[Nellis ] Stuck in Savannah Ch.1
The good thing about the summer nights in Savannah was definitely the fact that you could be outside long after dark, dressed in only a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, and not begin to freeze. Without a care in the world one could sit in the grass from day until night, and probably until morning if there was a desire to do so. You could watch the small, puffy clouds slowly move across the sky from morning til noon, and watch the sun beginning to slowly go down, giving the sky a more orange-pink color from noon til night, and finally adore all the million little starts that lit up the cloud-free sky during night. It was intoxicating. Ellis had many times fallen asleep in the grass whenever he had a day off, and no plans on what to do with his free time. Then he would wake up, sometime in the middle of the night, in that same spot in the grass. Since he was living on his own, he had no need to tell anybody about where he was or how long he would be gone. He could be out all night if he wanted, nobody would know.
A couple of the times he had fallen asleep there, he would stay for a little while in the same spot when he woke up, just to look at the stars. Sometimes he tried to draw lines between the stars in his mind, creating pictures that perhaps nobody else saw. He would lie there for hours, sometimes until morning. Though that barely ever happened, since he had to get a little bit of sleep before going up to work the next day.
This was definitely Ellis favorite spot in all of Savannah - well, except for his and his friends auto-shop that is – and he was happy he now had someone to share the spot with. None of his friends down at the auto-shop ever wanted to come here with him. Guess they weren't really as easily entertained as Ellis, they'd rather spend their time hanging out with girls or create chaos wherever they went. Sure it was all good fun as well, but sometimes even Ellis needed to take it easy, and this was the best place to do so.
The young mans blue eyes gazed at the dark sky where some stars already had shown off their light. The more you looked, the more stars you would see, so Ellis didn't want to take his eyes off the sky. He had a calm, but very satisfied smile on his face, like he couldn't be much happier. Next to him sat a man who also had his eyes set on the sky. Unlike Ellis blue, tinkling eyes – that really looked like those of a child on Christmas morning right now – Nick's eyes had a dull, green-grey color. His facial expression wasn't as delighted as Ellis. In fact he looked rather serious, on the verge of bored. Ellis didn't take notice of this of course, Nick had agreed to come with him to watch the stars, so he didn't want to hear any whining now. Nick knew this, and he actually kind of enjoyed sitting there. He had never really done anything like it before, just watch the night sky for no reason. Just sitting there, watching, as seconds became minutes, precious minutes of their lives, just ticking away.
"Man...aint' this sumtin'." Ellis said as he leaned back and placed his palms in the grass behind him. Nick nodded, but it went unnoticed in the dark.
"Only wish would come out. Aint' nuthin' purdier than his light." Ellis continued, and Nick let out a quiet, amused chuckle as he shook his head.
"The moon is a she, Ellis."
Ellis sat quiet for a moment, thinking about what Nick had told him. He tilted his head lightly to the side.
"Well, that makes 'er even purdier." He answered as he begun to see more and more small stars on the dark sky. Some looked like they really tried their best to shine, but their light was so very weak. One had to really try to be able to see them. Ellis, however, had almost learned where every single star was. At least that's how it felt. Every time he sat down here he knew what stars he would see first, and how the rest would sneak their way onto the night sky, until there would be too many to even attempt to count.
"'s the sun a she, too?" Ellis suddenly asked and turned to Nick, although he could barely see the man through the dark. They were far away from the road, so no lampposts or lights from any houses could break the darkness. It was completely black around them.
"No, the sun is a he. He's fiery and vicious, and you can't look straight at him. The moon is gentle and beautiful, and you can't take your eyes off of her." Nick answered in a low voice. He wasn't really the type to talk about neither the moon's nor the sun's beauty, but since he was teaching Ellis something with it he figured he might as well let it out. There was this thing about Nick that gave him a strange urge to inform people whenever they're wrong, and show off by explaining how it really was. Some saw it as a flaw, a very irritating flaw – not so strange really, who wants to be corrected, it just makes you look like a fool – while others - like Ellis - almost adored him for it. It made him seem wise. Or just cocky, depending on who you'd be asking.
Ellis looked back up at the sky, and noticed he had now lost some of the stars with his gaze. But soon they began to make themselves visible for him yet again.
