She can watch all she wants—I am who I am, and I don’t owe her anything.
“Did she warm up to you any tonight?” Ellen playfully asks once we’re on our way.
“I don’t know,” I say. “She didn’tgrowl. That’s good, right?”
I love Ellen’s giggle. It’s light and airy and a balm for my soul that’s felt so damn dark ever since Dad’s death.
Even darker since Mom married that goddamned Jefferson two years ago.
“She loves me,” Ellen says. I don’t understand her wistful tone, but I don’t question her about it. “She really doesn’t have any family,” she adds. “I’m kind of it.”
I immediatelyfeel like a shit. “Sorry,” I say, meaning it. “You never told me that.”
“Please don’t tell her I said that, though. She’ll probably tell you herself, eventually. She’s got a lot of stuff in her past. Not good stuff, either.” Ellen glances out the passenger window for a moment. A pensive air surrounds her, so I don’t interrupt.
After a moment, she turns back to me. “I appreciate you bringingher those notes. I know she’ll be really thankful. Just remember when you think she’s being grouchy, everything she says and does regarding me comes from a place of genuine love. She literally doesn’t have anyone but me—her parents are dead and she has no family.”
We haven’t really had heavy discussions yet. I mean, I told her that my dad died, and that I hate my step-father, but I didn’t wantto come off as some grumpy, whiny guy or anything. But learning that about Casey helps me temper some of my aggravation.
“I’ll tell you what I told her tonight—even if Casey and I grow to hate each other, I’ll never come between you as friends. I’m a big boy. I can deal with someone not liking me. Especially if it’s someone who makes you happy.”
She looks up at me with those big, sweet greeneyes of hers. “I don’t know. I thought you said me not liking Monty Python might be a deal-breaker.” Then she smiles again.
“I said no one’s perfect, sweetie.”
“Casey likes Monty Python.”
“Hmm. Does she, now?”
Ellen shrugs. “I didn’t tell you that, though.” She reaches over and lays her hand on my thigh.
I cover it with mine as I smile. “I didn’t hear a dang thing.”
