Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Five

'What are the plans for next week?' Taylor asked lying on Esme's bed and watching as she got dressed for dinner.

'I don't know,' Esme replied. 'I thought you'd have an idea.'

'I'm not the one moving,' Taylor replied looking at Esme. 'You need to tell me what's going on.'

'We're leaving on Wednesday morning at about eleven,' Esme replied. 'Then we'll spend the rest of the day unpacking stuff and getting to know the building. You could come over on the Friday if you're not too busy.'

'Okay then,' Taylor nodded. 'Friday night or just any time on Friday?'

'I don't think it really matters, you can just come whenever.'

'So when do your lessons start?'

'Monday,' Esme replied. 'You can stay over on Sunday night if you want, but I don't know if you'll have work or something.'

'That's cool,' Taylor replied. 'I'm keen to see your new apartment especially as it's the only thing you even want to talk about anymore.'

'That's not true,' Esme said sitting in front of her dresser and doing her hair. 'I talk about other things too.'

'Yeah like how much you want to get a piece of art to hang in your apartment,' Taylor said. 'You don't even care about anything else.'

'Well I don't think it's a problem,' Esme replied. 'You're going to love it.'

Taylor got off the bed and walked to Esme. He stood behind her and held her head in his hands. He kissed her on the lips and smiled at her. 'You look cute.'

'Really?' Esme said. 'You're not being mean?'

'I'm not being mean,' Taylor smiled. He kissed her again. 'I love you.'

'Aww Taylor,' Esme grinned. 'You're being so nice to me today. What did I do to deserve the honor?'

Taylor laughed as he went back to sit on the bed.

Esme looked at Taylor. 'What?'

'Nothing,' he smiled. 'You're great today.'

'Oh,' Esme laughed. 'So just today?'

'Oh yeah,' Taylor nodded. 'We're going to be late if you don't hurry up.'

Esme turned back to the mirror laughing and finished with her hair and makeup.

'How did you get on with Carole today?' Jonathon asked Ecie as they waited for Ross, Emily, Esme and Taylor to join them.

'It was good,' Ecie replied. 'We just sort of talked about college and stuff. She said it'd be easier for me to get her.'

Jonathon nodded. 'I think that Carole's done a good job.'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'I don't cry anymore.'

'That's good,' Jonathon said. 'She must be really good.'

'She tried this hypnotizing thing on me last week,' Ecie replied. 'I think it seems to be working because I can get into it really easily.'

'That's amazing,' Jonathon said sipping on his wine. 'So how are you feeling about college? Do you think it's too soon or do you think it's the right time?'

'I think it came along at the right time,' Ecie replied. 'At first I thought that it'd been way too soon, but I've really progressed quite quickly. I think it'll be fine.'

'The restraining order will need to be renewed,' Jonathon said. 'I think you have until December so maybe you might want to make it permanent.'

Ecie stared. 'I don't know.'

Jonathon looked at Ecie. 'Huh?'

'I don't really think it matters anymore,' she said. 'A permanent order would be a little weird don't you think?'

'No,' Jonathon shook his head. 'Not after what he did to you.'

'I know dad,' Ecie said. 'What do you think would be best?'

'Oh E,' Jonathon sighed rubbing his eyes. 'I just want to protect you as much as I can. You have no idea how horrible I felt about the whole thing. I kept thinking that I'd let you down.'

'You didn't dad,' Ecie said trying to reassure him. 'You did everything but let me down. You always knew that something was up but I lied to you.'

'So you're finally going to tell me why you missed that brunch?'

'The night before, Ellis strangled me,' Ecie replied playing with the table cloth. 'I had these really terrible bruises on my neck and I couldn't let anybody see me. I was just in so much pain.'

Jonathon looked at his daughter sadly.

'Hey guys,' Esme said sitting down with Taylor, Ross and Emily. 'Are we late?'

Jonathon pulled his eyes away from Ecie and looked at the others who had just sat down.

'No,' Ecie said. 'You're right on time.'

'What happened?' Ross asked spreading his napkin across his lap. He looked at Jonathon. 'Dad?'

Jonathon shook himself and grinned. 'You guys certainly know how to take your time.'

'What was up with dad at dinner?' Esme asked. 'He was acting so weird in the beginning.'

'Nothing,' Ecie replied tying her hair into a bun. 'I was just telling him that Carole hypnotized me last week.'

'He looked unbelievably depressed,' Esme said. 'What were you guys talking about before we all got there?'

'Nothing really,' Ecie replied. 'I don't think it matters anyway. Dad's really weird all the time so what do you really expect.'

Esme shrugged.

'So how come you and Prince Charming were late?'

'It me took me ages to get ready,' Esme sighed. 'And Taylor was acting strangely nice to me.'

'He's your boyfriend so I think he's supposed to,' Ecie said. 'And as long as he doesn't have you in a headlock, I'm pretty sure its normal for him to be nice to you.'

Esme looked at her sister confused for a moment then shook her head. 'Well we have this thing where we're mean to each other and stuff. He didn't say anything mean to me.'

'What did he say?'

'He said I looked cute and that he loved me,' Esme replied. 'He actually meant it as well. Then he said that I was great today.'

Ecie looked at her sister and raised an eye brow. 'You guys weird me out so much. You make zero sense half the time.'

Esme smiled fondly to herself. 'I just love him. I can't explain it, but I do.'

'You absolute weirdo,' Ecie said staring at her sister. 'You are so weird.'