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I hovered by the door, collecting up the spilled food, trying to figure out what to do. It felt like a private moment, something that had nothing to do with me, but I couldn't just leave. Not until I knew Eli was okay. That Evan was okay.
“I’m not leaving him here with you while you’re like this.” Evan’s raised voice drifted out to me.
“Baby boy, come to your momma. Evan doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m fine. See, baby. Momma wanted to stay at home to tuck you into bed.”
Without thinking, I tiptoed into the house. Tension rippled in the air, but that wasn’t the only thing. The stench of liquor lingered.
“Mom, don’t do this,” Evan pleaded, and my heart cracked for him. “Let’s get you to bed, and we can figure something out in the morning.”
“Always trying to get rid of me,” she hissed, her words barely audible.
“Mom—”
Something crashed, and Eli’s scream filled the house. Without thinking, I ran into the kitchen, slamming to a halt to take in the scene before me. Ellen was slumped up against the counter, her eyes narrowed to thin slits, her head rolling on her shoulders. Pressed into Evan’s side, Eli sobbed, watching his mother, while Evan stood there like an emotionless statue, his steely gaze trained on Ellen.
Noticing me, Evan bent down to Eli and whispered something. He nodded and came to me. I opened my arms, wanting nothing more to shelter him from this.
“Take him to his room, I’ll be there soon.”
I nodded and ushered Eli away.
“Who the hell does she think she is… my house.”
“Mom.” Evan’s voice was cold, but I could barely hear Ellen’s reply.
“Taking my… Doesn’t know who… Lose you.”
We entered Eli’s room, and I closed the door to shut out her drunken ramblings, trying to remember they were the words of a bottle and not Evan’s mom.
“Are you okay, buddy?” I crouched down to Eli, his little face pale.
“Ev says Momma gets sick sometimes. Is she sick again? I don’t want her to be sick.” His glassy eyes dropped to the floor, and I reached out to him, laying a hand on his shoulder.
“Your mom loves you very much.” My eyes scanned his room, noticing the small television. “Hey, I know, shall we watch a movie?”
Eli lifted his head and nodded. His lips quivering from the unshed tears. “O-okay. Do you likeToy Story?”
I smiled. “I loveToy Story.”
Eli helped me find the DVD, and I started the movie while he collected his stuffed animals to watch the movie with us. It felt a little weird sitting next to him on his toddler bed, but when he snuggled into my shoulder, I relaxed. All Eli needed was to feel safe, and Evan was that person for him. Brother, protector… father figure. The more time I spent with the Porter brothers, the more I realized the extent of Evan’s responsibilities to his family.
After a while, the door creaked open, and Evan slipped into the room. He looked down at Eli, who was snoring softly beside me after falling asleep only minutes into the film.
“How long has he been out?”
“He didn’t even make it to Buzz’s grand entrance.” Carefully, I slid my arm from under him and shuffled to the end of the bed. “Is everything okay?”
Evan dragged a hand over his face, letting out a weary sigh. “I guess.”
“And your mom?”
“Sleeping it off at Mellie’s.”
“I can go if you want?”
He came to me, and I went willingly into his open arms. “Stay. I thought we could hang out, watch a movie?” Evan dropped his chin onto my head, and I breathed him in.
“Sounds good.”
