Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 5

At the mention of calling Aaron, Ellie spun away quickly, “Mom, Aaron’s up to his eyeballs in work. Let’s not get in his hair. We’ll catch up with him later, I promise,

“Once he’s got some breathing space, we’ll head back and spend a good chunk of time with you, Ellie said, her voice quivering as she avoided eye contact with her mother.

Ellie’s mom wasn’t a frequent visitor, she couldn’t read, and traveling was a challenge for her. Plus, she was always conscious about not wanting to cause any embarrassment for her kids.

This time, she must have really missed them to make the effort to come. But there was no way Ellie could tell her that Aaron was in a tough spot, currently behind bars.

“Your studies come first,” Joanna said, her voice attempting to sound light, but her eyes told a different story. They were clouded with disappointment.

She scrubbed her calloused hands on her pants before squatting down and starting to unpack her burlap bag. It was like a mini grocery store in there–vegetables, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, cornmeal, and so on.

After a brief silence, Joanna went on, “Ellie, your dad… he’s talking about stopping his meds. He’s worried about the costs, with Aaron and you needing to settle down.

“We’re still in debt to Carlos for all the school fees. He feels like he’s not contributing, just holding you back. I gave him a piece of my mind.

She took a breath and added, “If you and Aaron can manage it, come home next week. Try to talk some sense into him” Ellie glanced over at her mom, who was now huddled in the corner. Despite being just a bit over fifty, her hair was mostly silver. Her words were soft–spoken, but to Ellie, they resonated deeply. It was the harsh reality of their financial struggles.

She thought back to the cutting remarks from Alex: “What does your brother have that could compete with me?” And then, “What do you think you can use to stand up to me?”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ellie managed a smile. “Mom, don’t you worry. Aaron and I will be there next week

As joy spread across her mother’s face, Ellie, trying to keep things light, added, “And don’t just think about Aaron, now. I’m starving.

Her mom sprang up and hurried to the kitchen to whip something up. Ellie watched, fighting back the tears, as the aroma of a home–cooked meal filled the air–some cheese–meat–sausage sagna, a reminder of the love that held them together through the tough times.

Ellie’s small apartment wasn’t often the scene of family dinners, but tonight was different. As they sat dow fidgeted with a slice of lasagna clearly wrestling with some old guilt.

to eat, Joanna

if didn’t think it was the right thing

bowl. “Mom, we’ve been over this. I

She’d ended up in a chemical plant’s waste pond in a bid to help a boy, and it had nearly cost her everything.

1/3

Love and Deepspace

T

Fri, Jan 24

Chapter 5

not without any price. His leg had never been the same, and the toxins had left him with a lingering

Carlos, who claimed to be a friend of her grandpa’s had shown up, offering to help with school fees and even adoption. It was a

They’d considered sending her brother instead, but Carlos’d insisted on taking Ellie, admiring her quiet obedience. Her dad was dead set

with her dad hobbling after them, his voice cracking as he

slowed him down, and her mom, tears streaming down her face, had led Ellie to the

through not being able to read, and I won’t let that be your life,” her mom had explained through her tears.

a better life, even if it means you end up resenting me. I’m just a simple woman who’s seen enough hardship. I can’t bear the thought of

lasagna towards her mom, “how about

chickens are out in the open, and that old tarp

sow’s due any minute now. Your dad’s not as spry as

stop, and as the bus pulled away, Joanna’s face was still pressed against

fixed on Ellie.

could hear her mom’s voice trailing off. “Come back next week, both of you I’ll make my special

the dark about the mess she and Aaron were

their dad not to stop

getting dark when the rain started to fall.

apology, but all she got back was nothing. It hit her hard–Alex had blocked her. She

up, Ellie reached out to a few of Alex’s friends intil she

that night, Ellie stood outside the Earl Hotel, umbrella in hand, waiting for Alex to come out. She

struggling against the wind, one of its ribs already broken.

let her know that Aaron’s case was moving to trial. Ellie felt a surge of determination; she