Chapter 1
Emily, a young woman, lay in bed asleep as her door slowly open. “Emily, wake up.” her mansion mate, Jeff, said.
Slowly her eyes opened to see his. They were green and shining like always. “Morning” she said.
Jeff leaped back in shock like always. Emily laughed, soft and carefree. “It’s been two years since I moved in here and yet your energy still startles me in the morning.” Jeff said.
“Why did you wake me? I’m not working until term starts in the fall!” Emily asked fully aware of why.
“Your cousin, Ronnie, got you a job at the local bowling alley. You start today.” he said.
“Yeah, I know. I’m taking the Ram1500.” she said.
“Can I ask you something?” Jeff asked.
“You just did, but go on.” she said.
“Why do you work if you’re as rich as you are?” Jeff said.
“Because I love what I do”
His eyebrows went up.“You like dealing with little kids all day?”
“Jeff, they are high school freshmen!”
“They are little to me!”
He wasn’t wrong. Jeff was a muscular man and perhaps too tall even for his own taste. Emily on the other hand was about 5’5” and didn’t have nearly as much muscle. She was strong though, the bowling ball now in her truck proved that. It was heavier than most men used.
“I’ll be back after work!” she said jogging down the stairs.
She had been so excited she had worn her clothes to bad. As Emily climbed into the truck she pulled out her eye shadow. After one look at it, she decided she didn’t need to put it on.
Twenty minutes later she was at Airport County Bowling Lanes. It was early but she went in any way. Quietly she pulled her lap top out of the bag she had on her shoulder. It was big enough to put her entire arm in. She typed the details of Airport County Bowling Lanes. Then she closed her eyes and opened them. Emily checked for things she may have missed. Next to lane sixteen there was a slit in the wall paper the size of a door.
“Are you Emily Johnston?” a man asked with blonde hair asked her.
“Yes.” she said.
She typed on her computer, now the details of the young man. Emily noticed everything from his build to the fact he wore a class ring but no wedding ring. For a minute she paused, thinking that he was kind of familiar.
She banished the thought after a few minutes thinking it was impossible.
“I’m Christopher. I’ll be training you.” he said.
The name was familiar to her but for all she knew there were dozens of guys named Christopher in the area. She had known one in high school and three in college, but he didn’t look like any of them. They all bowled but he didn’t look like he bowled too often.
“It’s nice to meet you, Christopher. I’m Emily.” she said saving the draft and shutting down her Dell.
“The pleasure is all mine, Emily.” he smiled.
He had a toothy smile but it worked for him. Emily couldn’t help but to smile back at him. She quickly put her laptop in her bag and stood. “Follow me. I’ll show you where your locker is and then we can get started. If you’re lucky, I’ll even play a game with you, if you’d like.” Christopher said.
“Thanks.” she said following him.
They walked to the lockers and he handed her a key. “Locker EJ2.” he said.
“What locker do you have?” she asked.
“FJ2.” he said.
“That’s kind of funny. My locker number has my initials and number of siblings in it.” she said.
“That’s ironic.” he said.
She opened her locker and put her jacket in it. “Here is your uniform.” he said handing her a shirt. He
turned and went around a corner. Quickly Emily changed into the shirt. It wasn’t to snug and it wasn’t too baggy either. She tossed her other shirt into her locker with her bag and locked her locker.
Christopher came back and said, “Let me show you around.”
“Alright.” she said.
She followed him to the shoe rental counter. “If you don’t remember the prices, just look at the sign behind you. We are going to start you off working the shoe rental and food bar.” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
“I need a size ten.” he said.
She walked behind the counter and found a pair of men’s size ten shoes. “That’s going to be five dollars and fifty cents for the shoes and lanes.” she said setting the shoes on the counter.
“We get free bowling and shoe rental.” he said. “I bet I can beat you.”
“Is that supposed to be a challenge?” Emily asked.
“Yes, yes it is.” he said.
“I’ll be right back. I’ve got my own ball in my truck.” she said.
“Hurry up!” he said.
She smiled and jogged out to her truck. Emily opened the backseat door on the driver’s side and grabbed the black bag that was sitting there. Quickly she closed the door and went back in. She sat down next to Christopher and put on her bowling shoes. He opened her bag and pulled out her fifteen pound blue and
green ball.
“Nice ball.” he said.
“Thanks.” she said. “You go first.”
“I believe the rule is ladies first so that would mean you.” he said.
“You’ll be sorry.”
Emily lifted her ball from the ball return. She lined her right foot up with the far left dot. The ball was in her right hand. It was natural to her and it felt good to be bowling again. With her working so much she never had time
anymore.
The finger holes were still sized for her hand and she didn’t need it to be re-drilled as she had feared. On her first step she swung it down, second step it went back, third step it came forward, and the forth it was on
the lane.
The ball landed by the right gutter and curved steeply then slammed into the head pin. Every pin fell to the floor in defeat. If pins had emotions they would have been crying in pain.
“Amazing, Emily!”Christopher said.
“Thanks. I’ve been on leagues since I could walk.” she said.
“Are you trying to tell me I have no chance?” he asked.
“If you are as good as Jeff, then no.” Emily said.
“So Jeff is no good?” he asked.
“No, he’s good… just not against me.”
“So you’re undefeated?”he asked.
“As of now, yes.”
Christopher picked up his ball and smiled. He closed his eyes and without opening them approached the lane and threw the ball down it. The ball flew down the lane and knocked down all the pins. All it had done was ride the gutter and then hooked milliseconds before hitting the pins. He turned on his heel with a confident smile on his face.
“How was that?” he asked.
“Incredible! I haven’t had competition in a while.” Emily said.
The same thing happened all the way to the tenth frame. “One of us has to win.” Christopher said.
“Not too much pressure.”Emily said laughing.
“None at all.” he said.
Emily followed the same process as she had all along. All the pins fell. She had to bowl two more times now. Her focus was as high as the pressure, but she had always done well under pressure. She picked up the ball from the return and yet again, used the same process as she had previously. The ball struck the
pins and they all fell.
“One more, Emily.” Christopher said.
She nodded and once again picked up her ball. Emily took a deep breath and closed her eyes. As soon as she opened them she went forward and threw the ball down the lane. Time seemed to slow to a crawl and then as the pins exploded it picked up again.
“You bowled a perfect game!” Christopher said.
“I know!” she said.
Emily was so excited but she kept in check. Christopher got two more strikes and then he was up for the last chance ball. He went forward and Emily noticed that he made the slightest difference in his steps.
Christopher was throwing the game… and the ball. Every pin except the ten pin fell. “Looks like you win.” he said smiling.
“You bowled good.” she smiled.
