Fix Me (Alternative ending)

Chapter 45

Trigger warning, anorexia. Very brief mentions of suicide. Pretty cute again. Drop some pretty names because I'm adding some more characters.

In the kitchen, Remington sits on the counter with a mug of tea, watching Andy make lunch, swinging his legs. "Y'know," he begins, "I had an idea."

Andy glances at him. "Oh yeah?"

"So, since the hospital wouldn't keep me 'cause of my gender, I thought...what if I started a charity for men with eating disorders? To help everyone who has been turned away like me. And everyone who is afraid to reach out for help because they're not girls. Just anyone who needs it."

The man smiles. "Do it," he says, "no question about it. Do it."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. It's unfair that they treat men differently just because it's supposedly a girls disorder, so do it. Make the charity. Be the change the world needs." He chops a carrot as he speaks.

"I don't even know how to start a charity."

"Google? Don't not do it just 'cause of that. I'll help. I'm sure there are people we can talk to about it, get the charity up and running. With our fame already, it'd probably be pretty popular from the launch. And if it's not, then at least we tried."

Remington yawns. "Okay. I have a question. Who is Kassandra and why does she have your number?"

Andy puts the knife down. "Oh, Kassandra. She's in a local band from round here. They were recording in the studio while I was there. She bumped into me while she was looking for the loo. We got talking. Her band is desperately looking for someone to open for on tour."

The boy scrolls through the messages on Andy's phone, intrigued. "When'd you meet her?"

"About a month ago. Why? Jealous?"

"Absolutely not. After that song you played for me the other day, I could not be more secure in our marriage. Have you heard her music? Are they any good?"

"Really good."

Remington hums. "Can I meet her?"

"'course you can, angel. Steal her number if you like." He puts the chopped vegetables into a pan. "She'd like your band, I reckon."

Pulling his phone from his pocket, Remington saves her number as a contact.

"Number?"

"Twenty one. What do I say to her?"

"I dunno. 'Hi, it's Andy's husband. You sound cool'?"

Remington yawns again. "What if she, like, fancies you?"

"She doesn't."

"How'd you know?"

Andy chuckles. "She's got a girlfriend."

"I love her now."

"Right?"

'Hi,' Remington types, 'I'm not a stalker, I promise. Andy gave me your number. I'm his husband. You seem pretty cool.'

"What're you sending?" Andy asks, just happy to see him socialising after two months of talking to anyone but his close family.

Remington reads out the message before pressing send, putting his phone down and awaiting a reply. "Will you be mad if I-"

"No."

"I haven't finished."

"Me being mad at you is never gonna happen so there's no point, sweetheart."