Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Eight

'What do you mean I've got to come to your next therapy session?'

'Carole's orders,' Ecie replied. 'You don't have to come but she says that I'm not going to be able to progress unless I tackle certain aspects.'

'Like me?'

'Yeah, kind of,' Ecie replied. 'Well I'm just passing on a message.'

'Are we ever going to talk E?' Landon asked.

'Yes we will,' Ecie replied. 'It's just that now isn't really the best time to talk. I've a lot...'

'You've always got a lot on your mind and now is never the best time to talk,' Landon said. 'Why are you avoiding me?'

'I am not...'

'Then why is this our first phone conversation in about a week and a half?' Landon asked. 'Why have you not been returning any of my calls?'

'Okay,' Ecie breathed. 'I've only been kind of avoiding you.'

'Why? Because I asked you to move with me? I didn't mean it would totally mess up our relationship,' Landon said. 'I only said it because I thought it'd be better...'

'Not now, please Landon,' Ecie said. 'I'm tired and Lauren's parents are still here.'

'I never knew her parents were in town,' Landon said. 'How is that going?'

'I feel as though I haven't been able to talk in two days,' Ecie replied. 'I don't want to get another one of her father's looks. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells with him.

'How come?'

'I made the fatal mistake of saying that dropped out of college,' Ecie replied. 'He sort of looked at me and laughed as though it was so typical of a person like me to drop out.'

'Are you sure you're not just being a little paranoid?'

'I'm sure,' Ecie replied. 'Lauren already warned me about how rude he could be. Apparently last night he dominated all conversation and kept talking about himself.'

'Where were you last night?'

'I was with Ed,' Ecie replied. 'We went out for a couple of drinks and I had a moment.'

'Ed's your best friend isn't he?'

'I guess so,' Ecie shrugged. 'I don't think it matters, does it?'

Landon shook his head. 'Of course not. I'm just happy you've got someone to look out for you and keep you company.'

'I've told him that he's only my Landon replacement,' Ecie replied. 'Believe it or not, there are times when I want you near me and you're not there.'

'No way, really?' Landon laughed. 'You actually want me around you sometimes? I would never have guessed by the way you always gave me the cold shoulder.'

'Oh shut up,' Ecie laughed. 'I'm trying to be serious.'

'Well I'm coming back tomorrow night,' Landon replied. 'You can have me around all you like.'

'I don't think I'll want you tomorrow.'

Landon laughed. 'Should I just take a number?'

'Yeah,' Ecie laughed. 'I'll get back to you as soon as I can.'

'When is your next session with Carole?'

'Next week,' Ecie replied. 'It's on Wednesday at eleven o'clock.'

'You're kidding?'

'You'll just have to cancel your class,' Ecie replied. 'Unless if you want Carole to yell at me.'

'I'll be there,' Landon said. 'You know you owe me for this.'

'I'll try and love you forever,' Ecie smiled.

'That's good enough for me,' Landon laughed. 'Well I've got to go, but I'll call you when I'm free. Will you promise to pick up your cell this time?'

Ecie nodded. 'I will.'

'Thank you,' Landon smiled. 'I love you Ecie.'

'I love you too,' Ecie replied. 'Have fun at work.'

'Hey E,' Esme smiled sitting down in the closet. 'Did the others go to the spa already?'

'Yeah,' Ecie replied. 'I was at therapy.'

'How was that?'

Ecie nodded. 'Good, I suppose. Carole wants me to bring Landon next week.'

'That's something new.'

'Yeah,' Ecie sighed. 'Anyway, what's going on with you? I thought you'd be wearing your Taylor cuff today.'

Esme laughed. 'Taylor's at work right now. He had to check up on some stuff at the store; but don't worry, he'll be back soon.'

Ecie laughed. 'And things are going well with you two?'

'Yeah,' Esme nodded. 'It's really good. You know last night, Melvin and Taylor got on so well.'

'Really,' Ecie said. 'That's interesting.'

'Yeah,' Esme said. 'As it turns out Melvin loves to travel and finds it very hard staying in one place. He's always jetting out of the country for one reason or another. Him and Taylor were just talking for hours about it.'

'That's really interesting,' Ecie said nodding. 'What do you think of her parents?'

'Well, Melvin's got a very big opinion about everything and doesn't seem worried about hurting anybody's feelings. He doesn't know how to say please and thank you, and he burps quite a lot without saying pardon. Verity is so nice and sweet and very quiet. She's also really beautiful, so I can see where Lauren gets all her good looks from.'

'That's what I thought...'

'Also, before I forget,' Esme replied. 'I've literally just spent the past half hour cleaning the bathroom because someone just pissed all over the place and the shower had loads of little gross hairs and soap marks.'

'We probably shouldn't mention this to Lauren,' Ecie said. 'Should we?'

'I think she already knows,' Esme replied. 'I can see why she doesn't like talking about her family and why she was so against them coming into town.'

'We'll have to make a pact to never force her to do anything ever again,' Ecie replied. 'We'll have a new rule which is simply: Lauren is always right.'

'Yeah,' Esme laughed. 'Lauren is always right.'

Ecie and Esme laughed.