Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Three

'Hey dad,' Ecie smiled. 'How is it going?'

'Good,' Jonathon looked up at his daughter. 'Are you ready?'

'Yep,' Ecie nodded. 'I didn't bring my car so we'll have to take yours.'

'You mean to tell me that you walked that long four hundred and sixty four feet over here?' Jonathon joked as they left his house. 'What an amazing accomplishment.'

'I knew you'd be proud,' Ecie laughed putting an arm around her dad.

They got into his car then drove off.

'Thank you for coming with me to Laguna,' Jonathon said. 'You didn't have to.'

'It beats hanging around at home all day,' Ecie replied looking out of the window. 'You would never believe that the highlight of my week is seeing Carole.'

'How is that going?' Jonathon asked looking over at Ecie. 'Is that going okay?'

Ecie nodded. 'It's going really well. I just don't know how I'm supposed to cope when I head off to college. Carole has been so amazing.'

'Yeah?'

'Oh yeah,' Ecie replied. 'We just talk and I feel like she's my best friend and that I've known her for years. Things just seem to roll off my tongue so effortlessly and I feel so comfortable with her.'

'That's good,' Jonathon said. 'So you want to keep having those sessions? Sofie and I weren't too sure how you felt about the whole thing.'

Ecie nodded. 'I think they're really good. Perhaps Carole might be able to help you and mom out. She does couple counseling too.'

'Your mom and I are not a couple,' Jonathon replied.

'You kind of are,' Ecie replied.

Jonathon looked at Ecie and laughed. 'Did you tell her this genius idea of yours?'

Ecie laughed. 'You're the first to know.'

'Thank you,' Jonathon laughed nodding. He looked over at Ecie again and saw that she was crying. 'What's wrong?'

'I'm sorry dad, it's nothing,' Ecie replied fanning her face and shaking her head. 'Oh god this is so embarrassing. It happens all the time.'

'I thought you were done with all the spontaneous crying.'

'So did I,' Ecie laughed a little. 'It's like when a new mother hears crying and her breasts start leaking. That's how this feels right now.'

'Do you want to talk about it?'

'Your mind sometimes wonders and you don't realize it's doing it,' Ecie replied wiping her eyes. 'You just sort of remember stuff and then the tears start flowing again.'

Jonathon looked sympathetically at his daughter. 'I can't even begin to imagine the horrors and pains you've been through,' he said. 'But you are a very strong young woman. You've already come so far.'

'I know,' Ecie nodded. 'It's just when I think about it all, I get weepy and start crying.'

'Will some ice cream cheer you up?'

'Thanks dad,' Ecie smiled. She took a deep breath then cleaned her face with her hands. 'This is going to be a long drive.'

'Oh yes,' Jonathon said.