“As did you.” he said holding out his hand.
She took his hand and shook it. “Thanks for throwing the game.” she said.
“How’d you know?” he asked.
“You changed your approach from five steps to four and you didn’t hook the ball like you normally do.” she said.
“Sorry.” he said.
“Don’t be. It was nice of you to let me win but next time you better try harder and not throw the game.” Emily said.
“Well you only had to come for training so you can go ahead and leave if you want to.” he said.
“Do I have to?” she asked.
“No. I’m the only one working today though, so you’ll be kind of bored.” he said.
“I’ll help you with today’s shift. If that’s okay with you.” she said.
He laughed and said,“Sure. That’d be cool.”
Christopher walked to the shoe rental desk and she followed. “What do you want me to do first, Boss?”Emily asked.
He laughed and said,“I’m just training you. When you finish training you’ll be my equal.”
“But until then you are my boss. So where do you want me at?” she asked.
“Where ever I am.” he said.
“Yes, sir.” she said.
Christopher thought for a second and said, “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” Emily asked.
“Curve the ball like that. I’ve never seen a girl do that before.”
“Didn’t I tell you I’ve been on leagues for almost my entire life?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that you know how to curve. You’d had to have had a private coach or mentor, but for that you would have to be rich.”
Christopher was on Emily’s trail. He was smarter than she had first perceived. “Me? Rich? Why would I work if I’m rich?” she asked.
“I don’t know… Why do you?” he asked.
There was a strange twinkle in his eyes. “Because I love what I do.” Emily said without thinking.
“So… you are rich.” he said.
“Just a little.”
“Come now, Emily, we should be honest with each other.” he said.
Christopher knew how to get to Emily. She knew that he was a worthwhile friend, just like Jeff, but she never would have guessed that he was tricky like him. If she didn’t know any better she would think she was talking to her ex-boyfriends, Eddy.
Eddy was Jeff’s brother, and that had been the first mistake. The second mistake was trusting him with a secret. Her hobby was something that only she and Jeff had known about until the day after she told Eddy. Everyone knew that she dreamed of being an author now, except maybe Christopher.
“I’m very rich and I live in my mansion with my best friend Jeff. I had a mentor in bowling since I was five and she taught me everything I know about bowling and then some.”Emily confessed.
“Was that so hard?” he asked.
“No.”
Three people came in and one of them was Eddy. “Emily, what are you doing working at this place? Isn’t that a little low even for you?” he asked.
“For me? Didn’t you work here last year? You know when you were cheating on me.” Emily fired back at him.
Christopher elbowed her and said, “What size shoes do you need?”
Eddy looked at him and said to Emily, “Who’s this, Emily? Your new boyfriend?”
“He needs an eleven.”she said.
Emily had dodged the question as she so often did. Where ever she was it wasn’t without being followed by Eddy so he often threw the same questions and she often dodged them.
“No, I’m not her boyfriend. I am however allowed to ban you for harassing an employ. Consider yourself banned, Eddy. Now get out unless you want me to call the police.”Christopher said.
Eddy grabbed Emily by the wrist and pulled her over the counter and threw her on to the ground. Christopher jumped over the counter and landed next to where Emily was passed out. He pulled his fist back and punched Eddy in the face.
The class ring that he wore hit where Eddy’s jaw was. Eddy fell over backward and then scrambled to his feet. “You want to fight!” he yelled.
“I was simply defending Emily.” he said.
“I don’t care for you reason! If you ever hit me again you’ll have more than just a black eye or broken bone.” he
said.
Eddy turned and ran out followed by two girls who had come in with him. Christopher knelt next to Emily and pressed his hand to her cheek. Her eyes had rolled into the back of her head but were returning to the front.
“Emily, I’m going to drive you home. Do you have a number where I can reach Jeff?” he asked.
Her hand moved and tapped her right pocket. Carefully he slipped his hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Christopher opened the contacts and looked for Jeff. He found him and pressed call. The phone rang three times before a Jeff answered saying, “Hello?”
“Is this Jeff?”Christopher asked.
“Yes. Why do you have Emily’s phone?” Jeff said.
“Eddy showed up while she was on shift. I’m going to need directions to where she lives.”
“Why? What did Eddy do?”
Jeff was getting panicky and fast. “I’ll explain when we get there. I just need directions.” Christopher said.
Jeff told him how to get to the mansion and then he was carrying Emily out to the truck. He had found her keys in her pocket with the phone. Carefully he sat her down in the truck and buckled her in.
No sooner had he got his seatbelt on he hit the accelerator Christopher speed down the highway to the mansion. He glanced at Emily a few times but all he could tell was that she was still breathing and her eyes
had.
It took him fifteen minutes before he pulled in. Quickly he ran around the front of her truck and unbuckled her seatbelt. He lifted her out of the truck supporting her back and legs. Jeff ran out and started asking questions.
“Who are you? What were you doing at the alley? Why didn’t you protect her?” he asked.
“I’m Christopher. I work at the alley and was at the time training Emily and I didn’t think anyone was as stupid as that Eddy boy.” he said walking in the mansion.
“Upstairs third door to the right! I’ll be up in a few minutes.” Jeff said.
Christopher climbed the stairs and went into the room three doors to his right. There was a large bed and that was where we sat her. He recalled his mother saying, “If someone is passed out support the upper body.”
He sat on the bed next to her and then carefully rested her back against his legs. Jeff came in and handed Christopher a cloth. It had been drenched in warm water and then wrung out. “So what did Eddy do?” Jeff asked.
“He came in and started verbally harassing Emily. She was dealing with it well enough so I didn’t think he would cause too much of a problem. When she started getting flustered I told him that he was banned and had to leave. That was when he pulled her over the counter and threw her onto the ground.” Christopher said wiping her face with the warm cloth.
Her eyes began to open and her lips moved. She was speaking silently only wanting Christopher to know what she was saying. “I love you for doing that.” she mouthed.
He smiled and nodded.“Are you okay, Emily?” Jeff asked.
“How do I look?” she asked.
“Like you.” he said.
She sat up and looked around. “You drove all the way here, Christopher? You didn’t have to.” she said.
“I wanted to, Emily.” he said.
“Plus he called here and knew I wanted you here after what Eddy did to you.” Jeff said. “If he hadn’t brought you I would have been in jail for breaking my brother.”
“Brother! That Eddy guy is your brother!” Christopher said.
“Yeah, and I wish he wasn’t.” Jeff said.
“Hey, turn on the TV.”Emily said.
She didn’t want to bring up the time she had been stupid enough to believe that Eddy loved her. “What did you say about him cheating on you?” Christopher asked.
“We dated a while back.”she said.
