Chapter 24
Ella
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask Lila for the thousandth time.
She piles the last box into her trunk and slides her glasses over her eyes. "Hmmm. . . let me think. Go back to a home where I'm nothing but a burden? Or go back to the campus with you and have some fun?"
I pick some dirt out from underneath my fingernail. "I'm just making sure, before you get too committed. "
She takes my hands and gives them a swing. "I want to go with you, okay, so go say good-bye to your dad so we can hit the road. "
"Okay, I'll be right back. " I head across the front lawn for the door when Ethan's truck pulls up in my driveway.
He looks like he just came from work, grease on his face and clothes, and his dark hair has some shavings of rust in it. "Yeah, I figured I'd come and say good-bye to both of you. "
I slant my head to the side and pierce him with an accusing gaze. "Don't try and pretend that you're here for me. "
He places his hand over his heart, faking hurt. "My heart is breaking and you're making jokes. Wow, you really are evil. "
"Yeah, yeah," I back up so he can open the door and climb out. "I'll give you two a minute. "
"I think you've overestimating what's going on between the two of us. "
"Well, I wouldn't have to if one of you would tell me what's going on. "
He shrugs and then rounds the back of the truck. Rolling my eyes, I walk into the house to tell my dad I'm leaving and that I plan on coming back in a couple weeks to meet up with Dean. After a long talk on the phone with him - and I'm sure a lot of persuading from Caroline - we decided to meet up here, when Dean can take off work, and give my dad an ultimatum. It's probably one of the hardest things I'll have to do, because I know there will be things said during the conversation that will hurt me. I'm going to push through it, though, because now I understand what I can handle.
I find him on the couch, eating a microwave dinner, with a six-pack on the table in front of him. He's watching the television, with a cigarette in his hand, and he barely notices me enter the room.
"Hey Dad," I say from the doorway. "I'm getting ready to leave. "
He rips his eyes from the television, startled, and I wonder if he was even watching it or if he was dwelling in his thoughts. "Oh, okay, well drive safely. "
I rub my sweaty palms together and walk into the room. "Dean and I are going to be coming back in a few weeks. "
He sets his tray down and grabs a beer. "What for?"
I pat my hands on the sides of my legs uneasily. "We want to talk to you about something. "
He sets the beer down. "I thought Dean was still here. "
He glances at the row of beers in front of him like he just realized they were there. "Oh, I don't drink that much, do I?"
I sigh and sit down on the couch beside him. "You didn't used to, but now it's kinda all you do. "
He bobs his head up and down. "Alright, I'll try to cut back. "
I know he won't, but hopefully Dean and I will be able to convince him to go to rehab where he can get the help and counseling that he needs. I give him a hug, even though he winces. Then I walk away, hoping he'll be okay, but knowing that until he makes the decision to change all I can do is try to help him.