THE KEVIN SHOW
The sun hung low in the sky as Vanessa and Malcolm packed their bags for what was meant to be a perfect bonding vacation. They had been married for five years and felt that a romantic getaway was just what they needed to rekindle their spark. The destination was a secluded cabin deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, a place where they could disconnect from the world and focus on each other. The couple's excitement was palpable as they loaded their car with bags, groceries, and hiking gear. Vanessa had meticulously planned their itinerary, from hiking to stargazing, and even a little surprise she had in store for Malcolm. But as they were about to leave, they received a call from Vanessa's cousin, Kevin. "Hey, guys! Long time no see," Kevin said cheerily, his voice crackling over the phone's speaker. "Kevin! How are you?" Vanessa asked, her smile fading slightly. She and Malcolm had been looking forward to this trip for months. "I'm good, I'm good," Kevin replied. "Listen, I heard you guys are going to the Smokies. Mind if I tag along? It's been ages since we hung out."Vanessa exchanged a hesitant glance with Malcolm, who waved her off. But Vanessa was a people pleaser. She couldn’t just say no, not with the overwhelming feelings of shame and disappointment. "Sure, Kevin. It'll be great to catch up," she said, forcing a smile. "Awesome!" Kevin exclaimed. Malcolm sighed. "I'll be at your place in a couple of hours."Vanessa hung up the phone and turned to Malcolm. "Looks like we have an uninvited guest for our romantic getaway." Malcolm shook his head. "Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into the Kevin show. "The hours passed, and Vanessa and Malcolm couldn't help but feel a growing sense of apprehension. Kevin had always been the life of the party, the kind of guy who never knew when to stop talking or joking. He brought a whirlwind of energy into their serene vacation plans as soon as he arrived."Hey, guys! Long time no see!" Kevin repeated as he burst through the door, his suitcase thudding to the floor. "Hey, Kevin," Vanessa said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Glad you could make it."Over the next few days, the trip took an unexpected turn. What was meant to be a romantic escape for Vanessa and Malcolm turned into a chaotic adventure with Kevin leading the way. He insisted on turning every activity into a competition, from hiking to card games, leaving no room for the quiet, intimate moments that Vanessa and Malcolm had hoped for. One evening, Vanessa tried to salvage some alone time by suggesting they stargaze on the cabin's porch. She had brought a telescope to surprise Malcolm, hoping to create a romantic memory. But Kevin, not one to miss out on any action, showed up with a telescope of his own, nearly knocking over their dinner in the process. She thought about kicking him off the balcony, but that might shut him up for good, and she didn’t want that. As they gazed at the night sky, Kevin blurted out, "You know, guys, I once read that a shooting star can make wishes come true!"Vanessa sighed, trying to remain patient. "Yes, Kevin, that's a common belief. "Without missing a beat, Kevin continued, "Well, how about we make a wish? It'll be fun!"Vanessa and Malcolm exchanged glances, knowing that this was the opposite of what they had in mind for their romantic evening. But they reluctantly agreed. Each took a turn making a wish on a distant star. As they finished, Vanessa leaned in and whispered to Malcolm, "I wished for some alone time with you."Malcolm smiled, his wish aligning perfectly with hers. But Kevin, true to form, couldn't resist chiming in, "I wished for a dog and a lifetime supply of pizza!" Their laughter echoed through the night, but Vanessa couldn't help but feel disappointed. She longed for the quiet moments, the stolen glances, and the intimacy that had brought her and Malcolm closer in the past. The trip continued with more mishaps and interruptions, leaving Vanessa and Malcolm physically and emotionally exhausted. They couldn't help but feel resentment building towards Kevin, who had unwittingly disrupted their plans at every turn. On the final vacation day, Vanessa and Malcolm decided to hike to a remote waterfall. It was their last chance to salvage the trip and create a cherished memory together. As they trudged up the trail, Vanessa took Malcolm's hand, and they shared a rare moment of peace. But just as they reached the waterfall, Kevin appeared out of nowhere, yelling, "I heard there's an amazing waterfall here! Mind if I join you guys?"Vanessa and Malcolm exchanged a glance, their frustration reaching its breaking point. They had hoped for a vacation that would strengthen their bond, but it seemed that an uninvited guest had managed to keep them apart more than ever. As they watched the waterfall together, Vanessa and Malcolm couldn't help but wonder if they could salvage their relationship. Perhaps the lesson in all of this was that they needed to make more time for each other, away from the chaos of the world, and without any uninvited company. In the end, they decided to confront Kevin and politely ask him to give them some space. Surprisingly, Kevin understood and agreed to explore the area on his own for the remainder of the trip. As they finally found themselves alone, Vanessa and Malcolm rekindled the romance they sought. They held each other by the waterfall, sharing a kiss under the cascading water, and in that moment, they realized that their love was stronger than any uninvited guest could ever disrupt. Sometimes, it takes a bit of chaos to appreciate the moments of peace and connection that truly matter. Vanessa and Malcolm returned from their vacation with a deeper bond and a renewed commitment to prioritize their relationship, knowing that they could weather any storm, invited or not.
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1 comment
This has good bones but I would recommend using some more description and detail during specific moments during the trip. Keep writing!
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