“And her cheated on her with her best friend. They slept together and she caught them.” Jeff finished.
“I’m so sorry.” he said.
He put his hands on her arms and pulled her down into his lap again.
“It’s not your fault.” Emily said smiling up at him.
“I know but it never hurts to be sorry.”
Jeff got up and said, “I got to head to work. Stay as long as you’d like, Christopher. You’re an okay guy.”
“Thanks, Jeff.” he said.
“No. problem.” he said leaving.
Emily sat up and moved next to Christopher. Jeff had turned the TV on when he left. “Why did you hit Eddy?”
“Would you rather I hadn’t?”he asked.
“Well either way you are still amazing.” Emily said.
He grinned his toothy grin and said, “I’ve been told.”
“By who?”
“My…” he began.
“Come on. You can tell me.”
“It won’t change your opinion of me, will it? No matter how bad?”
Emily began to think. What could be so bad that it would change her opinion of him? “Cross my heart, hope to die.” she said.
“My ex-boyfriend.” he whispered.
“That doesn’t change who you are, Christopher. You’re still an amazing person.” she said.
“The last girl I told that ran away.” he said. “That’s why I wasn’t sure about telling you.”
“Oh, please! That just means that there is still someone out there who doesn’t care about past relationships but the one in the future.”
“You are so wise for one so young.”
“Oh yeah? Is that good?”
Christopher pressed his hand to her cheek and kissed her. He was thrilled that she didn’t pull back. Emily put her hand on his chest and pushed his back so he was lying on his back. She followed him and lay on his chest.
“You really don’t care.”he said stunned.
“Your still Christopher and I’m still Emily.” she whispered.
“That is true.”
“Come on. I’ll make some dinner. What do you want?”
“I’ve actually got to get home.”
He moved to get up then said, “I drove your truck here not mine.”
“How about you stay here tonight. I’ll drive you to the alley tomorrow.” Emily said.
“Deal.” he said holding out his hand.
Emily took it and he pulled her up. They walked to the kitchen and she set to work making some pizza. Christopher helped where ever he could but eventually decided to play some music. He went into the dining room and picked up a stack of CDs.
They all looked interesting to him so he put one in at random. It turned out to be her favorite CD in her accumulation. She came into the dining room and sat the pizza down.“Time to eat.” she smiled.
“My ex-boyfriend?” he asked.
“Yeah.” she said.
“No one you know.” he said.
She could tell that he wasn’t sure if getting into the story was a good idea. Emily knew it wouldn’t change her opinion of him but maybe he wasn’t so sure. “Tell me any way. I want to know.” she said.
“What do I get in return?” he asked.
“A place to sleep.” she smiled.
He grinned and said,“Point taken. His name was Jake. He was a good looking man with a kind soul. Jake asked me out after being my best friend for three years. I didn’t want to hurt him so I said yes and we went on our first
date.”
“Jake who?” she asked.
“Hills. Do you know him?” Christopher said shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth.
“No, but go on.” she said.
“You asked who he was and I told you.” he said.
“If you go on then I’ll let you sleep in the same wing as me.” she offered.
“After our first date we talked a little and then decided to have dinner out. That led to our second date. I was actually starting to enjoy myself with Jake. We saw each other a lot since we both were on the bowling team in
college.”
Christopher stopped and ate another slice of pizza. “Is that enough of the story?” he asked.
Emily knew he didn’t want to continue but she knew he would if she asked. “Keep going and you can sleep in the same room as me.” she said
“After three more dates he asked me to go to his place. I agreed and we left my house. On the way there we held hands and told stories. When we got to his house we sat down on the bed and watched TV.
“After an hour of TV he had fallen asleep with his head on my shoulder. I brushed the hair from his face and put my head on his and fell asleep.
“The next morning he shook me awake and whispered “I love you, Christopher” and then kissed me. We went out another year before he broke up with me. That was three months ago on my birthday.” he said. “Now tell me about you and Eddy.”
“What do I get in return?” Emily said.
“A big good night hug from a shirtless Christopher.” he said.
“Eddy and I were dating my junior year in high school. He was a senior and living on his own. One day he bumped into me in the hall and said he ‘fancied’ me. No one had ever heard him speak that way so when he asked me out I said yes.” Emily said.
“There’s got to be more.” Christopher said.
“Not really.”
“I offer you my ass.” he said. “I’d offer you my heart but my ass is bigger.”
“I’ll take the heart, keep the ass.” she laughed.
“Well go on.” he prompted.
“We went out for two years. Jeff gave me the key to Eddy’s house and told me that Eddy wanted me to go over at ten that night. I went to Eddy’s house and let myself in. I found him half dressed, in bed, with my best friend. When they noticed me I told them I didn’t want either of them in my life any more. After that, where ever I went Eddy followed me. If I went bowling so was he… at the lane next to mine. That was when I was enrolled in college. I ended up quitting the team. Since then he couldn’t find me until today.”
“I’ve got an idea.”Christopher said.
She looked up from the spot on the table her eyes had been glued to for almost ten minutes. He was smiling softly at her. “I have your heart, don’t I?” she asked.
He laughed and said,“You always have. Since that first day of college.”
“I knew I recognized you! You were on the bowling team to! How long did you know?”
“Since we started bowling. You were the only girls I’ve ever seen who was that good, even now four years later.”
“That’s why I knew your approach and was dumbfounded when you changed it.”
Christopher stood and took her hand. “Come on, baby girl. Work starts early.”
Emily followed him up the stairs. She was comforted knowing Christopher’s past. It assured her, she hoped, that he wouldn’t break her heart as Eddy had done… The other factor that comforted her was his hand in hers.
Slowly her eyes opened to see his. They were green and shining like always. “Morning” she said.
Jeff leaped back in shock like always. Emily laughed, soft and carefree. “It’s been two years since I moved in here and yet your energy still startles me in the morning.” Jeff said.
“Why did you wake me? I’m not working until term starts in the fall!” Emily asked fully aware of why.
“Your cousin, Ronnie, got you a job at the local bowling alley. You start today.” he said.
“Yeah, I know. I’m taking the Ram1500.” she said.
“Can I ask you something?” Jeff asked.
“You just did, but go on.” she said.
“Why do you work if you’re as rich as you are?” Jeff said.
“Because I love what I do”
His eyebrows went up.“You like dealing with little kids all day?”
“Jeff, they are high school freshmen!”
“They are little to me!”
He wasn’t wrong. Jeff was a muscular man and perhaps too tall even for his own taste. Emily on the other hand was about 5’5” and didn’t have nearly as much muscle. She was strong though, the bowling ball now in her truck proved that. It was heavier than most men used.
