Again (Brandy Jeffus)

simultaneously.
    "Ms. Cindy, I'm going to take the girls to the house then I'll be right back okay?" he asks.
    I look at Tatum, but she only shrugs. I know she is exhausted so I decide not to put up a fight this time. Mama agrees and gives both of us girls a kiss.
    This was the first night we are spending away from her since we both arrived. I’ve been constantly worrying about her even though the doctors declared her out of the woods and making progress. For some reason, in the corner of my mind, the thought that nothing bad could happen if I had been there, was present. I feel so apprehensive about leaving her, even though her face is calm and her gray eyes, identical to mine, are warm and relaxed. Plus, I knew Eli was coming back so she really won’t be alone more than half an hour.
    I heave a sigh and follow Tatum behind Eli to the elevators.
    "Thank you Eli," Tatum whispers. We step into the elevator and Eli stands in the middle of us. Tatum leans her head against his shoulder and I see red. Why is she being a traitor?
    Eli smiles, reaches up and pats her head softly. A burn starts in my throat and even though Eli is here helping us and has pretty much saved my mother's life, I feel the overwhelming urge to punch him. I hate him right now for being so damn comfortable around my baby sister and essentially still comfortable around me.
    I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing thoughts. I'm sure it’s lack of sleep and lack of nutritional food that has made me go slightly insane. My mom almost died; I just broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years. We had dated the same amount of time I dated Eli. But for some reason this break up felt freeing, not suffocating like mine and Eli's had felt.
    No, no don't go there, Bonnie. Keep those damn memories to yourself. Keep them locked up where they belong.
    I can’t afford to think back to that time. Not right now. I’m not ready.
    "You cut your hair, it's so short," Eli whispers, interrupting my inner pep talk. I look up at him and he grins at me.
    "It used to be a lot shorter," I answer. I reach up and grab a strand. It is past my shoulders and has grown out considerably from when I chopped it off to chin length. It feels greasy and stringy and all of a sudden embarrassment flares up inside.
    "I think it's very pretty," Eli whispers. I feel my cheeks redden and I quickly drop my hand. The elevator pings, signally we’re at the bottom floor and I quickly step off when the doors open. Eli leads us out the hospital doors into the parking lot. He walks to a silver SUV and opens the front and back passenger door for us. I climb in the back, while Tatum crawls into the front seat.
    Tatum, in her usual fashion, is very inquisitive, “So Eli, when did you become a cop?"
    "Almost two years ago. Right after I got out of the Marines."
    "Yeah, whenever I'm done with the Army, I might go into the academy. Not sure yet. I still have a little less than two years."
    "I enjoyed the Marines, but I was happy to get out. I knew from the first year I'd never be able to make a career out of it. My ultimate goal is to make detective on squad," says Eli.
    "How are your parents?" I ask from the backseat. The question is out before I can even think. What is wrong with you? You’re going to play 20 questions with him now?
    Eli glances back at me and smiles. His constant smiling is seriously getting on my nerves. It reminds me of the past, how he always had a grin plastered on his face. If he wasn't smiling then you knew something was really wrong. That slightly crooked smile was one of the constants in high school. I could always rely on it.
    "They’re well. My mom is about to retire from the school and dad has been really into fishing here lately,” he faces the front and adds quietly, “They always ask about you."
    I nod. I adored Eli's parents when we were together. They were the most perfect pair, so sweet and loving to each other. They gave me unwavering support when my parents split up and Mrs. Stone would take Tatum and I out on 'girl dates' to help my mom out.
    I smile thinking of them. The Stones are great people, two of the most influential people I had in my life growing up. Mrs. Stone only had Eli, and told me often I was the daughter she never had.
    Eli parks in front of Mama's house and gets out opening our doors.
    "I'll walk you ladies up if it's alright," Eli states as he walks beside us. Tatum fumbles through her purse to find the house keys and I peek at Eli, who is