by Savanna Grey
“Simmer down, Kat. Why don’t we let Emma explain what that something is.” Sydney intervened. She could tell Emma was uncomfortable. Out of all of them, Emma was the least experienced. She certainly didn’t sleep around. If she and Jack had been together, there was more to the story. Even grief, she didn’t believe, would shove her into an intimate relationship with someone unless she already had strong feelings for them.
“Look, sorry to disappoint you, but there’s not that much to tell.” Jumping in she shared with them how she and Jack ended up sleeping together. “I’m not going to lie. He’s made my skin tingle for years, but you know the story. He’s a career man. He’s Dana’s brother that lived out of town and only visited on holidays. He wasn’t relationship material.”
“Okay. I’ll buy that, but he’s still all those things. What changed, that put the two of you together? Was it comfort to your grieving hearts? Is that it?” Melanie asked. “Because it’s okay if it was. I just know it’s not like you to let your guard down like that. It’s not like other guys in town haven’t tried.” she finished.
Emma thought about that for a moment. Was it just grief? No, at least on her part it wasn’t, although where Jack was concerned it was a very real possibility that was exactly what it could be. She knew he still wasn’t in the market for all the things she was looking for in a relationship. So, why was she with him? Because she was in love with him. Oh My God! I’m in love with him. Her face paled. She wasn’t certain she wouldn’t be sick.
Sydney read her loud and clear. “You’re in love with him.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. She could read it all over Emma’s face.
“This is terrible. I can’t be in love with him. It’s not like that, at least not for him.” Emma said, strain marring her voice.
“What is it then?” Melanie asked?
“Look, Jack doesn’t do relationships. He dates. A lot. His career is his priority, and he certainly has no interest in a small town like Garrett’s Point or a small town girl like me.”
“So, you’re saying he slept with you for a piece of ass?” Kat threw out there. Leave it to Kat to call it like she saw it.
Sighing, Emma had to admit it. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess the answer is pretty much a yes.” Sitting up straighter in her chair, Emma continued, “I know Jack is attracted to me, that he likes me, and that we were able to comfort one another during a tragic event in our lives.”
Emma looked at each of her friends saying, “Don’t look so worried. We have a mutual agreement not to let sleeping together get in the way of our friendship and ultimate responsibility of caring for Olivia.”
“Em, sex always gets in the way. You know that.” Melanie couldn’t help but say.
“Seriously, guys, I’m alright with this. I fell into this with my eyes open, and I have no regrets. Jack is a wonderful guy. I just don’t foresee him ever being my guy, not permanently anyway. I’m going to take this short time together with him and savor it. If I’ve learned anything from Jeff’s and Dana’s passing is that I’ve been playing life from the sidelines at least where my love life is concerned. I need to live life to the fullest, because we aren’t promised tomorrow. “
They understood what she was saying. They’d all been shaken by the accident. Every one of them had reassessed their lives over the past week.
“What about the being in love with him part, Em? How are you going to handle that?” Sydney wanted to make sure she’d thought about this. She’d seen the way Jack had held her at the bar. That wasn’t the look of a man who didn’t care.
“Not to be cliché, but sometimes when you love something or someone, you have to let them go. You know I’m a firm believer that if it’s meant to be, it will be. He’ll go back to Richmond and his life, and I’ll become the primary caregiver for Olivia. Jack will come down on some weekends when he isn’t working. We both agree that Garett’s Point is where Olivia belongs.”
“Wow! How selfless of him.” sniped Kat. “The only thing that really changes for him is some legality on a piece of paper.”
“And the fact that his sister and her husband are dead, Kat.” Emma said flatly.
“I know that, Em, but it doesn’t seem fair that you are doing all the heavy lifting while he goes on about his life, business as usual.” Kat finished not meaning to be hurtful, but honest.