"Mr. Sun and Mrs. Moon...like a married couple" Ellis grinned as he spoke to himself, although Nick could hear his every word. In a way it was rather amusing to hear the youngster talk, since no-one Nick had ever met before said such ridiculous things. Then again, Nick shouldn't be surprised. He knew from the minute he first met Ellis that the guy might not be the brightest fellow on earth. He was a hell of a mechanic, though, Nick couldn't argue with that.
"Ya'think them little stars are Mr. Sun's and Mrs. Moon's kids?" Ellis asked and pointed at the sky, and all the million stars twinkling like little candles far away. Nick gave Ellis a patronizing look through the dark, but then gazed up at the stars again. He decided – unlike how he normally was - not to make a remark and just let Ellis idiotic question slide. Planets don't make kids with each other. They do not have a gender, they're just big rocks filled with gas. Really big rocks. The same goes for the stars, although they happen to be on fire as well.
"One day I'll marry me a real looker, an' we'll have lot's a' kids" Ellis said, almost dreamily, with a broad smile on his lips. Nick snorted. The kid was twenty-three years old, and already talking about getting married and having kids. Nick hadn't gotten married until he was around thirty, and the marriage hadn't lasted very long, so he was not yet a father either. He was beginning to get too old for that – in his own opinion – anyway, plus he never really liked kids. It wouldn't bother him too much if he died without any sons or daughters.
"You really wanna get married, Ellis?" Nick asked with an amused voice, almost like he was mocking the younger male. Ellis took his eyes off the sky once again and turned to Nick again.
"A'course" Ellis answered.
"Don't ya' wanna get hitched sum' day, Nick?"
Nick sat silent for a moment, and his brief smile had disappeared from his lips. He now looked serious again. Before answering the youngster, Nick reached down in his pocket to get a cigarette along with his lighter. He was about to put the cigarette to his lips, when he noticed the curious, puzzled expression on Ellis face. He had now stopped smiling as well, and Nick realized Ellis wanted an honest answer to his question.
"I've been married" Nick finally said, and he put the cigarette to his lips and lit it.
"Y'have!" Ellis exclaimed. He grinned and now leaned forward, resting his arms on his crossed legs.
"Well shoot, Nick, why'd y'all get divorced?" Ellis now showed little interest for the sky or the stars, he just wanted to know Nick's story. They had known each other for a couple of months now, but Nick never spoke much about himself or his past, or what his profession was. Ellis didn't know why Nick wasn't working at the moment, and he had no idea why the man – who dressed very fancy – had decided to come to Savannah in the first place. He hadn't seemed to like the place at all when they first met, and he still seemed a bit out-of-place. So, Ellis wasn't gonna throw away a chance to get to know more about Nick.
Nick sighed. He didn't want to think about it really, it was all one big mess. And because of what happened on his wedding day, he had now ended up here; Rednecksville. Completely stranded, without a job or any possibility to get back to his old ways. He was, basically, running from his problems.
"We didn't get divorced. She...died, soon after our wedding" Nick said in a low voice, trying not to show any emotions, even though he was talking about his dead wife, who had died very soon after they had gotten married. She hadn't even been able to leave her own wedding in once piece. It must've been the shortest marriage in the history of time.
Ellis looked a bit surprised, and he didn't quite know what to say about it. Nick's wife was dead. Shit, that got to hurt. Nick obviously liked her enough to marry her, and now she was dead.
"Shit, I'm...I'm sorry" Ellis apologized and felt very uncomfortable for a moment. Nick didn't answer him, instead he just took his time smoking his cigarette, that worked as a little source of light in the darkness.
"So...y'all are really still married then?" Ellis asked, carefully. Nick wasn't showing any emotions so it was hard for him to know just how the man felt. Ellis could only imagine.
He had – however - not seen any ring on Nick's left ring finger, so maybe he had moved on. But as far as Ellis knew, Nick hadn't got any other lovers as for now.
"No we're not married, dumbass." Nick snapped.
