Chapter Text
Kevin felt weird about leaving Uganda. Within the first couple of months, he would’ve expected to be excited to get back from his mission, but many things had changed since then. He wanted to change lives with his mission, but his life was changed instead.
He was dreading the after-mission. Usually, Mormons were expected to settle down and get married right after their missions, but Kevin knew he was no longer a typical Mormon. After all, he wasn’t really sure he even believed in God anymore. Things had changed so much in those two years and Kevin was scared to come back to his family as an entirely different person that may not please them.
Once Kevin got to the airport, he hugged Arnold goodbye as his family went to pick him up. Arnold had really become his best friend over time, and Kevin knew they would spend lots of time together. He just wished the rest of them were there too. Not to mention, Arnold had brought a fiance home, which probably pleased his parents more than he could imagine.
Kevin didn’t even have the desire to find a wife. He hoped his parents would not push that too far. Sure, it was Mormon tradition, but surely not every Mormon would get married right after the mission. He doubted Elder Connor McKinley would, not because of anything wrong with him, but….well.
Kevin dialed his mom’s number for the third time, surprised that she wasn’t answering. His father was on a business trip, so she was the only one who could pick him up. After six attempted missed calls, he took a cab back to his house. He felt nervous as he began to open the door to his house. Luckily, it wasn’t locked.
The lights were off, much to Kevin’s surprise. Clearly, nobody had heard him come in, so he headed up to his parent’s room, assuming his mother was knitting or something. He took another deep breath as he began to turn the doorknob.
When in the room, the sight before him was astounding. There was the pastor of his church, naked, laying over his mother who was also naked. Kevin couldn’t comprehend it. His parents were the perfect couple. There was no way this was happening.
“Kevin..” his mother hesitantly said, as if she was going to defend her horrific actions, but Kevin Price ran away as fast as he possibly could, phoning Arnold Cunningham so he could head to his house. He sent a text to his dad to call him and bawled as he hopped in his car.
*
THREE YEARS LATER....
Dear Kevin,
It has been so long since I’ve seen you. I know you’re not married, and I respect your wishes to find the right woman. I understand especially since you watched your parents get divorced as you would normally be searching for a wife.
I am writing to you to ask you if you will spend the summer with me. It’s been two years since I’ve seen you, and our last encounter was not great. I would love to make it up to you. Come spend the summer with me in Miami. We may be able to stop by Orlando at some point also.
I know you’re 23 now, and you probably have your own life, but it would really mean a lot to me if you would come see me this summer. I really miss you, and I want to know what is going on in your life.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Feel free to bring a girlfriend
Kevin could not believe what he was reading. This had to be some kind of practical joke. She couldn’t honestly think that Kevin would willingly spend an entire summer with her. She must’ve been really desperate.
Of course she assumed he’d have a girlfriend. He didn’t even have a desire for one at the moment, nor had he met any girls who had spiked his interest. He didn’t even know who he would bring. He didn’t even know any “good Mormon girls” that his Mom would love.
That was it.
Kevin could go to her house this summer and bring a girl that his mom would hate. Then, maybe she’d understand how much she hurt him. Not knowing many girls, Kevin began to wonder if Arnold would let him borrow his wife for the summer. It was a long shot, but it was definitely worth a try, which is what prompted Kevin to drive over to Arnold’s house.
----
“Absolutely not. Are you crazy?” Arnold looked at Kevin, “There’s got to be better options.”
“I don’t really know any girls,” Kevin sighed.
“Well, when you have a two-year-old daughter, you can’t exactly have her mother leave for the entire summer,” Arnold reminded his best friend.
“Right, I forgot,” Kevin said. As if on cue, Arnold and Nabulungi’s daughter, Violet, appeared behind Arnold’s leg.
“Daddy, will you play dolls with me?” she asked, tugging on Arnold’s pant leg, before seeing Kevin, “UNCLE KEVIN!”
Since Arnold only had one sister and she was nothing but trouble, and all of Nabulungi’s family was back in Africa, Kevin was the closest thing to family that Violet had besides her parents.
“You’re going to see your other uncle today, sweetie,” Arnold gently patted her head.
“Really?” she lit up, “He loves playing dolls with me!”
