Carter Brothers: Eli (Rated R)

Prologue

"Excuse me. Excuse me!"

The young bottle red-head glares at the petite blonde from over her screen. Murky brown eyes, just about visible as they shoot lasers from all the heavy dark eye make-up.

"Yes. Can I help you?" sneers the red-head. Ivy grits her teeth and stares back at the woman for a moment, assessing her mousse brown roots showing from the terrible dye job and almost snorting in disgust. Seriously?! If you're going to dye it, at least do it right.

"I'm here to see Mrs. Stanford. Which room would that be?" presses on Ivy, her eyes still fixed on the girls terrible hair.

"Room 12 on the Fairdale Ward. If you follow the blue signs, they'll direct you to the ward. Will that be all?" politely but coldly directs the woman.

"Yep," grimaces Ivy spinning on her heels and striding in the direction of Fairdale.

Her sneakers squeak to a stop reaching the ward and she knocks to be let in. Visiting hours were still a good 2 hours to go, but Ivy can't wait. She needs to make sure her mother's alright. As one of the nurses asks for her business, she quickly reports it to them before the nurse allows her into the room. With it being the town hospital precautions of safety is highly scrutinised to protect the staff and also the patients.

"Mom? Mom?" gently shakes Ivy at her sleeping mothers shoulders. An ounce of guilt weighs down on her for waking up her poorly mother but for her own reassurance she needs to make sure she's okay.

"Excuse me Miss. Please let her rest for now. She's had a lot of tests done," explains the nurse.

"Why is she being kept here? Is she okay? What happened?" whispers Ivy, deep green eyes flashing with concern and more so prominently fear.

"She's relapsed again. Doctor Stacy has recommended chemotherapy as soon as possible but I'm afraid the only available slot we can give you is for next month. Until then, she's been prescribed oral-chemotherapy tablets. These can be taken at home but must be taken exactly according to the instructions. I have some brochures on it, actually. They basically give you all the information you need about the pills. It's strong stuff so expect some side-effects; these can be anything from vomiting to nausea to hair loss or even diarrhea. It's hard to predict but if it's too severe just come back in. Now, your mother should know about all this but if you do have any questions feel free to ask. And...I'm sorry, Miss Stanford."

Ivy forces on a wavering smile and blinks back the tears.

"Right...Um, may I have some time alone please?" she asks, trying to keep her voice even.

"Of course. I'll just go get those pamphlets."

As the door softly clicks shut behind the nurse, ivy has time to allow her heavy to drop and a few tears to roll down her cheeks. Why?! Why does this have to happen again?! She cries to herself. Isn't it enough that she and her mother has had to go through it all once before?! What-

"Ivy? Sweetheart?" comes the soft calls of her mother. Ivy hastily wipes the tears and tear trails from her cheeks before spinning around to face her mother.

"Hey mom," she greets, making her way to her mothers bed-side. Sitting herself on the designated seat next to her mother, she takes her hand in her own and gently strokes.

"When did you get here?"

"Half an hour ago. I dumped my stuff at home and came straight here...Mom, you said you were fine," accuses Ivy trying not to raise her voice at her sick mother.

"I didn't know it was back. I just thought the dizziness and aching were just the wearing effects of the last chemo."

"Alright, well you should have told me."

"I know. I'm sorry Muffin."

As her mother smiles her that sweet smile and calls her by her pet name, Ivy can't help but feel her heart breaking just a little.

"When are you going back? Isn't it mid-semester Ivy? Should you be here?"

"Honestly mom, who cares?! I'm not going to just stay there when you're here lying in a hospital bed-"

"They said it was just a precautionary. In fact, I'm getting dismissed now anyway," protests her mother.

"It doesn't matter. I've been thinking about this for a while now and I think...going to college was a mistake."

A sweep of silence passes through them before Ivy's mother sighs.

"Ivy, don't be silly. Getting a business degree is what you want remember? Don't quit now and don't quit because of me."

"Mom, don't feel guilty," she assures her squeezing her hand and continuing, "this is the best thing for us. We need that money, especially now that you need more treatment.-"

"Ivy, don't give up on your dream because of money-"

"It's not just that. Sure, a lot of it is partially due to that because we have to be realistic mom- it's either college or your treatment; and a stupid degree is nothing compared to your life. Besides...I want to be here for you."

Crystal droplets roll down Dawn Stanford's cheeks. She couldn't have asked for a better daughter. Ever since the death of her husband, she'd been scared to death about how it would affect her daughter and how she'd turn out to be. However that concern was unnecessary as she learnt quickly that her daughter could cope extremely well to change. Particularly change for the worse.