“What other choice was there really? I don’t want to see Olivia uprooted from the home and people she loves and who will support her. Jack really isn’t equipped to take her on alone. His career is everything to him. Make no mistake. He loves his niece. He would take her back to Richmond, but I was the one who offered to be the primary guardian. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s not something I feel like I have to do. It’s what I want to do. Can you understand that?” she asked her friends.
They marveled at the level of compassion Emma possessed. She was selfless in her desire to protect and care for Olivia. Wasn’t that what love was – being willing to put other’s needs before your own?
Wanting to lighten up the mood, Kat diverted the conversation. “I think we all get where you’re coming from. We just worry about you, Mary Poppins. Don’t want to see you get hurt, but let’s get down to the important business at hand.”
“I thought we were talking about the important stuff.” Emma responded.
“Come on. We hadn’t gotten there yet. The most important question to be answered tonight is, was he any good in bed? He might have a pretty face but be a poor performer in the bedroom. I should know. I’ve slept with some gorgeous men, but when it came right down to it, that was all they had – their looks.” Kat finished, shaking her head disappointedly remembering some of those encounters.
“I can put your fears to rest by telling you that Jack has no performance issues in the bedroom. Everything functions just fine. Every time.” Emma said, her cheeks pinking up again.
“Wait a minute. Every time. That would indicate multiple performances. Just how many times are we talking here? Inquiring minds want to know.” Kat had jumped on that like a hot tin roof.
“God, Kat, does it really matter. More than one. Less than 20. That’s all you’re going to get.” Emma stated firmly and said “Next topic. What’s going on with all of you? Syd, how are things at work?”
Emma hated having the focus of discussion on her, especially when she knew her friends could see right through her. She wasn’t ready to talk about the depth of her feelings for Jack. It wasn’t going to change anything. He was going to leave. That closed whatever door they had opened with their intimacy. It had too.
Syd was talking about some tax issue the town was having, but her bigger obstacle right now was hiring a new town attorney. With Jeff’s death, a void had been created there as well. “We’ve posted the position to the town website. You wouldn’t believe some of the resumes I’ve looked at. This isn’t going to be easy to replace Jeff. He was such a good fit with the town’s objectives and provided us great legal counsel.”
“What about you, Kat? Anything news-worthy happening in your corner?” Emma asked. She wanted to keep the conversation moving away from her.
“Not much. A lot of the same ‘ole stuff. We did have something strange happen last night that doesn’t happen very often around here.” She’d piqué all their curiosity.
“Well, don’t leave us hanging. What happened?” Emma questioned. Not a lot of big news occurred in Garrett’s Point, which was a good thing as far as Emma was concerned.
“There was a break-in at Harper’s Hardware. The back door was shimmied open.” Sydney and Melanie had heard the news already but didn’t know the details. Word traveled fast down Main Street, and considering the diner and Town Hall sat on the same block, the businesses had their own built-in grapevine.
“Really?” Emma was shocked. “What did they take from the hardware store? That’s a strange place to break and enter, isn’t it? Did they try and get into the safe?” She riddled Kat with questions.
“Obviously you didn’t read this afternoon’s paper, or you would know the answer to those questions.” Kathryn ribbed her. “To answer them again, Dan hasn’t figured out yet what they were after. The place was a little messed up, kind of rummaged through the garden area strangely enough. The office was untouched.”
“It does sound strange, especially since they didn’t try to get into the office area. I wonder what they were after? Maybe it was some silly kids. I would hope not, but sometimes they get these hair-brained ideas. It seems the bigger the adrenaline rush, the better these days. At least that's what the videos show on You Tube.” Possibilities ran rampant through Emma’s mind. “Did they find any fingerprints?”
“Simmer down, Inspector Gadget. Of course there were. Tons of them. It’s a hands-on store, people picking up tools and looking at parts. It will take the police a long time to filter through those prints. Heck, most of the town has been in there at one time or another.” Kat explained. “Still, it is a strange one. Grady’s been over there all night and day with his deputies.”