“I’ll be back after work!” she said jogging down the stairs.
She had been so excited she had worn her clothes to bad. As Emily climbed into the truck she pulled out her eye shadow. After one look at it, she decided she didn’t need to put it on.
Twenty minutes later she was at Airport County Bowling Lanes. It was early but she went in any way. Quietly she pulled her lap top out of the bag she had on her shoulder. It was big enough to put her entire arm in. She typed the details of Airport County Bowling Lanes. Then she closed her eyes and opened them. Emily checked for things she may have missed. Next to lane sixteen there was a slit in the wall paper the size of a door.
“Are you Emily Johnston?” a man asked with blonde hair asked her.
“Yes.” she said.
She typed on her computer, now the details of the young man. Emily noticed everything from his build to the fact he wore a class ring but no wedding ring. For a minute she paused, thinking that he was kind of familiar.
She banished the thought after a few minutes thinking it was impossible.
“I’m Christopher. I’ll be training you.” he said.
The name was familiar to her but for all she knew there were dozens of guys named Christopher in the area. She had known one in high school and three in college, but he didn’t look like any of them. They all bowled but he didn’t look like he bowled too often.
“It’s nice to meet you, Christopher. I’m Emily.” she said saving the draft and shutting down her Dell.
“The pleasure is all mine, Emily.” he smiled.
He had a toothy smile but it worked for him. Emily couldn’t help but to smile back at him. She quickly put her laptop in her bag and stood. “Follow me. I’ll show you where your locker is and then we can get started. If you’re lucky, I’ll even play a game with you, if you’d like.” Christopher said.
“Thanks.” she said following him.
They walked to the lockers and he handed her a key. “Locker EJ2.” he said.
“What locker do you have?” she asked.
“FJ2.” he said.
“That’s kind of funny. My locker number has my initials and number of siblings in it.” she said.
“That’s ironic.” he said.
She opened her locker and put her jacket in it. “Here is your uniform.” he said handing her a shirt. He
turned and went around a corner. Quickly Emily changed into the shirt. It wasn’t to snug and it wasn’t too baggy either. She tossed her other shirt into her locker with her bag and locked her locker.
Christopher came back and said, “Let me show you around.”
“Alright.” she said.
She followed him to the shoe rental counter. “If you don’t remember the prices, just look at the sign behind you. We are going to start you off working the shoe rental and food bar.” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
“I need a size ten.” he said.
She walked behind the counter and found a pair of men’s size ten shoes. “That’s going to be five dollars and fifty cents for the shoes and lanes.” she said setting the shoes on the counter.
“We get free bowling and shoe rental.” he said. “I bet I can beat you.”
“Is that supposed to be a challenge?” Emily asked.
“Yes, yes it is.” he said.
“I’ll be right back. I’ve got my own ball in my truck.” she said.
“Hurry up!” he said.
She smiled and jogged out to her truck. Emily opened the backseat door on the driver’s side and grabbed the black bag that was sitting there. Quickly she closed the door and went back in. She sat down next to Christopher and put on her bowling shoes. He opened her bag and pulled out her fifteen pound blue and
green ball.
“Nice ball.” he said.
“Thanks.” she said. “You go first.”
“I believe the rule is ladies first so that would mean you.” he said.
“You’ll be sorry.”
Emily lifted her ball from the ball return. She lined her right foot up with the far left dot. The ball was in her right hand. It was natural to her and it felt good to be bowling again. With her working so much she never had time
anymore.
The finger holes were still sized for her hand and she didn’t need it to be re-drilled as she had feared. On her first step she swung it down, second step it went back, third step it came forward, and the forth it was on
the lane.
The ball landed by the right gutter and curved steeply then slammed into the head pin. Every pin fell to the floor in defeat. If pins had emotions they would have been crying in pain.
“Amazing, Emily!”Christopher said.
“Thanks. I’ve been on leagues since I could walk.” she said.
“Are you trying to tell me I have no chance?” he asked.
“If you are as good as Jeff, then no.” Emily said.
“So Jeff is no good?” he asked.
“No, he’s good… just not against me.”
“So you’re undefeated?”he asked.
“As of now, yes.”
Christopher picked up his ball and smiled. He closed his eyes and without opening them approached the lane and threw the ball down it. The ball flew down the lane and knocked down all the pins. All it had done was ride the gutter and then hooked milliseconds before hitting the pins. He turned on his heel with a confident smile on his face.
“How was that?” he asked.
“Incredible! I haven’t had competition in a while.” Emily said.
The same thing happened all the way to the tenth frame. “One of us has to win.” Christopher said.
“Not too much pressure.”Emily said laughing.
“None at all.” he said.
Emily followed the same process as she had all along. All the pins fell. She had to bowl two more times now. Her focus was as high as the pressure, but she had always done well under pressure. She picked up the ball from the return and yet again, used the same process as she had previously. The ball struck the
pins and they all fell.
“One more, Emily.” Christopher said.
She nodded and once again picked up her ball. Emily took a deep breath and closed her eyes. As soon as she opened them she went forward and threw the ball down the lane. Time seemed to slow to a crawl and then as the pins exploded it picked up again.
“You bowled a perfect game!” Christopher said.
“I know!” she said.
Emily was so excited but she kept in check. Christopher got two more strikes and then he was up for the last chance ball. He went forward and Emily noticed that he made the slightest difference in his steps.
Christopher was throwing the game… and the ball. Every pin except the ten pin fell. “Looks like you win.” he said smiling.
“You bowled good.” she smiled.
“As did you.” he said holding out his hand.
She took his hand and shook it. “Thanks for throwing the game.” she said.
“How’d you know?” he asked.
“You changed your approach from five steps to four and you didn’t hook the ball like you normally do.” she said.
“Sorry.” he said.
“Don’t be. It was nice of you to let me win but next time you better try harder and not throw the game.” Emily said.
“Well you only had to come for training so you can go ahead and leave if you want to.” he said.
“Do I have to?” she asked.
“No. I’m the only one working today though, so you’ll be kind of bored.” he said.
“I’ll help you with today’s shift. If that’s okay with you.” she said.
He laughed and said,“Sure. That’d be cool.”
Christopher walked to the shoe rental desk and she followed. “What do you want me to do first, Boss?”Emily asked.
He laughed and said,“I’m just training you. When you finish training you’ll be my equal.”
“But until then you are my boss. So where do you want me at?” she asked.
“Where ever I am.” he said.
“Yes, sir.” she said.
Christopher thought for a second and said, “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” Emily asked.
“Curve the ball like that. I’ve never seen a girl do that before.”
“Didn’t I tell you I’ve been on leagues for almost my entire life?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that you know how to curve. You’d had to have had a private coach or mentor, but for that you would have to be rich.”
