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“As long as you don’t make me carry heavy things.”
I chuckle. “You’re not that big yet, don’t worry. I’ll give you the small stuff.”
“How did it go?” I ask Ethan, walking to the living room two hours later. I sit down beside him.
Madison and I had slipped on through the backdoor after thirty minutes of me chopping wood and her cheering me on to get something cold to drink. Then we returned for another thirty minutes, and she announced that she was done for the day.
Calling it a day, too, we wrapped things up and went in. From where I stayed—in my room—I could hear Ethan and Lily talking. I didn’t hear the words, but their voices carried through the walls.
“Good,” he nods.
“Good? I’m not asking you to tell me the details, but you can give me more than that, right?”
He smiles. “A little. The patient’s confidentiality binds me to keep everything said between us a secret.”
I frown. “You’re a cop—”
Ethan hastily slaps his palm over my mouth. “What are you doing? You can’t mention that I’m a cop. You said you didn’t want her to know.”
“Oh. Oh. I’m sorry,” I mumble, waving my hands.
He removes his palm, laughing at my face.
“What?”
“It felt good to see your eyes bulging out, worried you’d done something wrong. My occupation isn’t a secret. Lily figured out early on that I’m no specialist, so I told her the truth.
It didn’t change anything if you’re worried about that. We talked, and she told me how she’s grateful for you and the accommodation… but it’s tough not having anything concrete in her life to fall back on. So, whatever you’re doing, be gentle on her, okay?” he adds, sounding soft.
I tilt my head, trying to read the sudden change in Ethan’s tone. Then it hits me.
“You’re doing the thing again, you know?”
“What thing?” he asks.
“The thing where you take everyone under your wings,” I say.
“I don't do that,” he refutes.
Wagging my finger in his face, I mimic his words. “You absolutely do, Ethan. You’re doing it with Lily now. It’s a good thing, though… because I think I’m getting it wrong.”
“Why would you think so?”
“Well, so far, I haven’t been able to inspire the tiniest amount of trust in her. I’m not saying I want her to trust me. It just feels like I’m taking the wrong approach.”
“Because you’re the kind of person who wants to save everyone, Logan,” he says.
I shake my head. “Nope. That’s not me. That would mean I have a savior complex.”
Ethan shrugs slightly.
“Eh… something like that. But not quite. You don’t believe in self-sabotage for moral purposes. You're not a moral masochist, either. Your intentions are pure, but when you encounter something needing your help, you give everything.
If it looks like you can't help or you’re not making progress, you go into a slump. But you know what fascinates me?”
“What?” I ask, half curious but also feeling verycalled out.
“How you manage to get yourself deeply involved, but you also detach yourself from the people you help. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s your superpower.”