"The vow goes; 'til death do us part'. She's dead, it's over." Nick explained with a slight aggression in his voice. He didn't like to talk about it, and it was a chapter in his life he'd rather put behind him. He didn't want to relive his wedding day. It had been the worst day of his thirty-five year long life. If possible, Nick had become more secluded and easily irritated since that day. For good reasons, too. His life had been going downhill from that point on. Everything just because he decided to get married. A big mistake was all it was.
Ellis clasped his hands lightly and let the thumbs go against each other, lightly pressing them together as he let his thumbnails make light clicks as they met. He hadn't meant to upset Nick and ruin the good time they had. But, at least now he knew a bit more about the older man. And perhaps this was the reason Nick could be so cold and humorless at times. But Ellis saw something else in him as well, a gentler side of Nick. Sometimes you could see in his eyes or judge by his smile, that he was truly happy for a moment. Few times had Ellis seen it, but it made him just as delighted every time he managed to get Nick to smile like that. There was a nice man inside that grumpy shell, and Ellis knew that. Otherwise he would never have kept on talking to him, and eventually befriend him.
"We done here?" Nick's voice broke the awkward silence that had followed, and he breathed out some smoke while he, with an almost empty look, continue to gaze at the dark night sky. He wouldn't even look at Ellis. The younger man watched Nick with a sad look on his face, before he turned his gaze to the ground.
"Yeah. Let's go home" Ellis mumbled as he stood up, and Nick soon did the same thing, brushing off grass and what not from his white suit. Ellis didn't bother, instead he took a last look at the sky, before he turned around and headed for the road. They wouldn't have to walk too far to reach Ellis home, where Nick was now temporarily living. The older gambler was beginning to run out of money, so staying at a hotel was not possible for him any longer. In previous conversations he had hinted towards this fact, but never asked up front if he could stay with Ellis. Nick didn't believe in asking favors like that, but he was aware that he couldn't make it on his own right now. He needed somewhere to stay while he tried to figure all this shit out. Luckily for Nick, Ellis had without protests taken him in, and not even asked any questions. It was like it was obvious to him to let a man he'd only known for a couple of months live with him, without asking why he needed to. Especially since this older man had golden rings on his fingers and a fancy white suit that must've cost a fortune. Nick was lucky to have bumped into a guy like Ellis in a time of need, and he knew it. He just didn't want to admit that he was thankful. The guy was twelve years younger than him, had his own place and a job that payed fairly well. Nick was older, broke and unemployed. Those facts could make a grown man cry. What was Nick good at, really? Scamming people, and taking what he wanted by force. If not alone then with the help of his "gang". It was such an ugly word, "gang". Sounded like a group of washed up thugs running around beating people up to feel tough. But, it didn't really matter what they were called, Nick and his "friends", who had now pretty much turned their backs on him. At least so he thought. Nick had caused trouble for the gang, it had cost lives, and Nick was without a doubt not welcome there anymore. If he went back he would get either killed, robbed or kidnapped and probably tortured, and nobody would come to his rescue. It was different when you actually had the respect you needed from your "friends" in the gang. They helped each other, every member as important as the other. Nick had become a burden for them, and he had been stupid enough to play tricks on other gamblers belonging to gangs as well. The price to pay for that was very high. Nick was a wanted man.
Nick followed Ellis up to the road, walking slightly behind him still with the cigarette between his lips. He was looking down, thinking, yet trying not to remind himself of those memories, or in how deep shit he really was. He pretty much tried to convince himself that it was fine, and that he would do fine. Nobody had found him, yet. The whole reason he had come here was because of the fact that no-one who knew Nick, ever would think he'd go to a place like this. Therefore, Savannah was the best place for him to hide. Hide. That was what he was doing. Hiding.
Nick grabbed what was left of the cigarette, and sent it on it's way out on the road, with a quick flick of his fingers. The last of the smoke soon left his mouth, and Nick looked up to make sure Ellis was still in front of him. And, he was. Through the dark Nick could see the silhouette of the younger man's well-built body. Nick wouldn't go so far as to say he was jealous of Ellis robust chest muscles, and his strong arms, although he did somewhat admire the youngster's ability to stay in shape. Nick wasn't nearly as muscular as Ellis, though he still looked good enough to swoon the ladies without trying too hard, but perhaps a part of those women had fallen for his money rather than his appearance. Didn't matter, Nick looked good enough so why bother perfecting something that was already perfect? And besides, Nick was very smart, sly even, and that also caught the attention of the ladies. He didn't need to be ripped to score.
