," She now has this glare in her eyes that sort of reminds me of the "death glare" my Mother gave me, when I was a kid. I bet Kate's kids get this glare all the time.
"Marv, the girl's right—take her home," Harry says.
"Harry…"
"Go! Now!" Harry waves his arms, indicating for us to get going.
"Kate, I thought you wanted to come here?!"
I'm at a loss as to what to think and feel right now. I head back over to the van, with Kate, nervously following. She has her arms wrapped around herself, as if she's cold. Of course, Harry doesn't mind me taking Kate back home, because he doesn't want us together, anyway.
I've been getting together with this woman, for what feels like forever now, and now, when we finally have the chance to explore a World outside of the coffee shop with each other, she backs away. I understand why, but it's still maddening, at the same time…
"I did! I wasn't thinking, at the time! I wanted to be with you, not thinking about the dangers that could possibly happen, while I'm alone with two men!" She's raising her voice, and I can tell her kids must get an earful from her.
"Well, lady, I guess you should've thought of that sooner!" Harry shouts.
Kate and I both look at him, before I shout back, "Harry, shut up! You're not helping the situation!"
"Don't you tell me…"
"OK, guys!" Kate shouts, interrupting Harry, before he has the chance to nastily reply. "I'm sorry for causing a scene, but please… All I ask is for you to kindly take me home, without any more arguments,"
There's an awkward silence. I think through what Kate just said. I don't want her to go, but I have to see it from her point of view. She's a woman, alone, with two men she doesn't really know. She was acting carelessly, and even recklessly, by coming home with Harry and I. I don't know if there will be another time I can see her, but I have to place her needs ahead of mine.
I calmly reply, "I'll do that for you, Katie,"
Kate looks at me. It's almost a look that she trusts me. She's also close to tears, I guess because she's in a vulnerable place right now. It's actually making me close to tears right now, too. I look beyond Kate, to see Harry, with a dumbfounded look. This whole thing has been weird, right from the night Kate gave me her number, to this moment right now.
Sometimes, I wonder why I even try, but I know Kate and I both have something in common: We both need to be loved. Even though she's begging to go back home now, she'll find a way to see me again, because I know, even though she's scared right now, she has a trust for me—a trust for me that I don't believe she has for Harry. Frankly, I don't blame her… Heck, I live with the guy, and I find him questionable, at times.
Kate looks back at Harry, before looking at me again. Despite how I believe Kate trusts me, she asks, "You'll take me home?"
"Yes," I nod, sincerely. "I'll take you home…"
…
Kate and I are in the van, on our way back to Winnetka. It's a silent, tense ride for the first few minutes, until I decide to turn on the radio. You're My Best Friend by Queen comes on. Kate tenses up even more, as she seems to be feeling even more awkward about the situation.
"What's wrong, Kate?"
"Oh, this is just an odd song to come on, at this particular time,"
"Why? You think this song is referring to us being best friends? That we're making each other live?"
She lowers her head. "No. I don't know… It's just that, I was feeling more alive with you, Marv. And now, I'm just really scared to be in this van right now. I feel safer around you than I do Harry, but still… I don't know what I was thinking, going to two men's house, without even thinking of the consequences,"
Kate looks out the window, not wanting to look at me. I know her anxiety has flared up. I know what that's like. Having to live with Harry, I hate having to explain myself around him, which causes an anxiety flare-up.
Since we're on an empty highway, heading into the city, I decide to pull over the van. Kate looks at the steering wheel, alarmed. Before she can say anything, I say to her, "Kate, I understand where you're coming from. I know you're scared right now. Your feelings of infatuation and excitement got in the way of common sense, but you're safe now, OK? Once I take you home, you won't ever have to feel this way again. Instead of trying to spice up a relationship with me, why don't you try with your own husband?" There are tears behind my eyes, as I realize what I just said. I don't know why I said that, but I did… I don't want to let her go, but she needs to be with her own husband.
"It's too late for that…" She almost instantly rejects my idea. "Believe me, I've thought of that. In fact, I think you and I discussed it," She continues looking down, away from me.
"What if you had another kid?" I casually suggest. I've never had kids, so I don't realize how much work they are.
"Marv, you know kids are part of the reason why my marriage is so lackluster and dull…"
"True. You have four of them, don't you?"
"Yes. And, I'm not about to have a fifth…" She sighs, before continuing, "To be honest, I only wanted three, but then, I realized the girl I wanted to have was going to be two. I had picked out the name 'Megan', but I needed another girl's name, so I just chose 'Linda'… At least she gets the nickname 'Linnie'. I know, I didn't really think that through… I really didn't have the mindset for four kids. So, no, I don't want a fifth child…"
"What about if you had a kid with me?" Kate stares at me, in complete shock.
"What?!" Her shocked look turns to horror, then fear.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that…"
"I don't know why you said that, either!" Kate begins shouting. "I just told you, I don't want any more kids!" Kate unbuckles her seatbelt, making a grab for the door handle.
"You don't have to have the kid!" I raise my voice. "I've never had a kid before, because I've never had a woman to have a kid with. I can't make kids with Harry, now, can I?"
I contort my face, thinking about the terrible image I created in my head. Kate looks at me, squinting. It's almost as if she's trying to recognize me. I don't blame her, because frankly, I don't even know what just came out of my mouth…
"So, you just wanted to use me for sex? Is that it?!"
"No! I don't know why I said that! I'm sorry!" I defend, raising my hands.
There's a sound of disgust in her voice, when she says, "You're sick… Get me out of here. Get me home," Kate rests her head in her hand, with her elbow on the door. There's another awkward silence, before we pull into gear, and head back out, onto the highway…
To be Continued…
…
A/N: Thanks again, guys! :D I hope I added some hostility to Marv and Kate's relationship. How will Kevin come into existence, if Kate doesn't want another baby? Will we ever find out? Of course we will! Though, that may be something you guys will have to find out in the Fall… Since I have some other things I want to work on, I'm thinking of putting aside this story for the Summer, like I usually do with Home Alone stories, and work on some other things. Twice now, in the past week, old projects, and even new ones, have been calling my name! I feel like I'm getting my writing spark back now (with things starting to open here (hopefully, that light continues to get brighter at the end of the tunnel))! I hope you all take care, and that, the next time I update, we have life back to normal, at least somewhat! I know I'm itching to get back to work… But, for now, we have to do what we can, to flatten the curve! :) Well, I think I've made this Author's Note long enough… I wish I knew what else to say! But, since I don't, I bid you all adieu, and I hope to see you all in a healthier time! :D Take care. Stay healthy. Be safe.
- Majora's Mask Freak184