Christopher was on Emily’s trail. He was smarter than she had first perceived. “Me? Rich? Why would I work if I’m rich?” she asked.
“I don’t know… Why do you?” he asked.
There was a strange twinkle in his eyes. “Because I love what I do.” Emily said without thinking.
“So… you are rich.” he said.
“Just a little.”
“Come now, Emily, we should be honest with each other.” he said.
Christopher knew how to get to Emily. She knew that he was a worthwhile friend, just like Jeff, but she never would have guessed that he was tricky like him. If she didn’t know any better she would think she was talking to her ex-boyfriends, Eddy.
Eddy was Jeff’s brother, and that had been the first mistake. The second mistake was trusting him with a secret. Her hobby was something that only she and Jeff had known about until the day after she told Eddy. Everyone knew that she dreamed of being an author now, except maybe Christopher.
“I’m very rich and I live in my mansion with my best friend Jeff. I had a mentor in bowling since I was five and she taught me everything I know about bowling and then some.”Emily confessed.
“Was that so hard?” he asked.
“No.”
Three people came in and one of them was Eddy. “Emily, what are you doing working at this place? Isn’t that a little low even for you?” he asked.
“For me? Didn’t you work here last year? You know when you were cheating on me.” Emily fired back at him.
Christopher elbowed her and said, “What size shoes do you need?”
Eddy looked at him and said to Emily, “Who’s this, Emily? Your new boyfriend?”
“He needs an eleven.”she said.
Emily had dodged the question as she so often did. Where ever she was it wasn’t without being followed by Eddy so he often threw the same questions and she often dodged them.
“No, I’m not her boyfriend. I am however allowed to ban you for harassing an employ. Consider yourself banned, Eddy. Now get out unless you want me to call the police.”Christopher said.
Eddy grabbed Emily by the wrist and pulled her over the counter and threw her on to the ground. Christopher jumped over the counter and landed next to where Emily was passed out. He pulled his fist back and punched Eddy in the face.
The class ring that he wore hit where Eddy’s jaw was. Eddy fell over backward and then scrambled to his feet. “You want to fight!” he yelled.
“I was simply defending Emily.” he said.
“I don’t care for you reason! If you ever hit me again you’ll have more than just a black eye or broken bone.” he
said.
Eddy turned and ran out followed by two girls who had come in with him. Christopher knelt next to Emily and pressed his hand to her cheek. Her eyes had rolled into the back of her head but were returning to the front.
“Emily, I’m going to drive you home. Do you have a number where I can reach Jeff?” he asked.
Her hand moved and tapped her right pocket. Carefully he slipped his hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Christopher opened the contacts and looked for Jeff. He found him and pressed call. The phone rang three times before a Jeff answered saying, “Hello?”
“Is this Jeff?”Christopher asked.
“Yes. Why do you have Emily’s phone?” Jeff said.
“Eddy showed up while she was on shift. I’m going to need directions to where she lives.”
“Why? What did Eddy do?”
Jeff was getting panicky and fast. “I’ll explain when we get there. I just need directions.” Christopher said.
Jeff told him how to get to the mansion and then he was carrying Emily out to the truck. He had found her keys in her pocket with the phone. Carefully he sat her down in the truck and buckled her in.
No sooner had he got his seatbelt on he hit the accelerator Christopher speed down the highway to the mansion. He glanced at Emily a few times but all he could tell was that she was still breathing and her eyes
had.
It took him fifteen minutes before he pulled in. Quickly he ran around the front of her truck and unbuckled her seatbelt. He lifted her out of the truck supporting her back and legs. Jeff ran out and started asking questions.
“Who are you? What were you doing at the alley? Why didn’t you protect her?” he asked.
“I’m Christopher. I work at the alley and was at the time training Emily and I didn’t think anyone was as stupid as that Eddy boy.” he said walking in the mansion.
“Upstairs third door to the right! I’ll be up in a few minutes.” Jeff said.
Christopher climbed the stairs and went into the room three doors to his right. There was a large bed and that was where we sat her. He recalled his mother saying, “If someone is passed out support the upper body.”
He sat on the bed next to her and then carefully rested her back against his legs. Jeff came in and handed Christopher a cloth. It had been drenched in warm water and then wrung out. “So what did Eddy do?” Jeff asked.
“He came in and started verbally harassing Emily. She was dealing with it well enough so I didn’t think he would cause too much of a problem. When she started getting flustered I told him that he was banned and had to leave. That was when he pulled her over the counter and threw her onto the ground.” Christopher said wiping her face with the warm cloth.
Her eyes began to open and her lips moved. She was speaking silently only wanting Christopher to know what she was saying. “I love you for doing that.” she mouthed.
He smiled and nodded.“Are you okay, Emily?” Jeff asked.
“How do I look?” she asked.
“Like you.” he said.
She sat up and looked around. “You drove all the way here, Christopher? You didn’t have to.” she said.
“I wanted to, Emily.” he said.
“Plus he called here and knew I wanted you here after what Eddy did to you.” Jeff said. “If he hadn’t brought you I would have been in jail for breaking my brother.”
“Brother! That Eddy guy is your brother!” Christopher said.
“Yeah, and I wish he wasn’t.” Jeff said.
“Hey, turn on the TV.”Emily said.
She didn’t want to bring up the time she had been stupid enough to believe that Eddy loved her. “What did you say about him cheating on you?” Christopher asked.
“We dated a while back.”she said.
“And her cheated on her with her best friend. They slept together and she caught them.” Jeff finished.
“I’m so sorry.” he said.
He put his hands on her arms and pulled her down into his lap again.
“It’s not your fault.” Emily said smiling up at him.
“I know but it never hurts to be sorry.”
Jeff got up and said, “I got to head to work. Stay as long as you’d like, Christopher. You’re an okay guy.”
“Thanks, Jeff.” he said.
“No. problem.” he said leaving.
Emily sat up and moved next to Christopher. Jeff had turned the TV on when he left. “Why did you hit Eddy?”
“Would you rather I hadn’t?”he asked.
“Well either way you are still amazing.” Emily said.
He grinned his toothy grin and said, “I’ve been told.”
“By who?”
“My…” he began.
“Come on. You can tell me.”
“It won’t change your opinion of me, will it? No matter how bad?”
Emily began to think. What could be so bad that it would change her opinion of him? “Cross my heart, hope to die.” she said.
“My ex-boyfriend.” he whispered.
“That doesn’t change who you are, Christopher. You’re still an amazing person.” she said.
“The last girl I told that ran away.” he said. “That’s why I wasn’t sure about telling you.”
