Emma
This was a mistake.A horrible, horrendous, massive mistake. He doesn’t want me here. Heck, he doesn’t want me at all. I’m doing my best to fight the tears, but it’s not working. I quickly wipe away the one that escaped. Then I make a beeline for the hall bathroom. I’ve already had a tour of the apartment. It’s gigantic with three bedrooms and three baths. It’s got floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at Central Park. I can only imagine how much this place must be worth. Not that I care. I don’t. The only thing I care, or cared about, was seeing Eli because Helene had me convinced that Eli was depressed because he missed me.
One minute after seeing him, I know she was wrong. The question is why? Why, all of a sudden, is he done with me?
Grabbing a tissue from the box on the bathroom counter, I blow my nose but do it quietly. I don’t want them to know.
* * *
“Dinner is served.”
Helene lowers the large pan of lasagna down onto the table. Minutes earlier, I’d placed the salad and garlic bread down and found a seat next to Eli. Ordinarily, he’d reach over and place his hand on my leg but not today. No. Today he can barely look at me.
“So, where did you find the money to fly to New York?”
You’d think that was Jack Baxter asking that question but it wasn’t. It was Eli.
“Eli. That’s rude,” his mom interjects.
“So you bought it?” He looks at her pointedly.
“I did not. I offered but she insisted on paying her own way.”
Eli makes a scoffing sound.
I lift my plate and watch as Helene serves me a slice of steaming lasagna. Placing it in front of me, I pick up a fork and begin to play with it. I can’t eat. That’s for sure. Because I have to think instead. Eli’s question makes no sense. Why would he suddenly ask me about money like that? I know his dad probably thinks I’m after his money but surely Eli doesn’t think—
“When will you leave?”
WhenwillI leave? Eli’s question is strange. Specific.
“Eli. What is wrong with you?” His mom is asking all the right questions. It’s too bad I have to be here for them.
Wait. I guess I don’t need to be here. “Will you excuse me?”
“Of course.”
Standing, I walk to the front entrance, grab my purse that’s hanging by the door, and I leave. I’d already taken a walk around the block since we had hours to wait for Eli to get home. We flew out on a 6:00 a.m. flight from Madison arriving in New York after 9:00 a.m. By the time we got to the apartment, I had time to kill. Helene encouraged me to walk around the neighborhood to “get to know the place.” The thought that this could be a place that Eli and I could visit sometimes was exciting. Heck, if he made the team, it may be a place I visited frequently.
But now that it’s dark outside, the city is even more beautiful than it was earlier. The lights from the cars and taxis and buildings make the city feel like it’s alive. I recall someone referring to New York as the city that never sleeps. I can see why that is. Why would you go to bed when there’s always something good going on? Knowing I can stay out for as long as I want, as long as I need, fills me with a sense of relief. I don’t know how long I can take being in the same room with a man who obviously hates me. Maybe that’s too harsh. Hate is a strong word.
“Emma?”
I’m startled by the voice. Looking up, I see Helene approach.
“Honey. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
I didn’t realize I was. Swiping at my face, I’m able to remove some of the evidence of the tears. “No reason.”
“Honey….”
“I’m fine.” The smile I give her is forced, but it must be somewhat convincing.
“Don’t worry about Eli. He’s just tired.”
Too tired to come down here, himself, evidently. “Right. Sure.” I nod. “Of course he is.”
“Come up and eat. The guys are done. Eli’s finishing up some homework. You and I can watch something and relax.”
“Sure.” I swallow, hoping the lump in my throat will go away.
It doesn’t.
