Ethan’s World

by Daphne Childress

Ethan Martin and his mother live a simple life in a small Southern town... with a twist: She makes dresses to pay the bills and he helps out as best he can.
 

Chapter Forty-Two: Date with a Bully

“Emily” goes on a date with the scariest guy in town. How will it end?
 

Ethan was done. He was so angry, it almost scared him. He wanted to be mad at everyone… everything… the whole world, in fact.

But the truth of the matter was, he was just mad at himself.

And Claire.

Well, actually, his inability to deal with Claire.

Claire Madison—Ethan’s long-time friend and one-time crush—turned out to be his archnemesis. She was no longer someone who made him smile, that cute girl who made his heart go pitter-patter, the maybe-one-day girlfriend who gave him goosebumps with every little glance and giggle and touch. He’d harbored a crush on Claire for years, at least since fourth grade, and that fantasy relationship had grown in his mind, in half-spoken conversations and wishes and imagined scenarios. He’d mapped out a future with her—an adolescent boy’s dream girl in an adolescent boy’s dream world—only to have that dream deflated… and fade into nothingness.

Actually, Ethan's loss was worse than nothingness—it had transformed into a horrible something. Claire’s recent sniping and her snarky little jokes and—most recently—the mindgames she’d played on him, reeked of betrayal and deceit. Their first and last date together ended in disaster when she made it clear that they would never go out as a couple again, but she'd promised—well, in his mind—she’d threatened to set him up.

With a date.

With a boy.

“I got plans for Emily. And it’s spelled B-O-Y. I’m going to set you up on a date. With a big, tough, handsome boy… someone who’ll teach you a lesson. Oh yeah, that’s going to happen, all right… and I know exactly the perfect guy to teach you a lesson.”

What made things worse, she did all of this happily, despite his very vocal and very loud protests, taking great joy his misery. She even blamed him for her little scheme:

“Why else do you dress like this, Ethan? You’re gorgeous, sexy… perfect. And you know it—you have to, right? You little hypocrite, isn’t that what you want—to be in the arms of a boy? Maybe even a big strong man? Why else would you go through all this trouble?”

Just thinking about her words hurt him. Hard.

They also scared him. More than a little.

Dissatisfied with the way things were going in his life, Ethan decided to lose himself in his work. At the moment he knelt on a padded mat in his Auntie Penelope’s kitchen, his bare knees shielded from the tile, his puffed sleeves brushing up with every reach of the sponge. His dress today was a soft yellow daisy print with a square collar and white lace trim; underneath were a simple white training bra and matching panties, light and airy, perfect for cleaning old houses. He never wore a wig for such chores—Penelope had decided he was just as cute without it, and it got hot when he was working hard. His normally scruffy brown hair was neatly shampooed and brushed into a simple, neat feminine hairstyle and a pale yellow hairband decorated with a plastic daisy kept it in place. He was—according to his Aunt DeeDee—”a regular Audrey Hepburn,” whoever she was.

“Back straight, Emily,” Penelope said, swooping in behind him with her hands on her hips. “Honestly, you're slouching like a farm boy. A little grace, dear. How can we expect you to walk with poise if you don't sit and stand with it first?”

“Okay,” he said, irritated and cranky.

“Hmm?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, Auntie Penelope,” he said again, this time in his practiced girl lilt.

“Much better.” She ruffled his hair gently, then patted his cheek. “Adorable.”

As usual, the afternoon passed with Auntie Penelope bustling around, offering pointers on posture, elegance, and “how to wipe without waddling,” her exact words. Sometimes Ethan couldn't tell if she was serious or if she just liked seeing how red he could blush. The latter, he finally figured. After all, she always giggled afterward.

It was nearly quitting time. He had the kitchen floor gleaming and had just begun wiping down the windowsill when the doorbell rang. Penelope raised her eyebrows.

“Now who could that be?”

She answered the door and let out a delighted, “Claire! What a lovely surprise.”

Ethan froze. His heart stopped. He dropped the cleaning cloth into the sudsy bowl and turned just enough to see Claire Madison step into the room, a tote bag on one shoulder and her mouth curling in amusement as her eyes fell on him.

“Well, hello there, Emily,” she said with a bright grin.

He stood up slowly. His apron ruffled, his knees were pink, and the hem of his dress was damp. He curtsied automatically. “H-Hello, Claire.”

Claire walked over and looked him up and down, hands on her hips. “You are just about the cutest little housekeeper I've ever seen.”

“Th-thank you,” he said, cheeks hot.

“You're welcome,” she replied sweetly.

Auntie Penelope clapped her hands. “Oh, what a lovely time for a break. Emily, be a dear and serve your guest some refreshments. I’ll take my tea and brandy in the parlor so you young people can chat.”

“Yes, Auntie.”

In the kitchen, Ethan fussed with the glasses, pouring iced tea and arranging cupcakes on a pink China plate. Claire followed and sat primly at the small table, kicking off her sneakers and resting her chin in her hands as she watched him.

“So,” she began. “I stopped by your house but your mom said you were here. Still working hard for your auntie, hmm?”

“Yes, Claire.”

“And still dressing the part?”

He sighed as he brought the tray to the table. “It's required.”

She smiled. “Well, I think it's charming. Honestly, I don't know why you ever dress like a boy.”

He didn’t even try to smile. “Because I am one.”

“Pfft. Technicality.”

She took a cupcake and offered him one. He refused. Claire tilted her head.

“So listen,” she said, chewing thoughtfully. “I want you to go on a date with me.”

“Another date?” Ethan’s stomach dropped. This was unexpected. Had she changed her mind? It was possible, he told himself. Girls can be finicky, that’s for sure. His pulse raced. Was his luck about to—

“Oh yeah! But this time it’ll be a double date. You know Rodney, that really tall boy from the ninth-grade basketball team?”

Ethan nodded numbly. “I know Rodney,” he muttered.

“Everybody does.” Claire giggled. “Anyway, I want to go out with him and my mom's being totally annoying about it. Won't let me go unless another girl comes along. Like it's some kind of double-date chaperone situation.”

“Oh,” he said with a pout. “Well, I hope you find someone.”

She reached across the table and tapped his nose. “You silly goose. I already did.”

“Who?”

“You.”

He blinked. “What?”

She raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Remember when I said I was going to hook you up with a guy? And you said, no, and I said ‘Challenge accepted!’ Well, I did it. I found the perfect guy for you. And you’re going on that date. Well, a double date with me and Rodney, I mean.”

Ethan felt sick. “No, Claire, I’m not going—”

“Oh yes you are. It’s all set and done. If you don’t go, your date will be mad and—trust me, you do not want him mad at you.”

“Um, who are you talking about?”

“Samuel Torres. You remember, Savannah's brother? He's older, but cute. And really tall.” Claire giggled. “He sure seems to remember you.”

Now he felt really sick. Was she out of his mind? he thought. First she makes me go out with her as Emily, now she wants me to go out with a guy as Emily? With Samuel Torres?

That. Was. Insane.

“Claire! I’m not going on a date with a boy.” He tried to control the tremor in his voice. “Especially not Samuel…”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. It's just a movie and some ice cream. He already said yes, and he’s expecting you to do the same. He told me to tell you so.”

“He said… that?” Ethan felt dizzy. “I can't. I’m not—”

“Sure you can. And you will. Why not? Just look at you. Even without your wig, you’re adorable. You’ll have Samuel begging to take you out again by the time this is all over with.” She gave him a devilish grin. “I hear he’s a great kisser.”

Ethan felt sick. “You don’t understand. Samuel knows who I am—he hates me!”

Claire shook her head. “Nuh-uh! Not according to Savannah. From what she said Samuel just loved you in your little maid dress. Don’t know if he actually knows if you’re a boy or a girl, not that it matters—”

Ethan shook his head. “Oh, he knows, all right. Believe me, he knows exactly who I am.”

“Well, whatever. Like I said, it doesn’t matter. Either way, just wait until he sees you all fixed up with something really sweet… and with makeup and lipstick and one of those awesome dresses you and your mom—”

“Claire!”

“Oh, don’t worry. Your mother has the perfect dress for this. You know that mint green sundress she just finished? You’ll look like a minty-fresh dream.”

“I’ll be minty-fresh dead.” He buried his face in his hands. “I don’t want to date boys. I don’t like boys. I like girls. I like you!”

Claire sipped her tea. “Sure, sure. But we’re not talking about you and me. That’s never going to happen. We’re talking about you and Samuel, remember?”

The cross-dressed boy felt his stomach fall to the floor. “But I—I like you.”

She softened. “Hey, don’t be like that. I like you too, silly. I love you, but just not that way. You—well, Emily—is like a girlfriend to me. The best girlfriend ever. Doesn’t that mean something to you?”

He didn’t say anything. Claire snorted, then gave a wicked, but subtle laugh: “Samuel’s expecting you to be there. I’d go if I were you—like I said, you don’t want to make him mad.”

He couldn't think of anything to say.

Claire stood and walked over to him, hugging him tight. “Aw, don’t worry. I’ll be there to protect you. It’ll be fun. You’ll see. And who knows? Samuel might just surprise you.” She gave him a quick, sisterly, peck on the side of his mouth. “If you do this for me I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

He sighed as she pulled him into her shoulder, crushing his apron between them. “Yes, Claire.”

“Good Emily. That's my girl.”

In the other room, Penelope smiled—and reached for the phone.

 

* * *
 

Colleen stood behind Ethan, brushing the long, freshly cleaned wig with delicate care. The strands of natural hair gleamed under the bedroom lights, a soft honey-blonde cascade styled in the subtle flipped ends that Auntie Penelope had insisted were “adorably mid-century.” Ethan sat nervously at his vanity, wearing a white panty girdle and a slightly-padded brassiere trimmed with tiny, soft yellow bows. He stared at his reflection with resigned dread.

“You're lucky to have such nice skin,” his mother said gently. She’d put down the brush and was now smoothing a light powder over his shoulder and then his cheeks. “No foundation needed, just a little blush and mascara. We want to keep it soft.”

Ethan winced slightly as she applied the mascara. “Yes, Mother. Thank you, Mother.”

Colleen smiled. “You're being very brave, sweetheart. I know this isn't easy for you. But it's a lovely thing you're doing for Claire.”

“She’s just making me do this to get back at me, Mother. She knows I don't want to go on a date with a boy.”

“Back at you for what?”

Ethan examined his pearlescent pink fingernails, biting his lip. “It’s a long story.”

“Well, look at it this way, my love,” Colleen said as she clipped the blonde wig in place and gently adjusted the hairband and bow. “You're not going on an actual date with a boy. You're just accompanying a friend on a group outing. Nothing more.”

Ethan raised his eyebrows. “Then why do I have to wear all of this?”

Colleen kissed the top of the wig. “Because you look absolutely precious, that's why. Now, lipstick, then stand up. Let’s get you dressed.”

A few moments later he stood awkwardly before the dressing mirror, reluctantly admiring the mint-green sundress that Claire asked him to wear. It had an elegant square neckline with delicate spaghetti straps that left his shoulders and upper chest bare, the soft pleated skirt flaring just above the knee. His kitten heels matched, a soft cream-color with little bows at the toe. A tiny white handbag hung from his elbow. Dani’s charm bracelet hanging stylishly around his ankle. His lips gleaming coral pink.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Colleen opened a drawer in the vanity and pulled out the little black earring box. “We can’t go out with naked ears, can we? You pick.”

Ethan shrugged. “I don’t really care.”

Colleen grinned. “Got the jitters, do we? Well, I think that calls for a little cheer.” She produced a pair of faux pearl drops and carefully inserted them into his piercings. “There, that helps.”

The cross-dressed boy looked in the mirror. “They’re fine.”

“Just fine? Hmm, I have one more trick up my sleeve.” A moment later she stepped behind Ethan. “A girl’s got to have a little extra bling when she goes on a date.”

Ethan bit his lips as he looked in the mirror. A thin silver chain accented his boyish collarbone, and the base of his throat glittered. It was the small silver angel pendant Mrs. Jackson had gifted him—the little charm catching sunlight in a way that made it seem almost like a medal for service. He looked up at his mother as if to ask a question, but her excitement was overwhelming.

“Oh, you are just too sweet for words,” Colleen gushed, pulling out her phone. “Let me get a photo.”

“Mother, no! Please!”

But she was tapping away before he could hide his face.

 

* * *
 

Auntie Penelope volunteered to drive Colleen and Ethan to the movie theater. “I don’t know why they didn’t pick you up, Emily,” she fussed. “In my day a young man would always come to the house to pay respect to the young lady’s family.”