Nick began to walk faster as they came closer to Ellis house, and as Ellis got his keys out of his pocket, Nick was right behind him. He just wanted to get inside and go doze off in the couch, which had been his bed for the last couple of weeks. Ellis unlocked and opened the door, and walked into the small house. He turned on the light, and a bed was now visible in the middle of the room, with the head of the bed against the right wall On each side of the bed stood a small, white nightstand. One of the nightstands had a telephone and other small, various things – such as a few magazines -
on it, while the other had a digital clock and a small lamp. At the end of the small room was a door to the living room, now to be considered Nick's bedroom. The living room was rather small, as well as the kitchen and the bathroom. But it was big enough for one, or two, individuals to co-exist.
Nick walked past Ellis and straight through the room. As he walked through the door to the living room, Ellis closed and locked the front door. He was still uncertain of what to say, or if he should even say anything at all. Hopefully Nick wouldn't be as tense and on edge after a good nights sleep, so Ellis could talk to him again without feeling awkward. Ellis lit the small table lamp by the bed, and turned off the ceiling lamp to make the room more cozy. He took of his trucker hat and placed it on top of the magazines on the nightstand, and ruffled his brown, slightly curled, hair. He walked around the bed once again to set the alarm on the digital clock, while Nick now stood in the living room by the couch's left side. He had taken off his white suit jacket and placed it on one of the armrests. The older man could hear as Ellis began to make himself ready for bed behind Nick in the other room. The couch was very conveniently placed, since Nick could see into Ellis room from it if he slept with his head at the end of the couch closest to the door. He turned around slightly to discretely look Ellis over. He wondered if the kid was upset. Nick wasn't really angry himself, just a bit irritated and annoyed. Still, he had already begun to regret snapping at Ellis like that. The guy had after all taken him in into his own home without any reason, and Nick didn't even have to pay rent to live there. Ellis was a good guy, the kind a guy like Nick would take advantage of. That was to be honest how it had started. Nick had used Ellis to get him to help him, but it was different now and he somewhat liked the annoying hillbilly. Could even go as far as to call him a friend. Perhaps the only real friend Nick had anymore.
As Nick set eyes on Ellis who didn't notice the older mans gaze - since he had his back to him - the young mechanic took off his beige-yellow shirt, exposing his muscular back, as well as the entire tattoo he had on his upper arm and shoulder.
Nick decided that now was the time to stop looking, since it was getting a bit awkward. Watching another guy undress, no that surely wasn't strange at all.
Nick kicked his shoes off, and let himself fall down in the couch in a sitting position. It was – probably – a cheap couch, but man was it comfortable. Of course not as comfortable as a bed, but it was easier to sleep in it than Nick had first thought. Unfortunately for Nick, Ellis didn't have any extra blankets, so Nick had to sleep in his clothes. But since it was summer, he didn't even want a blanket anyway. Some nights when the heat could be unbearable, he felt like taking off his shirt and pants and just lie there in his underwear to keep cool. But of course he had never done that. Nick had some dignity, for crying out loud.
Lying on his back, Nick stared up at the ceiling, while Ellis continued to undress. The twenty-three year old was finally standing in nothing more than his boxers, and he wondered whether or not to put on his pajama pants at least. After mentally discussing the matter with himself he decided to put on a pair of pajama pants anyway. After he had done so, he went back to his bed and was just about to lie down when he stopped in his motions and glanced towards the living room. Ellis could see Nick lying on the couch on his back. Thanks to the light from the bed lamp, Nick's green-grey eyes twinkled very lightly. So, he was still awake. Ellis kept his gaze on Nick for a little while, with a sad glimpse shown in his eyes. He knew he couldn't say or do anything to get Nick in a better mood, so he really shouldn't worry about it and just let Nick sleep it off. But being in a quarrel with Nick was everything but fun, and felt just about as bad as if it was Dave or even Keith that were angry at Ellis. Nick was his friend, and he didn't want to fight with him. Then again he could understand why the man was so cold right now, it was a touchy subject obviously. Any man would be sore after losing a wife, especially to death rather than just getting dumped.