“Oh, please! That just means that there is still someone out there who doesn’t care about past relationships but the one in the future.”
“You are so wise for one so young.”
“Oh yeah? Is that good?”
Christopher pressed his hand to her cheek and kissed her. He was thrilled that she didn’t pull back. Emily put her hand on his chest and pushed his back so he was lying on his back. She followed him and lay on his chest.
“You really don’t care.”he said stunned.
“Your still Christopher and I’m still Emily.” she whispered.
“That is true.”
“Come on. I’ll make some dinner. What do you want?”
“I’ve actually got to get home.”
He moved to get up then said, “I drove your truck here not mine.”
“How about you stay here tonight. I’ll drive you to the alley tomorrow.” Emily said.
“Deal.” he said holding out his hand.
Emily took it and he pulled her up. They walked to the kitchen and she set to work making some pizza. Christopher helped where ever he could but eventually decided to play some music. He went into the dining room and picked up a stack of CDs.
They all looked interesting to him so he put one in at random. It turned out to be her favorite CD in her accumulation. She came into the dining room and sat the pizza down.“Time to eat.” she smiled.
“My ex-boyfriend?” he asked.
“Yeah.” she said.
“No one you know.” he said.
She could tell that he wasn’t sure if getting into the story was a good idea. Emily knew it wouldn’t change her opinion of him but maybe he wasn’t so sure. “Tell me any way. I want to know.” she said.
“What do I get in return?” he asked.
“A place to sleep.” she smiled.
He grinned and said,“Point taken. His name was Jake. He was a good looking man with a kind soul. Jake asked me out after being my best friend for three years. I didn’t want to hurt him so I said yes and we went on our first
date.”
“Jake who?” she asked.
“Hills. Do you know him?” Christopher said shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth.
“No, but go on.” she said.
“You asked who he was and I told you.” he said.
“If you go on then I’ll let you sleep in the same wing as me.” she offered.
“After our first date we talked a little and then decided to have dinner out. That led to our second date. I was actually starting to enjoy myself with Jake. We saw each other a lot since we both were on the bowling team in
college.”
Christopher stopped and ate another slice of pizza. “Is that enough of the story?” he asked.
Emily knew he didn’t want to continue but she knew he would if she asked. “Keep going and you can sleep in the same room as me.” she said
“After three more dates he asked me to go to his place. I agreed and we left my house. On the way there we held hands and told stories. When we got to his house we sat down on the bed and watched TV.
“After an hour of TV he had fallen asleep with his head on my shoulder. I brushed the hair from his face and put my head on his and fell asleep.
“The next morning he shook me awake and whispered “I love you, Christopher” and then kissed me. We went out another year before he broke up with me. That was three months ago on my birthday.” he said. “Now tell me about you and Eddy.”
“What do I get in return?” Emily said.
“A big good night hug from a shirtless Christopher.” he said.
“Eddy and I were dating my junior year in high school. He was a senior and living on his own. One day he bumped into me in the hall and said he ‘fancied’ me. No one had ever heard him speak that way so when he asked me out I said yes.” Emily said.
“There’s got to be more.” Christopher said.
“Not really.”
“I offer you my ass.” he said. “I’d offer you my heart but my ass is bigger.”
“I’ll take the heart, keep the ass.” she laughed.
“Well go on.” he prompted.
“We went out for two years. Jeff gave me the key to Eddy’s house and told me that Eddy wanted me to go over at ten that night. I went to Eddy’s house and let myself in. I found him half dressed, in bed, with my best friend. When they noticed me I told them I didn’t want either of them in my life any more. After that, where ever I went Eddy followed me. If I went bowling so was he… at the lane next to mine. That was when I was enrolled in college. I ended up quitting the team. Since then he couldn’t find me until today.”
“I’ve got an idea.”Christopher said.
She looked up from the spot on the table her eyes had been glued to for almost ten minutes. He was smiling softly at her. “I have your heart, don’t I?” she asked.
He laughed and said,“You always have. Since that first day of college.”
“I knew I recognized you! You were on the bowling team to! How long did you know?”
“Since we started bowling. You were the only girls I’ve ever seen who was that good, even now four years later.”
“That’s why I knew your approach and was dumbfounded when you changed it.”
Christopher stood and took her hand. “Come on, baby girl. Work starts early.”
Emily followed him up the stairs. She was comforted knowing Christopher’s past. It assured her, she hoped, that he wouldn’t break her heart as Eddy had done… The other factor that comforted her was his hand in hers.
Chapter 2
Emily woke up, her head on Christopher’s bare chest. His hand was around her gently resting on her shoulder. Her hand was resting on his shoulder near his neck.
There was a sudden flash of light and distant chattering. “We need a head
line!” someone said.
“What about, ‘The Rich and the Poor’ I think it would work.” another voice said.
“Christopher, wake up.”Emily whispered.
His grip on her arm tightened. Emily had her phone and quickly sent Jeff a text. “Come quick. Photographers. SOS.” it said.
Not a minute later the door flew open hitting one of the men. “Give me the camera!” Jeff said.
“No! This is tomorrow’s headline!” the man still standing said.
Christopher stood and grabbed the man’s camera. He tossed it to Emily and grabbed the man who had fallen. “Let’s take out the trash.” Jeff said.
“Wait, Christopher! We’re late!” Emily said looking at the time the picture had been taken.
“Come on!” he said dropping the man.
Emily pushed herself out of the bed and grabbed his shirt for him. They ran down the stairs and to her truck. Christopher got in the truck and opened the passenger door.
She handed him his shirt and watched him pull it on over his head. He put the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine roared like a lion. “Are you cold?” he asked glancing at the shivering Emily.
“A little.” she said.
“Come here.” he said holding his right arm.
Emily took off her seat belt and slide closer to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her as close as humanly possible. She could feel his warmth spread from where his fingertips had touched to the rest of her body. Her shivering slowly came to a stop. “Do you skate?” Christopher asked.
“Not since I was nineteen, but I probably can.” she said.
“How about we go ice skating after work today,” he said, “if you’d like?”
“I promised Jeff I’d hang out with him after work. I’m sorry.” she said.
“It’s cool. A promise is a promise and I wouldn’t want you to break a promise.” he said.
“You didn’t let me finish.” she said.
“Then by all means.”
“He is bringing his girlfriend so I don’t see why you can’t come.”
“Come where?”
Emily pulled out her phone and checked the calendar. “Ice skating actually.” she said.
“Sounds like a date.” he said.
“A double date.” she said.
Christopher pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. He opened the door and slide out. Emily jumped out after him and they ran, hand in hand.
Luckily no one had come yet. “Cover the shoe rental counter and I’ll work the food bar.” he said.
