An Awkward Conversation

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 21st, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Boucherie Union Square, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 1:07 PM)~~~

I wipe away the water that I spit out, and Ellie can't help laughing a little. Glad one of us finds this funny. The topic of conversation she's chosen isn't one I want to partake in. And I'm going to opt-out of this one.

"Ellie. I'm not talking about those sorts of things with you."

She raises both her eyebrows and mockingly surrenders. But now she does have me thinking. Hannah and I do practice safe sex. For her benefit and mine. I'm not ready to be a father, and getting her knocked up will ruin her scholarship.

Hannah wants to be a world-class gymnast, and she has the potential for it. We aren't changing the outlook of her future. So there really isn't anything to worry about.

On the other hand, Ellie looks at me as if she knows what's going through my head. She's staying quiet to help the embarrassment of this moment. Funny how I can perform in front of thousands in an arena, but a weird conversation with my family makes me a little nervous.

"Fine, if you must know. We're being safe. End of discussion."

That's one talk I don't ever want to have again. After a little while, we order our food, and our menus are taken from us. Ellie places her hands on the table and takes on a serious look. One that tells me she wants to have a serious conversation.

"I'm glad that you brought me out here today. I wanted to have a talk with you about Hannah. You two have been dating for more than a year, and I wanted to know if you're planning a future with the girl."

Great, back to the topic of my relationship with Hannah. Then again, it's not like we're talking about anything bad. But I'm going to make Ellie work for it. I'm participating as least as I can in this.

"You'll have to be more specific."

I want Ellie to be more specific. She's talking to me as if I'm going to be marrying Hannah soon. That's not going to happen until we're both ready, even if Hannah might be. I'm not. That's an important commitment and one that doesn't usually end well.

The most in-love people end up marrying and hating each other in the end. I don't want that for Hannah and me. If that's a possible road for our lives, there will be signs ahead that indicate it.

"I'm talking about whether you can see yourself spending your life with her. Don't get me wrong. I love Hannah like she's my own. But I also know that women expect different things out of a relationship than a man."

I'm starting to regret asking her to come out and eat with me. I know she's only looking out for me, but I don't see how she can talk to me about this when she hasn't had a relationship since I... God, I'm being a dick right now.

She's sacrificed so much for me, and now, here I am, making what should be a relatively easy conversation hard.

"Have I thought about it... Sometimes... Hannah Kennedy has a nice ring to it... But we're 18, Ellie. This is a subject for people around 4 to 5 years older than us."

To my surprise, she smiles and nods her head in agreement. She leans back in her side of the booth as the food comes, and we start to dig in. Hannah is probably in one of her required classes right now, and I don't envy her.

As good as I was at school, I didn't enjoy it. And I'm glad that I'm free from that obligation. But I understand its purpose. Passing knowledge to the younger generation is essential. As much as we hate it.

"By the way, Ellie. When do you plan to start dating again? You're young, fit, and incredibly wealthy now. I bet you can find a guy to share your life with pretty fast."

Of course, the wealth thing is due to me. But hey, what's mine is also Ellie's. She gave up everything she was chasing in life to raise me. She deserves more than I could ever give her in my old life.

She doesn't look amused by the question, and now I know that it's my turn to dig around a bit.