Count On Me

VI

Xavier:

"Maybe you should call him" Elliot says as he makes lunch.

I drove back to his house, called work and canceled the day, and now I'm bound to start gardening with him soon.

"So I got some errands to run." Elliot says giving me a fresh cup of coffee. "And you're welcome to join. Is there anything you need?"

I shake my head. Elliot smirks, and we both know that he'll do enough talking for the both of us.

Of course there's also the fact that Elliot is brilliant enough to keep conversation going, and he's everything that I'm not. He's outgoing, flamboyant, and he's unpredictable.

"So." Elliot says pushing his cart down the aisle, the sound of the wheels echoing across the warehouse walls. He's taken me to a Home Depot, a long drive from his house, and he's determined to paint another room while buying more flowers.

"So." I repeat as Elliot passes me a paint can to put in the cart.

"You going to call him?" Elliot asks again.

I pause. Process. "He can."

"No." Is all Elliot says. It surprised me, normally I'd expect a long reason that trails into a long blabbering that lasts until the ride home.

A couple passes by us, and they can't help but stare at Elliot. He's wearing dark green pants with a black and white patterned shirt. Not only that, but he's got his leather straps on his arms, and his yellow shoes are insanely bright.

"Call him. He might need you." Elliot says reading the color of a paint can and passing it to me. I put it in the cart, pushing it after to follow him to the flowers.

Elliot hands me dozens of assorted flowers before scrutinizing the lilies.

"Chose wisely. There's no more room in the cart, so you'll have to carry it." I say

Elliot doesn't move at all, just wags a finger at me as he keeps his gaze on the flowers. "I'll get another cart." He argues.

He reaches over and picks up a single white lily, quickly walking off to the checkout without saying anything. I quickly follow him, and when he drives us back home he doesn't say a word.

I swallow, getting nervous when he opens the door to his house and starts to unpack everything.
Elliot has been nothing but supportive of me, and never once has he rejected my presence in his house. Issac and I would go insane if Elliot wasn't Elliot. Issac especially, he dotes on Elliot constantly.

"So what if I did call him? What would I say if I called him? Nothing. I don't have anything to say. Nothing at all! There's no reason for me to talk to him, I barely know the guy. He has my number from the hospital, he can reach me if he needs to. Sukie is able to receive another caretaker in my place, it's not like I'm the only person who is qualified, there are plenty of other people who are EMT's and work at a hospital. I've never even been a caretaker, not even a good one! Why would he need to contact me? Why would he ask me to? I'm just repeating myself over and over for no good reason, and maybe it's because there is none. So please just tell me why it's so important that I call, because I have no idea and maybe if you told me a single reason, I might pick up the phone." I shut up quickly, it's the most I'm talked. I've never snapped like that, ever.

Elliot blinks. Goes back to sorting his flowers.
"Why don't you help me? Might take your mind off things." He says gently.

I sigh, exasperated.

——————
Issac comes home a little after 6pm. He goes through his routine of tossing his briefcase and coat onto the couch, undoing his cuffs, and stretching before meeting Elliot in the kitchen. He gives me a pat on the back before combing up behind Elliot who's cooking dinner, giving him a hard kiss before getting a soda.
It's almost like I'm watching a movie, the ones that where the husband and wife have the perfect family and never fight, never push their kids to high expectations, but just...live.