Emily went and got her laptop from her locker. She came back and put it on the counter. All she thought of was a poem she could write.
His eyes,
They shine,
Like the brightest,
Star in the night sky,
They twinkle,
They smile,
They laugh,
All at the same time.
Quickly she typed it on her computer and saved it. "What's that you were just writing?" Christopher asked.
Emily looked up into Christopher's shining green eyes. "A report." she lied.
Creative writing was her secret hobby. The only people who knew about it were Jeff and herself of course. If anyone else were to find out it could change her entire life forever and she didn't know if she wanted that just yet. She wanted to tell Christopher but she didn't know him well enough yet.
"Are you sure? You kept looking over at me." he said.
"I did?" she asked.
"Yeah. You looked lost... and you were muttering something."
Emily laughed and said, "I usually read my reports out loud as I type them."
"Okay, I believe you." he said half-heartedly.
"You’re still going to come skating, right?" she asked.
"I wouldn't miss it." he said.
He went back to the food bar and tried not to look at her. When he gave in to temptation to look he saw her talking to a little girl about six years old.
"Aunt Emmy!" the girl said.
"Hey, Ashley! How's my favorite girl doing?" Emily asked.
"Awesome! Daddy brought me bowling! He said he wanted to talk to you." she lowered her voice then said, "I think he missed you."
"Come here, Ashley." Emily's brother said.
"Hey, Matthew." Emily said.
"Hey, Emily." he said. "Give me your shoe sweetheart."
Ashley handed him her shoe and was confused when he handed it to Emily. "Why did you give Aunt Emmy my shoe, Daddy?" she asked.
"She works here so she is going to get you your rental shoes so you bowl." he explained.
Emily checked the shoe size and then got her niece a pair of size five shoes. She set them on the counter and jumped over it. "Come here, Ashley." she said lifting her onto the counter.
Emily pulled off Ashley's shoes and put on the rentals. She lifted her again and carried her to the food bar. "Christopher, can she have a small mountain dew, please." Emily said.
"Coming right up, Emily." he said smiling at her.
"Daddy doesn't look good." Ashley said.
Emily looked over her shoulder at her brother then said, "Hey, Christopher, can you help Ashley pick out a ball?"
"Sure thing, bud." he said.
"Ashley, this is my friend Christopher. He said he'd help you pick out a ball while I talk to your Daddy, okay." Emily said.
"Chrissie!” Ashley said when he handed her a soda.
“Come on, Ashley, let’s find you ball.” he said taking her from Emily.
He carried her to the lightest balls they had and let her pick one. Emily walked over to Matthew and said, "Are you okay?"
"Divorce. She wants a divorce and not custody." he said.
"She doesn't want Ashley?" she asked.
"Not even a little. She says she is too much like you." he paused, "She married me for the money and now that there is none left she's gone. What am I going to tell Ashley?" Matthew said.
"You are going to tell her that you ran into a problem and Mommy and Daddy have been mad at each other, so she is coming to stay with Aunt Emmy." she said.
"Really, Emily? You'll take care of Ashley? I swear I'll come see her everyday" he said.
"Of course, Matt. Starting tomorrow. I'm not working so bring her by anytime."
Matthew's eyes strayed over to Christopher to see why Emily's eyes hadn't left that direction. "Do you know him?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's Christopher. We have a date tonight." she said.
"I hope it isn't public." he said.
"It is." she said.
"Emily, you know photographers will do anything to get pictures of you." he said.
"I know. Keep an eye on the papers for me."
"Don't tell me they already got you." he whispered.
She looked at Matthew and said, "And Christopher."
"When?"
"This morning. Jeff took care of it and I... hope Jeff deleted the picture."
"Aunt Emmy, Daddy, I got two strikes in a row without bumpers!" Ashley called.
"She wants to be like you." Matthew smiled.
"What? Why me?" Emily asked.
"Did you really just ask me that? You are her favorite person in the world." he said.
"Hey, I've got an idea." Emily said.
"Okay." he said.
"Christopher!" she called.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Come here." she said.
He turned and said something to Ashley. As soon as she made her approach he turned and mouthed, "Strike."
Emily nodded as every pin fell. Christopher sat down next to her and said, "You called?"
"Can you give Ashley private lessons?" Emily asked.
"Private lessons? Em, I have no money." Matthew interjected.
"Mr. Johnston, I don't want money." Christopher said.
"Then what do you want?" Matthew asked.
"Some where to stay. Food to eat. A shower to cleanse myself in."
"And I'll take of all of that." Emily said.
They turned back to Ashley and looked at her score. She was doing extremely well for her age. "Why don't you give her private lessons, Em?" Matthew asked.
"Come here, Matt." she said.
Matthew and Emily got up and walked away to the lockers. "I want Ashley to have a chance to get to know him. Christopher and I... I think we have something that Eddy and I didn't. I'm just not sure what it is yet." she said.
They peered around the corner and saw Christopher showing Ashley, Emily's approach. "He knows my approach." she said.
"How much does he know about you?" Matthew asked.
"I don't know. He knows we used to be on the same bowling team and about Eddy."
"Does he know you are rich?"
"Yeah. I didn't even have to tell him that part. He knew by the way I bowled yesterday."
"How?"
"He could tell I had a mentor when I was younger. It cost a lot of money then to hire a private mentor so it was obvious." she said.
He smiled and held out his hand and she grabbed his wrist. "Te amo." they said together.
She released his wrist and they walked back to the tables. Ashley had one frame left to go and she was at one hundred and fifty. "She is going to be just like you." Matthew said.
"You think so?" she asked.
Ashley got another strike and he said, "I know so."
Ashley's total was one hundred and seventy-five. "Yo, Christopher, your sift is over." a guy said coming in.
"Thanks, Justin!" he called.
"Where's the new girl?" Justin asked.
Emily stood and said, "That would be me."
She turned around and walked to where Christopher was standing. "Hey, you’re pretty." the man said.
"Back off, buddy." she said.
"It’s not like your dating Christopher." he laughed.
She looked at him as Christopher said, "Is that supposed to be an insult."
Emily put her arm around him and said, "Actually, Justin, he is moving in tomorrow."
Justin's jaw dropped and said, "I'm sorry, man. I swear I didn't know!" he said.
"It's cool. Just don't do it again." he said.
"Well, both of your shifts are over so you can head out. I'll take care of them." he said looking at Emily's brother and niece.
"No, it’s okay. I'll finish up with them and then we'll leave." Emily said.
She didn't give him time to argue. Emily walked over to Matthew and Ashley and said, "Hey, Ashley, can you give me those shoes back?"
"Sure, Aunt Emmy!" she said taking them off.
