David noticed that Kevin seemed uncomfortable when he had addressed Claire. There was some jealousy there. David was confident of his role and his place in Ella's life. He could share her with others and that would not change. Jealousy, and insecurity, and a childish need to possess or control another person, that's the stuff that will destroy a healthy loving relationship. No one wants to feel trapped by a relationship, like they can't grow or evolve or explore. That's what jealousy does. It traps people.<br/><br/>David felt like he was above all of that. He hoped that didn't make him seem pretentious. He felt old. Like a wizened soul among children, watching them struggle to find their way. David watched Ella as she flirted with Kevin turning on the charm and it made him smile. She had a vivaciousness about her that was uncontainable. "Good girl." he thought to himself. Maybe if Ella and Kevin get together, Kevin would be able to loosen up ... to let things happen. Why did this have to be so difficult? He wondered, honestly perplexed. Why did people have to tie so much emotional baggage into sex and love and friendship? Why couldn't these things just exist freely without guilt or complication?<br/><br/>At Ella's suggestion that he and Claire prepare dinner together, David felt it might be best to defer this time to Kevin. Kevin was feeling a little threatened by David's tendency to "take command." David needed Kevin to know that his authority wouldn't become undermined, that he would be respected. "Kevin?" David asked in the low calm voice he had that never seemed to waiver. "Is it alright with you if Claire works with me to prepare dinner?"<br/>