“I think it’s because these boys are too young to drive, Penny,” Colleen said, shooting a wink at her son. “A lot has changed since the day of the horse and carriage.”

Ethan smiled. He was too scared to laugh. This is going to be a horrible experience, he thought.

Claire was waiting outside when the car pulled up to the movie theater. She wore a floral blouse and pale blue jeans with her hair tucked behind her ears. Rodney, tall and gangly, leaned against the brick wall nearby, looking awkward in his basketball hoodie.

Ethan stepped out carefully, his purse hooked over his arm. He held the skirt of his dress with his other hand to avoid tripping. He could feel the kitten heels shift on the pavement. Both his mother and Auntie Penelope insisted on escorting him to the front of the theater. The air smelled of teen girl perfume, popcorn and a touch of fear.

“You look very nice, dear,” Penelope said with a wink. “Take care of our girl here.”

After the women departed Claire rushed forward and gave Ethan a little spin. “Oh my gosh, Emily, you look perfect! Doesn't she look perfect, Rodney?”

“Yeah,” Rodney said with a nonchalant nod. “Nice to meet you.”

Then came Samuel.

He was tall and dark, looking much older than fourteen; his skin was black as coal, he wore jeans and a button-up shirt with rolled sleeves. His trademark denim jacket was missing. Still, his muscular build and short cropped hair made him look tough and lean… and more than a little intimidating. His green eyes sparkled as they settled on Ethan.

“Hello, Emily,” he said with a smirk.

“H-hi,” Ethan replied in his best soft-spoken voice.

Claire raised her eyebrow, a wicked smile on her face. “Doesn’t Emily look beautiful, Samuel? Isn’t she just gorgeous?”

The tall boy nodded, grinning, his eyes locked in on Ethan’s. “She’s something, all right.”

They paired off—Claire and Rodney immediately joining hands and giggling, Ethan and Samuel walking silently side by side into the theater.

Ethan thought they might stop and get refreshments, but Claire and Rodney seemed a bit too eager to get inside and find a seat. He got his second surprise when the cozy couple ended up sitting in the back. Samuel guided Ethan into the row behind them; the cross-dressed boy felt trapped as the lights dimmed. Claire and Rodney whispered for a moment and began kissing as soon as the previews began rolling. Samuel scoffed, kicked Rodney’s seat and got comfortable.

Ethan tried to focus on the movie, but his stomach churned. Once in a while his eyes darted from the screen to Claire and Rodney as they made out. He’d never seen a couple up close and in person kissing like that and he was torn between fascination and disgust as they did things with their lips and tongues he never imagined possible.

She didn’t kiss me that way, he thought with more than a bit of jealousy.

After a while he dared a glance at Samuel.

The other boy was watching him. His lips curved slightly, eyes narrowing in amused curiosity. Ethan looked away.

More than once Claire broke loose and gave Ethan a smile and a little nod toward Samuel. When he ignored her, she made a kissy face and a wink. Horrified, Ethan realized she wanted him to follow her lead and make out with his bully and archenemy!

“Go on,” she whispered, her gleaming eyes full of mischief. “Give it a chance. It’s more fun than you think. I won’t tell, I promise! Kiss him, for goodness’ sake!”

Samuel had to have heard everything Claire said, but Ethan didn’t dare turn and look. He was mortified!

She actually expects me to… make out with a guy? he thought. And Samuel Torres, of all people? Is she crazy?

Ethan felt sick to his stomach. There he was, in a wig and lip gloss… and a dress—and panties!—trapped in the dark with the biggest bully in school. And the girl of his dreams wanted him to do like she was doing, kiss open mouthed, all lips and tongues and roaming hands… with this… this horrible—maybe even dangerous—person? The whole situation was a literal nightmare as far as he was concerned.

Halfway through the film, Ethan felt Samuel leaned in close, so close he could feel the warmth of the other boy’s breath. He closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.

Oh God, if he kisses me I swear I’m going to get sick, he thought to himself.

“That’s not your real hair, right?”

Ethan froze. He turned to see Samuel brushing his cheek softly against the wig, his eyes closed.

“It looks and feels... and smells… so real,” Samuel whispered. “That’s wild.”

Ethan flushed. “It's real,” he murmured. “Real expensive. My aunt paid for it.”

Samuel chuckled softly, and Ethan couldn't help but smile. For a moment, the tension broke. He and his enemy shared something—a quiet laugh in the darkness.

Claire glanced back and narrowed her eyes. Ethan straightened in his seat, folded his hands tightly in his lap and concentrated on the movie, his anxiety at peak level. Claire nodded toward Samuel, puckered her lips and made the kissy face again. Eyes wide with panic, Ethan quickly shook his head no. She frowned, stuck her tongue out at him, and went back to sucking face with Rodney.

 

* * *
 

After the film, the four kids walked two blocks to the ice cream shop. Claire and Rodney were still holding hands and talking nonstop. Ethan remained beside Samuel, uncertain but oddly calm.

The couples sat in separate booths. Ethan wasn’t surprised to see Claire and Rodney kiss several times. With tongue.

Ew! Even here, he thought in disgust.

When the waitress came by, Samuel ordered a double-scoop sundae.

“You want anything? I’m buying.”

The blushing boy shook his head. “I, um… not… hungry.”

Samuel laughed. “Suit yourself,” he said.

They didn’t say anything until the order arrived. “We can share,” Samuel said. He dug his spoon into the treat and offered it to Ethan, but the cross-dressed boy shook his head.

“Fine with me.” Samuel put the spoon in his mouth, licked it clean and grinned.

After a few more bites—and a lifetime of silence—Samuel sighed. “Come on, at least have taste. We’re supposed to be on a date, right? You can at least pretend to have some fun.”

Ethan's heart pounded as the—former?—bully held out a spoonful of ice cream. He hesitated, then leaned forward and took a careful nibble. Samuel grinned and finished off what was left.

Ethan wasn’t sure if he was supposed to grossed out by sharing a spoon with another boy—especially Samuel Torres—or just pretend everything was normal.

Claire will probably see this—he thought—and say, “That’s no different than kissing. You may as well just make out with him and get it over with!” Sounds like something she’d come up with.

