all alone

Ellie wasn't sure it would do any good, but she decided she'd visit Elliot.

She didn't hit any brick walls with his mother, either. As it was, his mother was excited to see Zoe. And they caught up on a few things. Like what Ellie's husband did for a living. How Ellie's mother was... who was getting a hip replacement this month. Then his Mom went into all Elliot's troubles. Therapy, actually for his toes. Evidently, his back was giving him a lot of trouble too. It sounded as if he were in a lot of pain. Instantly, Ellie wondered if he'd just upped the addiction now, from alcohol to drugs. She doubted he was drinking now since his parents were pretty religious. Or maybe he was on the straight and narrow now.

Finally, she got to see him. Of course, she waited to find out how he'd been. He wasn't exactly his happy self, she guessed, and she was sure she wouldn't be too happy in his condition, either. But grateful to be alive.

"I've been meaning to get around to send you a guys a card or something." He was propped up on pillows. "You know, to thank Lon and Kyle for finding me."

"That was a strange day." Ellie remembered. She was home with a houseful, and the storm had left them, practically stranded.

"You can say that." He nodded.

"So whats next? What are you going to do?" She let him hold Zoe then, although, she wasn't sure he really wanted too. He did look weak, but maybe for a moment or two he could hold her.. so she carefully put her in his arms.

"Definitely, some time off." He nodded as he looked at the baby. He smiled then as if it was good to feel the weight of her.

"And..you and Amanda?" She winced. "She tells me, your Mom won't even let her see you?"

"I don't really want to see her." He looked sad about that. "I don't know what to say. I can't." He shook his head. "Cause, I know, I couldn't apologize enough. I couldn't. And, really, I don't think she needs to be burden to take care of me right now."

"But she married you, for better or for worse." Ellie reminded him.

He nodded. "I just need time, I guess. Just time, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't have that much time."

"Well, she is starting her student teaching." Ellie thought he should know. "Its looking very promising, that she'll get on as a music teacher at the high school. You know, she's working there, don't you?"

He nursed his upper lip. She took the baby back before he started to cry as his face swelled with tears. He let out a sigh then.

"You have to talk to her, before its too late." She told him. What in the world was he waiting for? She wanted to say, but she knew he was a lot more depressed than she first thought.