Chapter 13
Emily: Michael, are you there?
Michael stared at the fourth text from Emily that morning. Like all the others, he ignored it. He hadn’t gone into work today. Why bother? He’d only make people feel uncomfortable.
Emily: I’m worried about you. Eli called and told me about Jacob’s confession. I’d like to talk to you.
He read the message twice and hit “delete.” Michael sat on his couch and turned on the TV. A Sylvester Stallone movie appeared on screen. He quickly changed the channel.
A few minutes later, another text appeared. Emily again.
Emily: Please talk to me. I’m not angry. I’m not upset. I just want to know you’re okay.
That duck from the insurance commercials quacked at him. Normally Michael would have laughed. He loved that duck. Just not today.
Tomorrow was the shooting anniversary. His life was in shambles. His relationship with Emily was probably ruined and he might just have lost his job. To say nothing of the impending lawsuit from Trent. Not that any lawyers had been beating down his door, but he didn’t put it past Trent to sue him.
As if reading his mind, Emily texted again.
Emily: I’ve spoken to Trent. I made him understand what you’re going through. There are no hard feelings, I swear. He knows he goaded you into a fight anyway.
At least that was one thing less to worry about.
Emily: Eli and Nick told me they came to your house but you wouldn’t let them in.
Damn straight. He only needed one more thing to make his day perfect, his brothers breathing down his neck.
Emily: I care so much about you. Dammit, Michael. Are you going to ignore me forever?
Right now, that seemed like a good plan. He’d never felt so low. She was better off without him.
Emily: You’re scaring me. Please. Just one word. Show me you’re alive.
Ah, hell. Now he’d terrified her. He clicked the screen.
Michael: I’m alive, Em. I just don’t want to talk.
Emily: Can I come see you?
Michael: I’d rather you didn’t. Not right now.I’m feeling sorry for myself. I don’t want you to see me like this.
She paused.
Emily: Okay.
Michael: I really am sorry, Em.
Emily: I know. Can I text you later?
Michael: Sure, maybe a little later.
Emily: Okay. You’re not alone, Michael.
He didn’t text back. He might be surrounded by friends and family but he’d never felt more alone.
***
On the anniversary of the daycare shooting, Michael awoke at dawn. Not because he wanted to but because his body took perverse pleasure in making him suffer through as much of the milestone as possible. Considering it was a Saturday, and a day off from work, it sucked even more. If he’d been able to go in to work, like a normal person, he might find some distractions. He contemplated the idea of working at the house on his own, but it only held his attention for a few seconds.
