Sami was ready to leave when Will came back home. She wore a little black dress that showed plainly that she was still in her thirties. Sometimes, Will felt guilty that his coming so early in her life had robbed her of her own youth. Was it the reason she was single now? He'd never know.

"I won't come late, I think, Will. After all this is a first date." She didn't remark on Will's red cheek. She never did. "Make sure the kids don't eat all the pudding. I won't be able to go for groceries until Tuesday."

- OK. Have fun."

She went and kiss the kids good-bye. Sydney had her mouth full and happily said:

"Will made those, you know, mom! They are so good! You should bake muffins too!" Sami kissed her youngest and shook her head.

- Mommy's not very good at cooking, sweetie.

- Will is," said Allie with a serious air. "Sonny taught him." Sami had a thoughtful smile.

- Looks like you found a valuable friend, Will. Don't hesitate to invite him, here." Will said nothing.

After their mother left, Will opened the book he had found at the library with Allie, on how to build bird feeder. There were drawings and long explanations and Johnny got excited he could use his new toolbox he got at Christmas

"Remember, Johnny, you've got to share. I'm sure Allie will want to use the tools too.

- But she's a girl!" Will put the book down and looked straight in his brother's eyes.

- I think we need to have a discussion on genders, young man." He turned to Allie who was very quiet.

- You don't have to use them, if you don't want to, Allie. I just want you to participate they way you want to." She smiled shyly and Will brushed her cheek.

- I want to use the tools to!" shouted Sydney. Will laughed at her enthusiasm and took her on his lap.

- I'm afraid you're too young for that. Johnny wasn't allowed to use a hammer when he was our age. I wasn't either.

- You were my age?" She did a face that had them all laugh out loud.

Will had put the girls to bed and take some time with Johnny to explain the danger of restricting gender-behavior, trying very hard to say it clearly and simply. He wished someone had done this for him at the same age. Explain that some boys could be soft-spoken and quiet without being deficient. After all, the very virile Sonny wanted to be friends with him. Of course, they had met when Sonny was down, but he was pursuing him. Will went to bed feeling warm inside.

The next day, he stared at the map on his desk and ran scenarios in his head. He didn't want to use the little sister excuse. He wouldn't stoop to that level "It must have fallen on the floor." Yes, that could work. But did he want to cheat so early in this relationship? Sonny had flaws too, as he had just witnessed. Will was used to anger. His mom erupted regularly and never gave up until you caved. But Will could be stubborn too.

On Friday night, he clenched his teeth and opened Common Ground's door. Sonny was nowhere to be seen and Will felt his resolution weaken. He walked to the counter and smiled at the barista. She looked way less stress than the last time. She smiled back and said

"Black cup of joe for you, right?

- Hum, yes, how did you know?

- I served you the first time you came here.

- Oh, sorry, I guess I didn't pay attention." he took out his wallet, calculating a nice tip to leave her but she put her hand on his

- No need. You don't pay." Will froze, trying to make sense of what she said. She pointed her finger up.

- I think you can try your luck. He spoke of you just earlier."

Will stood at the start of the stairs, unsure. He wished he had Sonny's cell number. But there was no way he could ask for it. He was about to turn around and go home when the door opened. Sonny opened his mouth in a round O. He ran down the stairs and hugged Will.

He felt stiff as a board. Sonny's body was warm and firm against him and it was a relief that it didn't last long.

"Come in, Will!

- I don't want to bother you. I thought you were working. Just had something to tell you." Sonny let Will in and asked with excitement

- Sure! What is it about?"

Will took a deep breath. Sonny deserved the truth. And the choice whether to forgive him afterward.

"I found something in your coat the other day. And I forgot to put it back. I apologize." He handed the two items to Sonny who grabbed the postcard and read it. His eyes softened and he went from bright red bird to pensive owl in seconds. Will put the map on the kitchen counter and waited for his fate.

Sonny took his coat and put the postcard back in the same pocket. He turned to Will and asked

- You read it?" Will shrugged.

- Yeah, sorry.

- It's OK. I understand." Sonny landed gracefully on his couch. Will didn't know what was happening. Sonny looked sad. Because he had to break their friendship?

As Sonny stayed silent, Will tried a new approach:

"Your barista downstairs...