They shared a couple of more bites and soon they were laughing over the dripping mess. After a while Ethan almost forgot the fact that he was sharing the same spoon with the most notorious terror of Abraham Lincoln Middle School.

At one point Ethan moved in to get a nibble, but Samuel pushed the spoon into his mouth at the last second, smearing a bit of fudge on his chin. They both laughed, and Ethan wiped it off with a napkin. He then checked himself with the little compact mirror his mother had slipped into his purse, not at all understanding just how feminine this made him look. Samuel said nothing, but watched carefully, thinking.

Claire watched with delight from across the shop, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.

“I knew those two would get along,” she said softly to Rodney, who just nodded and slurped his milkshake.

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Claire is getting on my nerves. She’s the one who talked me into this. She actually wanted me to make out with you in the theater.”

Samuel laughed. “Yeah, Claire’s a fucking bitch.”

The cross-dressed boy blinked. “Tell me how you really feel.”

“I just did. And you’re right—she put all this together. She came to me saying that you wanted to see me… to work things out. Whatever that was supposed to mean.”

“I hear you.” Ethan pouted. “She made it sound like you were going to beat me up if I didn’t come along.”

“Fucking figures.” Samuel shook his head, scoffing. “See, this is all a big joke to her. She used to do stuff like that all the time when we went out.”

“Wait.” Ethan’s eyes widened. “You two… dated?”

“Last summer. A few times. It didn’t work out, so—” Samuel tapped the table with his spoon. “I figured she was lyin’ about you, but I went along with it to see what happened.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Ethan sighed. “About Claire dating you and then setting all this up, I mean. It’s almost… mean.”

“It is mean.” Samuel clucked his tongue. “And stupid. And that’s why Claire’s a bitch. She’s one of those girls who likes manipulating people. Play with their feelings. You think I’m bad, chicks like her don’t care who they hurt. Too many play too many games. I don’t go for that.”

“You don’t go for that.” Ethan stared at him. “How about when you were picking on me? What do you call that?”

“That was different. I was trying to make a point. I pushed you to see what you were made of.”

Ethan thought about that. “So, if you wanted to see what happened—what happened?”

Samuel shrugged. “Still figuring it out.”

Ethan bristled. “Well, just so you know, I don’t kiss boys. I prefer girls.”

“Yeah, me too,” the other boy said, laughing.

There was a long silence. Claire watched them from across the room, totally ignoring her date. She made another kissy face at Ethan, and he gave her a dirty look in return. She then leaned in and locked lips with Rodney, wet and sticky, giving the cross-dressed boy the side eye.

Ethan felt like gagging.

Samuel suddenly spoke: “Hey, uh, I just wanted you to know… I got a job. At DeeDee’s garage.”

Ethan blinked. “You… you’re working… for my Aunt DeeDee? At Double Dee’s Auto Repair?”

“Don’t forget the ‘… and Restorations’ part.” Samuel grinned. “Yep. I talked to her at the play. We hit it off for some reason. Next thing I knew, she offered me a job.”

“Wow. Uh, I didn’t know you worked on cars.”

“I don’t. But she’s teaching me. Been working there for a few weeks. You were right. She knows her stuff. One badass chick.” He scratched his chin. “Did you know her uncle was a Marine? Fought in Vietnam?”

“Uncle Liam?” Ethan made a face. “I, um, heard something about it. Other than that…”

Samuel took another bite of his ice cream. “I been thinkin’ about joining up. You know, drop out and sign on the dotted line soon as I can. I mentioned it to DeeDee, that’s when she told me about her uncle. Pretty tough old dude from what I hear. You got a cool family.”

“Um, okay. Thanks… I think.” The cross-dressed boy blinked, thinking. “So, you and the Marines, huh?”

“Yup. DeeDee likes the idea, except for the dropping out part.”

“Yeah, that figures. She’s not a fan of dropping out. Of anything.” Ethan nodded, thinking. “So, uh, what did Dani have to say about you working for her mom? Last time I saw, you guys were about to get into it… over, um… me.”

“We cool. Dani’s all right.” Samuel chuckled, then paused for a moment. “DeeDee told me to thank you. So… thank you.” He gave Ethan a long look. “She said the job was mine as long as I did two things.”

“Which are?”

“Make sure you don’t get hurt, and I gotta stay in school. In that order. I mess up either one, I’m out.”

Ethan blinked. “Wow.”

“That’s what I said. But it’s a good deal either way, so I took it. She’s teaching me how to rebuild engines in muscle cars and the pay’s pretty good.” Samuel paused, thinking. “She’s pretty protective of you. For damned sure.”

Ethan thought for a moment. “I kinda figured that. Sometimes she and Dani give me a hard time for… all this.” He looked down at his dress. “But not too hard, I suppose.”

“My guess is that they don’t want you to think it’s gonna be easy.”

Samuel licked the spoon and then aimed it at Ethan and everything that made him Emily. “It’s not easy, is it? Being you.”

“No, not always.”

Samuel nodded. “Kinda figured that.”

Ethan wasn't sure what he was feeling. His stomach fluttered as Samuel looked at him. But it wasn't a bad flutter. It just wasn’t at all what he’d expected.

He was offered another bit of ice cream and had just opened his mouth to take it when:

“Hey, let me ask you something,” Samuel suddenly said. He stared at Ethan’s chest, his green eyes squinting, curious… suddenly serious. “Where’d you get that?”

The cross-dressed boy looked down. The little silver angel dangled delicately from its chain. He put his hand over it, not to conceal it but in warm remembrance of where it came from.

“I, uh, got it from a lady I babysit for. It was hers when she was younger and we got to be friends. She wanted me to have it.” Ethan lifted the pendant up a bit and watched Samuel’s eyes follow it, mesmerized. “Do you… not like it?”

The older boy shook his head. “Nah, it’s all right. I just thought… it reminded me of… something. No biggie.”

The fluorescent lights of the ice cream shop buzzed softly overhead, casting a warm glow over the pink-and-white tiled floors and sticky tabletops. Ethan sat stiffly at the booth near the window, the skirt of his mint sundress fanned neatly over his lap just as his mother had taught him. His kitten heels dangled awkwardly, just brushing the linoleum, swaying back and forth like a nervous metronome. Across from him, Samuel casually scooped another spoonful of their shared sundae, the silver utensil glinting under the lights. He held it out, his white teeth gleaming in a broad, honest smile.