Emma had reached over and girl-socked Kat’s arm. She was always calling them her own brand of nicknames. Usually hers was Mary Poppins. She’d gotten used to it. She’d called Kat a few things of her own over the years, all in fun of course. Kathryn certainly kept them all on their toes.
Their food arrived, and they dug in. Emma hadn’t realized how hungry she had been. They inquired as to how Olivia was handling the loss of her parents up to this point. Emma shared with them the incident this morning and what they had done to try and help her deal with her emotions.
“You certainly have the knack for working with children, Em. That little girl is lucky to have you in her life at a time like this.” Melanie complimented Emma.
“That’s what Jack said, but I’m just doing what any decent human being would do in a situation like this. It doesn’t make me special, just a decent human being.”
The other three shared arched glances at the mention of Jack. “Maybe Jack’s smarter than we gave him credit for.” Sydney commented.
Emma ignored her and turned to Mel. “You’ve been awfully quiet tonight, Mel. How are things with you?” Melanie smiled. She knew Emma was deflecting.
“Actually, I have some news.” Melanie dropped that sentence like an egg on the sidewalk and waited. Her friends couldn’t stand not to be in the know. She paused long enough for Kathryn to lose her short thread of patience.
“Are you going to tell us what the news is, or do I need to go all Chinese water-boarding on your ass?”
“Kathryn, my God, do you need to talk like you’re in the ghetto?” Emma scolded.
“Emma,” Kat mocked, “Do I need to remind you that’s where I’m actually from?”
True. Kathryn had grown up in the rough part of town with a single mom that had worked at the local market her entire life, struggling to support her little girl. Kathryn had worked hard to step outside of her boundaries. She was smart and had been curious about everything from an early age. That curiosity had led to her love of journalism. She’d gone to school, but still returned to Garrett’s Point. This was home to her as well. The one thing college hadn’t changed was her razor-sharp tongue and crackling wit.
“Touché, my friend.” Emma stuck her tongue out at Kathryn for effect. Kat couldn’t help but laugh. “Me thinks thou doth spend too much time with five-year-olds.” was her sarcastic reply.
“If you two are finished, can we get back to Mel telling us her news?” Sydney interjected.
All eyes returned to Melanie. “I’ve decided to make some changes around the diner, including the menu.” Melanie waited for their response.
“What?” Kathryn sputtered. “What’s wrong with the diner that you need to make changes to? The diner’s perfect just the way it is!” Kathryn wasn’t big on change.
“Mel, that’s exciting. What are you thinking about doing?” Sydney asked.
“Remember how I always wanted to have a nice little restaurant where friends and family come together with good Italian food?” Melanie asked.
“Vaguely, yes.” Sydney replied, “But you haven’t mentioned that in years.”
“Well, I love the diner, but my heart is with Italian cuisine. It’s great comfort food, and the atmosphere of such a place is what I’ve always wanted to create.” Mel continued.
“This doesn’t sound like a few new curtains and dishes, Mel. This sounds like a major facelift.” Emma commented.
“It is actually. I’ve been researching, and I have a few consultants coming to meet with me out of Richmond and Williamsburg over the next few weeks.”
“That is so exciting, Mel! That’s big news. I can’t believe you’ve kept this under your hat.” Emma was surprised.
“I’ve been considering it for a while now. To be honest, the tragedy with Jeff and Dana was what convinced me to go ahead and do it. I keep putting it off, and I may never get the opportunity to do it. The only thing holding me back was fear to take that step. Now that I have, I am really excited about it.”
Emma sighed. Jeff and Dana had impacted so many lives while living, and they were continuing to do so even in passing.
“Melanie, I’m very proud of you for being so brave, and I know we will all help you any way we can, won’t we girls?” Emma looked to Sydney and Kathryn for confirmation.
“As long as you don’t become some hoity toity joint that has a dress code, I’m in.” Kat grumbled.
Laughing, Emma jumped up saying, “Group hug!” Kat groaned while Melanie grasped Syd to her right and Kat to her left, while Emma hugged them all from behind Mel.
