Strings of Destiny

Chapter Three

Nate pulled up to Ellie's and Lene's home. "This is it?"

Ellie nodded as she looked up at the large brown house. "Yep."

"How many rooms is it?"

"Four."

"Your parents must make a lot to get this big of a house with just you four."

"Are you fishing, sir?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "Come on, chipmunk. It's time to say goodbye to Mr. Nate."

Lene yawned widely. "Bye-bye, Mr. Nate."

Nate got out to help both out and up the stairs of their home to the enclosed front porch. "Bye, Lene. Bye, Ellie."

Ellie took her keys out as she balanced everything. "Bye, Nate. Thanks for everything."

"No problem." He waved as he left, whistling as he jogged down the steps.

Ellie opened the front door and ushered Lene inside. She peered through the screen door to see Nate had made it to his car. She turned to go inside herself, missing him pausing before getting in his car to look up at the house for a moment before leaving.

<<<

Eve was surprised by what Lene was telling her as she worked on her new homework. "Oh really? Mr. Nate is fun?"

"Yeah." Lene nodded seriously. "He's so nice."

Eve smiled at her granddaughter warmly. "Good. When do you think you're going to see Mr. Nate again?"

Lane shrugged her tiny shoulders. "I no know, Nana."

"I'm sure you'll see him soon." Eve patted her knee.

Ellie came back from cleaning up the kitchen after making dessert. She was wet up. "Okay, the cake will be done in an hour."

Eve nodded. "So what all do you have to do tonight?"

"Homework. Editing. The usual."

"Mommy? What about my carnival?" Lene looked up from her workbook.

Ellie was hoping she'd forgotten about that! "Oh. Right. I have that."

"Carnival?" Eve was confused.

"Her school is putting on a Halloween carnival." Ellie sighed.

"That should be fun."

"It's not complete yet. We were recruited to help."

"We?"

Ellie buttoned her lips.

"Mr. Nate." Lene piped up.

Ellie pressed her lips together further.

Eve's brows raised. "Oh. Mr. Nate is helping out with the carnival?"

"Yeah." Lene played with her pencil. "Mr. Nate says if they do a good job, Mommy will want to go."

Eve looked up at her oldest daughter with a humorous expression.

Ellie couldn't stand her momma. "Come on, beansprout. It's time for your bath."

Lene was glad to get away from homework. "Okay, Mommy."

Ellie ushered her daughter upstairs amid her mother's loud silence.

<<<

Ellie came back downstairs to check on the chocolate cakes she'd baked. They needed a little more time so she went to the living room. She sat heavily, tired beyond belief.