Ethan tried to keep his voice quiet. “You don't have to keep sharing. I mean, it’s okay.”

Samuel gave him a lopsided grin. “Nah, I like sharing with you. We started it together, we’ll finish it together. Be a shame to waste it.”

He held out the spoon once more. Ethan flushed and reached for it, hoping to avoid getting smeared on the face again. Their fingers brushed, just for an instant. He froze.

“You're really shy, huh?” Samuel asked.

“I'm not shy,” Ethan said, quickly, too quickly. “I just... I don’t usually... share ice cream. Like I said, I’m not attracted to… um, guys.”

Samuel snorted. “Not even good lookin’ ones like me?”

Ethan opened his mouth, shut it, then opened it again. “You're kind of full of yourself, aren't you?”

“Only when it works,” Samuel said with a wink.

Across the shop, Claire and Rodney were finishing their shakes, Claire throwing frequent glances back at Ethan with a smug smile that straddled amusement and satisfaction. Every now and then, she'd whisper something to Rodney, who just nodded and chuckled.

 

* * *
 

When the four of them regrouped at the entrance, waiting for their respective rides home, Ethan noticed a full moon had risen the buildings, casting faint shadows across the sidewalk. Claire sidled up to him, looping her arm through his like they were lifelong best girlfriends. He stiffened, still rattled from how strangely normal—almost pleasant, even—the date had been.

Claire leaned close and whispered, “You two are so cute together. I knew you'd hit it off. Did you ever kiss him?”

“No, we didn’t hit it off, Claire. And we didn’t kiss. What’s wrong with you? We’re guys, remember? I don’t kiss guys! And Samuel doesn’t, either.”

“Are you sure about that? One of you doesn’t look… or act, much like a guy.”

Ethan wanted to pull away, say something sharp and clever, but nothing came. Instead, he muttered, “I’m not sure about any of this. He used to threaten to beat me up. Now he’s… he’s acting all weird and stuff.”

Claire gave him a little squeeze. “He’s acting weird and stuff because you're adorable. Sweetie, you’re absolutely precious. Any guy would jump at the chance to be with you. You need to understand that. But if you don’t like Samuel, don’t worry. I’ll find someone even better. Someone even cuter and who’s a really good kisser!”

Ethan stared at her, aghast. “Claire, please. No more boys, okay? I told you… I like girls.”

“Of course you do, honey.” Claire giggled. “And I just love algebra.”

“Not funny.”

“Say what you want,” Claire said smugly, “but one thing is obvious. You are someone’s dream girl, whether you want it or not. That is a fact.”

Just then, Samuel stepped beside Ethan. “Mind if I borrow Emily for a minute?”

Ethan felt himself being drug toward a brightly lit area alongside the entrance to the shop.

“Thanks for coming out tonight, Emily,” he said loudly, as if he was acting out a scene in a movie. He had an odd grin on his face. “It was… interesting. I hope you had as much fun as I did.”

“Y-you're welcome,” Ethan managed, his voice trembling with the effort to stay soft and ladylike. “I… I did…”

Before he could finish, Samuel leaned in and whispered: “Let’s give that fucking bitch something to really think about.”

Then he leaned down and kissed the cross-dressed boy gently on the lips. Ethan’s eyes went wide with surprise. He hadn't expected this—not at all! For an instant his whole body went rigid. Samuel put his hand behind Ethan’s back, leaning him backward, snug and secure, then kissed him again, pressing his tongue past the smaller boy’s lips.

Ethan felt his body relax and the next thing he knew, he arched his back, his head falling backward as well, and allowed Samuel’s tongue to fill his mouth. To his surprise his own tongue automatically responded without prompting, joining in a strange dance with that of his once-upon-a-time tormenter. The kiss was wet and sloppy and it seemed to go on for a lifetime—though in reality it probably only lasted a few seconds.

Then it was over.

“I… um… wow?” Ethan stammered. He stood up and composed himself, adjusting his dress and wig awkwardly. “Um, thanks… I think?”

Samuel chuckled and walked off toward Rodney, the two boys talking casually as if nothing at all strange had just happened.

Claire minced over, giggling all the way, and nudged Ethan. “Ooooo, you were kissing Samuel... and you liked it!” she teased. “Just wait until I tell your mo-o-o-ther!”

“Claire, please.” The bewildered boy just stood there trying to make sense of what just happened. Shaken, he pulled a tissue and his compact out and did his best to straighten up his lip gloss.

Claire beamed to see this boy in a dress and a wig—a boy she’d known for so many years but only now was just beginning to really know—acting and looking so… feminine. And now she’s gotten him to make out with the baddest boy in the school.

She was so happy she almost squealed.

“See, I just knew that you’d love kissing boys,” she teased. “And I just knew someone like Samuel would bring it out of you. I tried to tell you, but no, you didn’t believe me. One of these days you’ll realize I’m always right.”

The honk of an approaching car broke the spell. It was Penelope’s Cadillac, gleaming under the amber streetlights. Claire gave Rodney a quick kiss on the lips, then looked over at Ethan. The flustered youth sighed, stepped over to Samuel, gave him a hard look, and did the same, clumsy as it was—the taller boy made no attempt to lean down, so he had to stand on his tiptoes, in his heels, of course, to complete the kiss. As he pulled away Samuel looked down at him and grinned.

“You something else, baby girl,” he said with a chuckle.

Ethan’s eyes went wide. Baby… girl?

 

* * *
 

The two friends climbed into the back seat of the Caddy. Ethan sat beside Claire, still stunned.

“Sooo,” Penelope cooed, “it looked to me like you two girls had a good time. Anything else happen that I should know about?”

“We had a great time, Mrs. Whitaker!” Claire said happily. “Rodney is so wonderful, and I think Samuel and Emily have a real thing going on!”

“A real thing, hmm?” The old woman tittered. “Tell me more!”

Ethan elbowed Claire. “No more telling, please! This is confusing enough as it is!”

“Aw, party pooper.” Penelope pretended to pout. “Samuel seems nice. And he’s very handsome in a Sidney Portier kind of way, don’t you think?”

Claire blinked. “Who’s Sidney Portier?”

Penelope giggled. “A big movie star back in the day. Think Denzel Washington, only in a nicer suit.” She shot Ethan a wink through the rear view mirror. “You’ll be going out him again soon, I suppose.”

