Page 79 of Loving the Sinner
“Or,what?” I prompt.
“Or she agrees to go with you and you spend eight months traveling around with a sick band, playing your music, making industry connections, all with your girl by your side, cheering you on. But you’ll never know unless you ask her.”
She’s right. It’s what I’ve thought too, but hearing someone else say it validates what I was thinking.
“You said ‘I love you’ yet?” Robin questions.
“Yeah. The morning after the club.” I can feel my face turning red. I’m not embarrassed about loving Elli. Iamembarrassed about not telling Robin immediately.
She rolls her eyes, “Of course you didn’t tell me! Rude, Wes. That’s rude.”
“Sorry.”
“I forgive you. But only because I’m so damn proud of you. Even if you choose not to go on this tour, you still got asked.Youwere chosen by a big band to open for their tour! And, you’ve got one helluva girl at your side. She’s the one that inspired the song that they obsessed over. I’d say she’s your lucky charm.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I finish off my own breakfast sandwich. “I’ve got to go talk to my girl. I’ll see you when we get back from Utah in a week.”
“Have fun! Be safe! Bring me back something cool!”
I wave her off and practically jog to my car, barely managing to go the speed limit as I speed to Elli’s apartment. She gave me a key a few days ago so I just let myself in, and I hear her on the phone in her room.
I knock on the door frame quietly, and she looks up from her computer and gives me a small smile and wave.
“No, Mom.” She pauses and I can hear her mom’s shrill voice talking on the other side. “Do you not want me to come? Because you made it very clear that this was more important than almost anything, and I want to be there to support Spencer.”
Another pause to listen to her mom. I can see Elli’s hands balled into fists, so I gently sit down next to her on the bed and grab one hand and intertwine it with my own.
“I have no control over Izzy and you know that. Izzy is almost eighteen and can make her own decisions. In fact, I specifically told Izzy that I would not be influencing her about the church either way. So if she wants to leave that’s her choice.”
Elli’s mom is full on screaming at her now, and Elli’s starting to cry. Though her voice is calm when she speaks, little drops of sadness fall from her beautiful blue eyes whenever she blinks.
“I’m not canceling my trip. If you don’t want to see me then fine, I won’t come to the house. But I’m not going to make Spencer think he’s unsupported by me. Text me your decision. Goodbye, Mother.” Elli says and then hangs up the phone.
The sobs she was holding back come out in full force as she buries her face in my chest. I gently stroke her back, her hair, her arms, waiting for her to cry it all out. I know she’ll tell me all about it when she’s done.
“Izzy,” she hiccups after her sobs stop, “Izzy wants to leave the church. She doesn’t believe in it anymore, I guess. And mom thinks I’ve ‘poisoned’ her only other daughter against her.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I kn-know. But my mom thinks that because I left, Izzy’s following my example. ItoldIzzy that I wouldn’t be persuading her either way. That whatever conclusion she came to had to be made independently. She’s texted me a few times to ask me questions and I’ve given her as neutral an answer as I could. Now mom’s saying it’s going to affect Gideon and Issac too and it’s all my fault.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I wish I could make some better reassurances but I’m not quite sure how to handle this situation. Just know I’m here for whatever you need. I’ve met Izzy. That girl is not going to do something she doesn't want to do. I honestly think even if you hadn’t left, she would eventually.”
Elli sniffles, “Yeah. I think she would have too. Thank you, Wes. I’m sorry if this ruins our trip. I wanted to have a fun time with minimal drama, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. I understand if you don’t want to go now.”
I shush her, “I’m not going to let you go alone. I’m excited to see where you grew up. I’ve got you, Elli.”
We lay there quietly while she calms down, then she sits up and sighs. “Sorry, that wasn’t how I wanted to greet you. How was breakfast with Robs?”
“It was good. She’s been getting flirty with an artist. I told her we’d come visit the gallery once we were back.”
Elli’s smile is as bright as the sun, “Good for her. I’m excited to see what she’s done. Talk about anything else?”
Do I bring this up now?
I feel like I don’t want to drop another bomb on her after the ordeal with her mom. I think I’ll wait until we get to Utah and have rested after our road trip before asking her.
“Just caught up with each other. Everyone misses us.” I say instead.
