Chapter Text
Waking up from his sleep. His hand trailed back to his left cheek. It's not hot, it doesn't sting anymore. And he couldn't help but feel disappointed. But his underwear is slightly tight around his crotch. He can handle it. He didn't think he could master holding himself 5 months ago, but he did it. The first days since Daniel's departure were awful. It filled him with anger and resentment toward that monster! Why must he make it hard for the young man to suffer, even when he's not around! It was hard adapting to the town again. It was empty, and he is insignificant once again.
He walked to the outside of his bedroom when he saw Mary, on her chair in the dining table, knitting something he couldn't recognize. And with a soft voice, she spoke "good morning Eli"
"good morning" "There are no eggs for today, would you like some milk and bread?" She said it quietly, hoping that he wouldn't make a big fuss out of it on this beautiful day. Surprisingly he didn't!.
"oh, alright." and just like that, he went to the bathroom. Washing his face was less hard nowadays. he had the energy to do it. Looking at his reflection on the mirror, No!. It was too early for that. So he tried to finish up as quickly as possible.
He sat down on his chair, at the head of the old table. And Mary's chair was on his right. But there were other empty chairs, they should get rid of them, leaving the only two they use on a regular basis, he thought. but at maximum, they should keep an extra one, for Mary's guests. If she had any.
They sat down and ate their humble breakfast in a familiar silence. But that silence was short-lived.
"Mrs. Robert, she--, we were having a lovely conversation, her and i, and she was asking about you, and.." she was trembling with her words, as usual, her brother never exactly encouraged her to tell him about her daily boring stories. And she knew better than to stall. "so we were talking about you and Mr. Plainview was brought to the subject" he jerked his head upward. And she saw it!
Damn it, She saw his reaction! And that must have encouraged her, because she continued, now more comfortably. -"and she said he is coming to the town any time this week." As an act of disinterest, and to cover up his mistake, he dropped his eyes back to his bread. "and how does she know that?",
he can control himself no doubt! he wanted to ask about when and where but he didn't, and that was a promising sign! "her son. he was searching for a job, and his uncle told him to stay in town. Mr. Plainview is coming and he's looking for some new workers." he nodded twice. And the silence once again filled the room. Each to their own thoughts.
"Next time, please do check if we need something from the market. I don't like going to the church with grumbling stomach" his voice is soft and low but his tone is as rigid as a brick! he said his last words and stood up from his chair. "I will have my lunch and dinner outside, do not wait for me. And here" he took some dollars from his vest pocket "go and buy some eggs and see if you can sell the empty chairs" he pointed at them with his finger, and before she could protest-and that rarely ever happened-he went outside.
He was walking near the machines that belonged to Daniel. Their town is not as productive as it once was. Daniel drained all the oil. And now no one wants to work in the town. Most of their neighbors left, and the ones who couldn't are left to face a slow death.
It's a dying town, and he's dying to meet Daniel once more. He sat down on the harsh land, trying to control his breathing. So many thoughts and images are rushing to his head. And a familiar ache in his heart he tried to keep at bay for so long crept its way in his veins, again. leaving him exhausted.
It was sick of him to feel this way. Never has he ever felt this way about anyone. It's not love, it's definitely not love. and how could it be? when he hates Daniel, he hates his voice and how he makes it so easy to demolish his pride!! How could he? when he is making his life a living hell!! Hunted by his harsh voice, screaming at him!! Waking him up at night with a sweating body and trembling fingers! and his large strong hands, coming in a strong contact with his face in his drea-- NO! It's not dreams!! It's nightmares!!. It always has and it always will be. But it's something! And this world rarely ever gave him anything. and he prays that the Lord would forgive him for it!
He was starting to stoke his scalp-a habit he developed to calm himself-when he thought of getting a hair cut, and just like that, he felt his palms sweating and trembling again. And with a tight voice and enlarged pupils, he whispered "Oh Daniel". breathing seems to be hard, so he lied down, close your eyes, focus on your breathing, he thought. In, his chest grew larger. He held it there for a few seconds. Out, his chest went back to it normal size. He continued on this action for a few minutes. Until he was calm again. He opened his eyelids. the sun was so bright today and the air is so dry it could cut someone's skin. He hoped it would be Daniel's.
Wait! He said in out loud. "Mary and Mrs. Robert brought Daniel to their conversation by talking about me?!!"
"Oh!"
he started giggling. Daniel would kill him if he knew about this! His giggling grew louder! The strong, angry oilman is now associated with the preach from this small town! It's true not everyone thinks this way, probably the only people who do are Mary and Mrs. Robert! But that's more than enough to fuel Daniel's anger and causes him to react! He always does when it comes to Eli.
It's like The whole word is on one palm of Daniel's and Eli is on the other.