The two “girls” chimed in at the same time: “No way!” and “Absolutely!”

As the car sped along the parkway Claire couldn’t stop grinning. She slipped her arm through Ethan’s again, like she had outside the theater, and laid her head on his shoulder. “I told you so, Em. You and Samuel making out was absolutely the best thing that happened tonight! The best thing ever!”

“We weren’t making out, we just… you know, kissed a couple of times.”

Claire smirked. “Oh, is that what you call it?”

Ethan frowned. “What about Rodney? I thought he was the best thing in your life.”

“Who? Him? Pfft! He’s just something to fill my time.” Claire smirked. “Seeing you making out with Samuel, that made me so happy, you’ll never know.”

“I don’t want to know,” Ethan whispered. “And stop saying we made out. God, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. I cannot believe I was kissing the same guy who used to threaten to beat me up in front of everybody at school!”

“Well, I wouldn’t worry about that anymore. I think he has something else in mind now.” She giggled. “Cute little Emily… and her big strong Samuel… I wonder what will happen next…?”

“Claire! Please stop talking!”

Penelope, meanwhile, smiled like the cat who ate the canary as she drove her car through the darkness.

 

* * *
 

At home, Colleen was waiting, arms crossed, her expression curious. Ethan trudged upstairs, the mint sundress swishing gently with every step. His mother followed him into Emily’s bedroom.

“So?” she asked.

Ethan collapsed onto the edge of the bed, suddenly exhausted. “It was fine. Claire almost sucked Rodney’s face off. We had ice cream. Then Samuel kissed me.”

Colleen blinked. “Not on the mouth, I hope!”

“No, Mother!” he exclaimed. He sat up, gave a guilty sigh and shrugged. “Well, maybe. More than once.”

Colleen burst out laughing, and after a moment, so did Ethan, though more from exhaustion than humor. She sat next to him and they giggled until the silence crept back in, soft and contemplative.

She gently lifted removed Ethan's wig, her fingers brushing through his damp, flattened brown hair.

“Did you like it?” she asked.

Ethan hesitated. “I don’t know. I like Claire. Or I used to. But lately she’s been really mean to me. Like how she’s more interested in seeing me with Samuel more than she ever thought about being with me. She set all this up, the date, us sitting in the back of the theater, everything. Samuel figured it all out—she set him up, too.”

“Wow.”

“He says she’s a… a bitch.” He sighed. “Said she’s an ‘effing bitch’ if you want the whole truth.”

Colleen blinked. “I don’t say this very often, but… double wow.”

Ethan leaned against his mother’s shoulder. “I don’t think she even cares about Rodney, Mother. Samuel thinks—and I agree with him—that she was playing mindgames with us, the puppetmaster-matchmaker, whatever… like she’s smarter than everybody else. They dated last summer and he said she did this kind of stuff all the time.” He scoffed. “All night long she kept poking at me, pushing me, trying to get me to make out with Samuel… which was weird.”

“That does sound weird,” Colleen admitted. “Who kissed whom first? You or Samuel?”

The blushing boy sighed. “He kissed me. I think he did it to get a reaction from Claire.”

“And?—”

“Oh, she was thrilled, just as we both figured.”

Colleen nodded. “So… did you kiss him back?”

Ethan didn’t answer, which was an answer. She smiled. “That’s all right, baby. As long as that’s what you wanted.”

“I don’t know what I want,” Ethan said softly. “I wanted to be with Claire. I thought I did. Probably not anymore. No, definitely not. I’m still mad at her, so there’s that. God, it’s so confusing!”

Colleen laughed. “I know a little about that, sweetie. I was your age, too, a long time ago.”

Ethan nodded, then sighed. “But Samuel… he was so... I don’t know, nice to me in ways Claire isn’t. That was the weirdest part. He bullied me at school, was always so mean, so scary. He can be terrifying if you cross him. But tonight he wasn’t like that at all. I actually felt… I dunno, safe? It was… really weird… like I didn’t have to worry about anything when I was with him. Does that make sense?”

“It does indeed.” Colleen, sighed. “I felt like that once.”

Ethan leaned against her, savoring the fragrance of her perfume and the warmth of her touch. “It’s not just that, Mother—he actually listened to me. He talked like we were friends and we shared ice cream. It was strange… but kinda… nice.”

He looked up, a puzzled, crooked smile on his face. “Did you know he got a job at Aunt DeeDee’s garage? He’s been working there ever since the school play.”

“I did not know that.”

“I didn’t until tonight. He was, well, sweet about it. He talked like he was going to drop out of school to join the Marines, but DeeDee said he had to stay if he wanted to work for her.”

“That sounds like DeeDee. She probably doesn’t want him making some of the mistakes she made.”

Ethan laughed. “Samuel said the other part of their deal was he had to make sure I didn’t get hurt at school.”

“Is that so?” Colleen raised an eyebrow. “Is that necessary? Has anyone been bothering you?”

“No, not really. Ever since the play, after I let everybody see who I was… most everybody’s been nice. They treat me like I’m… somebody.” He cleared his throat, changing the subject. “Mom, did you know Uncle Liam was in the Marines?”

Colleen nodded. “Yes, he was in Vietnam. When he got back he started the garage, built the business. He had his troubles, but he was a good man. He hired DeeDee when she had her troubles. They got along really well—he was like a father to her when she needed that.”

“That explains a lot, I think.”

“It does.” Colleen sighed. “Anyway, she really took to the business, so Liam passed it along to her when he died.”

Ethan nodded. “I didn’t know much about that. DeeDee told Samuel. He says I have a cool family.”

“You do have a cool family, if I say so myself.” Colleen snorted. “And from what you’re telling me, I think Samuel is turning out to be pretty cool, too.”

The cross-dressed boy nodded, smiling at the memory of their conversation. “He thanked me for getting him the job. And I didn’t even do anything.”

Colleen smiled. “Didn’t you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Ethan sighed. “I… used to be scared of him. But now… well, I’m actually happy to know him. I think.”

The two sat quietly for a moment, mother and son, each caught up in their own thoughts.

“It’s a lot to take in, sweetheart,” Colleen finally said. She kissed the top of his head. “This is all new to you. Take your time and don’t rush into things. You’re just thirteen, but you’re smart. And you have all the time in the world. You’ll figure it out, baby. Just remember you’ll always have me here.”

