The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 24

Ella â€Å"Are you sure you want to do this?† I ask Lila for the thousandth time. She piles the last box into her trunk and slides her glasses over her eyes. â€Å"Hmmm†¦ let me think. Go back to a home where I'm nothing but a burden? Or go back to the campus with you and have some fun?† I pick some dirt out from underneath my fingernail. â€Å"I'm just making sure, before you get too committed.† She takes my hands and gives them a swing. â€Å"I want to go with you, okay, so go say good-bye to your dad so we can hit the road.† â€Å"Okay, I'll be right back.† I head across the front lawn for the door when Ethan's truck pulls up in my driveway. I walk up to his window and rest my arms on it. â€Å"So you got my message I take it?† He looks like he just came from work, grease on his face and clothes, and his dark hair has some shavings of rust in it. â€Å"Yeah, I figured I'd come and say good-bye to both of you.† I slant my head to the side and pierce him with an accusing gaze. â€Å"Don't try and pretend that you're here for me.† He places his hand over his heart, faking hurt. â€Å"My heart is breaking and you're making jokes. Wow, you really are evil.† â€Å"Yeah, yeah,† I back up so he can open the door and climb out. â€Å"I'll give you two a minute.† â€Å"I think you've overestimating what's going on between the two of us.† â€Å"Well, I wouldn't have to if one of you would tell me what's going on.† He shrugs and then rounds the back of the truck. Rolling my eyes, I walk into the house to tell my dad I'm leaving and that I plan on coming back in a couple weeks to meet up with Dean. After a long talk on the phone with him – and I'm sure a lot of persuading from Caroline – we decided to meet up here, when Dean can take off work, and give my dad an ultimatum. It's probably one of the hardest things I'll have to do, because I know there will be things said during the conversation that will hurt me. I'm going to push through it, though, because now I understand what I can handle. I find him on the couch, eating a microwave dinner, with a six-pack on the table in front of him. He's watching the television, with a cigarette in his hand, and he barely notices me enter the room. â€Å"Hey Dad,† I say from the doorway. â€Å"I'm getting ready to leave.† He rips his eyes from the television, startled, and I wonder if he was even watching it or if he was dwelling in his thoughts. â€Å"Oh, okay, well drive safely.† I rub my sweaty palms together and walk into the room. â€Å"Dean and I are going to be coming back in a few weeks.† He sets his tray down and grabs a beer. â€Å"What for?† I pat my hands on the sides of my legs uneasily. â€Å"We want to talk to you about something.† He sets the beer down. â€Å"I thought Dean was still here.† I shake my head, feeling guiltier about leaving. â€Å"He went home a week or two ago†¦ but Dad, can you try and take care of yourself a little bit better?† I take a deep breath and throw a hint out into the open. â€Å"And maybe stop drinking so much?† He glances at the row of beers in front of him like he just realized they were there. â€Å"Oh, I don't drink that much, do I?† I sigh and sit down on the couch beside him. â€Å"You didn't used to, but now it's kinda all you do.† He bobs his head up and down. â€Å"Alright, I'll try to cut back.† I know he won't, but hopefully Dean and I will be able to convince him to go to rehab where he can get the help and counseling that he needs. I give him a hug, even though he winces. Then I walk away, hoping he'll be okay, but knowing that until he makes the decision to change all I can do is try to help him.