just fine

Kyle made his call to Amanda. It wasn't much different from the day before or the day before that. She was still Amanda. Sometimes, serious, usually silly. He took it all in. And within a few minutes he was telling her he loved her before she could.

He didn't know what to think about Cory, though. He guessed this guy didn't know what love was, or maybe his standard of it was way out of reach. Or possibly, Kyle thought himself probably just stupid, and Amanda could tell him anything and he'd buy it. Of course, he didn't feel in debt for doing so.

But it was Eric who was on his mind. It was just about completely dark. Still no Ellie. He knew she was with the Elliot dude. He was steamed. He was getting fired up about this. He didn't want to. Didn't want to care. He called Eric. No answer. So on a hunch, Kyle walked over to Eric's. The door was unlocked. It was dark inside. He guessed his Mom was out Christmas shopping or maybe overtime.

Well, there Eric was on his bed. His fat cat next to him laying on her back with her feet stuck in the air. He was hugging an almost empty bottle of Jack Daniels.

"Hey," Kyle gave him a light slap. Nothing. He slapped his face again, this time harder. "ERIC! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"

Finally, a startled look on Eric's face. He just stared at him. Almost frightened, but this look, he didn't know where he was.

"What!" He tried to jerk himself up but was soon sucked back to his pillow.

"What did you do?" Kyle looked at him up close.

"I didn't do anything." Then he looked at the cat. "SHIT! Cindy!"

"Who's Cindy?"

"The cat."

Kyle looked at the fat cat. She was still as could be. Kyle shook her stomach. Finally she sluggishly turned and just blinked at Kyle as if he better leave her alone.

"I got the cat drunk." Eric nodded.

"You got drunk." Kyle lifted him up by his shirt collar then.

"No, I didn't." Eric shook his head, no.

"Go take a shower." Kyle took the bottle from him then. "I'll make some coffee."

Eric just closed his eyes.

"Now." He helped him to the shower. Practically undressed him while the shower warmed. Of course, Eric's teeth started chattering as Kyle pushed him under. "Use some soap too." Naturally, it wasn't long after that that Eric threw up. It was a mess in the bathtub.

Kyle didn't even flinch as he cleaned that up while Eric went to get dressed. It had been awhile, but he was used to these things with his father when he was around. It made him a bit sad to think about, but he kept telling himself he wouldn't.

Finally, Eric came to the kitchen table for some hot tea. That was all Kyle could make do with and some pretzels.

"How is she?" Eric was worried about the cat. He was still shivering with wet hair.

"She ate the food in the food bowl. Then went to sleep."

"What if she doesn't wake up?" Eric pressed his lips together as if he knew he'd done a terrible thing.

"Stop worrying about the cat," Kyle told him. "Worry about you."

"I'm just fine." Eric hugged himself.

"If you say so." Kyle just stared at him. "Getting drunk isn't the answer. In case you were wondering."

Eric wouldn't look at him.

"Where's your Mom?"

"She went to a movie." Eric stayed indifferent.

"Good for her." Kyle went and rubbed the cat one more time, she fell to her back. Cindy really did like tummy rubs.