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 sbreathing space, we'll head back and spend a good chunk of twith 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 cfirst," 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, chnext week. Try to talk ssense 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-scheese-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 sold guilt.

to eat, Joanna "Honey, you know I wouldn't have done what I did back then if didn't think it was the right thing for you, she said, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Ellie reached out, gently taking the lasagna from her mom's hard and placing it in her own bowl. "Mom, we've been over this. I don't hold it against you, she reassured her, trying to lighten the mood.

The memory of that near-fatal incident when Ellie was just a kid was still a bit hazy. 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 11:12 Fri, Jan 24 GD.

Chapter 5 Her dad had cto her rescue, but not without any price. His leg had never been the same, and the toxins had left him with a lingering cough that never seemed to go away.

After her grandpa's passing, a wealthy old man, 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 lot to take in One night, Ellie had heard her parents arguing about the risks of her leaving with Carlos. They'd considered sending her brother instead, but Carlos'd insisted on taking Ellie, admiring her quiet obedience. Her dad was dead set against it, leading to a fierce dispute that echoed through the house.

In the end, it was her mom who had pulled her towards Carlos's car, with her dad hobbling after them, his voice cracking as he called out Effle's name, accusing her mon of being heartless, Her dad's limp had slowed him down, and her mom, tears streaming down her face, had led Ellie to the edge of town, where she'd tearfully watched as Ellie was driven away.

Tve lived through not being able to read, and I won't let that be your life," her mom had explained through her tears. "You're my own flesh and blood, and I love you more than anything I just didn't have the means.

"All I want is for you to have a chance at 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 you going through the same." "Hey, Mom," Ellie said, pushing a piece of lasagna towards her mom, "how about you crash at my place tonight?" Joanna smiled. “Nah, I don't want to cramp your style. Plus, I've got to get back. The chickens are out in the open, and that old tarp needs to be put up before the storm hits.

"And the sow's due any minute now. Your dad's not as spry as he used to be, so he could use a hand." Ellie walked her mom to the bus stop, and as the bus pulled away, Joanna's face was still pressed against the window, her eyes fixed on Ellie.

Even with the noise of the bus, Ellie could hear her mom's voice trailing off. "Cback next week, both of you I'll make my special lasagna." Once the bus was out of sight, Ellie let the tears fall. She had to keep her parents in the dark about the mess she and Aaron were in. She had to talk to Alex, her brother's only shot at staying out of trouble.

Next week, she'd have to go hwith Aaron and convince their dad not to stop his meds-it was a matter of life and death.

Ellie quickly tidied up her place before stepping out with her umbrella. It was just getting dark when the rain started to fall. Standing outside the cafe, she felt her heart race as she dialed Alex's number, but he didn't pick up.

Frustrated, she sent him an apology, but all she got back was nothing. It hit her hard-Alex had blocked her. She sighed, feeling defeated Not ready to give up, Ellie reached out to a few of Alex's friends intil she finally found out where he was. Later that night, Ellie stood outside the Earl Hotel, umbrella in hand, waiting for Alex to cout. She knew he was inside. but she couldn't bring herself to walk in.

The rain wasn't pouring, but it was enough to leave her soaked from the waist down. Her umbrella was struggling against the wind, one of its ribs already broken. She stared at the revolving doors, her eyes glued to them.

Just before. Haley had called to let her know that Aaron's case was moving to trial. Ellie felt a surge of determination; she 2/3 Love and Deepspace 11:12 Fri Jan Chapter 5 had to see him tonight, no matter what. She couldn't let this chance slip away.

At the Earl Hotel, the luxury suite was buzzing with the casual hanter of a card game. Alex was in the middle of it, dealing out cards when his buddy Layton Mosley sauntered in.

"Alex, your little charge been causing trouble? Layton joked, clapping him on the back.

It was no secret that the Warren family had taken in a girl from a poor village, and Alex was stricter with her than anyone.

He just gave Layton a half-smile, cigarette perched on his lip. "She's getting to that age, you know? Hard to keep tabs on," he said, shuffling the cards with a practiced hand Layton pulled up a chair, a thoughtful look on his face. Haven't spotted her around in a while. Thought she might've left the nest

"Alex, you're not her real brother, man. You gotta be careful with how close you get, another man warhed, voice serious. "En she's grown up. She needs her own space,buddy dismissed and said, not wanting to get into it.

And just like that, the guys were off, discussing the finer points of female beauty, a conversation that could rage on forever. As the night dragged on, it was clear Alex was checked out. He was down by a pretty penny, but he didn't seem to mind. Tm tapped out, guys. You keep it going," he said, tossing his cards on the table and pushing back his chair. With that, he left the gbehind, ready to call it a night. 3/3 E Comment Love and na..