"Mom?! Mom, why are you crying? Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse?" questions Ivy not missing the tiny drops splurging onto the bed sheets.

"No, no, it's not that..."

"Then what is it mom?"

"Ivy...I'm just glad you're coping so well. I know this must be so hard on you. Everything, that's happened, is more than you deserve sweetheart-"

"Mom...don't," softly groans Ivy. She knows the events in her life are tragic but it's not the end of the world. There are a lot worse things in the world and Ivy's somewhat glad it's not them. Although, normal nature does dictate that she should feel some self-pity but how can she do that when every thought of hers circles around her sick mother and their financial status.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop talking right after I tell you I love you..."

"Well, go on," grins Ivy setting off a cheeky smile on her mother's face.

"I love you, Muffin-top."

"Love you too, Cuddles."

*************************************************************

"Hi my name's Eric Campbell and I'm...a sexaholic."

"Hi Eric," comes a chanted cry.

"Tell us Eric, when did...when did it all go wrong?" asks the leader, a tall brunette woman. Her oversized cardigan looked like it was swallowing her up whole. Other pieces of layered clothing peek out at her arms and her legs. Her feet are enclosed in a pair of plain suede clogs and her brunette hair is up in a messy bun; her bangs brushing at her black frame glasses. A small blush appears on her cheeks as her eyes praise down the tall, built figure of Eric; she's only a woman after all.

"Well, I guess I really realised it a problem a year ago. I mean, I thought I was just going through that guy phase you know, bang anything in sight. I thought...I thought it was normal. But then...I was visiting my parent's. They wanted a family holiday so I went along with them for a month to Egypt. I guess that's when I realised it was a problem...that I'm a...sexaholic. I couldn't go without it and I...it's always been there, you know, so how could I refuse?!" Explains the dirty blonde man.

"Er...oh okay, thank you for sharing, Eric. Come on, let's give a round of applause to Eric, please," calls the brunette, "now that's all we have time for. But don't worry Eric, next week we will talk about this and work this through. You are not alone."

"You are not alone," repeats the others completely in-sync.

After the talk, Eric hangs back waiting to talk to his leader.

"Eric! Congratulations on sharing. I know it must have been difficult," she encourages.

"Thanks Lisa, that's so kind of you. Would you...no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be asking you that," he shakes his head waving off the matter, only to be stopped by the woman.

"No, go on," she grins.

"Well, would you like to grab coffee or tea or whatever, some time with me...maybe?" he grins. Lisa feels her heart skip a beat at that smile. Oh God...His cheeks, raise up and his straight teeth flash at her.

"Yes, of course."

"Great. So what time's best for you? I mean if you're not doing anything now..."

"No, no, I'm not. Sure, let's go."

"That's...great."

"Sounds good. I know this coffee shop near my apartment actually, they make the best latte's."

Bodies press against each other in a heated frenzy. He pulls the hideous oversized cardigan from her body whilst leading their bodies into the bedroom. His talented fingers pry off her layers until she's left in only a pair of white cotton panties and a plain white bra. She steps back slightly to allow him to tear off the navy t-shirt from his torso. And what a sight that left. Lisa bites on her lips, squeezing her thighs tight as she faces the view of a body that looks like it should be on a photo-shopped advert.

"Wait...should I be doing this?" asks Eric dropping his pants along with his boxers and tugging the lingerie covered woman closer.

"Don't you dare leaving me hanging like this, Eric. I've been waiting for this for a long time," scolds Lisa in a rushed, heated whisper. Eric just grins and pulls her in for a passionate kiss.

"Eric? Where are you going?" she wearily asks, hugging the sheets to her sweaty body as she sits up.

"Oh...um," mumbles the man, pulling on his clothes and leaning over to kiss the woman on the forehead.

"See the thing is Lisa, you're a sweetheart. Sorry, I had to do this but I've got to go now-"

"Wait! Will I see you again? Can I get your number?-"

"Sorry beautiful, but I don't do relationships. I'm not even a sexaholic, I only came to that thing because I was pushed into it. In fact, Eric's not even my real name. Sorry again, darling. But hey! Thanks for the sex. I wasn't wrong; you do have a rocking body. Bye now!"

Lisa blinks her eyes in shock, as the man rushes out of her apartment in a flash. Flopping back onto the mattress, she has to wonder to herself-what the fuck just happened?