"Nighty, Nick" Ellis said carefully, still uncertain if speaking to Nick was the right thing.
He didn't get an answer, not even a look from Nick, so he just went to bed and turned off the bed lamp.
"Night" Nick mumbled silently after the house had become completely black, and he continued to stare up at the ceiling with an empty look.
Silence followed as Ellis slowly drifted into sleep, while Nick continued to lie awake. He hadn't really thought much about his dead wife for the last five years. He had pretty much just tried to repress it, simply because he didn't want to feel sad. Sadness was a feeling of weakness, mourning and sniffling without being able to make anything better. When there were no more options, no other way out, and when everything seemed hopeless, people cried. Nick didn't want to feel that way, he forced himself to be strong and never show any type of weakness. Happiness, affection and sorrow were all feelings he had begun to force aside ever since she died. He did not realize that by holding his pain and sorrow inside, he just made it worse. It was probably one of the main reasons why he was the way he was, and why he hadn't really been truly happy for years now.
Nick sighed and closed his eyes, yet again trying not to think about her. He turned his head towards Ellis room, where he through the dark could see the younger male sleep in his bed. Breathing slowly, not making a sound. It was one of the great things about Ellis, he didn't snore at all. So Nick, who was very disturbed by sounds around him, had no problem sleeping in Ellis home.
Well, it was their home now, pretty much. Nick had been living there for a few weeks after all, and it didn't look like he was going to leave some time soon. Unless Ellis kicked him out, but Nick really couldn't see that happening. Ellis really was a great guy, and Nick didn't give him enough credit. He had never even told him "thanks", not once, yet Ellis always smiled at him, helped him and tried his best to cheer the grumpy man up. Perhaps it was about damn time Nick showed some gratitude.
The older mans expression went from serious to slightly dejected while he continued to watch Ellis sleeping figure in the other room.
Nick soon let out a short gruff as he turned around in the couch, lying on his right side with his face towards the couch's backrest. He closed his eyes, and tried to block out all his thoughts. It took a while before the man was able to stop all the thoughts running through his head, but eventually he drifted into sleep, and begun to snore lightly.
The next morning when Nick awoke, the sun was up and Ellis had already gone off to work, as usual. Nick stretched a bit, as much as he was able in the couch that barely let him sleep with his legs fully straightened. He rolled over, slowly and still tired. Nick had never in his life had the need to go up early, so waking up at 9 AM was still pretty early for him. Although Ellis himself had gone up many hours earlier. Nick really couldn't understand why anyone would want to live like that. Early mornings, long days, boring work and little pay. No, gambling was the way to go if you wanted big money. But, that life wasn't all that perfect either, Nick could vouch for that.
The thirty-five year old sat up in the couch and looked out through one of the windows as he rubbed his eye. The sun was shining bright, lighting up the entire house and make the floor nice and warm to walk on.
Nick got up from the couch and walked out into the kitchen right across the living room. It was almost as if the kitchen and the living room where one, since no door divided the two rooms.
He begun to make coffee and grab something to eat from the fridge, taking his sweet time while Ellis were down at the auto-shop, working hard for his money. But he wasn't complaining, he loved his job. Running an auto-shop with his buddies let him do what he loved and was truly interested in, everyday, and get payed for it! Not only that, but he was able to hang out with both Keith and Dave as well, and they had a lot of talks and discussions with each other whenever no new customers came by. Ellis had attempted to explain the wonders of running an auto-shop to Nick, but the man didn't seem to get the point, and still couldn't believe how anyone would want to do such dirty work. Eventually Ellis had given up on trying to explain it to Nick, but at least he had made it clear he loved his job, and wasn't bothered by the fact he had to go up early every morning to get there.
Nick made himself a sandwich while the coffeemaker began to chug, breaking the silence in the house. However, the silence didn't bother Nick, he quite enjoyed this time he got for himself. But he couldn't say he didn't get bored walking around the house all day. Usually he spent the days going out on strolls, getting to know the town a little better. Sometimes he even went down to the auto-shop to greet Ellis and his buddies. Sure, they were very different from him, both in the way they saw the world and the way they lived, compared to how Nick's life used to be. There was a great class difference between him and the Savannah-boys, but hanging out with those hillbillies was still better than sitting all alone in Ellis house, feeling sorry for himself.
