"Mum?" Eli called out as he stood in the doorway.
"Henry?" he called again, to the silence.
Eli closed the unlocked door behind him, and just as he turned around; he heard his mother's soft footsteps coming in through the back door.
"Jess?" she called; and then appeared, her face dropping a little when she saw that Eli was alone.
"Just me" he shrugged with a half smile.
Karen brushed a piece of flyaway hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She'd been hanging washing on the line outside, and had only heard Eli's second call-out to Henry.
"Oh don't be silly" she smiled, after a moment, she walked to her son "I'm always glad to have you over," she said, opening her arms to him.
He bent down and kissed her quickly on the cheek, squeezing her in a short hug.
"Is Henry home?" Eli asked, as he followed her into the kitchen.
Karen walked to the fridge, opening the door and pulling out a carton of milk; "No, why?" she asked, closing the door again, "did you want to see him?" she asked, putting the kettle on.
Eli took a seat at the kitchen table, watching his mother as she made them both a cup of coffee; "No……….but mum, if he isn't home……….you really should lock the door!"
Karen gave a small laugh and sighed as she rubbed her forehead and turned back to face her son; "still looking after me………as always………" she smiled warmly.
Eli nodded his head, "just being the good son," he murmured, and that made Karen laugh again as she walked over with a cup of coffee.
"So, what are you doing here then?" she asked, taking a seat opposite him.
Eli raised his eyebrow, and Karen grinned; "not that I'm not glad to have you here………but there is usually an ulterior motive to you're visits……….."
Eli placed his coffee down on a coaster, and stared his mother straight in the eye- something that made her straighten in her seat and suck her breath in as she waited for her son to speak………..to say anything……….to end the suspense
"I'm leaving," he finally exhaled- but Karen only sucked in more breath.
"I'm going to Philadelphia," he added, and then averted his eyes when his mother said nothing.
"What?" she finally found a word.
"Jake and Judy offered me to move down to Philadelphia……….to fill the position as manager of the new bookstore ……….the first in a franchise of B & J Booklovers"
Karen started twisting the hem of her blue blouse as her sons words washed over her.
"When?" she breathed.
"By the end of the month" Eli murmured in reply; and Karen's head shot up.
"So soon?" she asked, her voice quavering.
Eli nodded; "I would have told you sooner………but I only decided for certain last week………Jake asked me about 4 weeks ago……...and I'd been sitting on it……….and of course I need to get down there as soon as possible for when the building opens…………." He drifted off, but soon quietened when he realized his words weren't getting through to his mother, who was sitting so still.
"You're the first person I've told," he finally said, after the longest gap of silence.
Karen stared down at her crinkled hem, and then lifted her head to look at Eli; who was surprised to see a smile evenly spread across her lips.
"A manager?" she repeated, eyes watering as she spoke the title.
Eli gave a small nod.
"My son………..manager of a big company………."
"It's not so great, mum………. I'm not a doctor or anything……….just a manager" he muttered.
Karen took a small breath; "I am so proud of you, E" she smiled, and got up from her chair, flinging her arms around her son, and holding him tight.
ELI I forgot how great it feels to hear those words………..
"I'm going to miss you………" she mumbled through broken sobs, "oh! But I am so proud of you!" she added, blubbering again.
ELI or maybe its that I've never heard them come from her before………maybe that's why it feels so good……….
Eli eventually untangled himself from Karen's grasp, and handed her a scrunched up tissue from his pocket; she wiped her eyes and eventually calmed down enough to ask; "what do you mean I'm the only person you've told?" she blew her nose, "your father will be thrilled when he hears about this!"
Eli nodded, "I know……….but I just want to keep it………quiet……….. for now………."
"Well when are you planning on telling everyone Eli? The night before you leave?" she muttered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, and staring at her son.
Eli turned away, "no………..when the time is right I'll tell everyone……….."
ELI everyone………..even Grace………….
"Please, E..……let me call you're father now………."
Eli shook his head, "Please mum, let me do this………."
He lifted his head, "I want to see the look on his face when I tell him his son is going to make something of himself," he said, with a far-off smile.
Karen creased her brow, "Eli………..you're father and I have always………and will always……….be proud of you………..no matter what or who you become…………."
Eli gave a small nod, knowing somewhere inside himself; that that wasn't true.
He looked at the clock above the fridge, "I better get home now, mum" he said, standing.
Karen stood aswell, hugging her son again; "I love you sweety," she whispered as she released him.
"Love you too mum" Eli replied, and turned to leave.
"And Eli!" Karen called, as he was about to walk through the door.
He turned to her, standing in the doorway, hugging herself; "I am proud of you" she smiled.
Eli gave a small nod, "lock this door after I leave" he reminded her, and left.
KAREN he seems changed………and I don't know if its because he's starting a new chapter in his life……….or if its because he's leaving an old story behind………….
