as it goes

Ellie couldn't think why she was so sad, but she was. She couldn't help but accept it. It was what Elliot wanted. Her to be so alienated. Perhaps. Needing him, when she didn't want to.

"You know its not right," Roger told her. "You have to come with us. You have too." He was in her room. He was looking at a hat she'd started to crochet and hadn't finished. "Forget Elliot, just for a moment, even. You can't let him tell you what to do."

"And you will?" She kept her arms crossed. He couldn't do a thing to change her mind. She'd wait by the phone for Elliot and be alone.

"All I want is for you to see you can be happy." Roger stared back at her as if he really did have an answer. "You want one person to keep you from missing out one of those things where all your friends will be. Is the sex that good? Is that it?" Now Roger squinted.

Ellie gritted a scowl. He didn't know how it was. How could he say something like that?

"Just one night. That's all I'm asking. You'll be with your friends." He took her hands then, and he held them as if the future did hold something bright. "Think about it. No worries. Just us."

Possibly he was right. They would be together.

"But what about Eric?" She stared into his light brown eyes.

"Not a problem." Roger just nodded. "He won't hurt you. You'll barely see him."

"But I will see him." Ellie looked sad about that. "With someone else."

"You'll be brave. You'll let it go. You will. I know you. You're strong. You're not like other girls. You would only wish him the best. I know you would." Roger smiled as if it was an oath she needed to memorize.

He was right. She was strong. She was like that. It was a big world, after all. Bigger than this. Bigger problems. But it was a world with in a world. Just the same.

"OK." She licked her dry lips.

"Good." Roger's smile was open, and he gave her a hug then. She just didn't want him to let go, but she knew he would.