Nick briefly thought about going down to the auto-shop to talk with Ellis. He hadn't said a word to him since last night after all. And, Nick needed to check in on his car that stood parked there. It had been in fine shape when he took it there, but the biggest reason he had wanted to park the car in the auto-shop was the fact that if someone followed him, they would be able to easily find him if they got a glimpse of his fancy car. One would think he could just sell the car and the problem would be solved, and he would get some money too. Out of the question. Like his suit and rings, the car was gonna stay.
Nick thought back on the day he had first arrived in Savannah. On the run, but pretty sure he had been able to shake his followers, he had pulled over once he saw the auto-shop. Nick had known that he couldn't leave the car out where anyone could see it, so he had walked up to one of the three young males, clothes and hands all greasy. The young brown-haired male had smiled like the sun himself, and greeted Nick with great respect and friendliness. Nick had made sure the youngster didn't touch him, neither his clothes nor his hands, and just told the twenty-three year old he needed his car checked. Nick still remembered how Ellis had taken a look at the fancy car, and his eyes had looked like they were gonna pop right out of his head. After admiring the car he did examine it, with great interest and care, since it was obviously a very expensive car. Nick had quickly noticed that Ellis – who had presented himself with his name without Nick even asking – was very talkative and never seemed to shut up. Therefore Nick had only been listening to about half of what the younger male had been saying. It seemed Ellis took quite the liking to Nick, and the gambler decided to take advantage of that. So, when no troubles were found with the car, he asked if he could have the car parked there, within the auto-shop. Ellis hadn't needed much convincing, since the car was a real beauty and he'd really love to show it off to his customers. So they had agreed that the car could stay there, for at least a little while.
Nick had found himself a hotel not too far from the auto-shop, and made sure he visited pretty often to gain more of Ellis trust, and get the youngster to take more liking to him. Nick had acted more interested in whatever Ellis spoke about, than he really was, everything to make the kid like him. He knew from the start he would be able to use the redneck as a tool to live cheap and worry-free there in Savannah until he could find a better place somewhere else. However, as the weeks proceeded and Nicks money began to run out, he knew he needed to speed things up. Returning to the auto-shop and talking to Ellis about his money problems had resulted in the suggestion that Nick could live with Ellis instead. He was delighted that his plan had worked,and Nick actually truly felt appreciation for the young mechanic. When they had started to live together, the two of them quickly became closer friends, although Nick attempted to keep a distance. He didn't want to make any friends in Savannah since he was gonna leave as soon as he could. If he began to make friends here, there would be many questions asked when he finally left. But not even Nick could deny he usually had a great time hanging out with Ellis. They had even given each other nicknames.
Nick poured himself a cup of coffee and picked up the small plate with his sandwich. He then sat down by the small, round dinner table, on top of which the newspaper was neatly folded, as always. Ellis always made sure to bring in the newspaper for Nick, every morning, before he went off to work. He usually didn't have time to read it himself, since the newspaper didn't arrive until it was about time for Ellis to get going. Instead he read it when he came home from work. Though, Ellis wasn't that interested in the news, he only payed attention if there was something big going on, or if Nick advised him to read one of the articles for whatever reason. If there was nothing going on that affected him, he didn't really care. Nick on the other hand liked to keep himself updated, and keep track of whatever was going on.
The thirty-five year old man unfolded the newspaper and began to read, while he slowly consumed his breakfast.
As the sandwich slowly disappeared, until the plate was completely clean, Nick read through almost all of the newspaper. Soon he only had some coffee left, and a few more pages to go before he was completely updated on all the things going on, that the media felt were important enough to write about. When he was done, he closed and folded the newspaper and cleared the table. He put the dishes in the dishwasher, and headed for the bathroom. Since Nick had to sleep in his clothes, he needed to clean his shirt every other day, to prevent himself smelling like a bum. He unbuttoned his blue button-down shirt and took it off, exposing his - fairly hairy - upper body. Nick put the shirt in the washing machine, and noticed Ellis had some shirts he needed to get cleaned as well. Usually Nick only washed his own shirt and let Ellis handle his own laundry, even though Nick only had one single shirt to clean. He picked up one of Ellis dirty shirts and thought to himself if he should be a good inherent and do Ellis laundry as well. He had been a bit of an asshole to the youngster from day one, perhaps it was time to show some gratitude. When he thought about it, Nick realized how much Ellis went out of his way to be nice to Nick and make his stay pleasant. Doing the kid's laundry was the least he could do. So Nick picked up the dirty shirts and put them in the washing machine together with his own blue button-down shirt.
