When Stuff Happens

Chapter Ten

After the fiasco that was the mall everyone left the car in a tense quiet manner. While Emma had what appeared to be enough pals for the rest of her years, she had her arms crossed and lips pursed. Sue Ellen fared no better Ezra drove because his mom wanted to stare at Emma through out the drive in the passenger mirror. The little girl responded with a glare which was returned dutifully by Sue Ellen. Yikes seriously who knew stuffed bears could bring this much misery.

While tension was thick enough to cut with a knife in the car it disappeared as soon as they entered the home. There was a man standing in the living room with a clipboard and hard hat.

Sue Ellen walked right up to the man to shake his hands, "Hank thank you so much for coming in on such short notice." She clasped her hand around his. Hank nodded and started to explain the situation about the roof when Emma interrupted.

"Mom, can I take my new friends to your room?" She asked jumping with anticipation for her new friends. Sue Ellen gave her permission and the little girl squealed running up the stairs.

"Okay well Amor why don't we put her stuff in your room?" Ezra placed his hand on her back. His warmth left an imprint on her skin. She liked the touch but removed herself from him. Still on guard, always on guard when it comes to Ezra and his touch on her.

"Yeah let's go get it." She walked past him to the garage where they parked the car. She turned on the light the smell of paint sucker punched her nose. The used cans of paint varying in color and label were organized on the wall in order of color. With a stark white sheet covering half the walls of the garage splattered with paint Amor theorized this was Sue Ellen's workstation. Ezra slide past her and went to open the car's trunk.

He grabbed her bags out and flung them across his shoulder. She went to him not wanting him to strain under the weigh of her stuff, "Here give me one." She reached for a bag, but he turned away.

"No, it's okay I got it let's go." He dismissed her attempts for help.

"No come-on Ezra that shit is mine and you shouldn't have to carry it for me." She followed him to the doorway reaching out again for the bags. He dodged her grasp and opened the door for her.

"Hey what are friends for if they don't carry shit for you now and then." He flashed a smile so earnest she avoided eye contact as they walked to the shed. She opened the door for him, the least she could do, and he nodded in gratitude.

"Where do you want it boss?" He asked sarcastic and playful with a charming smirk to seal his charm.

She, sardonic as ever, pointed at the vanity area, "Set it right there and thanks for you know." She left the words trail on not sure what or where to begin to. This was technically her new home/room for who knows how long. She sat on the bed not sure where to go from here.

Ezra sensed she needed space, "So I'm going back inside and check out that TestMe page for our class."

She nodded, laying down on the bed, "I'll um see...later okay?" She asked not sure herself if she wanted company now or later as a knot tighten around her throat. This was her home for how long? When will Sue Ellen knock on that door telling to leave? She heard Ezra reply but didn't catch his words and heard the door close.

The weight on her chest sank deeper as her breathing became shorter, ragged gradually transforming into a sob. She cried again. Tears burned her retinas and her voice chocked into a horrid sob. She wiped the tears roughly attempting to rid of herself of the agony she encountered. This was not a time to cry. But when was? When will she finally breakdown allow herself to cry out her heart? Maybe never because every time felt like the wrong time to be weak and vulnerable. Besides there was no telling when Ezra would burst through that door being an overly friendly neighbor.