Chapter 12
Hello.
XXX
I stepped away from him and glared, I knew I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it. I hated him and he should know it; when you hate someone you should glare at them. But maybe not if they were taller than you and pissed. When he looked back at me, the condescending look vanished, replaced by a sharp and bitter look.
Moving forward, he grabbed my arm, the one already injured from earlier. Covered in a bandage and the cut stitched up. His fingers were cold and tight. He hauled up my arm and I dangled for a second, like a puppy.
"Listen to me, Elaine." I shivered and attempted to pull away but he held on too tight. "You live in my house, so you live because I let you. Don't assume you can glare at me or look at me like I am shit on your shoe."
He threw me away and I crashed back onto the floor, clutching my arm and feeling blood seep through my finger and out of the bandage. He looked at me like I was a child and walked away, I waited till I heard the front door open and shut and I ran to the phone.
"Martha…"
"Ellie…wake up."
My eyes snapped open and I flew forward, nearly knocking straight into Martha, served her right for putting herself a couple of inches away from me. She stepped back and raised an eyebrow on an amused face. Her hands rested on her very pregnant stomach and she sat on the edge of the bed.
"How are you?"
"Look, just because I had a nightmare it doesn't mean that-."
She scoffed and opened her mouth to rebut me. "No, but, crying into my shoulder and calling me half way through the night; telling me that Will reminded you of your son of a bitch father, does."
"You know its weird how can quote me to bolster your argument." I mumbled, throwing away the cover and sludging into the bathroom. Martha followed me but headed for the stairs, calling, and "What can I say? It's a unique talent."
After cursing her I showered and got dressed then walked downstairs, just in time to see Martha and Derek being all cosy and cute. He was holding onto her stomach while she grilled bacon; it was tough to tell if Derek was stood behind her to being loving or for the bacon. (Knowing Derek, it was the bacon.)
They both glanced up and smiled at me, Derek nodded at me took the bacon and sat at the table. Martha stayed by the oven and flicked her gaze to me. "What do you want for breakfast?"
"I would love for you to make pancakes but because you're pregnant I wouldn't want to-."
Rolling her eyes, she turned back towards the cupboards and grabbed the ingredients that she needed. I stood there, awkwardly, watching her make the batter. Derek coughed and I looked up to see him look away from me. It was weird for me and Derek, we hardly knew each other and I had sort of had a thing with his brother but it had ended quickly. After that Derek never really looked at me the same.
"All right, that is it!" Martha yelled putting down the spatula and spinning around to glare at the two of us. "Talk about something! I don't care what it is, just talk."
She turned back around and I and Derek shared a 'Think-of-something-quickly' look. Derek put down his fork and then smiled at me. I smiled back and opened my mouth, starting the conversation myself.
"How's your job?"
"Good, we just won a big court case and you know, proved a guy's innocence. How's your brother?"
"Geoff? He's still a hermit and travelling all around the place. How's Leo?"
Derek stiffened and looked down at the bacon on his plate. Had I over stepped the line? After a second, Martha spoke up and put a pancake on a plate.
"He's busy trying in Japan trying to save the Manatees or the Jellyfish or some form of ichthyoids." Handing it to me she gave me a smile and an "I'll-explain-later."
Derek finished put his plate in the sink grabbed his jacket and walked to the door, "I'll be home for 6, remember that-."
"That the dude is coming by with the furniture for the baby room at 1 and he should leave it in the front room, I know." She smiled and put a hand on his face, then batted her eyelashes and said patronisingly. "Even if I was in a car accident and lost my memory I would know. Now go to work."
"Bossy aren't you?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Martha pecked his lips and then pushed him towards the front door, Derek back peddled and complained that she was hurting him; she shrugged and told him he was a big boy and he should get over it. The door closed and Martha walked back inside and sighed, sarcastically. She walked to the kettle and turned it on, talking as she went.
"Don't feel bad about Derek freezing up like that, it wasn't your fault. He and Leo had a huge fight and they haven't spoken since. Derek didn't want him to go to Japan because of the baby and Leo said he didn't care. He hasn't called, emailed and he only speaks to their dad every week or so. Derek doesn't talk about it and he gets pissed at me when I try to." She poured the water into the mug and whisked the spoon, taking out the tea bag she disposed of it.
"So what-?" I began my sentence but the doorbell interrupted me. Martha tutted and left me in the kitchen whilst she went to answer it. When the door opened I heard her hiss at the person and began whispering.
I walked to the door way to see who it was and I stopped; Will was stood there, looking ashamed of himself, his hands in his pockets.
I backtracked and hid behind the door, I didn't know why. It was like I was terrified of what I might do if I spoke to him I would cry or yell or do something stupid. And let's face it; it's me. So all of those things are a possibility.
I pushed myself away from the wall and stepped out toward the door and heard a yelp and a loud profanity.
"Ellie!"
I ran out and froze; Martha was clutching her abdomen and breathing shallowly. Her face pale and slightly sick, but she began smiling and laughing.
"Ut-oh."
XXX
Just so you know "ichthyoids" is the scientific term for fish. There's some useful information you didn't need.
