on her way

Eric brought her a small messanger bag full of goodies. It was a somber ride to the bus station, but Eric rode in the car with her and her father. He held her hand the whole way.

"Everything is in there that you'll need." He shook his head. "I loaded up an MP3 player with all the songs you like. It runs on batteries. So I got those too. And the other stuff is there, as well." She knew he meant the birth control.

His eyes were teary, and he didn't look his usual animated self. He looked as if she was already gone. And when she kissed him she tasted the salt of his tears. It was if he was already coming down with something. He looked tired. He hadn't really slept since the concert.

"You'll be OK," Ellie told him.

"No I won't. I won't be til you come back. You have to come back, El. You have too." He sniffed. He took a deep sigh then. She thought he might burst into tears, but he didn't. "I'm going to send you a package every week you're there."

She pressed her fingers tighter around his. She wanted this feeling of him next to her tattooed to her brain. She didn't want to forget this. She didn't want to forget his arm around her. She didn't want to forget the sweet scent of the intoxicating cologne he wore. She wanted to be as close to him as possible.

But then it was time.

Her Dad gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Time to pay your dues, kiddo. Sorry, its a rough deal, but your mother and I know your stronger than your sister ever will be. And if anybody can handle your Aunt Maggie, its you and your mother. You'll be fine. Besides, I think that fellow who's picking you up told your mother he'd teach you to drive." He gave her a wink.

"Dad, I don't even know this person that's picking me up at the bus station." Ellie still wasn't sure what she was getting herself into. What if she went off with a stranger.

"Well, he's somebody your Mom use to baby sit when she was growing up. She's quite fond of him." He gave her a class photo then of a blond teenager. "His name is Ben. And he's suppose to have a sign with your name on it at the bus station in Brownwood."

"Ben?" Ellie winced.

"I've never met him." Her dad smiled. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Ellie nodded.

Then Eric squeezed her tight. He didn't want to let go, but the bus was about to leave. Finally he let go. He was too choked up to say anything. She couldn't tell him goodbye, either. Ellie had his messenger bag with her. She hung on to it tightly. No way was she letting it go on this trip.