A Good Kind of Different

chapter 6

'Hi, Fenisha, come on in.'

'Thanks. I haven't seen this place in daylight before.' This made Ethan blush and glance down at his feet. 'Jeez, relax, this doesn't have to be awkward. It's not like we can pretend this didn't happen, so we may as well joke.'

'I guess. What do you want done with the food?'

'Ice cream in the freezer, pop the pizza in the kitchen too, I'll deal with in in a bit. I'll sort out the rest.'

When Ethan returned from the kitchen, there was a massive bowl of popcorn, with Maltesers mixed in, alongside a tube of pringles and a few cans of fizzy drinks.

'You didn't have to do all this!'

'Yeah, I know, but I wanted to. I find that a bit of food can completely change the atmosphere. Besides, it's kinda been a crazy week, so I think we both deserve it.'

'You can say that again.' He handed her a cola. 'Cheers!' They already had an easy camaraderie, like they had been mates for years. They smiled and joked through the first episode, only semi following the plot. Near the start of the second episode Fenisha spoke up in a slightly different tone to before.

'Thank you for what you did at the pub the other week, I owe you. You're a surprisingly good liar.'

'Who said I was lying? Personally, I prefer to think of it as strategically phrased version of events. I am quitting alcohol, but I didn't tell them quite how sudden that decision was. And you did agree to do me a favour, when you let me take you out a couple of weeks back, and I told you about, well, you know. So, you did do me a favour, and you won't be drinking for a couple of months.'

'Impressive, that was quick thinking.'

Thanks, and also, it may just happen that I decide in a few months' time that I couldn't quit after all and will quietly go back to the odd beer. But... all joking aside, you have to tell them. Soon. It's impressive you've been able to hide it this long.'

'I know. It's just hard. Jan knows though, so It'll be done before the end of the week.

'Brace yourself for some next-level gossip. Honestly, you have no idea.'

'Precisely why I didn't tell them before. They turned back to the television, where the doctor pulled out a bag of jelly babies. Ethan produced a similar packet.

'Jelly baby?' And, just like that, they segued back into the jovial atmosphere of before.

Ethan, I'm going to pop the pizza in the oven, if that's okay?'

'Sure, fine.'

A minute later, her voice floated through from the kitchen.

'What on earth Ethan? You better have a good explanation!' Around half a wall was covered in rows and rows of post it notes, all filled with neat writing.

'Sorry, I meant to take that down. I realise this might look a bit serial killer. But take a closer look, let me explain.' Above all the others, there was a piece of paper reading 'children with involved fathers are...' All the others read things like '80% less likely to go to prison', 'double as likely to go to university' and '60% less likely to get suspended or expelled from school.'

'Wow, what's this?'

'The pros, all of the reasons why I'm doing the right thing, that I can be a positive influence in their life.'

'So, do you have a wall of cons squirreled away somewhere?'

'Oh, no need. They keep circling round my head. I still feel like I'm just going to them, and you for that matter. I can't shake the feeling that I'm doing something awfully selfish, staying involved. I'm not doing it because of what's on those sticky notes. I'm doing it because I love the kid, and I care about you. I want to protect you both. I read these every day, to remind me that it's okay to do what I want, and that it won't hurt you guys.'