- Lorna.

- OK. She said... I didn't have to pay?" Sonny looked up.

- You're a VIP customer. At least in my establishment." Will chuckled at the pretentious wording. He tried to express his gratitude, for the preferential treatment, for the kind gaze Sonny was bestowing, which said without word that things were fine, but he didn't dare speak.

"You want to go out?

- What?" Will frowned. Sonny's offer was spontaneous. But it was a loaded question, words used in different circumstances.

- Where to?

- I don't know? Is there a dance club somewhere near?" Will sat and said quickly, before he couldn't:

- There is, but I've never been there.

- Why?

- I don't know how to dance?" Sonny cocked an eyebrow.

- I will have to teach you everything, then? What will you ever teach me?" Will looked at his hands on his knees. He didn't have much to offer, he was aware of that. His only craft was painting his own mind with inner fireworks. And listening to birds. He didn't even know their names.

Sonny took his hand:

"Come on, Will, I was kidding. You're a great friend, really. Let's postpone the outing. Do you like to go the movies?"

It was another tough subject. Will knew the big multiplex theater. He had taken his siblings there a few times. But he wouldn't go on his own. His taste led him elsewhere, in smaller rooms where he was the only teen, most of the time. He tried his luck anyway. At least it was in the neighborhood, he could argue that:

"I mostly attend the art-house. I like independent and foreign movie. And you?" Sonny grinned

- I have varied taste. Saw a lot of foreign movies when I was... well abroad! Some are fantastic. You've got their number? Or are they closed on Fridays?"

They walked alongside, hands in their coats, shoulders grazing at times, to the building. It was old but unimpressive.

"It could do with some fresh paint.

- It's an association. Doesn't make much profit. They don't do discounts for students. But the tickets are cheap actually.

- As long as there's popcorn, I think I'll be OK." Will laughed. They stopped at the stand. Will wasn't hungry. His stomach was in a state of unrest for some reason, so he just bought a bottle of water.

Sonny sat on the folding chair and patted on the next one. He looked grave for a moment

"I have to warn you Will." Will didn't want to be warned. He wanted things to be simple and they weren't.

Sonny went on "When I'm watching a movie, I don't like to talk. At all. Even if I've already seen it. We can discuss it after if you want but I hope you can keep quiet."

Will nodded. Keep quiet was something he mastered. He grinned, ferociously happy to have a friend to share this with. The lights were switched off abruptly, like always. He had already watched that film. He wouldn't admit that under torture. And it was a good film at that. Made slightly better by a silent figure munching discreetly on his left.

They ate at the diner. Will didn't want anything but Sonny shared his plate and it helped.

"So, how did the muffins turn out? Did your little sister spit them out?

- No, luckily. Sydney loved them.

- Who's Sydney?" Oh, he had meant Allie.

- I have three brother and sisters: Allie, Johnny and Sydney. They're 10, 8 and 4." Sonny looked so much like an owl now, that Will pictured him with a pair of thick glasses and a collar.

- I hope I'll meet them someday then.

- You will if you allow Allie to have her birthday party at your coffee place. But maybe you don't do that kind of event... I know lots of kids together can be a handful, but it wouldn't be for too long. I've planned a treasure hunt after so..."

Sonny put his spoon down, forfeiting his dessert. He seemed to like food a lot. He tilted his head and asked

"You'll need adults to supervise this hunt?" Will nodded, prudent. "When is it?"

- In two weeks.

- Will she be 10 or 11?

- 10. It's an important number so we want it to be memorable.

- That's right! What did you do for your 10th birthday?"

Will closed his eyes. When he was almost nine, he had been introduced to his father. Who had taken him to a bar with his friends for each of his birthday. He knew better now, with Allie and dutifully took her to fast food places and theme parks. Sami had had to shout at him when Lucas had let Will try a beer at twelve. He remembered being disappointed. The stuff smelled great but tasted bitter, in a wishy-washy way. Underage drinking would not be his lot. He wasn't a problem kid. Just one on the side.

But Sonny didn't want him on the side. He put him at the center of his personal stage, unaware that it made Will uneasy. Each time he looked into Sonny's eyes, he felt his soul was punched. In a good way.