Ethan grunted. “Yeah, you and Auntie Penelope and Aunt DeeDee and Auntie Vivian. And Dani to make fun of me…”

Colleen laughed. “See how lucky you are? You have all these women to help you get through this. Now why don’t you get ready for bed? You look like you’re worn out.”

She left him to his thoughts and went to draw him a bath. Ethan undressed slowly, caught his reflection in the mirror—his brown hair mussed from the wig, makeup slightly smudged, the faintest hint of pink lipstick still clinging to his lips.

The bathroom smelled of vanilla and lavender bubbles. Ethan stepped into the water, sinking down until only his face remained above the bubbles. Staring at the ceiling, he whispered, “I’m not a girl. I like girls. I’m a guy. Guys don’t… kiss… boys.”

His thought drifted to Ivy, who just a few weeks earlier gave him his first taste of romance… puppy love, they called it. That had been an amazing experience and he hungered for more. He’d spent a lot of time at night thinking about that…

But then he thought about his date with Claire and how now—after talking with Samuel—everything seemed so different. He felt used, and betrayed… and more than a little humiliated. But still… old feelings about her were hard to shake.

Thinking about Samuel… that made him smile. Almost as much as thinking about Ivy did. But she was gone. And Samuel… he was complex, a mystery to be solved. Ethan had mixed emotions about kissing him… the sensations, the taste, the smell… the touching. Never in his lifetime did he think about kissing another boy—the thought had repelled him, in fact. But after what just happened… despite his fears and apprehensions and his prejudices, that didn’t seem so bad. It had been, now that he had time to think on it… very nice. ‘Puppy love’ nice? Not yet. But maybe… just maybe…

Afterward, in his bed—in Emily’s bed—the weary youth felt relaxed, relieved… and drained. But he was just as perplexed as ever before. Being Emily, at least for a little while, had made him feel… alive… in a way Ethan never quite had. Parts of him hated this… while other parts of him… craved it.

And that terrified him more than anything else.

 

* * *
 

The cafeteria at Lincoln Middle School was its usual chaos—trays clattering, sneakers squeaking on the linoleum, and an endless sea of adolescent noise. Ethan sat across from Samuel at a corner table, far enough from Samuel’s gang of braggarts and loudmouths to hold a conversation, but close enough to feel their presence like a tide pressing in.

Samuel tore into his sandwich with practiced indifference, every movement easy and unbothered. His black denim jacket slouched off one shoulder, and his sleeves were pushed up just enough to show the edge of an old scab on one forearm. He glanced up now and then, checking Ethan’s face as if measuring something.

Ethan moved his food around with his fork, too aware of his body, his voice, his thoughts. It was all too close—Samuel’s laugh, the memory of his embrace, that kiss… the soft pressure of lips… and a hand behind his back that had caught him off guard.

And now here they were. Two boys. In daylight.

“You gonna eat that or just stir it into a masterpiece?” Samuel asked, nodding at Ethan’s untouched pasta.

Ethan smiled weakly, then shrugged. “Not that hungry.”

“Suit yourself.” Samuel reached over and stole a meatball off his tray without asking, popping it into his mouth like a dare.

Ethan watched him chew. Confident. Unapologetic. The same boy who used to trip him in the hallway. The same boy who’d held his hand in the dark.

Who kissed him.

Who listened to him.

Who shared secrets.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Can I ask you something?”

Samuel raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

“Back before everything… before the other night… back when you used to mess with me. Why’d you do it?”

Samuel stopped chewing for a second. His eyes narrowed, not in anger, but as if the question had hit deeper than expected. He set down his fork.

“I already told you, I wasn’t pickin’ on you,” he said after a moment, his voice low but not defensive. “Not really.”

Ethan looked up. “Sure felt like it to me.”

Samuel gave a half-laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. I bet it did.”

He leaned forward a little, his elbows on the table, his tone more serious now. “Thing is, you always walkin’ around like you were afraid of your own shadow. Kept your head down. Never looked anybody in the eye. It was like… I don’t know, like no one ever showed you how to be a guy. How to walk tall, or push back.”

“You mean like a man,” Ethan said softly, not sure if it was a question or an accusation.

Samuel chuckled. “Something like that.”

He shook his head, eyes drifting to the window where the rain streaked the glass. “I wasn’t tryin’ to terrorize you. I just wanted to see what you made of. Thought maybe you’d square your shoulders and glare back. Didn’t figure you'd flinch.”

Ethan was quiet, unsure if the explanation made things better or worse. He thought about the boy he used to be. Still was, maybe. But then he thought about Emily. And the way Samuel had looked at Emily. Touched her hand. Kissed her, sweet and unhurried, like it meant something.

“And now?” Ethan asked, his voice almost a whisper.

Samuel turned back, eyes narrowing slightly—but not in meanness. There was a glint of mischief, yes, but something more tender under it. Like he was choosing his words with more care than usual.

“Now?” Samuel leaned in again, voice pitched low just for Ethan. “Now I know what you’re made of.”

Ethan’s heart skipped.

Samuel looked him straight in the eye. “You got guts, little dude. You stood up to me that first day of school, didn’t run or cry or nothing. You stood there and took it.” He frowned, just for an instant. “And you gave it back to me good.”

“Sorry about that.” Ethan truly did feel badly. He tried to think of something else to say but held his tongue.

“No sweat. I had it coming. It was a fair fight. And I don’t believe in fair fights.”

Ethan watched the other boy, curious… and curiously calm. “Anything else? Or is that all?”

“Well… yeah, you could say that.” Samuel’s expression turned almost rueful. “When y’all did that play I saw you walk around on stage in a dress and lipstick, all done up, looking prettier than most of the girls in this school … and actin’ even better. It didn’t bother you if people stared.”

“It did, actually. I was scared to death.”

Samuel grinned. “You sure as hell didn’t show it. You didn’t care when they pointed and laughed or whispered. You just stayed you. You stayed. You smiled. You laughed. You danced your little ass off. And then you got people on their feet cheering for you. I mean, that ain’t easy, little dude. Takes more guts than getting punched in the face.”

Ethan blushed deeply, lowering his gaze. “I don’t know what else to do. I’m just… being me.”

“So I figured.” Samuel smiled. “You do you just fine.”

The younger boy nodded. “But after… you know… the other night. You know Emily is … that I’m … her? And you’re, well, you’re the toughest guy in school. And you seem to like… me… that way.”

