Weightless

22) In Control

(Same day) 21st of June 2017

She's waiting beside him. Waiting meaning sitting, silently, because she's unsure of what's meant to be happening next. No words or actions make sense, so she doesn't do any of them.

Ethan's being quiet. Too quiet. Since the phone call, he's stitched his lips closed. It's obvious that nothing will unpick them.

Despite herself, knowing it'll be fruitless, she tries.

"How about we go and get a drink now?"

Nothing.

"Let's head out."

At least she receives one thing - a tiny shake of his head.

"Alright, let's stay in and chat."

It's like his lips sew even tighter together.

"Are you okay?"

Not even a blink.

"Come on, Ethan."

Her attempts at conversations falter as expected. It's new to her, even the prospect of social failure. Confident by nature, it's always been her starting conversations and getting people to listen to her - it's barely ever failed. People are drawn to big smiles and open body language, which she is good at. He's not drawn to anything. He's sitting, resting against the bed headboard, thinking, whilst she is left wondering what on earth to do next.

Unexpectedly, he moves closer to her. It takes her heart by surprise. She lifts her arm and he rests into her embrace. Wordless. Mollie listens as life passes by outside, the egg yolk yellow sun setting over the horizon, but it feels as though time is presently standing still.

"What do you want to do now?"

She doesn't expect a reply but she gets one. "I don't know, Mollie," he's still quiet, "do I have to go home?"

"No, not unless you want to," she says. "Your choice."

"You won't call Cal?"

"Not without your say so."

He's quiet for a moment. "Thank you. Don't know why you're being nice to me."

"You're meant to be nice to siblings. You're the closest I've got to one. I like games, playing big sister is fun."

He's not put out by the sibling comment. "Having a brother isn't all fun and games."

"I've gathered that. But I still like it."

They're back to sitting quietly - Mollie waiting, Ethan's lips sewn back together again. But it feels different this time.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Cal has splashed cold water over his face - the age old trick - but it hasn't convinced anyone.

"Go home," Connie says. "Your shift is almost over anyway."

He does as he's told, but he doesn't tell her what's going on when she asks. Not about Ethan, anyway. He tells her about the patients she'll need to take over, he talks and talks until his throat is sore, just so she won't take advantage of a conversation gap to ask what's wrong; because his brothers name would just escape his lips.

Deep down, he feels a vague sense of sinking guilt for his lack of honesty. He'd promised her that she'd be the first to know when Ethan was located. There was big plans. It was meant to be in Connie's control - she was going to be in charge of sorting the mess that was their life, the reason he's dropped more weight than he should.