Day Ninety

After a long winter of blistering winds and seemingly endless snowstorms that wound up continuing well into April, spring had finally come to Riverdale. The early May afternoon was sunny and beautiful, clear with a deep blue sky, and Tom using one of his rare days off to work in the garden and make sure the flowerbeds were prepped and ready. After laboring the backyard for hours, he was just stripping off his work gloves to head inside for a break when a familiar voice called to him from across the lawn. He turned to find Sierra McCoy lifting the latch on the gate to let herself in through the fence.

"Hey, Sierra," Tom greeted her as he ambled over to meet her. "Sorry for the state I'm in." He gestured over to the flowers. "I decided to use the free time I had to get the garden into shape."

"Well, it's certainly shaping up, no doubt thanks to your efforts as a weekend warrior," Sierra quipped, but then her expression grew serious. "I didn't mean to drop in on you like this, Tom, but I have an update on the David Perkins memorial that I'd thought you'd like to hear in person."

Tom paused, trepidation rushing through him. "Oh?"

"After Kevin's written statement, the Riverdale High administration decided that because of the nature of the charges against David, as well as some previous allegations about his conduct, the planned memorial at the high school is being permanently scrapped," Sierra informed him. "I thought you and your family should know right away."

"Thank you," Tom answered automatically while his mind raced. " 'Prior allegations'? What does that mean? David had no police record. There isn't a trace of any past complaints about him in our system."

Sierra shook her head. "I don't know, Tom. I'm guessing it could mean that the school has received prior reports about David for sexual misconduct but keep quiet about it. However, that's only a guess. I wasn't given any specifics."

"Typical," Tom said disgustedly. "They cover for a rapist and then become concerned about his victims only when they run the risk of being held liable." He shook his head. "Well, at any rate, I'm glad you told me about this, Sierra. Kathy and I have been worried, and Kevin . . ."

"How's he doing, by the way?" Sierra asked in concern. "Is he . . . doing well?"

Tom paused to consider his question. For almost two months now, Kevin had been attending weekly one-on-one meetings with a therapist. Obviously, a few therapy sessions didn't wipe away his pain, but in Tom's opinion, it seemed to be helping. Yes, there were days when Kevin seemed weary or withdrawn, and there were some nights when Kevin didn't seem to sleep and Tom found him already downstairs in the mornings well before six o'clock. But whether it was due to the counseling or simply being given the proper time to heal, Kevin seemed far more optimistic than he had back during the winter. It was an enormous relief both to Tom and to Kathy.

Recently, though, news of a potential memorial for David Perkins being constructed at Riverdale High had brought endless anxiety to Kevin, and Tom had known the matter was never far from his mind. It would be a relief to tell Kevin he no longer needed to think about the possibility any longer.

"He's improving," Tom answered eventually. "But he's changed. It's only to be expected, and I don't begrudge him that, but it's undeniable."

Sierra nodded in understanding. "I'm not surprised to hear that. But I can only hope that the lack of a memorial will help Kevin and anyone else who might be out there in their recovery." She paused, and for a moment they simply stood quietly before she continued. "I can't impose on you for any longer. But if there's anything you or your family need, Tom, just let me know."

Tom smiled gratefully at his friend and colleague. "Thank you, Sierra. I appreciate it. And thank you for this news as well."

They exchanged goodbyes, and she went on her way. Not long after she'd left, just when Tom had finished his break and returned outside for further work on the garden, two more individuals walked into the backyard: Kevin and a boy he'd bringing home a lot lately, a Southside Serpent named Joaquin DeSantos.

"Hey, Dad!" Kevin called to him, smiling as they walked over to join him.

"Hello, boys," Tom said, a smile of his own tugging up his lips as they approached. "Enjoying your afternoon?"

Kevin nodded, his former enthusiasm glimpsing through as his eyes shone with excitement. "We just ran into Betty and Jughead at Pop's, and we agreed to go to the spring formal as a group," he said, glancing over at Joaquin as he did, happiness evident.

Though Joaquin appeared slightly more relaxed, he seemed no less happy than Kevin. "And then once we did, we thought your backyard might be a good place to take photos beforehand. As long as it's okay with you, of course." His voice was level as he spoke, and he looked at Tom with a steady gaze. His calm, controlled demeanor was part of the reason Tom had grown to respect him—that, and Joaquin's genuine fondness for Kevin.

