its sort of like an execution

It was way after dark when Eric woke her.

"You're Dad's here," he said.

"What?" Her clothes were still on. They hadn't done anything except sleep.

"You have to go."

"I don't want to. I can't."

"Ellie, you have too." Why couldn't this dream end where she said she wanted to live here and not at Kyle's, and everyone said it was OK. "You're Mom's here too."

"Shit." She jerked up then. At least they weren't in the room with them. She was really awake now.

"You're Mom lives in my building," Eric said.

"Oh, God." Ellie croaked putting on her sneakers.

"They aren't going to kill you or anything."

"Yeah, well." It would be close to that. It would be. She could just hear their voices now. But as it was. They were just looking at her when she got to the livingroom. The silent treatment.

"Are you OK, Ellie?" Her Dad asked.

Hell, no. But she didn't say it. She kept quiet. Eric put his arm around her, kissed her cheek. "It was just a rough day, being back, you know." Eric smiled. "School is like that."

"OK, Eric, I think you've said enough. Ellie has to go home." Now Eric's Mom was in on this too.

"I just needed a place to sleep, OK." Ellie fretted. She gave Eric a hug. She didn't want to let go, but hands started pulling her away. She hated them. Everyone. Except Eric. She wanted it to just be the two of them. Not all these people. What did they need them for?

But she had to get in her Dad's mini-van. Ellie wouldn't even dare look at her Mom. They drove home in silence leaving her Mom at the apartment complex.

"You're grounded."

"Why am I grounded? What did I do?" She squinted.

"You talked back to your mother who's your teacher. And you're sleeping with Eric."

"God! Dad I was not. I was not- Its not what you think! I was just sleeping!" How could she make him stop thinking it was something else. It made her feel sick thinking her dad might be thinking she was having sex with someone. It was just mind-boggling to think her dad would think that. He was not suppose to have thoughts like that. Like she wasn't suppose to ever have thoughts of him being with Joan or her mother as far as she was concerned.

"Well, you're grounded."

Ellie didn't say anymore. She didn't ask how long. She didn't even want to know. She didn't even care, anymore.