Chapter 32

  I am nearly afraid to post these because that means this story ends…

   “Would you hurry, woman?” I scoffed, tugging Ellie along.

    “I am running on five hours of sleep and a coffee, give me a break,” Ellie huffed, following along.

    “Who’s fault is that?” I taunted. I walked up the steps of the suburban home, knocking on the door and waiting patiently. We had just returned from California on a long, crowded flight after the trip with all of our friends. The whole experience went great, I was happy to escape my hometown and see what else was out there. I was also excited to arrive home, though. I missed this small town. Now, we were back, and at Ellie’s aunt Rachel’s baby shower, because Ellie ended up being right about the pregnancy, and she acted like she won some prize. Her competitiveness with herself would be the end of me.

    “You can just walk in, they don’t care,” Ellie snorted, opening up the door and welcoming herself in.

    “Not very formal,” I murmured. She didn’t bother to acknowledge my words, just slipped off her shoes and greeted her family happily. She walked up the stairs of the bi-level home, still tugging me along, holding my hand unashamedly. I looked down, our fingers intertwined casually, causing me to smile subtly. The baby shower was a lot of Ellie’s usually chaotic family, but I loved it. Her family was like a breath of fresh air. No crazy rules, no scolding, no threats, but rather family and genuine happiness. No tight lip smiles and half hearted gestures.

     “My Eve!” Oliver exclaimed. I giggled as she came over with arms wide and inviting, tugging me into a hug. I smiled, hugging her back. Ellie walked over to the fridge, loudly cracking open a pop.

     “You’re gonna strangle her, Mom,” Ellie chuckled. Oliver rolled her eyes, not caring for her daughter’s teasing as she beamed down at me.

     “You’re burnt!” Oliver gasped dramtically. She grabbed my face, turning it side to side as Racheal chimed in.
     “Your beautiful skin,” Racheal cooed, equally dramatic as her sister.
“This is definitely pregnancy hormones,” Ellie sighed. That earned a pinch to her side by Oliver. “We just went to California,” she reminded.

     “Oh, right, you did!” Racheal exclaimed, suddenly tugging me by my forearm to join her on the couch alongside some of Ellie’s family members. Her family was always much more relaxed than mine, and she had a lot of older cousins in their twenties. Family gatherings like this were parties disguised as baby showers. “Tell me about it! John, we need to go to California!” She shouted at her husband. Her family was full of obnoxious women as well. I would not have it any other way.

      I knew I couldn’t marry free.
     But I could be free over here.
     With my other family.
     Maybe someday we would be having a get together like this, Ellie and I.
     Maybe I would finally feel comfortable in my own skin.
     Maybe we could have a family of our own.
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    “Eve!” Dad shouted up the stairs. “Church! Hurry!”

     I groaned, sitting up, brushing my fiery red locks from my face, all tangled. I huffed and glanced over, remembering Ellie had passed out here last night. I huffed, shaking the girl awake as I hovered over her, half awake myself.

     “Whatttt-uh?” Ellie grumbled.

     “Get up. You’re going to church,” I insisted.

     “I don’t get ushered out the window this time?” She asked hopefully.

     “Reluctantly,” I teased sharply. She rolled out of bed dramatically, landing onto the floor with a dull thud.

     “Has your dad given up trying to find out how I get in?” Ellie murmured.

     “Pretty much,” I shrugged, tying my hair into a bun. “He doesn’t bother to go up the ramp when he hears you anymore, too much work,” I laughed.

     “Gotta love Mississippi….sleep with your secret girlfriend and then go to church,” Ellie said lazily. I gave her an unimpressed look, nailing her in the ribs with my foot and walking off to the bathroom.

     “Oof- damnit, Eve! That hurt!” She coughed. I smirked, glancing back at her once more, my eyes fond. I really was lucky.