The Art of Loving

[20] Strange Friends

"Oh dear," Ellie immediately sighed. "Brian just told me about the whole issue in the car."

"You didn't know either?" Mary asked, obviously relieved to hear that.

Ellie shook her head. "I didn't know that either. I'm so glad to hear that I wasn't the only one. Honestly though, what's going on with her?" Ellie crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "Actually, wait a second, I should go say hello to Sue and Pat quickly, I'll be right back though. Sorry." She glanced apologetically at Mary before she pushed herself off the wall again and went over to where the two sisters were currently playing against Roger and Freddie.

"Hey," she greeted Sue with a genuine smile. "It's good to see you again, how are you?"

"Ellie," Sue exclaimed and hugged her. "I'm good, very good, and I see so are you."

"Brian?" Ellie asked, chuckling when Sue nodded. "Yeah... I'm wonderful actually. Thanks for everything you said last time, I really needed to hear some of those things."

"I'm glad they helped you see how great he is. You make a cute couple, really. I'm very happy for both of you," Sue told her, smiling widely. "So you will definitely be fine sleeping next to him again?"

"Definitely, yes. That won't be a problem at all." Ellie smiled widely at Sue.

"Good. You know, Mary, she has to be someone really special. Freddie gave up his spot on the couch so that he can sleep next to her."

Ellie smiled widely. "They are adorable together, aren't they? They're not officially together yet. It's been like this for more than a month, but they're taking things at their own speed. They do spend a lot of time together though. And I know that Mary is very happy. So.. Yes. I think it's safe to say that they are special to each other."

Before Sue could say something, Brian walked up to Ellie with two bottles in his hands. "I completely forgot to ask, but I hope Guinness is fine, as always?"

"Definitely, don't worry. That's perfectly fine with me. You're alright?" Ellie asked, meeting his eyes with hers.

Brian nodded. "Yes, yes.. Don't worry, I'm okay. I promise." He smiled at her before he leaned down to give her a quick kiss. "I'll be over there, okay?"

Ellie chuckled and nodded. "That's perfectly fine, don't worry. Thanks for the beer."

"Anytime," he told her and smiled at her before he joined Freddie, Roger and Mike, who was there without Lynn.

"Mary was right, you are really cute together." Sue smiled widely at Ellie.

"We are?" Ellie asked, smiling a little before she shrugged. "I guess we are... thank you. Well, I have to talk to Mary, but we can talk more later, okay?"

"Oh of course," Sue assured her and smiled. "Don't worry, you go ahead. We can talk later."

Ellie smiled at her before she returned to Mary. "Alright... so Freddie gave up the couch for you, huh?"

"Oh not you too," Mary sighed, rolling her eyes a little.

Ellie laughed and shrugged. "What can I say? He made a pretty big deal out of having to sleep on the couch so he won't strain his back, and then you come along and he just gives that up for you. What does that tell you? I know what it tells me...," she teased.

"Shut up," Mary mumbled, covering her cheeks. "Did he really make such a big deal out of it last time?"

"Yes," Ellie told her, very amused. "Everyone agreed that I should get the couch except for Freddie, because his back is a lot more important."