The Empathy Economy (continued)

Chapter 3

Anoher session with Ethan. Most people had written him and countless others off but that was the start as far as Janice was concerned. Some colleagues all but called her naive to her face though she felt the stares, the doubt that all these lives could be saved.

Ethan arrived with his black tiger strap bag drooping over his shoulder, a sombreness falling over his young but battle-tested eyes and face.

The sombreness lightened as he saw Janice in her smartly casual businesswear, grey trousers and jacket with matching training shoes and a black top to cap it off.

Janice felt like a collective consciousness had entranced them both as defensive layers of superficial sternness wore away from Ethan.

Hopefully, this was the beginning of a trusting relationship between the two.

Ethan needed something to believe in, or perhaps he just needed to believe in himself.

"Hi Ethan, how's it going today, honestly?"

"Hi err, Janice, I'm here.

"Absolutely. Great to see you. Journey okay?"

"Yeah," Ethan offered without further note.

"Alright then, well we are aiming to learn and talk about life skills today."

"Hold on," Ethan held up his palm to Janice.

"Everything okay, Ethan?" Janice replied cheerily and ready to listen.

After a few seconds of deliberate pause, Ethan responded, "Yep, I can still breathe."

Janice laughed at the literal take on the 'lesson' today.

Lesson in the broadest sense, especially when it came to life skills.

Yes, there were the obvious functions of human life that Ethan had eloquently presented but what defined a skill in life? People had survival instincts to fend off attackers but if a situation occurred that couldn't prove that it was appropriate in the minds of law enforcement, you got penalised. It was all subjective as far as Janice saw it.

Thankfully, the alternative educational setting Janice was stationed at agreed with her personalised approach. But even if they didn't...

The lecturer on the other side of the partition commenced her session, "Today guys, gals, non-binary pals, we are going to look at life skills. No one has to talk about personal stuff if they don't want to but most of this is all about what matters to YOUR life.

I might be messy to someone else but as long as I'm able to live healthily, happily and sustainably, it shouldn't matter what anyone thinks. So, any volunteers to tell us all what matters to them? Anyone cook for themselves? Care for any pets?"

Ethan and Janice sat contentedly in silence as they absorbed the information and thought.

Pressure to speak would be a mistake. Pressure makes diamonds but it also breaks glass.

"Gregory? Yeah, I have Pepper, my dog. She helps calm me down if I'm stressed out about stuff. But I feed her and we have a bond, I think. Better than most people to me."

"Excellent," replied Gregory the lecturer, "and are you passionate about dogs, all animals maybe? Would you like a job helping them in some way?"

"Oh yeah, that would be amazing. No people then."

"Right, well some people are okay but I understand."

"Yeah, my dad drives us both to the vets at the moment and I stay with her whilst dad does some shopping before picking me up. I asked the vet about an apprenticeship."

"Incredible, awesome news Katy."

Something within Ethan's mind was triggered as his eyes disengaged then immediately tried refocusing but it was clear something had happened internally and he was adapting his superficial layer of I'm okay.

Despite knowing this, Janice asked the question.

"Everything okay, Ethan?"

"My dad drives me places too."

"Alright, where do you both go?"

"Friends that help him out from time to time. Sometimes he comes back with money so that's positive, right?"

Janice knew there was more to this story but Ethan was the storyteller here.

Of fairytales. Indeed, there was more to this story; Ethan was protective.

"I suppose, so." muttered Janice nonchalantly.

Chapter 4

"So how's Ethan doing?" Gregory asked whilst sat on a rather too luxurious sofa in the lecturer's relaxation room. Janice pondered her senior colleague's question seriously before answering. She sat back in her lone purple suite chair and it was most definitely 'hers.'

The way it felt just embraced her shape, aided her thoughts to flow around her mind and out into the wider world. Her mind had an affinity for learning. The trajectory of her thoughts was not linear like most people she'd met. In fact, she could see multiple avenues for meaning, leaving almost too much open to interpretation that she often froze.

"Jan?"continued Gregory, Greg for short.

"Sorry, you know how I get. I personally think he's doing well all things considered."

Janice did not mean 'all things considered' literally because if she had, she wouldn't have felt the urge to verbalise her thoughts yet. The answer seemed to satisfy Greg.

"Mm, I think so too. You think everyone is doing well though. Always the optimist, Jan."

"Is there any other way to be?" smiled Janice as she genuinely enquired.

"Some people aren't ready to accept a positive outlook until they reach the other side of whatever they're going through. Some people never see the other side but it is only ever our place to guide, I believe."

Janice admired Greg's reservations. It was so easy to get wrapped up in someone's life until it cocooned you to the point of no escape. That was not only a professional distinction between Janice and her learners but also one human to another. Understanding yourself was key to living a fulfilling life but shared understanding gave keys that unlocked all people's potential.

"Right, I suppose we'd better get back to these learning journeys," suggest Greg.

Janice nodded towards Greg who was the only other lecturer in the room which she'd only realised these last few moments. She went to stand up too quickly but pushed too hard on her heels and stumbled on the spot until she collapsed clumsily back into the chair.

"Ooh, steady there Jan. Too much alcohol?" Greg joked as he held out his hand to help.

Janice was caught in that singular joke for what seemed like an eternity.

"Cliffhanger...will she or won't she?" Greg positioned himself firmly prepared to pull Janice up but her brain was on fire.

Did Greg mean to sound so simple in his delivery of 'too much booze?' As if it's something to joke about? Is that his way of detaching himself? Is he acting privileged?

God, he reached out his hand, I should take it but I'm an independent woman.

Oh for god's sake, just take his hand. It's a hand. Ooh, no wedding ring.

The words erupted out of Janice as her body appeared to respond in kind, erupting out of her seat with a passion that would have staggered those unfamiliar with it.

But Greg had been expecting her rush and stepped aside stealthily as he done so many times before.