Page 53 of The Second Chance Cinema
“Well, when would be a better moment?” William wanted to know. He ignored Ellie’s question. “She’s always busy. I’ve tried calling.” He turned to look at her in the backseat. This must have been the newer, free-spirited version of her dad. Ellie had mentioned how he had switched from a person who cowered behind her mom to a fan of radical honesty immediately after the accident.
“Please wait, Will.”
“Can somebody fill me in?”
“We’re getting divorced,” her dad announced.
Sandra winced like an insect stung her.
“Are you …You’re serious?” Ellie gripped the door handle, ready to run away from it all. “You’re telling me that you’re getting divorced. At the cemetery. On Ben’s birthday.”
“I’ve tried to call,” William told her. “We’ve tried to set up dinners. I offered to swing by your place.”
“No. You don’t get to put this on me.” Ellie looked between her parents. “It’s you, Dad, isn’t it? This was your idea.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because,” she told him. “Because Mom’s not saying a word. And because you’ve always talked about living somewhere far away as this big aspiration of yours. So, why don’t you just do it, huh? Go off the grid? You have my permission.” Ellie brushed her hands clean. She paused and waited for her dad to fight her.
Or, to fightforher, Drake considered. Neither parent moved to comfort Ellie.
“Let’s not get cruel. We’re here for Ben,” William reminded them. “And it’s his birthday. So, let’s go pay our respects.”
Ellie pushed back in her seat. “I think I’ll stay here.”
“You’re going to see your brother, Ellie,” Sandra insisted.
“What are you so afraid of, Mom? That a stranger will notice I’m not there?”
“We need to show up for him.”
“Show up for Ben?” Ellie asked. “Ben is gone. Mom, you care so much about what people think. Do you want to know what I think about you? I think you’re terrified of people seeing that you’re broken.” The target switched over to William’s back. “And, Dad, don’t worry, I won’t miss you when you leave. You’re barely around now.”
“You’re being hysterical, Ellie,” Sandra said softly.
“She’s ticked off,” William observed. “She’s ticked we’re getting divorced. We hear you on that, Ellie.”
Ellie gave a concerning laugh. “You don’t hear me, Dad. Neither of you ever ask what I need. What’s going on in my life. You lost the kid you liked better, and you can’t stand to face the one you’re left with.”
“That’s not—” William started.
“But thanks for the news.” Ellie nodded, preparing to sink her teeth in. “You two were never right for each other. Maybe you’d have been happier if you were never together. And speaking of bad past decisions, maybe you should’ve thought a little harder about becoming parents.”
She could say awful things when she was hurt. They were all hurting, weren’t they? Her parents couldn’t step up because they were grieving. Ellie’s grief pushed them further away. It clicked for Drake why the Marshalls didn’t talk much, so many years later. They each seemed to share the quick ability to judge andinability to bend. They would need someone, or something, to bring them back together.
In the seat next to him, Drake heard Ellie whisper something.
“Jerk,” she was saying. “Jerk. Jerk.”
“Who?” Drake asked.
“Me,” Ellie said, her eyes glued to the screen. “I was a jerk,” she said. “I don’t remember being a jerk this day. I just remember getting that news and being furious. How I assumed the divorce was my fault, too.”
The movie kept playing. Drake talked right over it. On-screen, William got out of the car, and Sandra walked behind him. Ellie stayed put. “You’re not being a jerk here,” Drake said. “Come on. You were young.” He motioned to the movie. “It was a rough time to give you that news. Of course, you would have a reaction.” The familiar blur and switch of the memories happened. Drake held his breath and hoped the cinema would be on his side tonight.
“I pushed my dad away,” Ellie said. “Shoved him, more like. Maybe I’m the reason he moved. I’m probably the reason my mom and I barely talk. And I didn’t …I didn’t even visit Ben that day. I still haven’t. Can you believe that?”
Drake set Ellie’s head on his shoulder.