“And?”

Ethan shrugged. “So… do you want to see me… or Emily again? If so, how’s that going to work?”

“Don’t exactly know. See, here’s the other thing about you. The part that gets under my skin.” Samuel rubbed his forehead with both hands, his ebony fingers pressing hard against his brow. “You’re not like other girls—”

“I’m not a girl.”

Samuel laughed. “True that. But… okay, Emily’s not like other girls. She don’t play stupid games. She act like somebody who cares. She’s real. Which is kinda freaky ‘cuz… well, she ain’t real. Or is she?”

Now it was Ethan’s turn to laugh. A little bit. “My mom thinks she’s real. So do my aunts. Sometimes… sometimes I think she’s real. I … I think she’s a part of me that… that…”

There was a pause. The noise of the cafeteria pressed in, but it felt distant now. Like a backdrop to something quieter, more intimate.

Samuel nodded. “Hey,” he said, tapping his knuckle against Ethan’s tray. “You still mad at me?”

Ethan looked up. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I don’t think so. I just… I feel confused. About everything. About you. About me. About … Emily.”

Samuel nodded once, seriously. “That’s fair. So am I.”

Then, with a grin that felt like the first sun after rain, he added, “Wanna sit with me again tomorrow?”

Ethan hesitated. Then nodded.

“Good,” Samuel said. “Bring extra meatballs.”

 

* * *
 

The rain hadn’t stopped all evening, just a low, rhythmic pattering against the windows of the sewing room where Colleen worked. The house was quiet, blanketed in the soft hush of weather and thought. Ethan padded down the hall, barefoot, still wearing the pale blue cardigan and skirt he’d been in since coming home from school. His hair was brushed out neatly, tied back with a white satin ribbon. He paused at the doorway, watching his mother at her machine—focused, elegant, a strand of hair loose near her cheek.

She saw him in the reflection of the window.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite assistant,” she said softly. “Come sit with me, baby.”

Ethan obeyed without a word, curling onto the wide settee beside her worktable. The faint scent of fabric softener and sewing machine oil surrounded him. His fingers tugged idly at the hem of his sleeve.

“I had lunch with Samuel today,” he said after a pause.

Colleen looked up from her stitching, needle still in her hand. “Did you?”

He nodded. “We talked.”

“I see.” She set the fabric aside and gave him her full attention. “How did it go?”

Ethan’s face tightened a little. “It was... weird. Not bad. Just weird.”

“Mmm.” She smiled gently. “Want to tell me about it?”

He did. He told her about Samuel—how calm he was, how different he seemed now, even while still being the same teasing, maddening boy. How he explained that the bullying had never been meant to hurt Ethan, just to push him. That he’d wanted to “toughen him up.”

Colleen’s brow arched. “Well, isn’t that a typical boy excuse. Tough love.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of what I thought,” Ethan muttered. “When we got into it on the first day of school he said something similar. He asked why didn’t my dad teach me better.”

Colleen froze. “Oh… and what did you say to that?”

Ethan shrugged. “I told him the truth. That my dad didn’t teach me better—that anything he taught me was bad. That I had you and Aunt DeeDee and Auntie Vivian to teach me stuff.”

She reached over, taking his hand. She kissed it, then held it to her cheek. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He grinned. “I think he’s a little scared of DeeDee. But he’s still working for her, apparently.”

Collleen laughed. “He sounds pretty smart.”

“He’s smarter than most people think.” Ethan nodded, then shook his head. “He said I got guts. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.”

“And what did you say to that?”

“I told him I didn’t know what else to do.” Ethan’s voice cracked faintly. “I just... keep going.”

Colleen cupped his chin gently and tilted his face toward her. “You do just fine.”

“That’s exactly what he said.” The cross-dressed boy nodded, then bit his lip, hesitating. “So I asked him something.”

“What’s that?”

Ethan swallowed. “I asked him... when he’s with Emily, he knows that’s me, right? Like... really me. And how does that work? I said, like, you're this big tough guy... and Emily is me... and I’m a guy, so...’”

Colleen sat very still, listening.

Ethan’s voice dropped. “And he said he likes me… and he likes Emily, too. He says I’m brave, both as Ethan and as Emily.” He looked at his mother, eyes wide and stormy. “What does that even mean? Can’t he tell that I was scared? That I’m still scared?”

Colleen exhaled slowly and drew him closer, tucking his head against her shoulder.

“I think he sees something beautiful that you’ve been too afraid to show the world,” she said. “Something you might be afraid to admit is part of you.”

“I don’t want it to be part of me,” Ethan whispered. “Not really. But... I don’t think I can stop it. I guess. I just don’t know if I should feel happy about all this or... ashamed.”

“Oh, baby,” she murmured. “There’s nothing shameful about any of this. Especially when someone sees you with kindness.”

“But what about Claire?” he asked suddenly. “I used to think she liked me for me … now I think… no, I know she’s using me and laughing at me. She even admitted that seeing me kissing Samuel was the best thing that happened to her that night. The way she said it wasn’t like she wanted me to be happy… it made her happy.”

“That’s odd. It doesn’t sound very nice.”

“See, that’s what I’m thinking.” Ethan frowned. “So, maybe it’s the same with Samuel. Sometimes I think he’s real. Then sometimes I think maybe he’s just saying these things to trick me and make fun of me. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Colleen gave a soft, rueful laugh. “Welcome to growing up, sweetheart. Half the time, people don’t know what they want—least of all the people you’re hoping will love you back.”

Ethan leaned against her. “I wish you could just tell me what to do.”

She kissed his temple. “No, you don’t. You want to figure it out, but you want me nearby in case it gets hard. And that’s exactly what you’ve got.”

The rain continued its gentle murmur outside, and Ethan curled closer. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I really did like kissing him. It wasn’t like I imagined. I loved kissing Ivy, for sure. That was great. But I never even thought about kissing a boy. So… when I kissed him… it wasn’t... gross. Not at all. It was like I could … breathe.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “That’s what a good kiss feels like.”

He smiled faintly. “I kind of hate how confusing everything is.”

“Confusing usually means you’re on the edge of learning something important.”

Ethan closed his eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”

Colleen smoothed his hair, her voice a whisper. “Always, sweetheart. Always.”

Next, Ricky and “The General”