Chapter 11 Elior
Elior
“One for you,” I said softly, relishing in the feel of the soil on my fingers, “and one for you.” I pressed the little green spike down into the dirt until it disappeared, then brushed my hands together.
The plants sat in a neat row along the wall of our screened-in back patio—ferns, a pothos, something with thick waxy leaves I could never remember the name of, and a few others.
Daddy had gotten some of them for me while I was still in the hospital, but the others we’d picked out together a few weeks ago, Daddy guiding the cart while I read the tags out loud.
Low light.
Easy care.
Water once a week.
I liked that there were instructions—things you could follow and get right.
At the compound, plants had either survived or they hadn’t. No little spikes that fed them slowly, no labels. You watered when you were told to water, and if something wilted, that was just… how it was.
I liked this much better.
I poked another spike into the next pot, humming quietly to myself. The sun was warm on my shoulders, patches of it filtering through the screen.
“I hope you like it,” I told the fern, completely serious.
Inside, the house was quiet. A little too quiet, maybe, but not in a bad way. Daddy had been going into work more lately. He told me it was boring desk stuff, lots of paperwork and meetings, nothing exciting. He said it like it was a punishment, but I thought it sounded sort of nice.
I missed him when he was gone, though.
When I finished with the plants, I washed my hands at the kitchen sink, taking my time with the soap. It was a new one—lavender and something else, maybe vanilla? I bought it last week just to try it. I loved that I could do that now—try things just because I was curious.
I leaned in, sniffing my hands, then smiled to myself.
Laundry day was tomorrow, and I already knew which detergent I wanted to use.
The blue bottle smelled clean and sharp, like fresh air.
The pink one was sweeter, almost like candy.
Daddy said it didn’t matter which I picked, but I liked deciding.
Liked lining them up and smelling each one at the store, like they were choices meant just for me.
I padded into the living room and curled up on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest. Sunlight spilled across the room in a bright square, and I shifted until my feet were right in it, toes warming through my socks.
This was my favorite kind of day. Nothing big. Nothing scary. Just small tasks and quiet moments and the comforting knowledge that Daddy would be home later.
I wondered if he’d notice the plants. If he’d smile that pleased little smile and tell me I’d done a good job.
The thought made me giddy.
I hugged a throw pillow to myself and closed my eyes, listening to the peaceful quiet, thinking about soil and soap and the way life here felt so… gentle.
I hoped it could stay like this for a long time.
Then the doorbell rang, and I startled so hard that it felt like my heart had jumped up into my throat.
I sat there for a second, hugging the pillow tighter, listening. No knock followed. All I could hear was the low hum of the house and faint sounds from outside.
My first thought was that Daddy must’ve forgotten his keys, but he always texted when he was on his way home. And he never rang the bell.
Slowly, I pushed myself up from the couch, my socked feet cautiously moving towards the entryway. I didn’t like answering the door alone.
Always check who it is through the peephole first, he’d told me. No exceptions.
I stopped in front of the door and leaned up on my toes, peeking through like he’d shown me.
Relief washed over me so fast my shoulders sagged.
Patel stood on the porch, dressed in jeans and a dark blue plaid flannel, one hand holding his phone, the other tucked casually into his pocket.
I unlocked the door and opened it a careful amount. “Hi, Mr. Patel.”
He looked up and smiled, warm and easy. “Hey, Elior,” he chuckled. “You know you don’t need to be so formal with me. Aarev is fine. We’re friends.”
My stomach twisted just a little. Daddy didn’t like when I’d used his first name. He’d never said I couldn’t, exactly, but his mouth always went flat when he heard it.
Still… it felt rude not to.
“O-okay,” I said, my voice small but sincere. “Hi, Aarev.”
His smile widened, deep brown eyes softening like I’d made the right choice. “Much better.”
I shifted my weight, fingers curling into the edge of the door. “Um… so, what are you doing here?”
“Fair question,” he said lightly. “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to check in on you.”
“Oh. Daddy’s—I-I mean Jace—Jace’s not here right now.”
“That’s okay,” Aarev said quickly, ignoring my mistake. “I figured he’d be at the field office. Would it be all right if I came in for a minute?”
I hesitated, chewing at the inside of my cheek.
I wasn’t sure what the rule was about that. Daddy hadn’t said I couldn’t have people over… And Aarev worked with him. Daddy trusted him enough to bring him up in conversation. I knew his face, his voice. He’d been so nice to me in the hospital.
