Fourth Floor

Apartment #408

"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive, through Thy bounty through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

"..."

"That was a nice movie we watched today, wasn't it?"

"Mom, Frozen is a little kid's movie. I'm thirteen."

"I know, honey. And I'm in my thirties, but I loved it. Dad loved it too. Didn't you, Kevin?"

"Yes, yes, it was great.  Why didn't you like it, Scott?"

"Because I'm thirteen?"

"I think it's been established that that argument became invalid after your mother's response, son. You gotta up your game."

"..."

"So, buddy, what do -"

"Scott, honey? Are you okay?"

"...Uh, yeah. I'm fine."

"As I was saying before your mother so rudely interrupted me -"

"Kevin, he looks so pale all of a sudden. Scott, are you sure you're alright?"

[Shaky laughter.]

"I guess?"

"Kevin? Kevin, why is he trembling so much?"

"Calm down, Alice. Scott, buddy, answer her. What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing."

"Do you need something? Is something bothering you, baby? Oh, Kevin, he's throwing up!"

"Yes, I can see that, Alice! Scott, answer me!"

[Violent shaking of boy's body.]

"Kevin, don't do that!"

"I...yeah, sorry."

"Scott, sweetheart? Are you hurt?"

"Alice -"

"Blood! Blood! Kevin, there's blood in his vomit!"

"What did he eat today?!"

"He just came home from Jared's birthday party! He came home early. I don't...Scott, did something happen at the party?"

[Imperceptible nod of head.]

"Alice, babe, did he say something that made you feel something went wrong?"

"I don't know, Kev! I don't...he seemed grumpy and wouldn't answer my questions at all. And he took the picture of him and Jared that was in the living room up to his bedroom. I don't know what he did with it and- stop shaking him like that!"

"Dad..."

"Oh my God, Kevin. What...?"

"Mom..."

"Alice, call 911."

"Oh my God! Scott, what's going on?!"

"911!"

"I'm okay, Mom. Dad. Really."

"DIAL 911 RIGHT NOW, ALICE!"