Chapter Twenty

Everyday for the past two and a half months, Kellie has been taking Elowen to the motel Philip boarded himself inside. She either brings him clothes, love, notes, or peanut news comics. But the first thing she always tell him is to man up and go home.

Kellie would wait patiently in her car until elowen gets back. Today she brought him a coat since they were halfway into November and the tempetures were dropping in quick speeds. She also had good news for him. News that she hopes is true.

"Thank you," he whispered while hanging the coat in the closet. "I don't want you spending anymore money on clothes for me. I feel bad enough that you're willing to do these things."

"I do it because I love you," she smiled widely. He peered over to the girl laid out on the bed. "Also... I didn't buy that. You're mother gave it to me."

Philip whirled around on his heels and frowned. "You're talking to those people. I told you to stay away from them. I want nothing from them!"

Elowen stood up quickly and draped her arms across his shoulders to calm him down. "Philip, listen. You can't keep going on like this. You're money will dry up and you'll be homeless... er? But your mom cried to me. Said she was worried about you and that she hadn't heard from you in weeks. You need to go back and make up."

She stared at his beard that grew in ever since his razor broke. He looked rough which is what concerned her. Any longer and Philip would look like the homeless people he often made fun of while driving.

"No. He told me he never wants to see me again so I'm making sure of it. I even applied for a few jobs now. I can make it on my own."

"What about school?" She asked in concern. "You've been skipping days and now you don't even show you're face. What about an education?"

Lightly, he pulled away from Elowen and went to look at his few clothes folded in drawers. "What about it? I was failing anyway."

"But you still tried. You aren't even trying anymore. You're throwing yourself away just because your dad doesn't like me."

"That's not it!" He shouted in her face. "He doesn't like me! He liked nothing about me. I'm always the blame when his life goes to shit but then he idolizes Annabelle and Roy... they're his life. Like I used to be."

They took a seat on the bed and Elowen rested her head on his shoulder while sighing. "Annabelle is well and Roy won some participation award. You mom filled me in on everything important. She also told me... your father cried himself to bed because he didn't know if you were dead or alive."

"Oh, he doesn't care."

"Sounds like the opppsite to me."

She stood up when he laid himself out on the bed. "They're just trying to get me back home. In no time the cops will come knocking at their door wondering why I missed so many days of school. On January third I'll be eighteen and I can withdrawal myself officially. Then I'll leave. I have enough saved to make it to New Mexico."

Elowen scowled at his ridiculous plan. "Then what? You'll be a drop out scraping pennies together to buy a box to sleep in. You're upset and you're not thinking clearly." She rested a hand on his wrist hoping that'll bring him to ease. "We can take you home and talk about Nixon as president. I know how much you hate him."

"Don't touch me, Elowen. You're not even on my side." She frowned when he said that because she's been fighting for his defense since he left. "You don't believe in me. You never did."

"Because I'm thinking logically?" She lashed. "I don't have time for this every single day, Philip. Kellie is waiting in the car and I have homework."

He shot up from his spot on the bed to grab Elowen. "You're leaving me?!" She nodded. "Elo, you're being so rude these days."

"Just go home Philip... and apologize."

Elowen looked at the problem and sighed. "It's eighteen."

"No! Elo, if you're going to help your brother with his homework then help him. Don't sit there and give him the answers." She rolled her eyes at her mother and continued to do her own homework. "You're definitely not an educator."

She stared dumbly past her mother as she thought of that career choice. Being a teacher was never something she wanted to be, but she needed to think of something. Her father left behind a college fund and she didn't even know what degree she'd dedicate it to.

She then shrugged and went back to her work. "Guess not." The doorbell rang seconds later which made her jump. Her mother moved across the room to answer the door with no hesitation. "Who is it?" She asked curiously.

"A Kaitlyn Johnson?"

Elowen almost fell over as she watched the blonde step in with a frown along with Philip's entire family following behind her. "What is this?" The girl asked while jumping out her seat.

"Oh... Elowen. I knew you'd be here." They stare each other down in hatred. "The hills want to know where their son is. I told them no one else would know for sure as much as you would."

Veronica Hill looked at Elowen with begging eyes and Annabelle on her hip. His father stared at the scenery with distaste. He then looked at her and his face softened.

The people who ran her out of their home is now in need of her help. How fucking ironic.

"Elowen, we just want to apologize. What happened all that time ago was our fault and it was wrong. Our son has left us and you're the only person who knows he's alive." She listened closely to Veronica scramble and stammer on her words. "Please take us to him. We're begging you!" She looked at Harry who didn't want to agree but he eventually nodded his head once.

Elowen knew if she brought this family to see Philip, he'd never forgive her. He might even break up with her or worse, completely stop talking to her. But she knows that he can't keep living the way he lives. Philip knows that, but Elowen believes he will never admit it.

"Okay," she spoke softly. "I'll take you to get Philip."