Weightless

35) Bombshell

(the same day, just beginning for them - 7th of July 2017)

It is long since the rise of the sun when they get out of the sheets together. Breakfast is spent in a small diner with tiled walls. A jaded stereotype of a waitress serves them there, who uses more nicknames than even Mollie tends to, wearing a tight dress and an apron. They have their eggs sunny side up with foamy milkshakes to wash them down with.

Greenview has only one walking park - something that brings its sparkling reputation down, unfortunately. It's filled with vibrant leaves and tiny flowers in blades of grass. A chain-linked playpark is barely occupied; a couple mothers, engrossed in conversation, push toddlers on swings, legs dangling, loud and high-pitched babbling as if they're joining in with the conversation.

Mollie watches Cal's eyes as they pass. He takes an interest for a few moments, then drops his eyes.

"Are you a children person?"

"I'm an everything person. Dog person. Cat person." He offers her a smile and she takes it gladly.

Afternoon is when they manage a late lunch, stomachs still full with the milkiness of their tall glasses of milkshake. They sit outside, near a pond, with an empty baguette that they tear the inside out of with their fingers. It's a less civilised meal than previously but the ducks enjoy it.

"I used to be scared of ducks," Mollie says, as she offers a particularly generous amount of fluffy bread to a duckling. "I mean, I think so, anyway. That's what my mum says."

"What's wrong with ducks?"

"Nothing. Except when they chase you."

"Ah." Cal seemingly senses a story. "Go on, then. Tell me."

"Well," she begins. "As the story goes, I was about seven, maybe... nine? Probably nine. I was having a picnic with a group of friends during the weekend. All of our parents were nearby, but far away enough to give us the illusion of being alone. I remember we were running in and out of this shallow pond, disturbing the ducks."

"Bit of a dick move."

"I was seven!"

"Thought you said nine?"

She whacks him lightly with the baguette. "Anyway. And then, they decided they had enough. The ducks chose me as their victim and had no mercy in making me get what I deserved. I got pecked once. It was the lightest thing ever in hindsight. Back then I was terrified. Took me about half an hour to calm down."

"How'd you break the phobia?"

Mollie pulls more stuffing from inside her half of the baguette. "Who said I'm not still scared?"

"Because you're sat next to a pond right now!"

"Doesn't mean I'm not wary," she says, smiling. "No, I believe the fear was broken by exposure therapy - meaning we went down to the park every now and again, and my parents just so happened to invite the ducks over whilst shielding me. Came to realise there wasn't anything to be frightened of."

"Props to seven - or nine - year old you. Phobias are hard to break."

"Best way to face your fears is head-on, I suppose." She looks right at Cal, knowing he won't get the reference - that she needs to face her fears, and just tell him this huge secret inside of her stomach that involves him so amazingly.

But he looks at her like he knows something she doesn't.

Oh.

Oh, right.