“I’m telling you the Ya Ya’s have nothing on us.” Emma stated.
They all burst into gut-wrenching laughter. They finished their dinners and talked a little more before Emma stood to leave. “It’s getting late. I should head home. Don’t forget about Saturday afternoon at the river. I want to give Olivia the best day we can full of support. Come ready to decorate and hide eggs. Several of her school friends are supposed to come over.”
They said their good-byes and Sydney followed Emma out. Wrapping her arm around her waist, Sydney leaned into her. “Are you sure you’re strong enough to handle this situation with Jack, Em? This isn’t your normal mode.”
Standing on the sidewalk outside the diner, a street lamp illuminated their shadows. “Yes, I’m sure Syd. I’ve never been in love before. I think that makes us stronger and willing to sacrifice more than before.”
“Just be careful not to lose yourself for want of helping someone else, Em.” Syd warned.
She watched Emma drive off before heading to her own vehicle. Being an adult was overrated, she thought to herself as she herself headed home.
Chapter Fifteen
The house was silent except for the noise coming from the television in the family room. As Emma walked through the foyer, she thought about the warning Sydney had given her. Was she in danger of losing herself or had she already lost? She didn’t think so, but it wouldn’t be the first thing she’d ever been wrong about.
The only lights on in the house were the overhead stove light and a lamp shining delicately in the corner of the family room. It was just after nine. When she turned the corner into the family room, she found Olivia sound asleep in Jack’s lap, lying on her favorite pillow. Jack’s head was leaning back against the couch his eyes closed.
Jack’s legs were stretched out onto the ottoman, his shoes removed. Pillows were strewn across the floor, evidence of a recent pillow fight it would seem.
What a picture they made. It was the first time Olivia and Jack had spent this much time together, and by the looks of it, they had spent the evening successfully together.
As she began picking up pillows, she heard “That’s a much better view than the movie I was watching.” Jack’s sleepy drawl made her stomach flutter.
She’d been bent over retrieving a pillow in front of the television. “Maybe you need to pick out better movie m
aterial.” Emma shot back.
Smiling like a predator contemplating its options, Jack grinned slowly. “I have very distractive tastes.” he replied, eliciting a quiet chuckle. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?” Emma asked.
“I may have been told that a time or two.” Jack attempted to slide upward without waking Olivia.
“Looks like the two of you had a good evening.” Emma said, surveying the room for emphasis.
Jack’s smile spread. “We certainly did. Who knew the kid was a champion pillow-fighter?” he jested.
“That was one of her and Jeff’s favorite things to do. Dana was always complaining about busted pillows, but she kept replacing them.”
“If you carry her up, I’ll get her settled into bed.” Emma offered.
“Sounds like a plan.” Jack lifted Olivia into his arms and carried her upstairs. Emma led the way, clearing her bed of stuffed animals and turning down the bed. Jack laid her down and Emma got her undressed and mostly dressed in her pajamas before she roused slightly.
“I beat Uncle Jack tonight.” she mumbled. “Just like I did Daddy.” Heart squeeze. Lord, this was hard.
“I heard. Remind me not to go up against you. Sweet dreams, now Liv. Good-night.” She kissed her forehead and walked to the door. Jack came over and did the same, brushing her hair from her eyes. “Good-night, Olivia. Love you.”
Emma just about had tears in her eyes. This man, who was so child-like himself at times, with no commitment to anything other than his work, was falling for his seven-year-old niece. He was going to be just fine, she told herself. She knew he had it in him. He just didn’t know it.
She headed back downstairs. Their time together was running out. Just a few more days, and he would be heading back to Richmond. Her heart ached at the thought. It’d been two weeks since they’d lost Jeff and Dana. It felt like two months. Either way, she wasn’t ready to let him go. Of course he wasn’t walking out on them, but it was back to his life and up to Emma to create a new life for Olivia, primarily with Jack in it occasionally.