Oh, Eleanor

Chapter 42: The blood and the upholstery

"Ron?" He heard his mother call him in a reserved voice.

He looked over from his book enquiringly.

"Will you go to the airport to pick your dad up?"

He wrinkled his brows, "since when does he need to be picked up?"

"I don't know, he called and he sounds queer, he asked if you could come." She said without catching breath.

"Whoa...Ok." he said, picking up the keys from his bedside table.

***

The blood dripping down his head and the several blue bruises on his face and arms were proof enough that Ron's father was attacked. He was already standing at the airport parking area holding tightly to his bleeding arm when Ron got out of the car.

"What the eff happened, dad?" Ron asked, rushing to him at once.

He held his heart tight, preparing himself for something, he didn't know why, he had apprehension for.

"Nothing, I got injured."

"Well, I can see that."

"Sure you can."

"I meant to ask the reason behind these injuries."

"Nah, nothing. Just fell down the escalator." He said, huffing. His breaths were heavy and controlled to prevent blood from getting into his mouth.

Ron decided it wasn't the best time to get into the reasonings. His father needed help. He assisted him onto the passenger's seat.

"Damn, mom is going to kill me for doing this to the upholstery." Ron squirmed.

Ron's father huffed. "I have blood gushing out of me and all you can think of is upholstery."

"He dad!" Ron exclaimed, "Your wounds will get bandaid and they'll heal, the upholstery won't."

"Watch out, young lad." He laughed.

They talked about Ron's school, Jamie's work, Fairbanks, the cold weather of Alaska, and every other thing imaginable on their ride back home while purposely ignoring Jamie's wounds.