Chapter Nine
The following morning, Elliot lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, and ran through the prior evening’s events. He touched his lips, still sore from kissing Win for what seemed like hours after their talk. He’d wanted him to stay the night, but Win had left around midnight.
“Take some time and think about what we talked about. I’m not going anywhere. But I think it might be a good thing. For both of us.”
They’d exchanged numbers, and with a last lingering kiss, Win left.
Elliot got out of bed, still thinking about it, and went into the bathroom. “Like I need to think twice about sleeping with him.” He spoke to the mirror as he brushed his teeth. “But why isn’t he interested in a relationship? Is it me? Or him?”
Last night had been the most fun he’d had in memory. Sharing dinner, then snuggling up next to a gorgeous man and watching a movie, was like his dream come to life.
And yet he’d woken up alone. Alone and aching for more. Maybe he should call Win tonight and they could get together. On his way to the kitchen, he started planning what to say. His phone rang, and his heart jumped in the hope it was Win. Instead, it was his mother.
“Hi. How’re you? How’s Dad feeling?”
His father, a three-packs-a-day smoker for thirty years, had developed severe COPD, and three years earlier they’d had to remove his larynx. Life hadn’t been easy for his parents, and Elliot tried to remember that whenever he got frustrated.
“He’s the same. What are you doing today?” His mother called at least once a week since they’d moved. Elliot wanted to think it was because they were concerned about him, but he wasn’t so sure.
“Getting ready to have breakfast, and then I’m going to do some food-shopping and work in the yard.” The fascinating life of Elliot Hansen.
“I’m glad you’re keeping up with the house. Have you visited Claire recently?”
“I’ve been really busy. I was planning to soon.”
“Oh, Elliot. You know we don’t like it if no one goes every month. You promised you’d keep up the visits when we moved.”
“I know, but I had deadlines…” He reached the kitchen and sat at the table.
“That can’t be more important than visiting your sister.”
“Mom. Come on, you’re being ridiculous.”
“Please don’t talk to me like that. You have no idea how much I miss her.” Her voice quivered. “I’m still not sure we did the right thing by leaving.”
Oh, yes you did. Trust me. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.
But Elliot couldn’t say that.
“I know you do, Mom. I promise I’ll make the time. Okay?” Frustrated, he bit the inside of his cheek.
“Take a picture when you’re there.”
He shouldn’t have been surprised. “Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not that. We feel so disconnected from her. Seeing her will make it seem as though we aren’t so far away.”
“Okay, whatever.” He put the phone on speaker and prepared his tea.
“There’s no need to get so upset. I can tell you’re annoyed.”
“I’m not. I haven’t had my tea yet, that’s all.”
“I can hear it in your voice.”
“I said I’m okay,” he snapped, then, as always, guilty over his anger, immediately retracted. “It’s fine, Mom. I’ll do it later today.”
“Good. Don’t forget to send me that picture.” She paused, and he hoped…for what?