"Of course," Tom told the two of them amiably. "All of you are welcome here any time."

"Fantastic." Kevin looked quite pleased and, taking one of Joaquin's hand's in his, tugged him toward the gazebo. "C'mon, let's figure out which spot has the best lighting."

Joaquin slipped his hand out of Kevin's grasp only to loop it around his shoulders as he walked alongside him. "Hell, as far as I'm concerned, preppy, you look good in any lighting."

A warm, familiar feeling started to gradually build within Tom as he watched Kevin guide Joaquin over to the gazebo and start taking practice shots with his phone's camera, and several moments passed before he was able to recognize it. It was a relaxed contentedness, a satisfaction that mostly everything in his life was going well at this point. And after the nightmare that Kevin had been forced to endure, it was a welcome change. But what was important was that Kevin had endured, that he'd fought to retake control of his life and refused to let David Perkins destroy him.

Now, Kevin was looking forward to the future. He was making plans, he was enjoying time with his friends once again, and even in the aftermath of his tragedy, he had managed to give Joaquin a chance and found happiness with him.

Over at the gazebo, Joaquin had become tired of posing for Kevin.

"Come on, preppy," he said teasingly, descending the steps only to take Kevin by the hands and pull him back up with him. "Let me show you that I can be admired up close in addition to at a distance."

"Fine," Kevin returned, sending him a challenging look. "Show me."

The two of them embraced beneath the entryway, Joaquin just barely brushing his lips against Kevin's before he led him further inside the gazebo, disappearing into the shadows with him. Regardless, Tom turned away to allow the young couple privacy, deciding to wash up inside and let them have their space. Ordinarily, he might have worried over his son dating a Serpent, but now he was grateful that Joaquin's presence seemed to go a long way toward restoring Kevin's hope. And frankly, he thought Kevin going out to a dance, with his friends and a boy who cared for him, would do his son some good.

At the thought of a dance, a memory from months ago drifted into Tom's mind, about what Kevin had told him of one of the last times he'd seen David Perkins before he died. He asked me to the spring formal . . . I don't think he understood anything about what he did to me.

An old anger burned in Tom's chest at the thought, a constant outrage he carried with him that flared whenever Perkins name was mentioned. But little by little, the fire was dimming as Kevin made greater progress. David Perkins might have been despicable, but he was dead and buried and would not be memorialized at Kevin's high school. That had to be enough now—there was no reason for Tom to want anything else where Perkins was concerned. His focus should now be on Kevin and Kevin alone.

And Kevin . . . Kevin might not be entirely recovered, and it was doubtful that he ever would be. He would always have his scars.

Deciding he'd had enough of gardening for the day, Tom picked up his tools to carry them into the back shed. He'd go inside and wash up, and maybe bring some lemonade and food out to Kevin and Joaquin and check what night the dance was going to be so he could make sure to get home early to see them off.

As he heard his son's laughter float through the air as he walked away, a smile began to take form on Tom's face. Even if all wasn't back to normal, even if it all wouldn't be, at least circumstances were beginning to turn out right.

"Dad!" It was Kevin who called to him, and when Tom turned, he found Kevin jogging up to him.

Kevin slowed to a halt in front of his, his face growing somber. "I just wanted to say thanks," he said lowly, seriousness in his gaze. "Not just for letting us take pictures here, but for everything. Everything you and Mom have done for me these past few months."

"Hey." Tom placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder, holding his gaze. "You don't have to thank me for that." He gathered Kevin into a hug, holding him for a moment and rubbing his back before letting go. "Get back to your boyfriend now," he told Kevin fondly. "I'm sure he's eagerly awaiting you."

Kevin gave him a quiet smile and another whispered, "Thanks," before he went on his way.

Tom watched him go with a smile of his own. His family made it. They'd all been through hell—no parent ever wanted to see their child suffer as he and Kathy had seen Kevin, and of course, Kevin had been through the worst of all, but they'd made it. Yes, Kevin was still hurting. Yes, it would be a long time, maybe never, before his pain would fully ease. But, Tom knew, they had all survived, and his son was happy again. That was all Tom could ever ask for.