That had to count for something.
“I think… that’s okay,” I said, stepping back to let him inside.
“Thank you,” he replied, slipping past me.
He paused just inside the doorway, glancing around. “Wow. This place is lovely. You’ve got great light back here.”
My chest warmed at the compliment. “Thank you.”
“I can tell it’s well cared for,” Aarev added, smiling at me again. “How have you been doing, Elior? You look good.”
I felt myself smile back, shy but pleased. “I’m… good.”
“That’s great to hear,” he said easily, like it really mattered to him.
I nodded, clutching my hands together, hoping Daddy would be home soon, but also feeling a little proud that I was handling this on my own.
I tried to remember what you were supposed to do when you had a guest. Father always offered his homemade lemonade. I didn’t have that, but I did have other stuff I could serve him.
“Would you like a drink? I have some cupcakes too, if you want.”
Aarev laughed softly. “You’re very hospitable. Some water would be great, thank you.”
I padded into the kitchen, poured a glass, and brought it back with both hands. He took it from me with an easy smile, settling onto the couch while I hovered next to it.
“This really is a nice place,” he said again, glancing around.
“It is,” I agreed quickly. “I like it a lot.”
“I’m glad.” He took a sip of water, then set the glass down. “So… how’s therapy been going?”
The question made my shoulders loosen instead of tense, which surprised me.
“It’s good,” I said. “I like Mark.”
“You do?” His brows lifted with genuine interest.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “He’s… patient. He doesn’t rush me. And he lets me hold things if my hands feel weird.” I paused for a split second, then added, “I was worried that I’d never feel comfortable sharing stuff with him, but he’s been great.”
Aarev smiled. “That sounds like a really good fit for you.”
“It is,” I said, a little more confidently.
“Do you feel like it’s helping?”
I thought about it—the way my chest didn’t feel so tight all the time anymore and how eating didn’t scare me like it used to. “Yeah. I think so. Jace says I’m doing really well.”
“I can see that,” Aarev replied. His gaze softened. “You seem brighter.”
My cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”
There was a small pause, comfortable at first, until he asked, “Do you get out much? Besides appointments.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Jace takes me to stores. And there’s this bakery right by Mark’s office that we go to after every visit.”
Aarev’s smile stayed in place, but something subtle shifted behind his eyes. “Just the two of you?”
“Well, yeah,” I nodded. “Who else would I go with?”
“Hm,” Aarev hummed. “Do you ever go out on your own?”
I shook my head immediately. “No. I shouldn’t.”
“Why’s that?”
I frowned, searching for the right words. “It’s just… safer if I don’t.”
He leaned back slightly, studying me—not unkindly, but intently. “You know, most people would say it’s healthy to spend time outside the house. Especially when you’re doing better.”
“Oh, okay…” I said, uncertain.
“There’s a little park a few blocks from here,” he went on casually. “I haven’t been, but there’s a pond where you can feed the ducks. We could go over together.”
My eyes lit up before I could stop myself. “Ducks?”
“We could even bring some bread if you have any in the kitchen,” he said with a smile.
“I-I don’t think I should leave without Jace,” I said, even though the idea made something flutter happily in my chest. “He didn’t say I could.”
Aarev tilted his head. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Unless…” He paused, careful, his tone still light. “Unless he’s trying to control where you go.”
My stomach twisted. “He’s not,” I said quickly. “He just worries.”
“Of course,” Aarev agreed smoothly. “And that’s understandable. Still, it might be good for you. It’s just a short walk, and it’s pretty nice outside today. I’ll bring you right back.”
I hesitated, fingers twisting together. Daddy hadn’t said I couldn’t go to the park. And feeding ducks sounded so nice.
“…Okay,” I said finally. “But just for a little bit.”
Aarev’s smile returned, warm and satisfied. “Perfect.”
I stood and walked over to the pantry, grabbing the loaf of bread from the shelf.
Daddy would probably understand.
I hoped.
I tucked the bread into a reusable bag and slipped my shoes on by the door. Before I reached for the handle, a thought occurred to me, and I paused.
“Oh—I should text him,” I said, turning back toward the entryway table where my phone was charging. “Just to tell him where I’m going.”
Aarev stopped behind me. “That’s probably a good idea,” he said. “I didn’t know you even had a phone.”
“I’m not very good at it yet. Jace just got it for me a week and a half ago.”
I picked up the phone, the screen lighting up at my touch.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard.