Will turned and tossed in his bed that night. Sleep eluded him and reading didn't help. So he lay in the moon's beam, replaying the evening in his head. He realized he had forgotten to ask what the map represented. But maybe, it was better that way.

Sonny's presence was pervading his life and his being and he didn't know how much room he should allow him. He seemed busy but every time Will showed up, he paused everything and focused on him. It made Will feel he was imposing but most of all, he was surprised. He wasn't used to be so important to someone. Before going to bed, he had taken his coat out and found a piece of paper with Sonny's cell number on it. The note said "Don't make yourself scarce."

Making himself scarce helped Will go on in life. But being next to Sonny was exciting. He was like a bright warm summer sky for Will to spread his wings and fly in. He caught the light switch. The note was on his desk. He typed the numbers one by one, his heart beating fast. He checked and re-checked. Sonny's handwriting was lazy. He must have used an uneven surface, the lines were trembling at places.

Will woke up with the sun and an orchestra chirping from the trees. He opened the window wide and looked at all the little colored musicians. The red bird had decided to visit him here. There was a robin too, with its red throat only visible from below, hiding it under grey and black.

"Will, they look hungry! We must build the feeder today!" Will looked down at Allie, wrapped up in a warm black coat, with her cheeks all red.

- All right, but let me get breakfast first. Where are Johnny and Syd?

- They're playing inside.

- Where's Mom?

- She's asleep.

The children argued on which color to paint the bird feeder. Finally they turned to Will who proposed:

"Bright red? That way they birds will spot it easily." There was red paint in the basement. Bought when Sam's last husband was living there. He wanted to paint the kitchen in bright happy colors. But he was gone and the room had stayed untouched. Will thought he could use the feeder as part of the treasure hunt. He had told Sami Sonny had proposed to help and she had smiled:

"Good. I'm happy we can make Allie feel special. She's so introverted..." Sami's eyes drifted to her son. Will felt she was trying to tell him something too. "And she's such a sweetheart you know. I want her to know she's loved, exactly as she is."

And that's what Will liked about Sonny, he realized, as he walked to the coffee-house the next day. He didn't ask Will to be different. He didn't try to convert him, make him 'cool'.

Will had found a book on birds at the library and he took it out as he waited at his table. He found the photo of the red cardinal and smiled at it when a sound made him look up. Sonny held a plate with a big light-green piece of pie in it. He put it in front of Will and took two little forks out of his pocket. He started eating without ado. Will whispered

"Hi."

Sonny's eyes twinkled.

- Hi. I'm glad to see you. I'm waiting for your opinion on this one. If you like it, I can put it on the menu.

Will frowned. Big responsibility.

- What's in it?

- Limes.

- What if I don't like limes? Will you still serve it here?

- You do?" Will chuckled. Sonny sounded disappointed.

- No, I was just asking. Let me try."

His fingers went for the extra fork and bumped on Sonny's wrist on the way. There was a thin bracelet on it and Will grazed it dreamily. He caught himself and quickly grabbed the utensil, trying to act nonchalant. Sonny pushed the chair back and stood up

" I have to help customers. You can tell me what you think later on." He went to the counter. Before he talked to the couple there, he turned his eyes to Will and grinned. Will felt his throat, that was contracted a second ago, allow him now to taste the pie. He took a bite.

When he had finished eating, Will waited again. He took a clean napkin and opened it then wrote with the small pencil he carried in his pocket:

'On the menu, this lime pie, fresh, exotic and delicious, made in our own kitchen by baking wonder Sonny...' Sonny what? He had his number but not his first name. It didn't matter, he wanted to make him smile and the pie was actually good.

Sonny was now talking with a dark-haired tall guy. They were looking in his direction and laughing. Will didn't want to interrupt so he stayed seated. But Sonny came back, introducing the newcomer:

"Will, this is Chad. He's apparently a caffeine addict, so it seems he'll be there a lot... Chad this is my friend, Will." The words echoed in Will's head long after they were uttered. My friend. My.

Will shook the man's hand who said

- Hi, Will, nice meeting you. I think I must have seen you already." Will smiled politely. The guy was vaguely familiar. He looked a little older than him so he ventured

- Maybe in High School, but I don't think we were in the same year.

- Oh, yeah, must be it!" He sat next to Will and started talking, mostly to Sonny. Will slowly hid the napkin and crumpled it.

He liked Chad. He was a chill, funny guy, interested in indie music. He spoke with a loud voice without effort and Will felt the familiar feelings creeping in his bones. As if someone had taken an eraser and was brushing him into oblivion.

He tried joining in the conversation but he spoke too low. Sonny wasn't looking at him anymore and Will understood why. He was being replaced by someone who was better company. He was used to it and it still hurt like hell. He sighed. It was time to bow.

It was easy to leave, his good-bye wasn't even heard. Sonny and Chad were joking about a movie he hadn't seen. Will hesitated at the door. He didn't want to flee. But hurting and feeling yourself disappear wasn't how he had planned to spend his afternoon. It was OK. He would go back to his books, to his studies, the children. As he walked through the park, he had a moment's wonder about his sister's birthday. He had liked the idea of Sonny helping but now he wanted him to know he didn't have to if something else came up. He would understand. He took out his cell phone and typed it, his first and surely last message to him.

Not to let the tears come out, he took out his computer and worked on his next essay. The words danced in front of his eyes and he forced himself to focus. This was important, this was for later, when the world wouldn't accept mediocrity, when he would need the best marks to make it some way or other.

But as the minutes passed, he found himself doodling on the papers next to him. He remembered his lime pie note and started writing a little story about it, shaped like a restaurant review that subtly gave hints of secrets and tensions between the employee of the fictional kitchen. At some point, he fished in his pocket to retrieve the napkin and put it with his writing but his fingers were unsuccessful. He had left it there.

Just at that moment, he got the text. He jumped on his chair and took a few deep breath before opening it.

'Thanks for the menu wording, I guess I can use it. And it's Kiriakis. Sorry you had to go. Care to go out again this week? I have Wednesday night off.'

There were two path in front of him. One was dangerous and could end up being a dead-end. The other one was familiar, shaded by bird-bearing trees, one of solitude and security. His answer would make him choose one. He closed his eyes. Another text was announced.

'Can I beg or is it not a good idea? I feel like I ignored you a little and I'm so sorry. Give me another chance?'

Of course, the thing with dangerous paths is that, in general, they were the ones with the better view.

'I'm free at six.'

The last message sounded like the orchestra of birds of the previous day:

'Great. You like meat pie? I'm feeling inspired.' Will laughed. He was intensely relieved.

On Monday night, after walking in the dark from the bus station, Will stopped to get something warm. He pushed the door and saw Sonny talking with the other barista. She was grinning. She spotted Will and whispered to Sonny who turned briskly. There was something new in his eyes and his smile. A softness and something like... humility, maybe? Will joined them and Sonny said excitedly:

"Hi, Will! Good news, I've just hired someone new." Will smiled back, happy to see him happy.

- Great! You sure need that. The place is full every time I come in." Sonny nodded.

- That way I won't get mad at Ellie that much, I guess." The barista laughed and left them to empty some tables. Sonny added:

"In fact, you've met the guy. That's Chad. I was telling him yesterday that you were a non-paying customer and he asked me if I intended to make profit if I was so friendly." That must have been why they had laughed. Will blushed. Sonny went on "So I told him you were special and he'd better make his own friends pay. Giving free stuff have to be approved by the boss.

- So you gave yourself the permission, nice.

- You're complaining?

- No" said Will, the 'special' customer. He was busy analyzing the word while Sonny went behind the counter.

- I've got something for you by the way."

He handed Will a folded paper. It was a map of the neighborhood. Quite precise and recent enough to mention the new fire station a street away.

"You could use this for the treasure hunt. Kids love maps. I must still be one, I love them too.

- Thanks. That's perfect. I owe you.

- It's OK, I'm glad to help. What's the treasure?

- Sweets, I think. Or maybe chocolate candy bars. Oh, by the way, we have to talk about the birthday cake. When can we do that?

- Now is fine. Come in the back."

It was true, Will felt special when he passed the door labeled 'Personnel only.' He didn't stay too long, he was helping his mother with the kid tonight and dinner time was approaching fast, but the moments he passed in the coffee-house gave him the beginning of a new confidence. And it had a name: Sonny.