New York • Sean & Kaycee

The Days Without You

Sean didn't come home the next day, Sunday. Kaycee knew this because she stayed on the couch, afraid that she wouldn’t hear him come in if she went into her bedroom.

She danced in the living room, watched some sad movies, and drank too much coffee.

Around noontime, she finally mustered the energy to eat something, her empty stomach winning over her fear of the fridge. She had been putting off opening it again, knowing now what was inside it - proof of how badly she messed up, of what she had broken.

Sean had slaved away in the kitchen while she flirted and said yes to Dylan. He had made her favorite meal when she stormed out. He packed away his hardwork while she met with another man.

With a sigh, she opened the fridge and pulled out one of the container, eyeing the food. Inside was a gorgeous prime steak and perfectly fried jumbo prawns. She wasnt sure how one is expected to heat steak. It seemed too fancy for the microwave, but it was her only option.

She sat at the dining table and ate slowly, unable to fight the few tears that managed to escape. She looked around the empty apartment, brimming with memories and memorabilia of her and Sean, reminding her of her mistakes.

Kaycee pulled out her phone and tried to ring him again.

“The number you dialed cannot be reached.”

She sighed and checked Instagram, Twitter, everything. Searching for a sign he was even active online. Finding none, she decided to reach out anyway.

She snapped a picture of the food, and sent it to him via direct message. “Please, let's talk.” was all she could say.

The message sent, but he didn't read it.

She allowed herself to wallow in shame, realizing how different things could have been if she just gave him the time of day instead of being so prideful.

That night, her mother called her on Facetime, as she normally did on Sunday nights.

“What's wrong?” Laura immediately said the second she laid eyes on her daughter. “You look awful, sweetheart!”

“Wow, Mom. It's great to see you too.” She replied flatly.

“What's going on? Where's Sean?” They usually take these weekly calls together, her family interested in his wellbeing just as much, so his absence was a gaping hole that couldn't be missed.

“He's...out.” Kaycee lied, unable to tell her mother the truth.

Call it mother's intuition, but Laura knew that wasn't the truth. And Kaycee knew that she knew it wasn't the truth. But they just swept it under the rug, because Kaycee wasn't the type to be forced into things.

“Did you two have a fight?” Laura finally asked, after an eternity if silence.

“Yes.” Came Kaycee's quiet reply.

“Well, whatever it is, I'm sure you two will figure it out. You always do.” Her mom reassured.

“I don’t know, Mom.” Kaycee sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Honestly, I think I really messed up this time. I don't know how or if he will forgive me.”

“He will.” Laura answered immediately.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you're Sean and Kaycee. “ Laura laughed, waving the question away as if it was the dumbest thing. “He loves you, and you love him. He'll probably forgive you for just about anything, maybe except murder and adultery.”