Wanted by Kelly Elliott

I just meet this girl. How could I already feel so protective of her? Jeff got up and started to head out of the room but not before he stopped and gave me a slap on the back and wink.
    “Hey, here is your pain pill and a fresh bottle of water Ellie .”
    Ellie lo ok ed over at me and gave me a smile that just about brought me to my knees ….again . Okay …when were these feelings going to stop taking over me like this?
    “Thank you so much Gunner. I’ m sorry; I don’t know what came over me when I w ok e up. Um…… did I sa y anything while I was asleep?”
    Shit, do I tell her what she called out or act like I didn’t hear her calling out my name. “Yes, sweetheart you did. You kept calling out my name and something abou t someone being wrong but that’ s all you said.”
    I watched her face as I told her what she had said in her sleep. She frowned and lo ok ed away towards the window.
    “Oh… . ..well, um . ….. I’ m sure it was probably just because you had been so attentive this evening. I don’t really even remem ber what I was dreaming about so… . ..” She lo ok ed back over at me and I swear I saw tears building in her eyes.
    Bullshit. I knew damn well she remembered her dream. Why wouldn’t she tell me? What the hell was she afraid of?
    “Well, it doesn’t matter Ellie . You need to get some rest sweetheart. Do you need something to prop up your hand? Or need anything else?” I asked her while I shuffled my feet back and forth like I was five year s old again. She smiled at me and just sho ok her head no.
    “Thank you again Gunne r for everything but I think I’ m fine. I really do appreciate it. I’m sorry to keep you up so late at night. I’m just going to try and get back to sleep. I am so glad seniors have off tomorrow! ” She said with a giggle.
    I walked over and turned off the side light. Well, um… .. .good night Ellie .”
    I turned and started towards the door. I turned one last time to see her close her eyes and pull her blanket up and tuck it under her chin. She was so adorable …… and I was so fucked.
    I walked out and saw Jeff sitting on the sofa holding one beer up to his lips taking a long drink and another beer in his other hand.
    “Must have been some date for you to bust out two of ‘ em .” I said with a small laugh.
    “This one is for you. I thought you might want one before heading off to bed.”
    I reached over and to ok the beer out of his hand and sank down in the sofa and to ok a drink .
    “I have to ask you Jeff, what the fuck did you r mother say to Ellie. ”
    “I always thought it was her s tory to tell Gunner but I’ m beginning to think it has affected her more than I thought. When she was seven my mom was really drunk one night . I wasn’ t home so Ellie was there to take the brunt of it. Funny thing was I was spending the night at a friend’s house which I NEVER did. I just had to get away from her. I mean, I was always trying to get in be tween her and Ellie . Protect Ellie from our mom’s hurtful words she lashed out all the fucking time. When I left she was sober……was not even drinking a drop of alcohol . I thought things would be okay . She talked about taking Ellie to the park even. ”
    Jeff ran his hand through is hair and sp ok e something under his breath. I was pretty sure he had said fuck.
    “ When I got home the next morning, Ellie was sitting in the corner of the kitchen… . ..asleep. Still wearing the clothes she had on the day before. My mother was passed out at the kitchen table. I ran up to Ellie and as soon as she woke up and saw me…..she just started to cry. Started rambling off how our mother didn’t want her anymore , how hungry she was, how mommy told her no one would ever love he r … . .ever .”
    Jeff stopped and put his head back on the sofa. His body started shaking.
    “FUCK! If I had only just stayed home that night , it would have never have happened and Ellie wouldn’t have this messed up idea in her