by Melissa Haag
Emmitt backed up until the gate hung over the steps then parked the truck. He and Jim hopped out and got to work unloading everything. No matter what it was, they made it look effortless. Leather sofa, love seat, recliner, queen bed, bunk beds, dressers. They never appeared winded nor did they need a break. I stayed with the boys until all the big pieces were inside. Then, we followed.
I hadn’t been in the apartment since I’d given Emmitt my opinion on the bathroom color. This time when I stepped into the kitchen from the hallway door, I looked at it with new eyes.
The living room was no longer a big, empty cavern. The sofa and loveseat helped fill the space, making it look homey. Someone had positioned both so they faced a widescreen television. I wondered where the money had come from for all the new furniture. The boys raced to the back of the apartment. I watched Nana set the end tables near the sofa.
Feeling pensive, I moved to the boys’ bedroom where I heard Jim and Emmitt talking. A bedframe, the first of a pair that would stack for bunk beds, lay half-assembled on the floor. The boys squatted near, eagerly asking to help. Jim handed them the screws and bolts to hold, and I smiled at their enthusiasm before glancing at the two matching dressers that sentineled one of the room’s windows. A toy chest sat under the other window, leaving room for the bunk to abut the interior wall.
I watched from the doorway for a moment, wondering if my brothers thought of their room back home. Large and open with a few toys to entertain their lonely hours locked inside, it had originally been the master suite. After my mother died, Richard had contractors come to the house to make several changes. In my grief, I noticed nothing until it was too late. Bare, white institutional walls had replaced the beautiful decorations and colors my mom had contributed, and discreet locks had adorned the doors.
The room before me looked like a real room for two little boys. Bittersweet thoughts of how my mom would react to Emmitt’s efforts filled me.
Leaving them to their work, I turned to check out the other room and froze in the doorway. A queen-sized bed, assembled and made, sat between the two windows that faced the backyard. A dresser sat against the wall to the right of the bed with a reading chair next to it. The light from the nearby window made it a perfect spot to curl up with a book. Beside the bed, the guys had set an end table with a lamp.
Decorated in shades of light brown and blues with green accents, the room reminded me of a day at the lake. Specifically, the day Emmitt had asked me my favorite color. My heart swelled a little though I tried to stop it. I gently touched the light blue quilt patterned with beige stitching. Why were my feelings toward Emmitt so chaotic?
Gorgeous, kind, and completely focused on me, I found him intense at times. Knowing he considered me his and witnessing the vision about us left me floundering, wondering where we stood exactly. If we were normal humans, I’d say we were just in the flirty stage of an almost relationship. After his “mine” talk, I highly doubted he’d agree.
I heard the brush of a foot on the carpet behind me and turned. Emmitt stood there.
“You worry too much,” he said softly.
Yeah, I did. I smiled. “Thank you for this.”
He nodded and seemed to want to say more, but Liam called him from the other room. With an amused tilt to his lips, he answered his helper’s call and left me wondering what he hadn’t said.
Eager to give Emmitt his apartment back and to settle in our own, I started moving our few possessions. With dressers for everyone, I enjoyed putting away our clothes.
“Michelle?” Nana called from the kitchen.
I closed Aden’s dresser drawer and left the boys with instructions to make their beds. When I walked into the kitchen, I was surprised to see Nana there holding a large box.
“When I went rummaging, I was hoping you’d stay. So, I picked up more than clothes.” She set the box on the island, opened it, and showed me a set of pots and pans. “There’s more in the garage. Do you want me to bring it all up?”
I smiled and nodded.
After the boys finished their beds, they went to find Emmitt and Jim. All four left the apartment, suspiciously quiet. I walked through the rooms, looking for what trouble they might have gotten into. Through the windows in my room drifted the sound of Aden laughing. I peeked through the pretty gauze curtains and spotted him playing with Jim outside.
