Ellery's POV
I opened the door and stepped into the room. My mom was lying on the bed, watching reruns of the Three Stooges. She looked bored, as if she did this everyday. In which she does.
"Hi, Mom."
"Ellery, sweetie. You shouldn't have come."
"I haven't seen you in weeks and I've missed you. Besides, today is Sunday, and I have the day off anyways." I said, pulling a chair from beside the doorway and put it next to the bed.
"Well that's good. I wouldn't want to come in between your new job."
"Mom, you'll always be my first priority." I put a piece of graying stray hair behind her ear. "No matter what."
"How's your new job? Is your boss still a jerk, like you said last time?" My mom said, smiling jokingly.
"He's still the same," I sighed "just a little bit better."
"Oh, what happened? What did he do?"
"He offered to be friends, but he's still cocky and arrogant."
"I see."
I took her weak hands in mine and I held it to my face, the skin was cold to the touch. I put the hands down and put my head onto her lap.
"Yep. Boys will be boys." I muttered.
Before I knew it, my eyelids fluttered and closed.
~~~~~~
"Ellery, sweetie. Wake up." A hand shook my shoulder softly.
"Hmm?"
"Wake up."
"Five more minutes."
"Wake up, it's already dark outside."
"What?" I yelled, jumping up from the metal chair. "I must've fallen asleep."
"You must be really tired to have slept that long." My mom said worriedly.
I took a look outside of the small hospital window. It was already twilight, even the moon came out.
"Nope, I just missed you." I lied. Ever since I got the job, I haven't been able to sleep well. I wouldn't have much time to sleep and that is just not what I do. Sleeping is the only thing that I do best besides eating. "I'm going to head home now. I'm sorry about sleeping on you for so long."
"It's okay sweetheart, go home. Get something to eat and then go to bed. Don't go to bed on an empty stomach. You look very skinny these days."
"Okay, okay. I got it. Bye, Mom." I said, as I reached in for a hug.
She embraced me in her skinny arms and it brought warmth to my whole body, almost making me sleepy again.
"Bye Mom. I'll see you later." I walked out the door as she was waving goodbye.
I made my way to the nearest elevator. I pressed the call button and waited.
What was I going to do? There are the hospital bills and my school loans that needs to be paid. Getting kicked out of my apartment is definitely not a good thing. Holly and I aren't talking because of that incident, that means I don't have a place to crash. Why did it have to be now? I seriously am in need of a miracle right now.
The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside.
~~~~~~
I sighed in desperation as I clicked on what seemed like the 100th link. It seemed like a low rent for an average room didn't exist anymore.
"Ms. Aires, I don't think doing that is in your job description."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Go away, can't you see I'm working?"
"I don't think Mr. Mercuer would be very happy to see what you're doing."
"Why do you care?" I said waving the person talking to go away.
"Because I write your paycheck."
I turned around abruptly. Charles was standing right behind me with an amused look on his face. I shook inside as I slowly stood up from the chair.
"Mr. Mercuer. I-I'm really sorry."
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I-I'm looking for a new place to live."
"Are you supposed to do this during company time? I think this is meant to be for some other place and time."
"Technically, it's my lunch break, Sir."
He looked almost embarrassed. "Why do you need a new place?"
"I got evicted from the old place."
"Hmm. I could help you."
"Really?"
"I know a place that's bigger and it's way cheaper than that place." He said, gesturing towards the computer on my desk.
"Are you serious?" I couldn't hide the excitement out of my voice.
"Yes, I am. It's very clean, has a nice view, and all sorts of things that would float your boat."
"Oh my gosh, you have to tell me where it is."
"It's right here in the city."
"That's not very funny, Mr. Mercuer. Why do you always do this to me? A place in the city, for that price, it's impossible, unless you want me to live in the sewers."
"I'm serious, Ellery. It's a nice place."
"Really? Then where is it?"
"My house."