When I was seventeen, my father returned home one night drenched in blood. He was the exact opposite of the man I'd known. And he was angry, anxious but mostly indifferent.

I was sure that he had done something terrible. The car was crushed, covered in red and he was holding two guns when he rushed into the house. His eyes were blood shot and deadly.

My brothers locked me inside my bedroom as the rest of the family talked downstairs.

That was the last time my father returned home.

After that night, my father was suddenly non-existent. He simply vanished.

I lost the most important man in my life to the world.

And now, my mother is slowly slipping into the same path.

I honestly wanted to cry as I stared at her from the hospital bed. She was breathing through a pipe, wires connected all over her chest and arms. She looked lifeless and pale. Almost hanging through a thread.

I felt emotionally and physically drained just being in that place and witnessing my mother's condition. It was truly hard for me. I've never seen her that low before. Her situation made me question alot of things.

But I held back the tears. I didn't allow myself to cry in the moment I should be strong the most.

Crying and feelings sorry for myself and Brianna won't change anything and it can't make the situation better for us.

After spending hours in that hospital room, it was time to head back home. Apparently, it's not allowed to spend the night at the prison hospital. Enos stayed the whole time waiting for me. I told him to remain outside though.

I didn't want him to in the room. I preferred to be alone.

Walking out the main exist, I headed straight for the car. Enos was leaning against the door with his hands folded. It was really cold outside and it was starting to get dark.

"We can leave." I walked past him to the other side of the car.

Enos was a little surprised to see me.

"Right now?" He asked, rubbing his hands.

I choose not to speak. I'm exhausted.

"Elisabeth.." He called out.

"Of course right now." I replied bluntly. "Unless you're planning to sleep out here."

I opened the door and entered.

Enos sighed before getting inside the car.

When we got seated, Enos began to speak. "What's up with you?"

Uh?

I stared at him.

Puzzled.

"You're acting different."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How else should I act?"

Enos pressed his lips together.

"Start the car." I told him. "I don't want to be here anymore."

My heart feels heavy. I may lose it.

After everything I put up with when trying to help my mother get out of prison, she ends up this way.

She was suppose to be taking care of herself and staying away from people who may cause her problems.

I begged her to keep it civil and behaved. But then this happens.

I'm trapped between feeling sad and bursting with anger.

I desperately want to scream.

"I'll stop somewhere to get takeouts for dinner. What should we order?" His voice wasn't the same anymore. Almost sad.

"Buy whatever you want Enos. I'm not hungry anyway." I leaned my shoulder on the door. "Wake me up when we get home."

"You must eat Elisabeth." He insisted. "I'm not letting you sleep on an empty stomach."

"Mmmh." I closed my eyes.

"Elisabeth..."

"I'll eat at home Enos. Can you not force me." I exclaimed.

He didn't say anything after that and instead began to drive. Enos was offended. But he did not voice that fact.

He's being modest, as usual.

I tried to find sleep as we headed home but it was a struggle. I kept my eyes closed while listening quietly to the soft music Enos played on the radio of his car.

It was soothing and peaceful.

I don't feel lonely at all. But I need a hug so badly.

I avoided physical contact with Enos earlier. Honestly, I'll turn into a sobbing mess if he even holds my hand. I've never needed someone near me this much, but at the same time, I'd rather be alone.

By the time we arrived home, I was actually quite sleepy.

I could hear Enos waking me up but I kept my eyes closed.

He carried me to the bedroom where I laid there for a few hours.

Enos woke me up for dinner eventually. He refused to let me sleep without having a proper meal. After taking a shower and changing into sleeping wear, I joined him downstairs.

We sat by the kitchen counter to eat hot chicken stew and rice. It was good.

I noticed that Enos had also freshened up and was dresses on a pair of jogging shorts and a white tshirt.

"There's more food by the oven." He announced.

"This is enough for me." I replied. Poking my own food.

Enos was sited across me. "Elisabeth."