Smiling, I went back to help Nana. We had a mountain of flatware, glassware, pots, and pans to labor through. While we worked, she asked about my research the night before and told me more about her friend, Sam, who was her age, mild-mannered, and sounded like a nice grandfatherly sort. She admitted that she humored him when he called for her input on the market, having no interest in it herself.
I didn’t notice how long we worked until Emmitt returned with two tired boys. The sun hung low in the sky. I glanced at the clock and saw it was almost eight. I hadn’t even thought of feeding them. Emmitt saw my frown and assured me they had already eaten dinner.
“Thank you,” I said to Emmitt. “Nana, I better get these two to bed. I can finish the rest on my own.” She smiled and left with Emmitt. My stomach chose then to growl, but looking at my brothers’ tired faces, I put off my own dinner to help them get ready for bed.
Liam and Aden excitedly tromped to their bedroom to get their pajamas on and then to the bathroom to brush their teeth. I thought they might fight going to sleep, especially in a separate room from me, but they didn’t spare that a thought. Instead, they both tried to claim the top bunk. I stepped in to settle it before it got heated. As the oldest, Liam had the top bunk. Aden pouted until I pointed out the bottom bunk made a better fort by adding a few extra blankets.
I kissed them goodnight, turned off the light, and left the door open. Even after they lay in bed, they giggled and talked until I reminded them if they didn’t close their eyes soon, they’d end up sleeping in and missing precious outside playtime. They quickly grew quiet.
I wandered back to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, I looked for something to eat. The vast empty belly mocked me. I’d moved our things but not the food.
Closing the refrigerator door, I crept to check on the boys before sneaking across the hall to snag some food.
Emmitt met me at the door. “Thought I might see you yet tonight.” He held a fork. On the end, he’d skewered a bite of grilled chicken. I grinned and popped it in my mouth. The temperature caught me off guard, very warm, straight from the grill. He’d probably timed it.
“I didn’t think you could hear through closed doors.”
“I can if I’m close enough. Just across the hall from a closed door, I can hear some things. Like footsteps.” He winked at me and stood aside so I could enter. Two plates waited on the island. “Will you eat with me?”
As if I could say no. My stomach summersaulted in the now familiar way it did when near Emmitt. I nodded. He smiled.
* * * *
For the rest of the week, Nana and I took turns making dinner. When I cooked, I insisted the boys help me. I’d realized how little I did with them when we were together. So I made an effort to change that. They still went down to Nana’s apartment each morning to practice their ABC’s and do projects. Our refrigerator already sported two colorfully glittered works of glue and construction paper. In the afternoons, I practiced baseball with them.
Friday Emmitt cornered me with a request. “We’d like to give you a surprise tomorrow but need you to leave with Nana for at least three hours.”
I stared at him for a moment, knowing he meant without my brothers, and delayed answering. I’d been irresponsible with their wellbeing when I’d left them before. And I’d meant it when I said I wouldn’t do it again.
* * * *
A flood of sunlight woke me. I lounged in the bed for a moment enjoying the novelty of my room. The quiet apartment told me the boys still slept. Sighing, I stretched and got out of bed. For fun, I walked to the closet and stared at my clothes. Sure, there weren’t many, but they
hung neatly displayed, ready for selection. I picked a printed tee and cotton shorts and hurried to take a quick shower before the boys woke up.
When I finished, they still slept quietly snuggled in their new beds, so I decided to go talk to Emmitt. He hadn’t pushed for an answer yesterday after I made it obvious I didn’t want to talk about it. I owed him an explanation. I knew he just wanted to do something nice for me.
He opened his door before I could knock, startling me. He was dressed in jeans and shirt as usual but this shirt ran a little smaller than the rest. The material outlined every ridge and dip on his chest. I stood there awkwardly for a second, trying not to eye him. The hallway flooded with the aroma of sausage and pancakes as he looked me over from head to toe. A shiver ran through me as his slow appraisal caused a deep blush.
“How did you sleep?” I asked, not knowing what to say about his look.
“Fine. The bed still smells like you.”
