154
As she entered her house, she dropped her bag and peered into her dad’s study. He was concentrating on something at his computer, but lifted his head when she appeared in his doorway.
“Hey sugar,” he said. He looked like he’d aged so much. He was only 38, but the stress lines around his face made him look like a beaten man. “How were Mike and that house full of women that he has to put up with?”Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
Emily smiled, glad he still had some humour left. “He’s good, about the same. His sisters have really come out of their shells though, especially Beth. Mike’s the same nice guy he always has been.”
“You know, I always liked Mike. Its always a nightmare for a father to worry about what sort of intentions a young man has towards his baby girl. I never worried about him, though. I was amazed that he turned out to be such a good guy after what happened to his parents. Did you two talk about getting back together?”
Emily nodded. “We’re gonna go out tonight, dinner. I’d like to start seeing him again, I think. I’m just gonna take it slow though.”
Her father pushed his chair back from his desk and looked down at his hands, absentmindedly. “You know sweetie, I never asked about California. I know something must have happened to you out there. I figured if you wanted or needed to tell me what happened, that you would.”
Emily nodded. “Thanks, daddy.” She moved around the desk and pulled him to her chest, kissing the top of his head and holding him against her chest. She felt so sad for him, she just wanted to hold and comfort him.
He finally let her go and pulled himself back to his computer, a complicated form sitting amid a pile of other papers. “Well, let me know if you need to talk, pumpkin.”
She nodded and headed off to her room for a shower and a nap.
******
Later that evening, when Mike had left for his date with Emily, there was a definite sadness hanging about the house. Danni headed back outside and sat in a chair, the evening sun just beginning to sink below the Texas horizon, casting streaks of red, orange and purple across the clouds.
She reached down and pulled the locket from her neck. It was the gift that Mike had given her on their trip to the Cayman Islands. It was an important memory for her: the first night they’d made love. She closed her eyes and tears slowly began to flow. Popping the small heart shaped locket open, she smiled when she saw that he’d changed part of the picture. On one side of the locket was the picture that he’d taken of her in the Caymans, sunset behind her, wind in her hair. He’d said later that she’d been the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. The other side of the locket was a photo she’d taken herself. Mike was looking at her with a genuine smile on his face, his hair nicely fixed and his piercing eyes staring straight at her.
Emma came silently up behind her and sat down next to her. They sat quietly for a few minutes, before heading back inside.
******
The evening progressed as planned. Mike drove to Emily’s house and picked her up. He shook her father’s hand, saying how good it was to see him again. He didn’t mention the obvious absence of Emily’s mother.
As her father wished them a pleasant evening, Emily leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Love you, daddy.”
Their conversation was light that evening until they’d finished their meals. “So would you like to start dating again?” Mike asked finally. Emily sighed and Mike had a sinking feeling that he’d moved too soon, that he’d pushed too hard.
“Mike, I just don’t know that I’m worth dating anymore.”
Mike looked at her like she’d just said she was an alien. “I certainly didn’t expect that answer.”
“I mean it. I told you everything that I did out there. Don’t you find me repulsive?”
Mike sighed and shook his head. “Emily, whatever you did out there, you said yourself it was your choice. I know you are a good and decent person and I can’t fault you for having fun out there. Regardless, let me be the one to decide how I feel about you, and trust me. I’m not a bad guy. I won’t ask you to do those things.”
Emily nodded. “Mike, my only real regret is that I did all those things with that… bastard and not with you. You should have been my first,” she said, reaching forwards and clasping his hand.
Mike smiled and nodded. “Lets just take it slow. I’ll start going to church with you again and we can see if there’s any of that old spark left between us.”
The waiter came back and left the check. Mike paid and they exited the restaurant.
“I had a lovely evening,” she said, standing outside her door.
“Me too,” he said, and leaned forwards, placing one hand behind her head and one on her cheek, cradling it and tilting it to the side, his lips gently pressing against hers. She whimpered slightly and fell into him, their lips parting as they embraced.
Emily smiled as she finally broke the embrace. “I’ll text you tomorrow,” she said, unlocking the door.
“You better,” Mike said, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek one last time. “I’ll see you soon.”
Smiling, she waved gently and closed the door as he turned towards Emma’s car.
She heard it start up and drive away and headed for her room. Her dad was busy at his desk and didn’t notice her come in. She didn’t want to disturb him, so she quietly went upstairs and to her room.
That night, Emily awoke to a strange noise. She peered around her room but saw nothing. She heard her dad’s voice. He sounded distressed. She jumped out of bed and hurried across the hall to her dad’s room. Quietly peeking in, she saw her father, still asleep, but obviously in turmoil. He was crying in his sleep, softly. He kept muttering, “Why,” over and over again. Emily’s heart sank. She leaned forwards and put a hand on his forehead and smiled as he calmed visibly. His breathing deepened and he started to snore softly.
Emily looked at the clock and saw that it was barely 11:30. She sighed and sat on the bed next to him, trying to impart some comfort to him. She absolutely hated her mother for what she’d done. She thought that the woman that had made her go to church all that time was a goodly woman. What kind of person would tear a person apart like she had? Emily vowed to never forgive her for what she’d done.
Her thoughts turned back to Mike. She really didn’t know how she felt about him. The kiss they’d shared had been wonderful, but she still felt dirty, like he shouldn’t sully himself with her. He was so incredibly good looking, though, almost more-so than he’d been in high school. She sighed deeply, vowing to treat him right. He was such a good person too. So many guys would have never talked to her again, much less shown any interest if she’d mentioned all the things she’d done. Not Michael, though. She knew in her heart that he’d never had treated her like Shawn did. Thoughts of Mike swimming in her head, her father’s worried cries silenced and his deep breathing filling the room, Emily returned to her room and fell into a deep sleep.