Once the washing machine had begun to do it's work, Nick undressed and took a shower, followed by shaving and applying deodorant, as well ass cologne. He finished off by putting both time and effort into fixing his hair. It all made the time he had to wait for the washing machine to be done, go by much faster. Before he knew it, the washing machine had done it's work. Nick then took out both of the male's laundry, and hung the shirts belonging to Ellis up to dry. However, Nick needed his shirt right away, so he decided to put it in the dryer.
Meanwhile down at the auto-shop Ellis, Keith and Dave had taken a break from work and were discussing their favorite race car drivers. They could all agree that the big number one was Jimmy Gibbs Jr, however they had different opinions regarding the drivers on second and third place of the list.
"Man I don' know what you're talkin'bout. I mean sure, he's done 'is fair share a' good race's, but that aint nuthin' in comparison!" Ellis commented, and was just about to start explaining why his second favorite race car driver deserved that place, when Keith – sitting atop the slightly heightened car lift – suddenly nudged him with his hand.
"Hey Ellis" The redhaired twenty-four year old said.
"There she is" He pointed discretely towards a girl passing by on the sidewalk, not far from the auto-shop. Ellis set his eyes on her, and with his lips slightly parted he began to smile. It was the same girl he had seen a couple of days earlier, apparently new in the neighborhood. She was wearing a pink sweatshirt, blue jeans and had her long brown hair in a didn't yet know the girls name, but he was interested in learning it. She was really pretty. Really really pretty.
"What're ya doin', go say hi to 'er!" Keith kicked Ellis slightly in his side, causing Ellis to wobble a bit. He wasn't sure if he would be able to even squeeze out a "hi" to her, but admiring her from afar was not gonna work either.
"Aight" He said, and walked out of the auto-shop, and begun to jog after the girl who nearly had passed by.
"Hey! Hey, wait!" Ellis called out, and the girl actually turned around to look at him, wondering what he wanted. Ellis felt her eyes directed straight at him, and he stopped in his steps.
"Yes?" The girl looked him over slightly, quickly figuring out that he was probably working at the auto-shop closeby, judging by his clothes and greasy hands.
"Well, uh...I'm-I'm Ellis" Ellis said, nervously. The girl gave him a bit of a weird look, but said nothing. Why did he call out to her and tell her his name? What did he want?
"I run this here auto-shop with a couple a' my buddies, y'see" Ellis continued, pointing in the direction of the auto-shop where Keith and Dave were watching them.
"Oh..that's cool." The girl said, still unsure what the stranger wanted from her.
"Yeah" Ellis nodded and looked down with a brief smile on his lips. He couldn't really believe he had actually just went up to this girl he didn't even know, and was now taking to her. But he wanted to be able to put a name on that face of hers as well.
"So, ya like cars any, Miss uh..." Ellis tried, and gazed at the pretty girl with his light blue eyes again. She smiled a little at him, noticing what he had done there.
"Zoey" She presented herself. She had to admit the brown haired mechanic was kind of cute, especially how he had approached her. Although it was also a bit strange.
"Zoey.." Ellis repeated with a grin. What a pretty name.
"A purdy name for a purdy girl" He said and scratched his neck shyly as she giggled briefly at the compliment.
