Jeff walked over to Ellie and fell to his knees and Ellie immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and just cried hysterically. God how I wish I could make her feel safe like that. Just then I heard Ari. I looked up and she was standing at the door. “Mother fucker……” she said as she looked at Ellie coming apart in her brothers arms.
She looked over to me and tried to give me a small smile. I just looked down at the suitcase and back up at her. She nodded her head yes to me. Next thing I knew she had taken over packing up Ellie’s clothes and whatever little possessions she thought Ellie would want to take.
I just stood there. I had no idea what to do. What could I do to help her with this pain? Jeff got up and sat down next to Ellie who was still crying. He put his arm around her and just kept repeating…”Shhh it’s going to be okay honey…. it will all be okay”
He looked over at me and gave me a look that clearly said thanks. I nodded back my acknowledgement to him. Once Ellie calmed down and somewhat stopped crying Jefferson started to talk to her.
“Ellie honey, you will stay at Ari’s house until we figure this all out. I need to run back and let them know I’m leaving for the day so Ari is going to take you to her house okay? Are you okay with that Ells?” Jeff said as he looked over to Ari who was now standing there with Ellie’s suitcase and another small bag. Ari gave Jeff a smile and it looked like Jeff could not tear his eyes away from
her. He seemed to be lost in Ari’s smile. Something I knew a shit ton about after spending time with Ellie today.
He was fucked…. just like I was.
Ellie started to talk and that snapped Jeff out of his day dream.
“Um…. sure that is fine but can Gunner give me a ride to Ari’s. I need to talk to him. I mean if that is okay with you Gunner?” Ellie said as she looked up at me.
Holy fuck, the look on her face about dropped me to my knees. She wanted me…. . not Ari or Jeff…. she actually wanted to be with me.
“Of course it’s all right sweetheart, anything for you.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ellie……
I sat there on my bed devastated. How did this happen? What was Gunner going to think about me now after my mother called me a whore? Oh God I hope he didn’t believe a word she said. My hands started to shake again and I almost started to cry again. I could not lose him even though I knew we would never be more than friends but he truly did seem to care about me. I felt like I was in a box and everything was muffled. I could hear Ari and Jefferson talking. I looked over at them. What was Ari saying? Something about the cottage on her parents property. Gunner was standing next to me waiting. I was trying to find the strength to stand up.
Oh my God…we were going to have to walk by my mother again! What if she started calling me names again?
“Ellie, come on sweetheart let’s go. Jeff is going to walk out first and talk to your mom. Come on Ells its okay. Let’s go. ” Gunner said as he helped me to my feet. Ari came up and gave me a hug. “I’ll see you back at my house okay sweets?”
I just smiled and nodded my head yes. I just wanted to be alone with Gunner. I had to make him understand I was not the things my mother said I was.
As we walked out of my room and down the hall I saw Jefferson standing over our mother. She was passed out on the sofa. Perfect. Why couldn’t her ass have been passed out 30 minutes ago? I’m not surprised……. this is just how my life goes. Another serving of shit served on a platter just for me. The Ellie special this week I guess.
Next thing I knew I was sitting in Gunner’s truck. He was standing outside talking to Jefferson. They both looked so pissed off. I was the cause of all of this or I should say me and my drunken mother were the cause. God I hated her more than anything right now. I never wanted to see her again. EVER!
Gunner opened the door and hopped in his truck. Once he had it started he turned on his iPod. I think he was trying to give me time to gather myself without there being an awkward silence. My god could he be any more perfect?
I had no idea where we were going. I was finally able to open my mouth to speak. “Um, can we go somewhere quiet to talk Gunner? Somewhere we can be alone if that is okay?”
I noticed Gunner tightening his grip on the steering wheel. “Of course we can Ellie. Is there anywhere you have in mind Sweetheart? We can go anywhere. ”
Just then an idea popped into my head. “The canoes down at Zilker Park, I’ve always wanted to sit in one and just think…. it seems so peaceful. ” I said as I stared out the passenger side window. I was so afraid he just wanted to be rid of me.
“Ellie please look at me sweetheart. ” Gunner asked as he used his hand to turn my face towards him.
“You’ve never been in a canoe?” Gunner asked with that drop dead smile of his. He made my heart hurt but for all the right reasons. Oh please take this pain away Gunner…. . please…….
I let out a small laugh. “Nope…. but I’ve always wanted to go. Pretty stupid huh?”
Gunner’s smile got even bigger. God it was contagious because next thing I knew I was smiling back at him.
“What? What is it?” I asked him wanting to know why he was looking at me all goofy like that.
“It’s just that I get to take you on another first today. I need to write down all the things you’ve never done before but want to do Ellie. ” Gunner said as he took my hand in his. I decided I would not try to pull my hand away this time. I was going to just pretend we were together and this was a perfect first date. It was just Gunner and me…. . together.
“Why do you need to know that?” I asked confused but very curious as to where he was going with this.