Chapter 258: A Diner

Friday, January 27th Morning

(Song lyrics in italics)

Typical for her life, Ellie got up before most people and was gone. If she waited, a half-hour breakfast would've been in the family dining room. Ellie didn't want to wait and drove off in her loaner car.

Parking in the usual lot, Ellie checked her watch, still too early for the door to be open. So, instead of waiting for Sophia to arrive, she went to a local diner, a half block from both the parking lot and office.

The waitress sat Ellie in a small booth, and Ellie ordered a cup of coffee. Out of her messenger bag, she pulled out a small moleskin notebook, the traditional style with the brightly colored cover, elastic closure, and bookmark. Opening it, she started to review her notes that she jotted down in her car after she left the club.

Sipping her black coffee, she looked up, and across the diner, she saw a blonde man, a few years younger than her. Shaking her head, she quickly lowered her head. Ellie didn't want him to notice her; right now, she didn't want to deal with Scott Garland; at least it wasn't Wolf Garland.

Ellie was glad she never got mixed up with the Garlands. Keith had a friendship with the oldest Garland, Destiny, aka Dusty and her twin Kay dated the third oldest Connie. Sure, Ellie hooked up with Wolf a few times, a few too many. But no, Ellie never fell into the Garland's gravitational influence.

Without lifting her head, she slipped out her earbuds and slipped them in. Flipping through her apps, she found the one she was looking for and opened it. Once opened, she pressed play and let the song starting to play.

Anything is what she is
Anywhere is where she's from
Anything is what she'll be
Anything as long as it's mine
And the door it opened a way back in
Or is it way back out?

Finally, her breakfast arrived, and she slowly ate it, head down. She kept an eye on Scott Garland as he left, and her breathing and pulse slowed down. Once the door closed, Ellie picked up her head.

"Ellie Scott, what are you doing home?" a familiar male voice asked.

Ellie turned her head, and upon seeing who it was, she smiled. "Dylan," she said.

"Yeah, it's me," Dylan Mason said, "May I join you."

"Sure," Ellie said.

Dylan took a seat across from her. "You look well; New York seems to agree with you," he said.

Any place is where she'll be
Any place she'll see you from
Lies and secrets become your world
Anytime, anywhere, she takes me away
And death climbs up the steps one by one
To give you the rose that's been burned by her son

"Thanks, it's been an experience," Ellie said.

Dylan nodded, "Well, knowing you, New York City is begging for mercy," he said.

Ellie sighed, "Sometimes yes, and well, most times no," she said, "It's a machine that will eat you up alive if you don't fight it."

Dylan nodded, "You did a good thing by staying up in New York," he said.

"Turns out Trin doesn't need me," Ellie said, "Maybe, it's time for me to return home."

"Why? I've seen you've grown and become stronger since you've moved there," Dylan said.

Ellie shrugged, "I've seen that I might've fallen into some old habits," she said.

Dylan nodded, "Would that be your devil may care attitude?" he asked.

"Devil may care attitude?" Ellie asked.

"You know how you…" Dylan said.

"I know what you mean," Ellie said, cutting him off, "I've hidden behind my cancer for too long. Living for the moment, making up for the lost time, that's what I told myself."

"That's part of your charm," Dylan said.

"Maybe when I was in my twenties, I'm going to be thirty; I need to stop it all," Ellie said.

"I'm hearing either your parents or your dear Aunt Brooke out of your mouth," Dylan said.

"Maybe they were right," Ellie said.

Point me to the sky above
I can't get there on my own
Walk me to the graveyard
Dig up her bones

"What made you even start thinking about this change?" Dylan asked.

Ellie shook her head, "I went to Absolution last night," she said.

"I've been, and interesting club, not my type of place though," Dylan said.

Ellie shook her head, "I've been to many clubs, hell, you know I practically grew up in a club, but, this, well, this was something different," she said.

"You saw the dark angel, didn't you?" Dylan asked.

"I guess that's what you could call what I saw," Ellie said.

Dylan chuckled, "A bit over the top, isn't it," he said.

"Yeah, just a bit," Ellie said.

"Well, it's not a cult; it's just this thing," Dylan said, not sure what to say.

"When did you become so wise?" Ellie asked.

Dylan laughed, "After I dated a woman named Elizabeth Scott," he said.

Ellie smiled and laughed, "I guess she was good for you," she said.

I have seen the demon's face
I have heard of her death place
I fall down on my knees
In praise of the
Horrible things that took her away
And death climbs up the steps one by one
To give you the rose that's been burned by her son

"That she was," Dylan said, "What made you go to Absolution last night?"

"Research for an article about the club," Ellie said.

"There was one written not long after the place opened, maybe a few years," Dylan said.

"I've read it; it's an interesting take, but seems to be very pro them," Ellie said.

"So, you want to write the opposite viewpoint?" Dylan asked.

Ellie shook her head, "No, a neutral take," she said.

Dylan nodded, "How's the second book coming?" he asked.

"Someone wants to publish it, but I'm not sure if I want to go with them, but legally they own the rights, so I might have to go with them," Ellie said.

"Who would they be?" Dylan asked.

"Stafford and Strauss," Ellie said.

"Yeah, I get that," Dylan said.

Ellie nodded, "Enough about me, how about you?" she asked, "How is Eleni?"

Dylan smiled and chuckled, "Yes, my wife, she is good, and of course, family comes first," he said.

Point me to the sky above
I can't get there on my own
Walk me to the graveyard
Dig up her bones
Point me to the sky above
I can't get there on my own
Walk me to the graveyard
Dig up her bones
Bones

"She married into one hell of a family," Ellie said.

"So did, but she didn't. We're still not married, just living together," Dylan said and laughed, "but what I meant is she works for her sister."

"God! My fall back is to work for my brother," Ellie said, "and it scares me."

"Well, Eleni has been there since pretty much the start; only Glenda has worked for Paget longer," Dylan said.

"Eleni's sister's name is Paget?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah, rather unique name I find," Dylan said.

Ellie nodded, "Yeah, it is," Ellie said, and checked her watch, "The office is opening, I have to go," she finished up and downed her coffee.

"Have a good day," Dylan said.

"Thank you and you too, as well," Ellie said.

"Will you be there Tuesday?" Dylan asked.

"The basketball games?" Ellie asked.

"Yes," Dylan said.

"Of course, considering I'm related to four people being honored," Ellie said.

"Four?" Dylan asked.

"Ashlyn Pierce married my cousin," Ellie said.

Dylan laughed, "I forgot that," he said.

"Yeah, well, it happens," Ellie said.

"Yeah, it does," Dylan said, "and I'll see you then."

"See you then," Ellie said and paid as she left. On her way to the office, Ellie pulled out her smartphone. She started looking something up as she walked down the sidewalk.