Story: WHAT FADES AWAY (part II)

note: this comes after "Come What May" & "Another Day". read them in order or be confused. these characters are real people, but i wanted to use them in my story so get over it. Comin along slowly, but kinda surely.

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Elijah let out a deep sigh as he looked across the kitchen table as Billy pulled his mobile phone away from his ear, closing it slowly, setting it down in front of him.

“Any answer?” Elijah asked softly before spooning a bit of cereal into his mouth.
“No, not even his voice mail.” Billy replied. “It’s not like him to run off like this Lij. He didn’t even leave a note. He knew we wouldn’t be gone long.”
“He’ll be back.” Elijah mumbled with a swallow. “He couldn’t have gone too far, you had his car.”
“I know, but I worry about him. I didn’t expect him to vanish without a trace. I had something I wanted to tell him when we came back.”
“About that short film offer?” Elijah replied, taking in another mouthful of cereal. “You know, he’ll want to go with you if you take it.” Elijah said, shaking his spoon at Billy.
“I know he will, but he can’t. Not this time anyways. I can’t have him ruin this with one of his ‘fits’. I was hoping you could stay with him, keep an eye on him and what not until I get back. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a week.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea Bill.” Elijah said quietly. “He’s done really well since I’ve been here, just one outburst if I recall and that was more than five days ago. He needs you with him Bill, no matter what. You really shouldn’t leave him behind.”
“Why the sudden pressure to take him with me everywhere I go?” Billy replied with a scowl. “You’ve been quite adamant on that subject for the last few days. What’s the deal?”
“Just forget it Bill.” Elijah sighed, pushing his bowl of cereal away. “Nothing more I can say will change your mind. Maybe when Dom gets home he can change it for you.” Elijah then stood up, making his way to the sink, pouring himself a glass of water. A deep silence then filled the room as Elijah looked up to the clock hanging on a nearby wall. It was almost noon.
“How does it feel?” Billy replied quietly. “You know, having the cast off now and all.”
“Feels good.” Elijah answered, dumping a small bit of water left in his glass down the sink drain. “I still wish you would have let Dom come with us this morning though. It just didn’t feel right leaving him here.”
“He was sleeping and I didn’t want to wake him.” Billy said, reaching for his phone and opening the cover. “He knew where we were going.”
“You ever think that’s why he isn’t here?” Elijah replied sarcastically. “Maybe he thinks you’re pushing him away.”
“Away from what?”
“Away from yourself Bill.” Elijah answered, sitting back down at the table. “You probably don’t see it, but I do. Tell me, what would you do if something else were to come up Bill? What if this wasn’t the only thing to come between you and Dom?”

Billy grew silent, closing his phone, holding it tightly in his hand.

“I think you’re scared. Scared of everything that has happened and what else might come your way.” Elijah said quietly, leaning back in his chair. “You don’t handle emotion well Bill and when you can’t think of what to say you just start distancing yourself from everyone. You can’t do that anymore Bill. Trust me on this one.” The knob on the front door then turned and Elijah looked away as the door slowly began to open.
“What do you mean?” Billy asked, passing Elijah an awkward glance.
“I don’t have the answer for you on that one.” Elijah replied, getting up from the table as the front door closed. Elijah then turned his eyes to Billy watching as he swallowed hard.
“If you really want to know, you’ll find your answers there.” Elijah said, pointing his finger to Dom as he stood in front of the door, pulling off his jacket setting it on a nearby chair. Dom headed towards the kitchen, looking at Elijah and Billy confused by their wary expressions. Elijah paused for a moment, waiting to see if Billy would say anything more, but no other words passed through his lips. Elijah shook his head, leaving the room, brushing by Dom’s shoulder as he vanished up the stairs, closing the door to the spare bedroom behind him with a loud bang.

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Dom let out a deep sigh, looking away from the stairs as his heart began to race in his chest. His eyes met with Billy’s and he turned away, trying to focus his attention on something other than Billy’s harsh stare.

“Where have you been?” Billy asked crossly, opening and closing the cover to his phone repeatedly.
“I just went for a walk is all.” Dom replied softly, coming further into the kitchen. “I had a lot of thoughts on my mind.”
“I see.” Billy said taking in a deep breath.
“What just happened?” Dom asked, as he poured himself a glass of water from the sink. “What is the matter with Lij?”
“I was hoping you could tell me.” Billy replied as Dom took a small drink of his water. “He seems pretty bent on the idea that you have to go with me everywhere I go, but he sure as hell won’t tell me why. He was really put off that I didn’t wake you up to go with us this morning when he got his cast off.” Dom then took another drink of his water and looked towards the stairs.
“How did it go?”
“It went well.” Billy replied, “He’s healed all fine and dandy but quit trying to change the subject. What’s going on?”
“He’s been doing a lot of thinking.” Dom whispered, pulling his glass away from his lips a bit.
“No doubt with help from you.” Billy remarked coldly, standing up from his chair. “What’s going on Dom? It seems like you’re both hiding something from me and right now I don’t need anything else to pop up unexpected with you. Not after just having this deal come through.”

Dom closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, biting at his bottom lip. He came home set on the idea that he would finally tell Billy everything, the reason why he’s been so distant and destructive around the house, but now, he just couldn’t. It seemed as though something good had come into Billy’s life and he just couldn’t ruin it. Not with this. Not now anyways.

“What deal?” Dom replied quietly, opening his eyes slowly, trying to fight back tears.
“A short film. In Glasgow. They called today and it’s set. I’m to leave tonight. I told them I would take it, but shite Dommie, I can’t go knowing that there are secrets you’re keeping from me. What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” Dom muttered looking down to the floor. “Don’t worry about it, really Bills. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” Billy said softly, coming up to Dom taking the glass of water from his hand. “From the looks of you, I would say you’re not alright.”
“Can I come?” Dom whispered, looking up to Billy with wide eyes. Billy breathed in deeply, smiling shyly, gently shaking his head as he put his hand to Dom’s face.
“Not this time Dommie.” Billy replied quietly. “I won’t be away more than a week though. I asked Lij if he could stay with you here while I’m away, to keep an eye on you.”
“And what did he say?”
“Well, he really didn’t give me an answer. All he said was that it wasn’t a good idea to leave you here.”
“Then why can’t I come?” Dom asked, his voice fading to a whisper.
“Because I can’t...” Billy began.
“Is it because you can’t, or you don’t want to?” Dom asked again, his eyes glaring. Billy couldn’t answer. He just swallowed hard, setting Dom’s glass of water down on the table before putting his hands in his pockets.
“That’s what I thought.” Dom replied, pushing past Billy, making his way towards the stairs.
“Dom!” Billy yelled out. Dom stopped and turned around his face deeply saddened.
“Don’t.” Dom said, shaking his head. “Go home Bills, please. Just leave me alone.” Dom then walked away, heading up the stairs, closing his bedroom door tightly behind him.