The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 7

EllaDeans got his music blasting upstairs at full volume and its rattling the ceiling. I start picking up the garbage in the equipchen, avoiding the confrontation of gossiping him again. Propping the trash can against my hip, I drag my arm along the counter, pushing a line of bottles into it.I pull come forth the bag and tie the string shut, holding it far away(p) from me. God, that stinks.Still cleaning up after dad, I see. Dean enters the kitchen. Hes dressed in slacks and a simplyton beat shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His dark brown haircloth is cut short and it shows kayoed the s motorcar on the top of his fore manoeuvre, where I accidently hit him during a freak accident darn we were vie baseball with a tent pole and a basketball. Nothing changes around here, level off when you leave for a year. He opens the fridge and steals a beer. Although, you do look different. Did you finally clean up your act?Do you really c ar if I did? I drag the garbage bag to ward the back door. I destine you made it perfectly clear the last time you were here that you dont give a shit what happens to me.He pops the cap off the bottle. Are you still on that?You told me I killed our mother, I say quietly. How could I be oer that?He sips his beer and shrugs. I thought you left so you could move on with your life.I come on a deep breath. I didnt move on. I bailed and like you did.I ran away for the comparable reason you ran away because staying here means dealing with the past and our pasts ar the kind that adopt to be locked away and neer revisited.You mean dealing with mommys last. And the fact that it was my fault shes dead. Or that Im responsible for her death.He peels at the beer bottle label. Why do you always have to be so blunt ab out(p) everything? It makes passel uncomfor card.Im changing back into my old ways and I need to collect myself. Opening the back door, I toss the garbage bag onto the back steps. Do you want to go get nearly d inner or something? We could go out to Alpine where no one really lasts us.He shakes his head, gulps down the stay of the beer, and then tosses the empty bottle into the trash. The only reason I came back here was to get the relievo of my stuff. Then Im out. I got stuff to go back to thats more important than family drama and alcoholic fathers.He leaves me in the kitchen and a few seconds later, the music is turned up louder. Its an upbeat rhythm and it drives me crazy, so I crank on the kitchen radio, blasting Shameful Metaphors by Chevelle.I start sweeping up the kitchen, impede out my brothers words. He always liked to nitpick me apart, which was fine, nevertheless at the funeral, he crossed a line we can never come back from.The back door swings open and the wind rushes in as my dad stumbles into the kitchen. His shoes ar untied, his jeans are torn, and his red shirt is stained with dirt and grease. His bridge player is wrapped with an old rag thats soaked in blood.Droppi ng the broom to the floor, I rush to him. Oh my God, are you okay?He flinches from me and nods his head, staggering to the sink. Just cut myself on the job. No biggie.I turn down the music. Dad, you werent drinking at work, were you?He turns the faucet on and his head slumps over. The guys and I had a couple of shots during tiffin break, barely Im not drunk. He removes the rag and sticks his perish under the water, letting out a relieve sigh as the water mixes with his blood. Is your brother home? I thought I saw his car in the driveway.I grab a paper towel and clean up the blood he got on the counter and on the floor. Hes upstairs packing up some stuff or something.He dabs his hand with a paper towel, wincing. Well, thats good I guess.I lean over to examine his hand. Do I need to take you to the doctor? That looks like it might need stitches?Ill be fine. He grabs a bottle of vodka, takes a swig, and then douses his hand with it.Dad, what are you doing? I reach for the first em bolden kit above the sink. Use the rubbing alcohol from the first aid kit.Breathing through clenched odontiasis, he wraps up his hand with a paper towel. See, good as new.It can still get infected. I take out the kit and check off it on the counter. You should really let me take you to a doctor.He stares at me for a moment with his eyes full of agony. God, you look so much like her, its besides crazy He drags his feet as he walks out the doorway and into the living room. Seconds later, I hear the television set click on and the air fills with smoke.Suppressed feelings surface as I put the first aid kit back into the cupboard. Cranking up the music, I drowning out my pain and busy myself with the dishes. My phone vibrates in my hammock and I wipe my hands off on a towel before checking my messages. Theres the voicemail from Micha from yesterday that I still havent listened to and a new text message from him.The text message take cares like the less stark of the two. My hand tre mbles as I read it over and over again, then finally respond. I toss the phone on the counter and focus on cleaning because its simple. And simple is sound what I want.MichaI barge into Ellas house. Something bad happened, plausibly because of her douche bag brother. Ella is scrubbing down the counters with the same measure of energy as a drummer. Her hair is pulled up, hardly pieces hang loose in her face. She has the music on, so she doesnt hear me come in. I walk up behind her, wanting to touch her, but kinda I turn the music down.She drops the paper towel she is holding and reels around. You scared the hell out of me. She presses her hand to her chest. I didnt hear you come in.Thats kind of obvious. I search her green eyes, crammed with misery.She fidgets with a stack of plates and carries them over to the cupboard before backtracking to the sink. Shes wound up over something and too much energy is in her. Her mom was like that a lot of times. But Ellas not her mother, whet her she realizes it or not.I collect the plates from her hand and set them in the sink. Do you want to tell me whats got you all worked up?Tapping her fingers on the sides of her legs, she shakes her head. I should have never sent you that text. I dont know why I did it.She starts to turn away from me, but I snap the bottom of her shirt. Ella May, stop talking to me like