Everything Is Blue

Chapter 17

It had been about two weeks since the Charity Ball incident. Things hadn't improved in the slightest. Kimbra hadn't spoken with Bud since she went off on him that night. Sure, he made a few attempts, but immediately stopped in fear of what she would say (or do) in response. Everyone at EcoTech whispered about the two behind their backs. Some thought they were dating and had broken up. Others thought she cheated on a boyfriend with Bud, others even argued it was the other way around.

She paid no mind to it, really.

Now, Kimbra has met her share of annoying people, but Bud Flud took the cake. Talking to someone like that would make the whole situation even worse.

And there's really no use in trying to argue with a narcissist.

Today was like any other day. Check in on the C.O.R.E team. File paperwork. Make a few calls. Avoid Bud. Sign off on more papers. Yell at Neil to stop being a moron. Answer more calls. Avoid Bud yet again.

Just another day like any other.

Kimbra walked the halls, ready to end her shift for the evening. She turned a corner, running straight into Bud. It startled both of them. But mostly Kimbra as again, she was trying to avoid the man.

Plans to avoid Bud: failed.

"Excuse me," she muttered out, moving past him and continuing on back to her office without looking at him. She had hoped she'd make it to her office to grab her stuff before running into him.

She just wasn't fast enough this time.

***

When she was sober, things were messy. She overanalyzed everything. Made mistakes. Spoke too much or not enough. Didn't know what to do with her hands. At least with a few drinks, she'd forget what words spilled out of her mouth.

And so, Kimbra found herself sitting at a bar, not knowing what else she was supposed to do.

Honestly, she should cut down on the day drinking. Maybe she'd be better off sedated. Or using something stronger.

She looked around the busy bar. It was packed. A few drunks in the corner booth loudly sang a song that none of them knew the exact words to. They laughed along with the words that began to slur until it became nothing but gibberish.

They were obnoxious. Loud. But she wished she had that sort of joy for life. That carefree attitude had been stripped from her at a young age.

Too young.

Kimbra didn't remember hearing the words. Your mother is dying. No one had to say them. It was unspoken knowledge. Obvious. The air around the Wulfe house was telling of what was happening. Kimbra didn't know exactly at the time what was wrong, but she knew that whatever it was, wasn't good. She began eavesdropping on her older siblings and parents. Hearing time from time to time about something called Huntington's. No one ever dared to say anything around her. Whenever she walked into the room, the conversation would stop.

It's like they didn't want her to know.

Kimbra raised her hand to knock, but the low murmur of voices inside brought her fist to a halt inches from the door. She was only ten.

"Loren, we have to tell her." Lucille's soft voice spoke.

Kimbra pressed her ear against the door. She knew eavesdropping was wrong. That she should walk away and mind her own business.

"You know it's gonna break her."

But she stood there, listening.

"We told the boys, it's only fair."