Weightless

12) Here Comes The Bride

12th February 2017

It needs to be done.

If it'll fix the huge weight on Cal's mind, or lighten it entirely, then he'll do anything. But not eat, though - that's ludicrous. He'll lie about it if that'll work. Which it will. Because he's fluent in English, French and the art of lying.

He walks into the living room to activate his plan, where both Cal and Mollie are all cuddled up on the sofa. It's clean from one of Ethan's intense cleaning sessions earlier, the coffee table in front of the sofa having only two mugs on it, plus the new biscuit barrel that Mollie brought. They hardly notice him in there, entranced by the television, until he speaks.

"Can I talk to you both?"

Mollie looks at him. She's not going to work today, but she's still got a full face of makeup on. Her glossy peach mouth smiles at him. "Course, honey."

"What have you done now?" Cal asks. He sits himself up straight, but his arm still stays resting around Mollie's shoulders lovingly. "You wanna watch the film with us?"

Ethan stands in the middle of the room, his hands clasped. "Uh, no thank you."

"Alright," Cal says. He gets the remote, conveniently right next to him, and turns the television down. "Spill then, nibbles."

Here's your time. Convince them as though your life depends on it. It'll avoid any further suspicion.

"It's nothing important," of course it's not important, it's about you after all. "I just wanted to let you both know that I'm okay," Ethan says. He swallows nervously. This is his least favourite topic but it has to be said. "I know you were worried the other day, Cal, with your nightmare and everything. But I just wanted you to know that I'll never be like Mum or Dad," Ethan looks solely at Cal. "I'll always be like you - healthy."

Cal doesn't say anything for a little while. He just stares at the muted television, more focused in biting his lip than anything. When Ethan's almost given up on him speaking, he finally does.

"You promise?" Cal says. He seems suddenly ten years younger, desperate for reassurance. "I appreciate you bring it up, I really do. You know it worries me. You... sleep all the time. And I never see you eat, plus you seem thinner."

You've got to start wearing baggy clothes, you idiot, or everyone will notice.

Ethan does his best to remain calm. It's good that Cal assumes he's sleeping, actually, rather than just lying there every evening instead of joining in normal human activities. But it's irritating that he noticed, all the same. "I've just not been in the mood. I like to give you time with Mollie."

Mollie had been zoning out for the most part of the short conversation, but came back to earth when she heard her name. She looks at him. "Hey, you don't have to do that..."

They're buying it. Well done, you're doing well.

"It's fine, it doesn't bother me," Ethan says. He tries to think of other things to say to reassure Cal, to make his suspicions disappear. Anything. So he just cements what he's already said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "But anyway. I promise, Caleb and Mollie, I'd say if anything was wrong."

Cal slowly nods. "Don't worry. I believe you, Ethan. Thank you."

"It's okay," Ethan says. He wrings his hands. "I'll leave you both alone now."

"You can stay!" Mollie smiles. "It'd be nice to see you. We barely do, you're always shut off in your room all the while."

Ethan shrugs. "I've... got stuff to do," like research the amount of calories in every food item he can think of, but they haven't got to know that.