Fix Me (Alternative ending)

Chapter 9

Trigger warning - mentions of abuse, homophobic slurs.

A shrill, unpleasant voice breaks apart the conversation the three are having at the picnic table. All three of them; Andy, Remington, and Kacey, look in the direction of the voice. A woman, cigarette between her fingers, is walking, appearing bored, towards them. "Kacey!" She shouts, though would be heard by just talking. "The fuck are you doing with these strangers?" When she's close enough, she halts, just inches from the table, and looks down at the men like they're the worst people in the world.

"I'm sorry, mum," Kacey apologises, "I was just-"

"Oh, shut up. I don't care. Get inside."

Remington and Andy share unhappy expressions. Remington knows an abuser when he sees one. "You know," he begins, "you shouldn't be talking to your daughter like that."

"Oh, and what might you know about having a kid, huh?"

The boy shies away. Andy speaks up this time. "You're probably scaring her," he says, and then averts his gaze.

Kacey is pulled up by her arm. "Ow," she complains, "mum, that hurts!"

"Shut your face!"

"Why can't I sit out here?"

The woman huffs. "With these fags? I don't think so!"

Andy shakes his head. "We may be 'fags' love, but at least we're nice people."

"I wasn't talking to you! Move, Kacey, now!

"I don't care. You can't treat your daughter like this. It's wrong." '

Kacey keeps her head down. She's never had anyone stand up for her like this.

Andy talks again. "Look, I literally have no fucking clue who you are, but my boy here was abused for years and, let me tell you, it really fucks things up. Do you really want your daughter growing up believing that everything she does is wrong?"

Remington is still and quiet. He doesn't exactly like that Andy just announced his abuse like it's no big deal. It's not something Remington wants everyone to know.

"Abuse? Wow, you are stupid! Inside, Kacey!" And with that, the two of them are walking away, and then they're gone.

Remington glares at his husband until the man asks what's wrong. "I can't believe you," he says, pulling his hand from Andy's.

"Sorry?"

"You can't just go round telling strangers I was abused, Andy! How could you just say that? I don't want people to know unless I tell them!"

Andy sighs. Remington's right. "I know. God, I know. I'm really sorry. I said it before realising what I was saying."

The boy looks at him for a second. "Well you shouldn't have," he mumbles, suddenly regretting the pasta he ate. He always feels so much worse about food when he's not in a good mood.

"I know," Andy says again, and after a moment, "I really didn't mean to."

"Yeah, but...I trusted you with it, Andy! I told you all of it because you promised I'd always be safe with you! And then you go round telling strangers about it! How the hell am I meant to feel okay with that?" The breeze is making the tree above them quiver.

The man, upset with himself, looks down, too. "You are safe with me. You always will be, Remington. That hasn't changed and it never will. I'm sorry, I really really am, but arguing about it isn't going to help. If you're angry with me, that's okay, but please don't make me feel awful about it. I really didn't mean to say it, I promise."