Sam & Ellie The Fall Before Spring

Part 6

The reminder lifted some weight off her shoulders. The day would be short. The days she didn't work were the days she dreaded. Time stretched with nothing but her thoughts to accompany her, a different kind of nightmare than the ones that greeted her in her sleep. She had been so desperate to do something she had cleaned her car, twice. The inclination to paint disappeared as suddenly as it had come. Ellie had even set a canvas out and forced herself to sit but all she did was stare at the wall of white until she finally set the paints aside and forced herself to forget about them entirely. That locked away part of her pounded against its cage but Ellie didn't know how to let her out when Sam had the key.

As she turned the stove on, prepping the pan with butter the buzzer rang. Her heart leapt into her throat as she buzzed him in and stood anxiously at the door. Their intercom was broken but she didn't have visitors. The was only one person left in this world for her. The gentle knock barely sounded before she ripped the door open. Bitter disappointment greeted her as Vanessa smiled at her. Ellie tried to keep the disappointment off her face as she returned the smile but Vanessa knew her well and the smile fell flat.

"Not who you were expecting?" Vanessa asked, eyebrows raised in question.

Ellie shrugged then pulled her in for a hug, "Still nice to see you."

"Yeah, I was in town and figured I'd drop in," she explained, smiling as she pulled off her coat "Where's Sam?"

"Oh you know, just out running some errands," she waved, indifferent."I'll go start a pot of coffee."

"Okay."

"So how's married life?" Ellie inquired from the kitchen.

"Oh you know, really good Abel is." She sighed. "Really good."

"That's great, Nes."

"It is..." Vanessa's reply faded before she spoke again her voice different. "Ellie?"

"Yes."

"About Sam."

Ellie bristled at her tone. "What about him," the words came out too sharp to be casual. They had had this conversation too many times before.

"Where is he really?"

"I told you he's-"

"Ellie, where is he?"

"Why do you care," she snapped, immediately regretting it, it only fueled Vanessa.

"Because you're my best friend, and I want to see you happy and in a healthy relationship."

"Some best friend. When was the last time you bothered to drop by?"

"Don't start with that, I live five hours away."

"I know you were in town for Thanksgiving."

Vanessa's mouth clamped shut, her face the only confirmation Ellie needed.

"I-" Vanessa shook her head, "Abel didn't think it was a good idea to come here."

"And who's the one in an unhealthy relationship?"

Vanessa laughed, bitter and cold, "Don't act like you look out for my best interest, Abel cares."

"And I don't?" Ellie asked incredulously.

"Not since Sam."

Ellie flinched, "How can you even say that?"

"You missed my wedding Ellie! What else do you want me to say?"

"Sam was getting ready to go to detox, he needed me."

"He always needs you, Ellie, he's like a leach. I needed you, Ellie, and you chose him."