Page 48 of Not So Very Sensible

“Oh no.”

“I know!”

As she started sobbing again, he wished he could comfort her. This moment needed a hug, even if he didn’t want her getting the wrong idea.

“Can—can you come over?” she pleaded. “I can barely think, it’s all so frightening.”

“Of course I can. But isn’t this a moment for family?”

“You’re family,” she insisted. “You’ve known Mum forever, and she thinks of you as another son.”

Of course. “Are you at their place?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I need to duck home, and then I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I can collect you from the station and drop you home.”

But if he relied on her, then who knew what time he’d be getting home? “Thanks, but I have a big day tomorrow and can’t do a late night.”

“But it’s Mum. You love her, don’t you?”

Way to go with the emotional manipulation. “I said I’d be there as soon as I can, and I will.”

“Please hurry. I feel like I’m falling apart.”

“Hey, God’s got you in the palm of His hand, remember?”

She sniffed.

“Ask Jesus to carry you. He’s willing and waiting.” She’d claimed she was a Christian, so she needed to remember this.

“Please, just come.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Then, as her sniffling intensified, his heart softened some more. “Look, I’ll come on the train directly there. I could be there in twenty minutes if you’ll meet me at the station.”

“Of course! And you can stay for dinner, and we can talk.”

And maybe he could find out if Christine was open to discussing life after death. There was nothing like facing one’s mortality to make one realise that one needed to consider eternity. His mum certainly had found comfort in rediscovering her old Sunday school beliefs.

“Thanks so much, Ethan. You’re so good to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He frowned. While he was glad to help, he didn’t like to think she needed him. Not to that extent, anyway. “I’ve gotta go. See you soon.”

“Thanks, Ethan. Love you.”

His brow pleated. No. He definitely didn’t want her getting ideas beyond him acting as a friend. Was he reading too much into this? Probably.

He scanned his Opal card and found a train that was heading to Circular Quay. From here, he’d now need to catch a ferry towards Balmain. And it was peak hour, when all the workers of the day were crammed in sweaty masses and he had to stand in line as he waited. Oh well. He drew out his phone, checked his personal emails, then his messages, then remembered his social media. He tapped open his Instagram icon and found a direct message from Ellie and opened it.

Hi Ethan. Please find attached a sample of the youth group design I said I’d do. Sorry I didn’t send it earlier, but I was so tired when I got home yesterday I went straight to sleep. Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and if there’s anything you want me to change, please let me know. And thanks again for making the weekend so good—I’m really looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! God bless, Ellie

He smiled and tapped on the file she’d sent through. Smiled at the vibrant font and colours she’d chosen, which looked one thousand percent better than anything he could have done.

Around him, the crowd was heaving and pushing. He gripped his phone harder, with no desire to see it get dunked into the harbour. He screenshotted it, then forwarded it to Charlene for her final approval.