One thing I really like about Helen and Jake is that they are always very welcoming. They’ve known my mom and Aunt Rosey since they were teenagers themselves since we all grew up in Dove Point.
And, unfortunately in Dove Point, everyone knows my story. Something I was never able to keep to myself for protection. After word spread, Mom didn’t let it get to her. She held her head high, putting on a strong front, while I would hear her softly cry in her room at night.
Helen and Jake were there for her the next day. They came by with dishes of food, making sure that me and Addie were taken care of while my mom grieved her failed marriage.
“Do you want to sit down?” Jake asks.
Her dad somehow always knew when Ellie went through something. She walks next to her dad into the living room, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, comforting her, while her mom follows behind them.
“So, what brings you all the way home?” Helen asks.
She sits on the powder white sofa chair, crossing her legs as she pulls down her maxi dress to cover her feet and then rests her hands on her lap.
I glance at Ellie, sitting beside her dad on the other end of the sectional. I watch her throat bob as she swallows, her shoulders tense. She meets my gaze, and I give her a small, reassuring nod as we communicate in that same unspoken way we always have been able to.
You can do this, Ellie.
“Before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you will listen and not interrupt me. Not until I’m finished talking.” She raises her brows.
Her dad and August agree and give her a hesitant, worried smile. Then we all turn to look at her mom.
“Okay, okay.” Helen holds up her hands, “I won’t say a word until you’re done talking, sweetie.” She motions, zipping her mouth shut.
Ellie sits up straight and clears her throat. She tells them everything she told the group at the brewery. She again holds herself together through the entire story, just like at the brewery. She mentions the stress at work and feeling run down. There was a moment where she paused before she finally told them about Charlie. When she’s finished, she looks at me and I give her a reassuring smile.
“Are you okay?” August asks first.
August wasn’t the type to react quickly. During any situation, whether good or bad, he listened, asked questions, and ensured that the person was okay. In contrast, I had to control everything in me not to get up and drive my ass across the country and beat the shit out of Charlie. Keeping my facial expression in check when I’m angry is hard when someone I love is hurt.
“I think so. It all kind of happened so fast, I don’t think I’ve processed anything yet. I just...left.” Ellie’s eyes turn glossy.
“Are you two broken up then?” Helen asks.
Ellie nods quickly before looking down at her lap.
Jake places his hand on her shoulder and says, “You did the right thing. I’m glad you decided to come home, even if it’s just for a little while. Is there anything you need from us?”
“Well, now that you’ve mention it. I kind of need somewhere to stay. I was hoping I could crash in the guest house,” Ellie says wearily.
“Of course,” her dad replies.
He pushes a hand through his salt and pepper hair and then folds his arms across his chest. It looks like he has a lot more he would like to say but thinks better of it.
“And what about work? What’s going on with that then?” Helen asks.
“I don’t know, Mom. It’s only been a couple of days since it all happened. I just want to get settled and just spend time with everyone.”
Jake stands from the couch, and Helen follows his lead. “We’ll get everything set up for your stay. I’ll grab your favorite knitted blanket in the upstairs closet and make sure you have that.”
“I’ll go grab some things for you from the store,” Helen chimes in. “Give me a list of things you will need.”
“Mom, you don’t need to get me anything. I just need somewhere to sleep.” Ellie tilts her head, exhausted from the conversation already.
“You sure you don’t want to stay in your old bedroom?” August leans against the wall in the kitchen with his arms crossed and smiles.
“And sleep in my very tiny childhood bed? No thanks.” She turns to her parents, “I’m not gonna lie, I was kind of dreading this conversation with you guys.”
“You mean you were dreading the conversation with Mom.” August smirks.
