Page 7 of Ella’s Data

Our truce is fragile, obviously, and we’ve got a lot of water under the proverbial bridge, but at least now I won’t have to make excuses as to why I’m avoiding the clubhouse or him. Inhaling once again and slowly releasing it, I pull back slightly and say, “Thank you. I really needed that more than I expected.”

“You’ve been on your own for a long time now, Ella,” he says. He can see me open my mouth to refute what he’s going to say, but he continues. “Hear me out. I know you’ve got Phoebe in your corner. She’s like a rabid honey badger, and quite frankly, now that she’s a mom to two kids? I expect she’s going to ramp that intensity up even more. But outside of her, when was the last time you were hugged?”

I stop and think what he’s just asked. “Outside of Fee, I don’t remember, Data.”

“Then that’s a goal for you, Ella, because everyone needs a daily dose of human touch. You’ve been holding a lot of stuff in for so many years but sharing it through something so basic as a hug helps it dissipate.”

“I… I’ll try,” I murmur. I’m still shaky after my confession, so I don’t wanna promise something I can’t handle. But I know he’s right, he’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met in my life.

“Did your school do anything to honor those who died or were injured that day?” he asks, changing the subject.

“I think they did,” I reply, “but I’ve never visited it. Why?”

“Because I was going to suggest you go see it. If nothing else, you can tell your younger self what you’ve accomplished. I have a suspicion that you’ve been working so damn hard to try and outrun the past, instead of acknowledging it.”

I wiggle out of his embrace and look up at him, clarity breaking through at his words. “How are you so damn smart? Because you’re right, of course. I couldn’t help anybody that day, but I can use the skills I’ve developed to help people now.”

“Do you think Tim would be happy that you’re merely walking through life, existing, or do you think he’d be upset?” he questions.

“Based on how he was then, he’d be pissed off at me,” I admit. “He’d say, ‘Ella, life is to be lived to the fullest, you of all people should know that by now’, and he’d be right, Data. Outside of Fee, I tend to keep to myself. No attachments means no loss and that keeps my heart safe.”

“It keeps you lonely, sweetheart,” he replies. “So, let’s go back down and help your bestie celebrate their newest addition to the family so you can start working on your daily contact with others.”

Esther’s arms wrap around me, and it feels like I’m hugging my great-aunt, Ruby. She never married, never had children, and that was definitely a shame, because she had a solid maternal vibe going on and she poured it into ensuring I was as well-adjusted as possible.

“You’re going to be fine, child,” she murmurs in my ear, as though she’s had a ringside seat to my inner thoughts.

“From your mouth to God’s ears,” I reply, making her laugh as she backs up slightly.

She then touches the space between my brows and says, “This area right here, it’s not as pronounced as it was when you came for the wedding. In fact, it’s relaxed even further since you got here for Colleen’s birth. Whatever’s been holding you hostage is easing, Ella, and I’m here, cheering you on, a willing ear or shoulder to lean on if you need it, excited to see what your future holds.”

“If you’re not busy tomorrow, I’d like to come out and putter with your chickens,” I reply. “Maybe enjoy some of that lemonade on your back porch?”

“Only if you help me snap beans,” she teases. “You’re always welcome at the farm, Ella. You’re part of this crazy, dysfunctional, loving family that my granddaughter fell in with when she met Rebel.”

“I think I can manage that,” I reply. “And while we do that, I’m going to tell you where I learned how to do it.”

“Can’t wait to hear the story, Ella,” she says. “Now, there’s a young man who can’t keep his eyes off of you. I hope you put him out of his misery soon.”

“We’re just friends, Esther,” I reply.

“Friendship is a wonderful foundation to build onto,” she wisely states. “Now, go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’m going out to the farm tomorrow,” I tell Data once I reach his side.

“There’s something about that place that changes people,” he replies. “The best thing that ever happened was Holly walking into the club’s bar for a job. Both Paul and Esther have embraced all of us and treat us like we’re their own.”

“Family isn’t always blood,” I say.

“No, it’s not,” he agrees. “You get everything done before you got here?”

“Yeah, I went into town and got groceries,” I reply. “Still need to find a laundromat to do laundry, but I was focused on my stomach.”

“Hell, bring them here and use the laundry room,” he says. When I go to protest, he holds up his hand. “We’ve got multiple commercial sized washers and dryers, Ella, and it’s not a problem for you to use them, I promise. Consider it a perk of being family.”

“Then that’s what I’ll do one day this week. I suspect I’ll be spinning my wheels before too long because this downtime is not normal for me at all.”

“Take the time to stop and smell the roses. Help Phoebe with the kids, hang out at the farm with Esther, spend time with Holly and Marnie. Hell, I’ll show you around if you want,” he offers.