Oh, Eleanor

Chapter 25: The attic hideout

Ron still couldn't believe that his dad was returning from Fairbanks. The most days at stretch he had seen him were not more than a couple of days or around.
Like he always complained. Getting a holiday was difficult and he couldn't possibly get a transfer.
He wondered what changed the bosses' mind now, all of a sudden...
Just as he was about to drift into a hangover sleep, he decided to call Chris.
The call straight went to voice mail.
"Hey Chris, I just wanted to say sorry for last night. You were right, I must be too much drunk to tell apart. I hope you will convey my apologies to your girlfriend as well. That would be great...um, ok. So see ya soon. Bye'

***

By the evening, Ron was all by himself at home. His mother was gone grocery shopping. And he had fairly checked Billy leave his driveway. He won't be home soon. And he won't be home sober.
He knew it was his perfect chance to talk things through.
He sneaked through his lawn to Eleanor's house and made sure no one saw him.
Ron could feel the sweat beads forming around his forehead. Damn, why was he so nervous?
He rang the bell, but the door was ajar. He dreaded it but stepped in anyway.
The house felt quiet. He went straight to the top floor for he knew Eleanor's room was upstairs. There was no one there. He checked every room around. No one.
He started to get apprehensive. Where was she?
Then, just as faintly, he heard a sniff. He looked around, there was a staircase to the attic. He climbed to a never opened looking place. There were spider webs around the corners.
He opened the door.
And there she was, sitting with her back propped against the slanting roof. Her head on her hands, folded neatly over her knees. She must be sobbing.
"Eleanor?"
There she looked up. And he could swear he experienced tachypnea.
If that girl was always going to give him sudden attacks by looking at him, he might as well faint.
He went closer step by step, like he was afraid that she may get scared.
Then he noticed the greater matters. The huge cut around her shoulder.
It was bleeding heavily. And the tears in her eyes were not there to stop.
He felt a sudden pang of pain in his chest.
"Billy?" He asked faintly.
She nodded.