Weightless

6: Making It Okay

30th of January 2017

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A week has passed since Ethan's suspension. After a call from Connie at half past six that morning, very short notice, it's official that he can finally return to work. At long last, too - he was starting to feel insane from being trapped in those same walls.

"That's great, Ethan!" Cal sounds genuinely happy when Ethan tells him. He's busy painting his ceiling, standing on a stepladder that looks much too high for Ethan's liking, but manages to look down and smile. It feels like old times again. "So you're definitely going back today?"

"Definitely."

As pleased as Ethan is that he can return to work, it's bittersweet. Whoever left the complaint had a point, after all. And Connie will more than likely watch me like a hawk for my first day back, Ethan thinks. Great.

Ethan gets out of his own head and looks around the room. Sheets cover the floor to protect it, tape is across the door frame and dripping paint cans rest on the ground. Everything is there - apart from one person."Is Mollie not here?"

"No, she's gone to buy new paint rollers," Cal tells him. "Why?"

"Just wondering," Ethan says. "She's, uh, usually always here with you."

Clearly those words were said with more rancour than intended as Cal snaps his head around. "Don't be like that, Eth."

"Like what?" Ethan says innocently, pretending he doesn't know exactly what Cal means. "What have I done now?"

"I know you don't agree with me being with Mollie," Cal says tetchily. He continues painting the ceiling with far more force than necessary. "But if you were in love, you'd understand. You'd get it. It's not my fault you don't."

"That's besides the point, Caleb," Ethan says, riled up. Cal sure does know how to push his buttons. "You can still be in love with her without her moving in." I just want things to go back to the way they were.

"Ah, so that's what you're annoyed about! Mollie moving in." Cal has painted the same spot of the ceiling almost five times, his mind obviously focused elsewhere. "Alright, I should've asked if she could move in, but I didn't. You should be used to me messing up by now."

"No, I-"

"Face it, you said that it was fine and then got moody about it!" Cal says. "I just do not get you sometimes, Eth. If it wasn't fine, why say yes?" Because I don't want to upset you and lose you, Cal. I'm so lonely.

Ethan focuses on his anger and wants to get the painting roller to hit Cal over the head with it. "Yeah, and you get defensive!"

Cal inhales sharply. "I'm not going to argue with you. This is a friendly discussion."

Both know that this is far more than a 'friendly discussion' - Cal says so every time. "You already are arguing with me." Ethan says irritably.

"Look, she's the one, okay?"

"Since when have you believed in 'the one', Caleb?" Ethan snaps. Finally, he loses it with Cal. "I'm sure you said the exact same thing with Taylor, and look how badly that turned out!"

"Ah, that's so you, Ethan. Typical. Lashing out because your own life is going to shit!" Cal glares down at Ethan from the stepladder. "What do you know about relationships? All you do is sit in your room and feel sorry for yourself."

"And all you do is waste time with a woman who will probably dump you when she's done - it won't last!" Ethan hisses. "You can tell me I'm ignorant when it comes with relationships, but even I can tell this is going to end in tears!"