Returning to Love

Chapter 1: Eli

Her laughter fills up the room.  I keep making faces at her so that she laughs more.  Her small hand is wrapped around my index finger, shaking it about.  

Slight footsteps precedes the door opening.

"Hey!  I am still watching Reyes tonight, right?"  That was Storra's voice.

"Yeah, if you still can."  

"Of course I can.  I love hanging out with this girl!"  Storra takes Reyes from my arms and coos at her.  I can feel her swinging her around the room, which makes Reyes laugh even more than my funny faces.

"I'm running low on diapers for her, but you should have enough for tonight.  I'll pick up some on my way back.  You know where her food is.  She has been liking the -"

"Eli, I know.  Alright?  I babysat her two days ago.   I doubt anything has changed.  Besides, My mom and aunt are here too.  Reyes is in perfectly good hands. "  I know Storra is right.  She and her family watch over my girl regularly.  Though I am still quite protective: nothing bad can happen to this baby.

I hear the front door slam open, and I know Finn and Edith have arrived.  I grab my hoodie and check my pockets.

"Go on.  We're all good here," Storra encourages me.  

I smile in return and leave my room.  I click my tongue a few times as I make my way downstairs.  The kitchen has everyone's voices.  I hear Storra's footsteps behind me as she follows me down.

"Are you ready, my man?"  Finn's voice is loud as he slaps my shoulder from behind.

"Yeah, I am all set.  You sure you're good with Reyes?"

"Yes!  Yes!  Go, now.  Have fun.  Bye-bye!"  

"No need to be sarcastic, Storra.  It's alright for Eli to be nervous."  Gisela chides Storra gently.  "You're watching his baby after all.  Don't worry, I'll be home with my daughter the whole time."

I smile at both of them as my cheeks redden.  

"Let's go boys!"  Edith shouts as she drags Finn and me toward her car.  I hop into the back seat, where I always sit.  Edith is constantly giving me rides, so this car is as familiar to me as Edith herself.  The windows are constantly rolled down so no one notices that the two left-hand windows are stuck.  The seat leather is covered with a fuzzy blanket so no one notices that it's actually worn and shredded in the back seat.  The radio is constantly blasting because Edith and Finn believe that a higher volume is a right, not a privilege.

We drive through rural Tennessee on our way toward Nashville.  I sniff out the window, taking in the smells of the farms we pass.  I don't hear many other cars on the road at this hour.  If any, they are heading home from a day working a city job.  Edith keeps up a constant background sound of country music while Finn mumbles something about how Carrie Underwood is so mainstream now.  Edith, I just know, is rolling her eyes because Finn would happily dance to Church Bells and sadly cry to Just A Dream any day.  

Eventually, we transition to the noise and dirty smells of Nashville.  It's a city, so the smells are always mixed.  It's a hub of southern music, so though the sounds are also mixed, there is always a country undertone.  

"Oh, man.  There is a line down the block!"  Finn sounds excited.

"Don't get cocky, there, mister.  You can't win if you're jumping around thinking you're better than everyone.  I don't want any blood in this car on the way home.  This baby is going to last me a good long while."

"Uh... what about me?  Aren't I gonna last you a good long while too?"

"Not if you enter that ring thinkin' you're gonna beat everyone in two seconds flat."  Edith knows how to crush a guy's spirit.  She also clearly loves Finn.  He is strong, we both are, but there are some humans who can get the better of us.