Fifteen

"Kelvin, what is even happening right now?" I almost tripped over my flip-flops as I rushed across the patio to where she's laying an oversized beach towel across a lawn chair. Heat radiates off the concrete, making sweat bead across my hairline.

Kelvin tilted his head to the side, staring at me like he has no idea what I'm talking about. Someone in the neighborhood fires up a lawnmower, and there's a ch, ch, ch of a sprinkler coming from next door.

"Eve told me I could use the pool whenever I wanted," he says. "If this is a bad time, though, I can come back later."

Oh Eve, always granting permission

I'm at a loss for what to say. Kelvin's typically near-translucent skin is green. He's always a little oblivious, especially considering he's in charge of the neighborhood watch. Kelvin's the kind of guy who wears sweater vests and khaki cargo shorts year-round.

"It's not that. You can swim if you want to. But..." I make a sweeping motion, gesturing at his skin. "Kelvin, why are you green?"

"Oh, is that what you're on about?" Levin chuckles like I'm being mellow-dramatic. "It's sunscreen, obviously."

"Sunscreen?" I blink at him. Who would willingly buy sunblock that turns them into the Jolly Green Giant? I mean, I know this is Kelvin we're talking about, but come on.

"I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. It's the latest thing." Kelvin planted his hands on his hips, making his moss-colored belly protrude. Since his hair looks like it was styled using a Flowbee, I doubt he's in the know on current trends.

"You should really consider picking some up," Gary continues. "Maybe it will shield you from assholes like Josh Rossi." He blinks. Even his eyelids are a brilliant shade of emerald.

Just great, I did not see that coming and maybe this was the real reason he was here in the first place and why Eve let him in.

“I don’t want to talk about it now please.” I managed to say.

Kelvin stood to his feet and walked to me, he moved his hand and bruised again my right cheek gently I did not even realize there were tears there.

Pitiful me, such a morning show.

“I asked Eve if I could come, I am worried because she will be leaving soon and you will be on your own.”

I felt my face fold, into pain, into anguish, and my emotions spilled.

“You are the one who told me to forgive that scoundrel, see where that got me.”

Kelvin moved his hands from me, then stood still to take a good look at me.

“I said to forgive him, not get back with him Neese, there is a difference.”

Just what I needed to hear, Was I blaming him?

“I just wanted you to be free of the past.”

“Well thank you, I got tied back to it!” I stormed out of the patio trying not to fall in the flip flops I had on.

“I did mean it like that, come on,” Kelvin yelled from behind but I paid no attention.