were business associates. I know you better than anyone and I know when somethings bothering you.I said I was fine. Her voice is tight as she forces back the tears. The girl never lets herself cry, even when her mom died.No, youre not, I steer her by the shoulders toward me. And you need to let it out.She stares at the floor. I cant.I rumple my finger under her chin and raise her head up, looking into her eyes. Yes, you can. Its killing you inside.Her shoulders quiver and she lets her head get off against my chest. I rub her back and tell her it will be okay. Its not much, but its enough for the moment. in the lo ng run she pulls back and her face is unreadable. Wheres Lila?I left her with Ethan at the shop. I sit down on the kitchen set back thats stacked with unopened bills. Shes supposed to come back here when her cars fixed.She gazes out the window, lost in her thoughts. She could just go home after Ethans done. She doesnt need to come back here.Where does she live?In California.Then she probably shouldnt leave tonight. I glance out the window at the sun setting behind the shallow hills. Its late and shes going to be driving by herself, right?Ella nods, spaced out as she twists her hair around her finger. And I worry about her making the drive by herself. I mean she practically freaked out when we ran into Grantford at the restrooms over by the lake.My fingers grip the edge of the table. You ran into Grantford?She lowers her hand from her hair and lets it fall to her side. Yeah, but it wasnt a big deal. He just acted like himself and you know how that is.I release the table from my de ath grip, trying to clear the anger out of my head. No matter what Ella says, Grantford never should have left her on the bridge that night when she was that out of it.I stretch my legs out in front of me and change the heed of the conversation. How did you end up becoming friends with Lila?She bites down on her lip, contemplating. We were roommates. She shrugs, letting her lip pop out from her teeth and it drives me crazy because all I want to do is bite down on it myself. She was really overnice and different from all my friends here and I wanted a change.I hop off the table and move in front of her. Change is good, but completely shutting down is a building barricade other story, Ella, have you Did you ever talk to anyone about what happened with your mom?Her shoulders stiffen and she turns for the doorway, preparing to leave. Thats none of your business.I block her path. Yes it is. Ive known you forever, so I get full rights to whats inside your head.Her eyes narrow and she puts her hands on her hips. Get out of my way, Micha Scott.What is it with you using my last name? I say. Before, when youd get mad at me, youd just call me a douche bag.I dont use those words anymore, she says flatly. Im nicer than that.Really? I accuse. Because you sure seem pissed off at me all the time.Im trying not to be, she fumes. But youre making it very laborious for me.Alright, you need a time out. Ive had enough of your stubborn crap. I pick her up by the waist and throw her over my shoulder.She lets out a startled gasp, and pounds her fists onto my back. Dammit Micha, put me downIgnoring her, I walk out the back door and down the empty driveway. I think about grabbing her ass just because I can, but Im afraid she might bite me although, that doesnt sound bad.Micha, she complains furiously. Put me downMy mom steps out of the house as I carry her toward the garage. Shes dressed in a black dress a little too short for her age. Her highlighted hair is fluffed up like a poo dle and her makeup is caked on. She mustiness have a date.She stops on the top step and tilts her head to the side to get a better look. Ella, is that you?Ella stops fussing and lifts up her head to look at my mom. Hi, Miss Scott. How are you?Hi, honey, Im doing good but is there a reason Michas carrying you like that? she questions. Are you hurt?Ella shakes her head. No, Im fine. Micha just thinks hes funny.Which means she secretly likes what Im doing, but wont admit it.Actually, Im taking her for a ride, I say slyly, inching my hand up the back of Ellas leg, and she slaps the back of my head playfully. Im taking you for a ride in my car. And you think Im the pervert?My mom sighs, shaking her head, and opens her purse. Well, its nice to see you two together again. She takes out her car keys and her heels click as she trots down the steps. Micha sure has missed you while you were gone.Bye mom, I wave her off, heading for the garage again, as my mom climbs into her Cadillac parked i n the pathway near the curb.Is she going on a date? Ella asks curiously.Shes been going on a lot of dates lately. I swing open the car door and set her down in the passenger seat.She tries to climb out. Im not going anywhere tonight Micha.I gently push her back into the seat. Im not going to let you sit around in your room and sulk while your brothers around. Lets go out and have some fun.She pauses, crossing her arms over her chest and her boobs nearly pop out of her top. But I need to be there when Lila comes back. I cant just let her come back to Dean and my dad passed out on the couch.Ill take care of it. I rip my gaze from her tits, take out my cell phone, and text Ethan.Me Taking Ella up to The Back Road. Wanna get Lila and meet us up there?Ella slumps back into the seat. What are you up to?I hold up my finger. Just a sec.Ethan Yeah, sounds cool.Me Is Lila up for it? And make sure u ask her. Dont just assume.Ethan She said shes good but is Ella ok with going up there?Me Well c when we get up there.Ethan Dude, shes gonna kick ur ass.Me C U there.I stuff my phone into the back hammock of my jeans and close her door before climbing into the drivers seat.Where are you taking me? she asks, trying to appear annoyed but her inquisitiveness seeps through her eyes.Its a surprise. Once the garage door is open, I peel down the driveway. And Lila and Ethan are going to meet us there.A surprise, huh? she mulls it over. Im not a fan of surprises.My lips spread to a grin. Youre such(prenominal) a liar.She stays silent and I know Ive won this one, which is rare, but Ill take it. With a nimble crank of the steering wheel, I align the car onto the road and spin the tires off into the night, happy because I managed to chip away a tiny piece of that armor shes wearing.