Mandolin Rain

Elliot's POV

I'm so tired. I check Anne's flight time and realize she should be landing within the hour. Then only another hour until she'll probably be here. I have really enjoyed being here with Harry but its been a really long day.

“Your mom will be here soonish! Only about an hour and a half.” I tell him as we finish our eighth game of tic-tac-toe. He's terrible at it, I've won all the games.

“Yeah? Good. I'm sure she'll be calling as soon as she gets in the cab.” He smiles.

“How are you feeling?' I ask for what seems like the millionth time today.

“Sore. My neck really hurts, my leg and arm hurt even with pain meds, and I'm just tired.” He sounds exhausted.

“You want me to step out so you can try to nap?” I ask.

“No.” He quickly responds. “I mean, its a nice place but I don't want to be in this room by myself.” He smiles. “Um, tell me about yourself.”

“Um, okay. I have three older brothers, twins James and Joseph, then Ethan, then the perfect child named Elliot came along and my parents decided they were finished with having children.” I don't contain my laughter. “I was home schooled until sixth grade. We moved around a lot when we were growing up but my mom decided to let us settle somewhere so they picked LA and mom opened up her yoga studio. I started teaching classes at 16, graduated from high school, got my two year degree in personal training and I teach yoga or Pilates 4-6 times a day and do some personal training on the weekends. I live with my cousin Joe, see my family as much as possible, and that's pretty much it.” That should work, he doesn't need to know everything.

“Sounds good. Where did you get that scar on your chin?” He ask as I involuntary touch it as if to relive the memory. We were lived in China in one of the villages when James pushed me, I fell on a broken chair and it sliced me open.

“I was playing with my brothers when James decided he didn't want me to play with them anymore so he pushed me and I fell on a chair. Cut me clean open. Thankfully I got stitched up quick and James got in big trouble. Only three stitches to be exact.”

“And that one?” He points to a large scar just above me knee.

“Ah, this one.” I look down at it and smile. “I was playing at my next door neighbors house and they had one of those old wooden merry-go-round in the backyard that was missing a bench so the metal was exposed, I wasn't paying attention when someone pushed it I stepped in the way and it came and slammed into my knee. I had to get a tetanus shot. It sucked.” I explain.

“You seem very clumsy.” He points out.

“I am. I'm surprised you survived on the side of the road with me at your aid.” I joke.

“Well I'm glad you were there. Things might have been way worse if you weren’t.” He assures me. He's been assuring me this almost every hour since he's been awake. I see his eyes start to drop a little as he lays his head back.

“Hey, how about you try to get some rest.” I suggest to him as he stretches his arms above his head and yawns.

“Might not be a bad idea to try and rest. Stay please?” He asks as I get off the chair to turn the lights off and close the windows.

“I can stay Harold.” I assure him dramatically as I push the button on his bed for it to recline a
little more and pull his covers close.

“Thank you El.” He mutters before he falls asleep.

I waited a while to make sure he's sleeping before I head out the vending machine to get a snack. Harry had offered to pay for my lunch and dinner but I only accepted dinner. I was craving some chocolate though. I snagged two bucks off the table and found the machine with ease.

When I came back I saw a woman I instantly knew as Harry's mom. He showed me some pictures of her and I could recognize that face anywhere now.

“Anne?” I tilt my head and ask.

“Elliot?” Her eyes instantly light up and her arms open for a hug. I quickly embrace her and breath a sigh of relief. I just noticed how emotionally drained I am.

“I'm so glad you made it!” I tell her.

“Oh, thank you so much for staying and taking care of Harry. How is he?” She asks as we turn and I lead her to his room.

“He's doing well, still on pain meds, really playing up the whole injured thing. He's finally taking a nap now. He hasn't slept for more then a few minutes here and there since he woke up from surgery.” I explain to her as I quietly open the door to see that Harry is still sleeping. “Its actually close to midnight so I'm surprised he lasted until 10:30.”

“Oh my poor baby.” Anne whispers trying to keep her voice down as she rushes to his side taking the chair that I had been sitting in all day. It's okay though, he needs his mom here more then me.

“Well, I'm going to go home if that's okay with you.” I start to say as I gather my phone. I didn't have my purse, or anything else for that matter. Just my phone and earbuds.

“Are you sure?” She asks me.

“Yeah, I'm really tired. He'll be really happy to see you, he spent almost all day asking where you were at.” I smile at her as I lace up my tennis shoes.

“Well thank you so much Elliot. My family owes you so much.”

“It's really no trouble. I couldn't leave him.” I pull my shirt down as Anne gives me another hug. “Oh, I have his bike, my cousin picked it up on the side of the road. Just tell him to call me and I can have Joe drop it off at his house or wherever he wants it. Let me know how he's doing.” I say as I reach the door.

“Will do, thanks again Elliot.”

I walk out of the hospital room, take the elevator down and I'm finally outside breathing in fresh air. Well as fresh of air that LA can give you. I send a text to Joe to have him come pick me up and just sit on a bench reliving the day.

Notes

Goodness! Thanks for all the views, comments, and subscriptions! Love it!

Anyone catch when Elliot was thinking about when she lived in China? It will all be explained in a few chapters. :)

And how cute is Harry...asking Elliot to stay with him. Just melts your heart. hahah.