I didn’t know what so say about that, either. He’d clarified things nicely before, and I knew he was interested in me, but where did that leave us? I wondered what he’d do if I asked him to spell out where exactly we stood in the relationship game.
He didn’t move to let me in, which I thought odd. So I stayed in the hallway, hesitating. His eyes twinkled. Was he laughing at me?
I heard a noise behind me and turned to see Liam standing in the doorway already dressed.
“Want some breakfast, buddy?” Emmitt asked from behind me.
“Yep,” Liam said with a nod. He turned to look behind him. “Hurry up, Aden.” Aden ran down the hallway from their bedroom as he pulled a shirt over his head.
“What are you up to, Liam?” I asked with mock suspicion.
“Nana Wini said if it was okay with you, we could spend the day with Jim and Emmitt so you could go do girl stuff with her.” He looked up at me pleadingly. “Can we?”
I’d been setup be three werewolves and a kindergartner. They wanted me to leave my brothers in their care for three hours for a surprise. Could I trust them to keep Liam and Aden safe if something happened? I knew they would try. After all, they knew whom, or rather what, they faced now. But they didn’t know Blake’s determination.
“Emmitt...” I hated that I was about to say no.
“They will be safe,” he promised stepping close. Liam’s hopeful face bounced between us. “Everything’s been quiet, and you’ve left them before.”
“I know,” I said emphatically. “But that wasn’t right.”
He sighed and looked me in the eyes in a way that curled my toes. “Do you trust us?”
I did. I just didn’t trust Blake. “Just three hours?”
Emmitt nodded and stepped back from me, allowing Liam and Aden space to run into his apartment so they could start their fun-filled day. Emmitt laughed at my disgruntled expression and encouraged me to get shoes on to go down by Nana’s.
Nana waited for me at the bottom step. She wore a pretty sundress and had a purse already slung on her shoulder. When I saw her purse, I hesitated. I hadn’t thought of bringing any money.
“Where are we going? I didn’t bring anything with me.”
“You’re fine as you are. We thought you needed a day out, free of responsibility just for a little while. Our treat.”
A day out?
“Just three hours though, right?” She smiled and nodded. I reluctantly followed her out the door and got into her car.
After a few minutes watching the trees zip by, I relaxed enough to take a deep breath.
“Where are we going?” I asked again, curious.
“Emmitt wanted to treat you to shopping, and Jim thought you’d like a mani and pedi.” I swung my stunned gaze away from the trees to her smiling face. “A little bit of worry-free freedom and fun. That’s what Emmitt wanted for you.”
I blushed, and my stomach warmed at Emmitt’s consideration.
We drove to town, making small talk along the way. She asked about my plans for enrolling Liam in school, and I felt a moment of panic. I hadn’t given it any thought. Blake would probably be watching for Liam to enroll in school. My blood chilled at the thought.
Nana Wini must have seen something in my eyes because she quickly changed the subject and asked me when I’d last had a manicure or pedicure.
Her question completely diverted me from my concern. I admitted I’d never had either. I looked down at my feet and wondered why Jim would suggest it.
* * * *
As we drove into a large city, the other drivers casually glanced at us as we sped past. So many people seeing me. What if Blake or his men came here and started looking? What if they were already here?
“Michelle, I can smell your worry. Breathe through it. Talk about what’s concerning you. Don’t keep it inside.”
“There are so many people. People who look our way and see me. Any one of them might remember me. What if Blake or his men come here looking for me?”
“Do you think he’ll just stop random people and start asking about you? Maybe show your picture? No, honey.” She reached over to pat my leg. “It would call too much attention to himself. He needs to be discreet. He probably still thinks you’re out on your own. If he’s one of us, I’ve given him no reason to think you’ve been found. Other than telling the other Elders, we’ve kept your association with us quiet.” Her words reassured me.
She pulled into a space in front of a day spa and killed the engine. “Ready?”