Nick's shirt was finally both clean and dry, so he was now on his way to the auto-shop. Hopefully the boys wouldn't be too busy, because Nick really didn't have anything else to do. It was itching in his fingers to get back to his old self, to go out and gamble and drink and feel the money come flowing in. But those days were over, and he doubted he would ever be able to go back to that life. So the only option he had was to find some other way to make money. A job. Nick felt shivers running down his spine by the thought of having a real, honest job. It was just not for him. And what would he be able to work as anyway. He didn't like paperwork, and he didn't like hard labor. Sitting still an entire day by a computer, or working hard building up physical strength, it didn't matter which he would choose, they were both very unappealing to this gambling man. Maybe he should just leave the country and start over new somewhere else. Then he could go back to gambling, and no gang in the states would be able to find him. Then again, where would he get the money to first of all go to another country, and then live there? He didn't have that kind of money, and Nick had begun to realize he was stuck in place. Guess he'd have to get a job here in Savannah, so he could support himself at least. Ellis could probably help him find something fitting.
Nick snorted, irritated by his own thought. He constantly relied on Ellis, it was like he couldn't do anything himself. He took the boy for granted, and who knows how he would've had it right now, if Ellis hadn't done all the thing he had done for Nick.
The thirty-five year old kicked a rock lying in his path, causing it to roll across the asphalt with a clattering sound. It was slightly confusing for the older male to have these feelings, that caused him to feel ashamed and next to worthless. Before, Nick had never had a problem with using other people for his own advantage. If they were willing to help him, that was fine by him, and he used everything he could to do as little as possible and get everything handed to him. But now, as he had begun to take quite the liking to the boy, it wasn't all that easy anymore. He felt like a little voice were nagging and nagging, telling him he needed to give back and show his appreciation. But if Nick really was going to attempt and leave Savannah some day soon, he shouldn't be nice to Ellis since it would only strengthen their friendship. But if he stayed, he really should show that he appreciated everything the youngster was doing for him.
Confused and unsure of what he should do, Nick rubbed his forehead with a dejected sigh. He stopped thinking about the matter, put on his emotionless expression and instead looked up to notice he was closing in on the auto-shop. As he came closer he saw Ellis standing on the sidewalk talking to a girl in a pink sweatshirt. Nick suddenly began to frown slightly, wondering who that girls was and why Ellis was standing there talking to her. He decided not to walk up to them though, instead he headed for the auto-shop where he could see Keith and Dave.
"Ey, Mr Suitman!" Keith exclaimed and reached out his hand to properly greet the fancy dressed man. Nick greeted them both with a short nod, and rocked back as Keith's greasy hand came closer to him.
"I'd rather not" Nick said with a raised eyebrow. Keith just laughed at him, and kept pulled back his hand.
"Scared ta' get your hands dirty, eh?" Keith and Dave chuckled. Nick didn't bother to comment, he knew the boys liked to tease each other and whoever they met. Well, Keith stood for most of the teasing, and he was also the wildest of the three. Ellis could be pretty daring and playful as well, but Keith's almost vital shenanigans takes the cake. Dave was more of the quiet type, he didn't say much when Nick was around anyway, and he seemed calmer than the other two. Yet he was constantly hanging around them, and it wouldn't surprise Nick if he had done some crazy stuff as well, just because Keith and Ellis had talked him into it. Dave seemed like the kind of guy who just followed the flow.
Nick turned his head to lock his eyes on Ellis and that brown-haired girl, with a disturbed look.
"Who' that girl Ellis is talking to?" He suddenly asked, trying not to sound like he really cared.
"Is it his girlfriend?" He continued with a lower voice. If that was the case – which Nick was sure it wasn't, it couldn't be - he would've seen her around the house, right?
"Yeah, he wishes!" Keith answered.
"Naw, that girl've been walkin' past here for a couple a' days now. Ellis took a liking to 'er, an' she looks like she's enjoyin' his company as well"
Nick felt his eyebrows lowering as he listened, with his back to Keith and Dave and his green-grey eyes set on Ellis and his female companion. Nick didn't like her. He didn't like her face, her hair, her clothes. Nothing about her was appealing. Not even the way she smiled so happily.
If something happened between Ellis and that girl, Nick knew things would change drastically for him. Ellis would probably bring the girl home with him, and it was not like Nick was gonna be allowed to be around then. Maybe Ellis would even kick him out. And even if he didn't, having a girlfriend would decrease the time Nick and Ellis spent together. Nick would be all on his own in a stinking redneckcity he knew nothing about, thrown out because Ellis had gone and fallen in love. Like hell he was gonna let that happen.