"Yes." I looked at him.

"I'm here for you. Please know that you can tell me anything." He offered sincerely.

"Good to hear."

I really can't bare talking about such things right now. My mood is all over the place.

Enos frowned at my blunt response. "Where is this version of Elisabeth popping out from? You're acting completely off character." He was apparently calling me out.

"Not now Enos. Complain about me tomorrow when I ain't tired."

I can't do this.

"Quit shutting me out." He said smoothly. "You can't keep carrying all that emotional baggage on your own. It will drive you insane."

Seriously?

"And what do you know about my emotional baggage?" I challenged. "Nothing obviously."

Enos put down his glass of water. "Then share that with me. There is nobody else here for you to lean on and I can help with that."

I gave him an empty stare. "And what can you possibly do to help me? You don't even know me Enos. Just because you've had a glimpse of my life that does not mean you can sit here and talk to me about emotional baggages."

Enos glared at me. "Unbelievable." He said before standing up.

He placed his half plate of food by the sink. Guess he lost his appetite.

"Walk away, why don't you!" I rolled my eyes at his retreating form.

He left me in the kitchen and headed to the living room. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight." He exclaimed.

Okay.

I stared at my own plate of food.

Why am I even eating this? Am not hungry.

I eventually exited the kitchen after abandoning dinner. I wanted to go straight to the bedroom but instead, I sat by the stairs.

May be the response I gave Enos was too harsh.

I can see he cares about me and I don't treat him well enough for it.

Sighing, I decide to approach him by the living room couch.

"Enos." I called for him.

He was laying there, eyes closed. But I knew he was awake. He must've gotten an extra blanket from upstairs.

I tapped his bare foot. "Hey.." I whispered slowly.

"Just leave Elisabeth." He said. "That was enough for one night."

I felt worse when he said that.

"Hear me out." I asked him. "Will you?"

Enos didn't respond.

"I'm sorry." I sighed, regretful. "I shouldn't have talked to you like that."

He remained quiet.

"It was wrong of me. There's no excuse for that but it's been hard for me and..."

I stammered.

"Enos, can you please just talk to me?"

I was starting to give up.

My voice was getting a bit distorted. "Good nigh......."

"Come here." He opened his eyes and arms for me.

I stared at him.

Enos seemed genuine about the invite. His eyes showed.

"Are you sure?" I walked closer to him, hesitantly.

He nodded, reaching for my hands and pulling me towards him.

I laid myself next to him as he shared the blanket with me. The couch was really tiny and Enos had to spoon me. He wrapped his arms around my waist as my back connected to his firm chest.

"I'm not mad at you." He confessed. "I tried to be angry but then I failed."

"Seriously?" I questioned, placing my hand on top of his that roamed my waist. "I doubt it. You seemed upset seconds ago."

He chuckled lightly. "May be a little bit."

I smiled.

"I'm sorry." I said again after a while.

"Alright." He accepted.

I really wanted to cry because of all the weight on my shoulders. I pray my mother gets better. Brianna has her flaws but she did not deserve what happened to her.

"I feel like crying." I spoke my mind. For once.

"Turn around and face me." He suggested and so I did.

We had to tangle our legs together so as to fit the couch.

"It's okay to cry." He cupped my face gently and said,"Brianna is a tough woman. She will get better soon."

"I hope so." I stared into his honest eyes. "I'm trying to be strong for the both of us and its really hard."

Enos gave me a tight hug, "You're braver than you think Elisabeth. And I know Brianna is lucky to have you as a daughter."

I don't feel like a good daughter sometimes.

"I want to believe you." I told him.

"You can trust me." He assured, drawing me closer than possible. "With anything."

"It's all too much." I confessed.

"It going to be alright eventually." Enos insisted. "Nothing lasts forever."

I buried my face against Enos's shoulder and cried. He let me.

At a certain point I began shaking as well.

But he whispered words of comfort as I made a mess of myself.

We slept like that.

It was okay.

___________