I glanced at the screened windows of the small building before us. I couldn’t see more than the reception desk. The only person visible, a young woman, sat behind the desk, looking down at her computer screen. I nodded, got out, and followed Nana’s lead.
The inside smelled lightly perfumed, and quiet pop music played overhead. The woman behind the desk looked up with a smile and welcomed us.
Minutes later, we sat in massaging chairs while our feet soaked. Nana conversed with the person rubbing lotion into her calves. I half-listened to their conversation while I watched the woman on the stool in front of me. She sorted through her metal instruments, selecting two and lifted my foot out of the water.
“...mauled by some kind of dog.”
The words caught my attention, and I glanced at the woman at Nana’s feet. I didn’t see how talking about a mauling counted as a relaxing day.
“Happened almost a month ago. I just read more about it this morning. I guess the guy’s family went missing right after that. There’s all kinds of speculation.”
“Not that I don’t feel sorry for the man, but why would that go viral?” Nana asked.
I tried not to smile at Nana’s very modern terminology.
“The dog is crazy big. It stood chest high. They’re trying to identify the breed but can’t.”
Great. Enormous, mad dogs on the loose. This planet needed a reality check.
The woman at my feet offered me two color wheels so I could pick a polish. I let the rest of the conversation drift over me while I studied a vibrant pink-orange.
* * * *
Nails polished, purchases in the back seat, we headed home hours later. I thanked Nana for the day. I’d tried to be fun and gracious, but Nana probably noticed my lack of enthusiasm.
She waved off my thanks. “The nails were Jim’s treat. All I sprang for was the phone plan, which we needed. Adding you to it was no hardship.”
I toyed with the cell phone in my hands. It had a data plan. Probably Emmitt’s idea. The phone could come in handy. I liked knowing I could call and check up on my brothers if I did have to leave them for some reason—like today.
Sitting back in my seat, I watched the country fly past. For an older person, Nana Wini liked to speed. Thankfully, she drove well.
When we pulled into the driveway, Jim and the boys waved from the backyard. They had the sprinkler on full blast. I’d known my brothers would be fine on a certain level, but actually seeing them melted the tension that had prevented me from truly enjoying the day.
I opened the back door to pull out my purchases while Nana Wini went to ask the boys if they’d had fun. Not only had Nana insisted on me getting a phone, but she’d also insisted I buy a dress and shoes, saying that every woman needed something pretty in her closest for any occasion. I didn’t see myself ever going anywhere, so why bother with a dress? But, she’d persisted until I’d distractedly found a solid black dress. Without trying it on, we’d purchased it. I’d assured Nana I knew my size. I really had no idea if the dress would fit but had wanted to get back to my brothers.
Carrying my dress, covered by a white plastic bag so it wouldn’t get dirty, I stepped onto the porch.
“Hold on,” Jim called, leaving the boys to their sprinkler. “You can’t sneak in without showing me.” He looked at me expectantly, and I wiggled my toes for him, again glad I’d worn sandals. “Very nice. Now the dress.”
“How did you—”
“Emmitt told me his contribution to your day.”
Emmitt had wanted me to buy a dress?
“It’s why I thought you’d want your nails done. Better hurry, I hear him coming.”
I gaped at him. “I don’t know if anyone will get to see me in this dress.”
“Day’s not done yet,” he grinned back at me. I shook my head and thanked him for the special consideration. Then I gave him a quick, spontaneous hug.
“You keep that up, and he’ll be treating you to spa days with Nana Wini every week.” Emmitt’s voice rang in the entry.
I turned and saw him coming down the steps. My eyes devoured him, and I realized I’d missed him, too.
“Thank you for the dress,” I said sincerely.
Jim moved away from us, heading toward the boys who still regaled Nana about what they’d done.
“You’re welcome. Just don’t let Jim see it before I do.”
“I think it might stay in the bag for a while.”
“I hope not. I was wondering if you’d consider going to dinner with me. Next Saturday,” he assured me when he saw my panicked look.