Chapter 68
Ben, May 19
“So, when are you moving out then?” Kyle has always been the practical one. I’m not at all surprised he’s the one asking for rational details.
“Well, I’m leaving in July for the US. I’ll be there until Liz and Emma are cleared to fly, probably sometime in early October. When I come back, we’ll be moving. I need to find a place that’ll be ready by October first.” I lay out the plan Liz and I have worked through.
“Are you paying rent for August and September?” Kyle asks.
“Absolutely. You guys can have the check before I leave.” I’ve got enough saved to cover this, and when Liz asked me to be there when Emma was born, I didn’t hesitate.
“Excellent,” Kyle says. “Good luck to you.”
“Thanks. Zach, anything to add?” I turn to the more unusual, outspoken flatmate.
“Is this the glass chick who was here awhile back?”
“She’s not glass, you wanker, but yes, Liz was here in April,” I answer, feigning impatience.
“And this baby, it’s another bloke’s, yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that a bit off?”
“How so?”
“Like, isn’t he gonna be there when the baby shoots outta her? Ain’t that gonna be a bit wonky?”
The question hangs heavier than I want to admit. “I guess I didn’t really think of that.” Honesty, apparently, is my new policy.
“Well, good luck with that, mate.” Zach takes a long drink of water and looks away.
“Thanks,” I say, but the word tastes different this time. For the first time in weeks, I feel the tiniest crack in the certainty I’ve been holding onto.