A new home

‘Actually, you’re in luck. The other three tenants are movin’ out. They’re all theatre, you see, and they just got a new gig in Starlight Shores, so those three rooms are goin’. Landlord said two people are lined up for a viewin’, but I can text him right now and say you’re interested, if you’re sure.’

‘That’d be perfect, Stan. Please, do that.’

‘I didn’t expect you to wanna move out, though.’

‘Well, at my age I figured it’s time to try some independence. Edward’s got the other two to help him, so I’m not needed to do that. You’ve seen how much better he’s doing these days anyway. You can’t stay a kid forever.’

‘I’m tryin’ my best to.’

‘You’re nearly thirty and you have a business.’

‘Yeah, and I’m livin’ in shared accommodation, and the idea of real commitment to “livin’ like a real adult” scares the shit outta me.’

‘Right, but you’re still independent. You left Minipolis and your parents, and you set up shop here, literally. The fact that you’re a commitmentphobe just tells me you like the bachelor lifestyle too much… Or you haven’t found the right woman.’

‘It’s both. And I like actin’ like a big kid. Y’know, as long as you’re doin’ everythin’ right, why’s that a bad thing? Everyone puts themselves under so much pressure to be an adult that they deny themselves just havin’ fun. More and more people my age still live at home, let alone people your age. You’re twenty. Fair enough if you wanna spread your wings, but I’m just sayin’, I think you’re doin’ just fine.’

‘You really think I’m “doing everything right”? Pff, okay.’

‘Why, where do you think you’re goin’ wrong?’

‘Too much to even count. Look, can you do us a favour and potentially help us out with the house move? It’s gonna be a lot of boxes to shift and if I can appeal to your caveman brain and your desire to be a big strong man, you could lend us a hand.’

‘Alright, asshole, no problem. Jeez, you coulda just asked.’

‘Right, but I felt like being a bitch. Thanks, Stan.’

Later…

‘Thanks for your help. I very much appreciate it.’

‘Don’t mention it, Edward. Happy to help. How you holdin’ up?’

‘We’re managing. He’s a healthy little boy, not really any different from any other baby.’

‘I guess this ain’t your first experience of lookin’ after kids. Though havin’ a newborn full time is a bit different, right?’

‘Mm, it’s not the same as just taking them for a day. But it’s fine, I’m coping. Of course it isn’t easy, but I’ve already bonded with him so… it makes it better.’

‘Hard to imagine you not bondin’ with a kid.’

‘The circumstances don’t help.’

‘No, but that just makes it good that he ended up with you and nobody else. Other people mighta viewed him as an unwanted burden and ended up resentin’ him, but not you.’

‘I still feel like I should have called social services, but…’

‘You already went to the cops. It ain’t your fault Tate’s obviously bought them off. You did all you could, man. But if he don’t play by the rules, how can you?’

‘You’re right… It’s stressful to think about. Being complicit in whatever happened.’

‘You ain’t complicit. You were coerced into this. Blame him, okay? Not yourself. Just think about how happy Vin’s gonna grow up to have you as his dad.’

‘Thank you, Stanley. I’m glad I told you about this. I don’t think I could have kept it from you.’

‘You know I’d never have believed the cover story anyway. You, havin’ a fling?’  

‘I know. The idiot really thinks that’s believable. Clearly mistaking me for him.’

‘Hey, Logan says he wants to help shift some stuff.’

‘Oh, really? You don’t have to, but that’s very kind to offer.’

‘It’s fine. I’m gonna have to practice my heavy lifting anyway if I wanna be a firefighter, right?’

‘You’re gonna be a firefighter? Damn, props to you. I don’t think I could do it.’

‘Well, either that or a rock star. Whichever pays the bills. Nice to meet you properly, anyway. I’m Logan.’

‘Stanley. Good to meet you too.’

‘Well, Saraya’s already chosen the big room on the far left upstairs. It was already decorated pink, so it suits her far more than anyone else here.’

‘Yeah, and once Aria goes, I’ll be the only girl left!’

‘Gonna be a real sausage fest, huh?’

‘…Sausage fest?’

‘Yeah, y’know, cos of-’

‘Don’t even ask. Oh yeah, and my room’s got a double bed as well, so that’s nice too.’

‘Oh, really? That’s cool!’

‘And a li’l forward too, don’t you think? Lucky dude.’

‘What? N-No, I wasn’t meaning it like that!’

‘Take no notice, Saraya. Seeing as Stanley is determined to drag this conversation into the gutter, I think instead I’m going to drag him upstairs and make him help me unpack some of the baby stuff. Watch Vin, will you? You two can stay here and catch up a bit first.’

‘Looks like I’m in the doghouse. See you guys later.’

‘Oh my God.’

‘I like that guy already.’

‘He’s terrible. Edward and Aria love him, though. But genuinely, I wasn’t saying that for any kind of dirty reason…’

‘Yeah, I know. As if you’d ever talk like that in front of Edward.’

‘Buuuut… I guess Stanley has a point. You’ll be able to sleep over, when the time is right.’

‘So you don’t think Edward or Ellis would object?’

‘Nah. It’s my house too, after all.’

‘Cool. At least there’s a bit more distance here between the rooms… at my house we’d be way too close to my mum’s room for comfort.’

‘Yeah… she doesn’t seem to mind me being alone in your room with you, though.’

‘How can she object, really? She was younger than we were when she had me.’

‘True…’  

‘Anyway. Let’s move onto a cleaner topic in front of the baby, huh?’