Chapter 12

"So this is what sobriety feels like," Will crosses his arms across his chest and lets his head drop back, past the back of his wheelchair, "Please find a gun and shoot me."

During the night of his fever dream, he managed to fuck up his knee. Right now it rested straight out, wrapped in a bandage a million and one times, until the doctors seemed for it to be fit. Then he would get to play with a cane. As if he didn't already feel like an old man. Now he gets to be an old man with a cane. A bloody cane. Nor did they let him drink. Hoping to fix his kidneys. Honestly, he didn't know which order was the worst.

"What?" Foster laughs, leaning back in his own chair, "You were an alcoholic for like two…three months- you can't already be this pissed of with the world?"

"I need," Will lifts his head up, "vodka."

"You need water," Foster replies with a laugh, "Do you want me to get you some?"

"How about a beer? That's basically water."

Foster shakes his head, the happy smile quickly leaving. Slowly he stands up, makes his way over to Will, and places his hands on the other man's shoulders, "You're going to kill yourself, my friend."

"That's the idea."

William grasps her right hand into his left and points up to the stars, "Do you see that big bright star up there?"

"Mhmm," Ari replies leaning her head against his shoulder. Together they lay upon the hood of her car. William was fifteen, she was sixteen, and they thought they were in love. Ari was a junior in high school and had black hair that curled down to the small of her back. She wore clothes even darker and convinced him to do the same. Ari even convinced him to dye his hair blue. It didn't look that bad. Or at least that is what he told himself every morning. William drops his hand and lays it upon his chest, "It's the north star. The stars below it is the Little Dipper. And a little to the side is the Big Dipper."

"You're such a dork, babe," Ari suddenly sits up, "It's getting late. I should take you home."

William does not get up. He did not want to go home. He never wanted to go home again. With a sigh, he crosses his arms, refusing to get up. Ari takes one of his arms and and begins to traces the marks leading from his wrist to the crook of his elbow. His heart begins to pick up speed as she places a kiss upon the deepest cut. That was the one that almost did it. Ari, then pulls him up to a sitting position, "You can sneak in the back. He may not hear you."

"I can't do it," William looks at his scarring arms, "I can't go back there. He will kill me this time if he catches me. If he doesn't kill me tonight, he will kill me in the morning."

"Or maybe the drunk bastard has finally drunk himself to death," Ari replies, sarcastically, but gives William hope anyways; however, it is quickly squashed back down.

"That's the thing, he is never going to die. Damn Irish blood. He might as well be drinking water," he says, now sliding off the car, with Ari following in suit, "Remind me to never drink."

Ari stands upon the top of her toes, as she wraps her arms around William, "Of course."

William wraps his arms around her waist, pulls her closer, and places his lips upon hers. It was short and sweet, like any other kiss two younger teenagers share. Yet, to them it meant the world. They pull apart and get into her car. Ari places the key in the ignition. However, William stops her, placing his hand upon hers, "Run away with me."

Ari's head sharply turns to his, "What?"

"Run away with me."

She doesn't reply. She doesn't move. William drops his hand and places it in his lap with the other, "Never mind. That was stupid. I shouldn't have said that. I'm stupid. So fucking…"

"Baby," Ari places her hand upon his shoulder, "William, yes. Let's do it."

"Really?"

"Yes," She places her hand back on the steering wheel, "Let's do it tonight."

"Okay," William smiles a genuine smile, for what seems to be one of the firsts in their relationship, "I'll pack and then meet you at the airport."

"It's probably closed now."

"I'll meet you there at four," He replies, his eyes never leaving her face, which slowly turned to stone, "that'll give us three hours and should be open by then."

"Where are we going to go?" Ari questions, now turning on the car.

"Whatever is available first," She doesn't say anything else, as she begins to drive. William sits there in silence as she takes him to his usual drop off spot- three houses down from his house. He looks outside, watching each suburban mansion pass by. His father is a dentist and was able to afford luxury. Stealing enough for a one-way plane ticket and a little bit for food wouldn't make a dent in his fortune.

Finally, they arrive. He places a kiss on her cheek, telling her he would see her soon, and gets out of the car. William walks towards the side of the neighbor's house and climbs over the fence. Then he walks towards his house, climbing over fences and avoiding dogs. Once he gets to his house, he opens up the security alarm box. Quickly, he punches in the code and then takes off his shoes. Cautiously, he makes his way into the house. He can hear the TV coming from the living room. With luck, it means his father had, indeed, passed out. With haste, he makes his way up the stairs and to his room.

William opens his closet, pulls out the smallest bag, and begins stuffing in some clothes and necessities. Then he places the bag on his bed and hesitantly makes his way out of his room. Staying on the top of his toes, he makes his way to his father's room. He makes his way to the closet and opens the top drawer of one of the dressers.

