With You

Four

SAM:

"I went paragliding, but what the hell happened to your face?", Elliot asked, dismissing my concern.

"What do you mean you went paragliding?", I counter-asked, walking into his home for the first time.

There were no personal items displayed like photos or anything like that, and it was definitely modern, yet it felt homey. As if people that actually liked each other lived here. It had a lot of open space with big windows, soft and airy curtains, and comfy furniture. The colors were light and neutral. The house was bright and inviting and it definitely fit Elliot's personality. Yet there was a feeling I couldn't nag away. Ah, it had a woman's touch, I realized. I knew his mom was not around since he had never mentioned her, maybe it was a step - mom? Maybe that's why he didn't want to have anyone over?

"Did you hear what I just said?", I was suddenly brought back from my thoughts.

"I didn't know what to expect but somehow it feels like this is it and this is not it at the same time," I rambled.

"Oh great, so you did not hear me relent the tragic events of my paragliding experience," Elliot said as he wobbled like a penguin further into the huge living room.

"What the hell happened to your leg anyway?"

At my question, he huffed, clearly annoyed, "as I was saying for  the past couple of minutes I twisted it during paragliding, asshat. The instructor and I landed with no problems but then the wind suddenly picked up and we ended up being dragged along the ground for a good couple of  feet. By the time the situation got under control, my ankle suddenly felt funky. It's no big deal. I'm just limited in my mobility at the moment", he explained, finishing with what he probably thought was an attractive wink.

"Why did you even decide to do it to begin with?" I asked, settling on the couch holding the eye roll that was ready to escape.

"Well we started with the bungee jumping and I guess the adrenaline just kept pumping and I thought why the hell not. We were already there anyhow," he shrugged.

" Who's we? I always assumed Ben was afraid of heights. Remember every time he used to take us to six flags he'd never go on any rides?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about...why did you get into a fight this time?", he changed the topic.

" I was honestly minding my own business", I said, suddenly feeling like a child being caught red-handed. "I swear."

He just narrowed his eyes. "At this rate you'll really ruin yourself", he said.

"What did you want to talk to me about?", I hurriedly said hoping to turn the conversation back on him.

"Are you hungry?", Elliot suddenly asked, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "You had a long flight and by the looks of your face you're obviously not feeling stellar AND judging by how quickly you got here I doubt you had any food in you since you got back."

"Out with it", I barked, punching his forearm. Yes, we both have our own baggage we both knew about but didn't acknowledge but not once did I feel him hesitate like that. The faster he'd say whatever had him all bothered, the faster we could deal with whatever situation he had.

"So you know how I never talk about my mom?", he began.

"Well I just assumed she wasn't around", I cautiously answered, not expecting the conversation to go this way.

"Yeah. She passed away when I was young. I don't remember her that well anymore and my dad doesn't like to have pictures laying around. After all these years I think he still has a hard time coping."