Oh, Eleanor

Chapter 18: Meeting Rachel

It was clear that Billy was home given the unusually loud rants, a shattering of glass heard from inside, when he rang the doorbell.
"HEY!"Ron said, overly casual. So casual at the point of fakeness.
"Ron." Billy confirmed, rubbing his eyes and trying to see past his blurry alcohol stained vision.
"Mum made lasagna. She wants to feed the leftover to a stray dog. Thought it's a good opportunity at free food for you." Ron said with a straight face.
Billy snickered.
"Eleanor," he shouted, "stuff some of your clothes down Beckett's throat. He seems loud today."
Ron was still staring hard at him but he got taken away upon the mention of Eleanor. Hearing the name from another person seemed to confirm that she was real. Not his imagination.
"Huh. I am coming." Billy said, almost ready to close the door.
"You are not. Unless you bring Eleanor."
Billy looked at Ron as if he just made a joke and expected him to laugh.
"Really kid. You think you shall say that and I am with it?" He waved a hand, "think again."
"I have thought enough. Bring her. Do you even mind she will stay hungry for the night if you go away."
"Nothing new for her. She is usually hungry. That bitch."
Ron slapped Billy without thinking another second. It must be impulsive. But he wouldn't have done otherwise even if he had the chance to think.
"Say that again and you're done." He pressed his words, "and she is coming. Make an excuse. Say whatever you want. But bring her along."
"How you dare to slap me!" He exclaimed, "if you do that again... you're dead meat."
"Bring her along." He repeated and left.

***

Ron helped his mother set the dinner table. Just for the sake of doing anything.
It was a stupidity, for sure. Waiting for Eleanor. But he was contended that at least he tried. He thought about how he's gonna make her come out of that rabbit hole. Make people realise of her existence.
"Hey, Martha." A voice came from down the hall. "Thanks for inviting me."
Ron's mother chuckled delightfully. "Never a trouble, Billy. You are a part of family after all."
Ron resisted the urge to kick Billy in the balls. Such a goddamn family!
Billy smiled.
"I...Uh. I have a company along. If you wouldn't mind, Martha."
Then, from behind the devil, stepped forth that girl. Dressed in a Georgette frock, like she used to. She looked a bit nervous. But altogether, just as beautiful as always.
"This is Rachel. My niece. She is staying with me for two days."
"Oh such a beautiful girl." Ron's mother stepped forth to meet her, "your uncle Billy never has company in his house. It's so nice to see you."
Eleanor tried a faint attempt at a smile.
"Ron would love to meet you... Ron?" His mother eyed him. Clearly telling him to be friendly.
"Oh hello, elea...Um, Rachel right." He extended his hand, "I am Ron."
Eleanor took the hand with a little apprehension. He felt like he was shaking hands with a glass. Cold and hard. He held on a little longer than he was meant to. Trying to warm it up a bit.
"Nice to meet you."
He was happy no doubt, that Eleanor was here. That Billy took her out for the first time ever. But he couldn't get the fact off his mind that he changed her name.
And Ron himself wasn't sure what was Eleanor's relation with Billy. But it never felt like she's a niece. A maid was what he basically treated her like. And Ron didn't want to think what else.
They sat down to eat. It was a very tensed meal. With the air being acrid. Acrid with all the lies Billy was making up about Eleanor. The school she went to. The brothers and sisters she had back home. The loving mother. The rich home. He was getting caught up in his own lies, nevertheless he spoke more to cover them up.
Eleanor stayed quiet mostly. Opening her mouth to stuff it with lasagna or saying yes or no to everything my mother asked.
And as talking about Ron's mother. She seemed super interested in knowing everything about Eleanor. It was possibly because Billy never had guests before. But Ron thought that she guessed something was fishy in there. And she wanted to make sure she was wrong.