Come Away.

Morning

When Billy woke up, Marlowes arm was the edge of the bed, almost touching his hand. Billy thought that he must had a bad dream and Marlowe reached out her hand to hold it to reassure that he was okay and safe.

Turning off the heater as Billy gotten up to use the bathroom before Marlowe could wake up. Locking the door behind him, lifting up the shirt he is wearing, the marks, the bruises, they hurt him. Letting go of the shirt so he could take a piss. Noises was coming from Marlowes room. Quickly finishing up, unlocking the door. Billy peaks out his head. Marlowe was picking out clothing for the day. Leggings and a very long T-shirt.

"Morning." Billy said.

Marlowe turns around, gave Billy a smile. "Morning. Granny just went down stairs to make so coffee."

Billy took a guess that Marlowe is in trouble because she let him sleep up here. "How much trouble are you in?" Knowing he'll be in trouble too.

"What are you talking about?" Hands placed on her hips.

"You said I wasn't allowed to sleep up here. If you know granny is up. She must had come in here." Still standing in the bathroom doorway.

Marlowe shook her head no. "Heavens no. I heard her going down stairs. Since I'm the first door I sometimes can hear people's footsteps going down stairs." Marlowe looked down at her clothing. "Maybe not."

Billy was relieved that she wasn't in trouble cause that means he wasn't. "Maybe not what?"

Showing Billy the two clothing items that she wanted to wear. "I was planning on wearing this. But I'm not feeling it now."

"Right." Speaking about clothing he better go home and get some new clothing. "I better get going."

Marlowe turned her face up to face Billy for fast. "Why? You can join us for breakfast. Granny could careless."

"As much as I'm grateful for that and for letting me stay here, feeding me when you didn't have too. I do need to get back, before-" Billy stopped in his tracks. He didn't want to go home. In his gut feeling he just needed. "I beg you not to tell anyone that I was here. Including El."

Marlowe sighed. Going back to her bed side, taking out his gift. "I won't. Here."

"I didn't get you anything." Billy takes it.

"So? I could careless if you didn't. This is because I wanted to. And a pay back for the ride from yesterday." Then going back to her closet. "I couldn't sleep last night so I did wash your clothing. They are clean, I did put a side a warmer jacket. But you'll have to bring that back to me when you have a chance. It belonged to my dad."

Taking his clothing that was on her desk folded neatly. "Thanks." Headed back to the bathroom he stopped in the mid tracks. "Where is your dad?"

"Mexico. Trying his best to catch some drug dealers." Marlowe was picking out another shirt to wear. "I don't talk to him much, like I would want too anyways." Saying with a humble sigh.

Billy went back to the bathroom to change his clothing. His cigarette wasn't washed that was in his left jean pocket. Quickly getting dressed, Billy opens the bathroom door. Seeing that Marlowe was gone.

There was a note on the desk for him. 'Don't be afraid to come back tonight if things get rough again. Drive home safe, California.'

Billy chuckled as he took his keys and put the jacket it on. He would sneak downstairs to get to the main door. Thankfully Marlowe kept her granny busy so she wouldn't notice.  In case if Billy didn't want to join.

The car wasn't frozen over so Billy turned on his car waited for like two minutes for it to warm up. While waiting, Billy opened up his gift from Marlowe. Two packs of cigarettes, a new lighter. Muttering the word bitch under his breath that made him laugh.

Driving home was a breeze, Billy had snuck out hopping that his room wasn't destroyed, thankfully it wasn't. Nothing was touched. Changing clothing into his PJs like he had slept here. Max was watching TV as for Susan was making breakfast. Neil had already left for work.

Billy had sat down in the couch with Max but she was on the other end of the couch. Max looked behind her and whispered. "Are you alright?" Billy nods as he didn't say a word. "Don't worry he didn't come looking for you this morning. Neil just looked at your door and shook his head."

Neil get up at eight in the morning why in God's name would Max be up. Unless if she heard her mom and Neil fighting. "Thanks."

Even though they never got along or will. They did their not so best to live with each other in peace.

When Neil would beat the crap out of Billy or smack him around, Max understood where all the anger came from. She blames Neil for everything that Billy does her. And blaming Billy too. Cause Max knows that he could stop it. Why would he? When anger hasn't left him or hit him.

Susan came out of the kitchen. "Alright kids, breakfast is done. I have to get ready for work. Just try not to burn the house down."

Billy was watching TV and didn't really acknowledge Susan when she would talk. Max chimed in. "Can't promise anything mom." With a fake laugh.

Leaving the room again, Max went to go get her breakfast as Billy just sat alone. Max went back into the the living room and gently shook Billy who was in a trans. Billy blinks, moving his arm away from Max.

"I heard her."

"Oh you did?" Max deiced to tease Billy a bit.  "Did you hear my mom saying that she loves you?" Max walked away from him.

Billy stood up and went to the kitchen. "Yeah yeah. Quit birdshit."

The laughter stopped there, Billy got some food, this was going to be a hellish morning when Billy has to start his work out.

Loudish music was playing while Billy was working out, Max was cleaning up her room and other chores so she could spend time with El and Marlowe. Hopper is going to be out so that's why El is there.

Starting the new pack that Billy got himself while he was at the gas station the same night that he took Marlowe home. Taking out on the cigarette, he lights it with his new lighter that Marlowe had gotten him.

Back to his room he cleaned himself up, out of the corner of his eye, it's the coat that he had borrowed from Marlowe. He better take it back. Picking the coat up, a picture fell out of the pocket.

Billy picks it up, it was of a little girl with no front teeth, pigtails. A big grin on her face. Couldn't be older then three. Young man who looked like he was 30s. Flipping to the back, there is some writing.

'Marlowe age 3, Philip 32'

It was in Grannies handwriting. Billy chuckled, the seemed like he could be a good father. But why leave. Why does any parent leave? Knowing that their child needs them. At least when they are in a abusive relationship. Or an adult.

Sliding the photo back into the pocket, Billy heads out to Max's room. "Hey, I'm going out for an hour or so."

"Okay, hey Billy?" Max stopped cleaning her room.

"What?"

"Want me to stall your dad when he gets home before you do?"

"No. It shouldn't be that long." Turning to the living room, Billy walked out.