The door opens. William's stomach drops. Thumps make their way towards him. He doesn't need to look up to know who it is.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" His father's voice booms and slurs at the same time. A hand connects to William's shoulder and pushes him back. His face now in front of his father's. William use to be a carbon copy of his father as teenager; strawberry blonde hair, eyes full of hope, and a football player. Once his mother died, both changed. Another hand wraps around William's throat, "Answer me, boy."

William doesn't say a word, but attempts to fight back. He kicks his father in his knee and the hand on the shoulder turns into a fist, punching him across the cheek. William copies the actions, but goes for the gut, and the hand around the throat comes off. However, his father does shove him back. William returns it. His father then attempts to punch him once more and William ducks. He dashes for the door and down the stairs. William hears his father's steps behind him. It only inspires him to run faster as he makes his way out of the house and down the street.

"That's right, you piece of shit, run," His father yells in the distance, "Don't you dare come back."

No shoes, no bag, no money, and William still runs. Time passes and he finally makes it to the airport. He sits upon the sidewalk and waits. Once Ari gets here everything will be fine.

Ari never shows up.

Will and Foster make their way to the dining room for dinner. Tonight is chicken and Ellie invited her brother. Will hasn't decided if he hated Nile because he had a stupid name or if because he reminded him of himself. However, Will got over his emo stage. Slowly, he wheels himself over to the head of the table.

"Will, Nile and I were talking baby names," Ellie says, bringing him into the conversation. Will looks at Maddi, who is sitting to his right. Her expression is a mix between a frown and a smile. Immediately, he feels the need to question what is going on in her head. Her hair is pulled up into a pony tail, with two stands framing her face. Her lips are red as cherry lollipops. Will wants to…

"What do you think of Verruca?" Ellie questions, bringing his attention back to her. Will openly laughs and to side he hears Maddi's bell like laugh as well.

"Isn't that a wart or mole?" Will replies just as Kelly comes out with some food.

"No," Ellie answers defensively, "I think its actually a lovely name for a little girl. Very proper. I can imagine her- big blue eyes, curly brown hair…"

"Brown hair?" Foster interrupts her, "with her two parents, there is no bloody way that child is going to have brown hair."

"Well, you can always hope," Ellie's eyes quickly land on Foster, "You know, recessive genes and all that jazz. I mean, there is a chance."

"I wouldn't count on it," Will replies, taking a sip of water, wishing it were something else. No body says anything after that. It was a quiet meal. The clicking of forks fills the empty spaces. Will doesn't hide the glances towards Maddi. It was hard not to look at her. He only had one more day left with her. If it were his choice, he would spend every second with her. Though, he doubted she wanted the same. Who wanted to hang out with his crimple sober self? He wouldn't want to if he were in the same position. Will was much more fun as a drunk. It was after all a gene he inherited.

Finally, the meal was done and the awkward ends. Nile whispers something to Ellie and then stands, "As fun as this has been, I have to go. Thank you for the meal."

Ellie quickly stands as well and tells him that she'll walk him out. They quickly leave the table. Will watches them leave and then turns to Foster, "Tell me I'm still in the hospital and none of that just happened."

"Oh no," Foster replies, "Unfortunately, all of the awkward was very real."

"Okay, fantastic," Will wheels away from the table, "I'm going to the restroom."

"Do you need help?" Foster calls out, followed by two distinctly different laughs. Will doesn't dignify that with an answer. He makes his way down the hall and suddenly stops, when he begins to hear Ellie's and Nile's voices. Hesitantly, he wheels slightly closer, just enough to make out what they were saying.

"I can't do this anymore," Nile says.

"Just a few more months," Ellie replies, "I'm sure he is going to propose any day now."

"I don't want you to marry him, Ellie-Poo," Will gags at that. He didn't want to marry her either. Maybe he had more in common with Nile than he originally thought.

"I don't want to either," Ellie replies and it takes Will back. She didn't want to marry him. Then what was the point of her being her. He could still very well pay for child support, without having to be in Ellie's life. The child's life, yes, if she allowed it, but they didn't have to live here. Maybe she was more of a traditionalist than Will thought.

"It was your idea," Ellie continues, "Nile-Bear, just wait until the baby is born. We'll have a small wedding, then a big divorce. Just like you said. Then it will be you, me, our baby, and more money than we could ever want."

Will's jaw tightens.

"You're right, baby."

At that Will wheels towards their voices and finds Ellie pushed between a wall and her brother. They both turn around quickly, cheeks red. Ellie takes a step forward, "Oh my, it's not what it looks like, Willy."

"Really?" Will says, "Because to me, it looks like you're making out with your brother against my wall."

"He's not my brother," Tears begin to form and fall from Ellie's cheeks, "He's…"

"I don't give two shits, Ellie," Will replies, turning his wheelchair around, "Get the fuck out of my house. Both of you."