Oh, Eleanor

Chapter 31 : Painting conclusions

Ron tried to think of something to say to that. But the words got stuck in his throat. That was true, what was his mother's high school dress doing with Eleanor.
"Mom, that is a long story."
Martha glared at him without even lifting her head.
"I am sure it is." She dared.
He sighed.
Martha wasn't even waiting for the reply. She supposedly made her own in her head and was satisfied with how it fitted into the frame.
"You aren't you anymore, Ron. You were this sincere boy. You had this sincere girlfriend. You were always happy. You were doing good in the football team at your school. Doing good at your studies. Besides that, you came home sober... always. You never yelled on me. Never felt angry enough to break cutlery... or your hands for that matter."
He looked up. There was a teardrop starting to form at the edge of her eye which she cleared off before it began to show her weakening emotions.
"Your father is coming back soon. What am I supposed to tell him. What shall I say when he asks, 'What has Ron been up to, Martha?' I suppose I don't stand brave enough to tell him that Ron brings some random girl over and does who knows what and offers her even my own dresses."
"Mom! It's not what you think it is."
"It can't be anything else."
He clenched his hands hard until the knuckles turned white. To say anything right now won't be of any use. He thought.
Martha was deep into self woven conclusions and she won't listen to him.