“Other uncle?” Kevin asked, clearly confused by the whole situation.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot to tell you,” Arnold smiled softly, “Our old friend, Connor McKinley, is coming to Salt Lake City. He’s living with us until he gets a place of his own, but….” Kevin zoned out as Arnold continued talking. Connor was coming? Connor McKinley? As in, the Connor McKinley from Uganda?
This was going to be really awkward.
“Hey, how’s your sister doing?” Kevin asked, eager to change the subject. Arnold’s sister, Erin Cunningham, had just come back from rehabilitation for her opioid addiction.
“She’s causing the family a lot of issues. They don’t approve of her lifestyle, and she’s likely still using,” Arnold sighed, “I just miss the way things used to be with her.”
“What do you mean by her lifesty--?” Kevin was quickly cut off by the sound of Violet yelling for her dad and saying she fell and got a boo-boo. Arnold said he would be back as soon as possible and invited Kevin to come in while he helped his daughter cover her small injury.
“Hey, Kevin,” Nabulungi appeared from the corner.
“Hey Naba,” Kevin smiled at her, “How are you liking going to college?”
“University of Utah is great,” Nabulungi grinned, “It really helped me get admitted to have moved from Uganda and become a prophet.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Kevin said.
“Are you getting excited to see Connor again?” Nabulungi teased lightly. Kevin began to blush.
“Wha-What do you mean?” Kevin averted.
“Oh please, you think Arnold didn’t tell me everything?” Nabulungi smirked, “Come on, you at least have to feel nervous.”
“That is an understatement,” Kevin admitted, “I haven’t seen him in so long, and it’s not like we left on the best of terms.”
“I’m sure he’s not going to hate you,” Naba gave a reassuring smile, “Connor is incapable of hate. I promise he’ll be glad to see you and it will be like nothing ever happened.”
“If you’re absolutely positive,” Kevin sighed before mumbling, “Because I’m sure as hell not.”
“What are you two talking about?” Kevin felt a familiar elbow resting on his shoulder as heard the sound of the suitcase rolling across the floor.
“Connor!” Naba grinned, giving Connor McKinley a hug. He chuckled into the hug and smiled at Kevin.
“Well, it’s really nice to see you again, Kevin Price.” Connor smiled. There was something about that smile; something that could make Kevin melt into a million pieces as his heart warmed.
“It’s nice to see you too,” Kevin gazed at Connor. He looked….even better than before. He had obviously been working out, and it did some definite improvement on his body, though Kevin always liked his body. His red hair was shinier than ever, and his eyes were just glowing with happiness. He must’ve found the perfect guy, Kevin thought to himself, his heart sinking slightly.
“Where’s your….wife, Kevin?” Connor asked, his smile looking a little forced as he asked those words.
“Oh, I, uh, actually am single. I, uh, am waiting to find the right person,” Kevin struggled to get out the right words. Connor laughed slightly, which made Kevin feel a jab in his chest.
“It’s okay, Kev. I haven’t found the right person yet either,” Connor and Kevin’s awkward stares were soon interrupted by a little girl screaming for her uncle Connor and Arnold following right behind her.
“Hey, Vi,” Connor picked her up, causing her to giggle. Kevin wished he was that good with kids, “How are you doing, squirt?”
“I missed you, Uncle Connor!” she squealed, “How come you’re living with us?”
“It’s only for a little while,” Connor tickled her, “Does that bother you?”
“No. No!” she managed to sputter out through giggles, “We can play dolls! I got a new doll even!”
Connor was so gentle with Violet. It made Kevin’s heart swell. Things with Connor were going to be difficult. He didn't even know if Connor had ever forgiven him, and he highly doubted it.
“Guys, I have to run,” Arnold said, closing his phone that nobody noticed he was even talking on, “Erin needs my help.”
This was Kevin’s chance. He had to go try to pursue Erin to get her to come to Kevin’s mom’s house for the summer.
“Let me come,” Kevin spoke up, earning odd looks from both Arnold and Nabulungi.
“Well, um, okay,” Arnold said, “But we gotta go now.”
With that, Kevin headed with Arnold out the door, ready to go pursue Erin Cunningham. This could be his chance.