nothing gold can stay

Well, that’s not weird.

I’m gonna need more to go off than that.

Ethan had never felt so relieved as he finally shut a file. He had been stuck at the cafe all morning to look over it. “I think I deserve a second drink.”

“You buying, or should I?”

“You can absolutely ask me about the family though. I can’t blame you for having questions.”

“The questions won’t stop if they start. I’ve got more of them than I know what to do with.”

“I’d really love that too.”

“I'm really bad at talking, and honestly...most of my questions are about the family, so...whatever you want to talk about.”

“You’re welcome to spend free time with me. I’d like to spend more time with you.”

“I would really like that.”

“Yet you fit in better than I ever did.”

“Only with Monica, she's taken pity on me. I don't really know anyone else very well. Family is a new thing for me.”

“Yeah I get that. Hell coming back I’m still adjusting to having a family again but that might be because I feel like the black sheep of the family.”

“If either of us is a black sheep, I think it’s probably me. I'm the one that randomly showed up like, twenty years late to the party.”

Are you excited?

I am, actually. I  mean I’m still wrapping my mind around this whole family thing so it’s a little weird, but I’m excited for her just the same.

Your dead family? Yeah, that would be a lot to take in.

Apparently, they’re not dead. I got here, I heard my father and the rest were long gone, but then a couple days ago I met my younger sister and my...aunt. All things considered I shoud not be surprised, but it’s a lot either way.

“This town is awful, but also something special.”

“I’ve had worse. This place is just...judgmental. And really small. I’ve never really gotten used to it.”

“Stubborn, compassionate, strong, loving, makes rushed decisions, very emotional. I could go on and on about Jer.”

She didn’t know how to ask, but she knew she needed to do. “Is he a good person? I-Is he...is he sober?”

I seem to be learning something new every day.

That seems to be a common theme around here lately.

…Oh.

Oh?

“Well then if you have any questions about the family I’ll happily answer them.”

“...What’s my father like?”

“I mean it’s not abnormal at least.”

“That’s not really a ringing endorsement, but I guess I’ll take it.”