"Thanks, sweetie." Emily said kissing the top of her head.
"Bye, Em." Matthew said.
"Bye, Matt." she said hugging him.
Emily walked behind the counter and slipped the money into the cash register. "I'm taking off, Emily. I'll meet you at your house in an hour!” Christopher called.
“Okay. See you later.”she said.
She watched him as he pulled out in his green Camaro. "You actually like him?" Justin asked.
"Yeah. Christopher is an awesome guy. You know that, you’re just too afraid to tell anyone that." Emily said to him.
"What do you mean, new girl?" he asked.
"Think about it. Meanwhile I'm going to head home." she said heading to her locker.
"Okay. Nice meeting you, new girl." he said.
"Name's Emily. Nice meeting you to Justin." she said leaving.
Emily jogged to her truck and threw her ball in the backseat and then slide her laptop in. She made the jump to get in and pulled out of the parking lot. Justin... she thought for a while and then it came to her.
Emily had a brother-in-law she hadn't met named Justin. She had seen pictures of him but that was it. He was Matthew's wife's brother and now because of the divorce he could flirt as much as he wanted without it being to super weird.
When she pulled into the driveway she put it out of her mind. As she walked up the steps she yelled, "Jeff! Open the doors please."
The doors swung open and Jeff and his girlfriend stood there in front of her. "Hello, Veronica. How are you?" Emily asked.
"Well. And you?" she said.
"Much the same. Oh, Jeff, Christopher has agreed to come skating with us tonight." Emily said turning to him.
"Right about that, Emily. Veronica and I decided to stay in tonight. You are of course welcome to join us if you so wish." he said.
"Oh, no. I couldn't! Christopher is very much looking forward to ice skating. Besides, you made a promise. I may be the one you promised you'd go skating with after I got off work but I wouldn't want you to keep you promise for once." Emily said calmly.
It was the fifth time he cancelled plans to hang out with her and all of them were because of Veronica. "Em, are you angry?" he asked.
"Don't call me that, Jeffrey! Never call me that. Matthew is the only one I let call me that. You know why, Jeffrey? Because when he promises me something he keeps that promise no matter his other plans." she was losing her temper and fast.
"I'm sorry. Tomorrow? I swear I won't skip tomorrow." he said.
"I'll think about. I'm going to go get ready for my date with Christopher." she said walking up the stairs.
She wanted to believe it was because of Veronica but she couldn't because he had done it before he started seeing her. Maybe there was a good reason for this time. Maybe he planned to propose tonight and didn't want her to know.
Emily took a quick shower and when she was brushing her hair a light knock came at the door. "Who is it?" she called.
"Christopher just pulled!" Jeff called.
"Tell him to wait in the living room. I'll be down in a few minutes." she said.
Emily wasn't angry with him anymore. She couldn't be for more than ten minutes, but when she was it was hard for her to control her words. The sound of Jeff's feet running down the stairs came to her ears. Twenty- three thumps and then his voice. "Hey, Christopher. Emily said to have you wait in the living room. She's going to be down in a few minutes."
"Okay, man. Hey, who is she?" Christopher asked.
"Christopher this is my girlfriend, Veronica. Veronica this is Christopher, Emily's boyfriend." Jeff said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Christopher." Veronica said.
"Are you from England?" he asked.
"Yes. How did you know?" she said.
"You have a pretty thick English accent." he pointed out.
"I must have forgotten about it. No one has mentioned it recently." she laughed.
Emily walked across the hall into her bedroom. She walked into her closet and chose her outfit. Quickly she dressed then grabbed her ice skates. As she walked down the stairs Christopher stood. He held out his arm as she reached the bottom step.
She took his arm and they walked to the door. “So I guess you heard?” she asked him.
“I did, but honestly it just means we will be alone so I don’t practically mind. Do you?” he asked opening the passenger door to his Camaro.
“Now that you put it that way… no I don’t.” she said slipping in.
He closed the car door and walked around the front of the car. Christopher got in the driver’s side of the car and put the key in the ignition. Emily looked out the window and Jeff and Veronica standing on the porch. It looked like he was yelling at her by the color of his face.
Veronica stomped down the steps and got into her car. She nearly hit Christopher when she pulled out. Jeff looked at the Camaro and waved to her. “What was that about?” Christopher asked.
“We can ask when we get back.” she said.
He pulled out of the driveway and head towards the ice rink. “Justin called me just after you left. He said that you had a different boyfriend by the name Matt.” he said.
“You’re kidding? What did you tell him?” she asked.
“That he was imagining things. He said he saw you hugging him and then I said you had a brother named Matt. He was so embarrassed.” he said.
Emily laughed and looked out the window again. “My brother and I used to go ice skating all the time before he met the women he married. She never liked me because I saw right through her. All she ever wanted was money and he had just that.” she said.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to move in with you guys. I mean wouldn’t it be a bit weird? You’ve only known me for a day.” he said.
“I’m positive. Would you rather I hadn’t made the offer?” she asked.
“That’s not what I meant.” Christopher said.
“Then what was?”
“Ashley hasn’t known me long at all and neither had Jeff.”
“Jeff can live with it and Ashley will be at the alley every day. Remember, Chrissie.” she said using Ashley’s name for him.
“Well, Emmy, thank so very much.”
He pulled into the skating rink parking lot and found a spot. They got out and walked to the front of the vehicle. Christopher put his arm around Emily’s shoulders and they walked in. Together they found an empty spot and sat their jackets on the table.
“I’m going to go get my skates and I’ll be right back.” he said.
“Okay.” she said.
Emily sat down and took off her shoes. She took the blades’ protection off and sat then on the table. Quickly she put them on and tied the laces. It took her a few minutes to get used to them. The balance came to her easily and so did walking… at first.
After taking the first few steps she tripped and fell forward. Christopher caught her mid fall. “I said I’d be right back!” he laughed.
“Thanks, Christopher.”she said.
They walked back to the table and she said down next to him. Emily waited for him to get his skates on and tied. “You want to take a few steps before you start skating?” he asked.
“No. Let’s skate!” she said.
He laughed as she pulled him from his seat and led him to the ice. She took her first step onto the ice and let go off his hand. It took only a few a seconds for the years of skating to come back to her. In no time she was gliding around doing old tricks.
When she finished she skated back to Christopher and said, “Well come on!”
She skated back and gave him room to get onto the ice. He took a step onto the ice and glided forward. They skated side-by-side talking. “When do you want me to start giving Ashley lessons?” he asked.
His hand brushed hers gently. “The day after tomorrow, if that’s okay with you.” she said.
Their hands brushed again. “Sounds good.” he said.
“So are you going to stay over again tonight or do want to go home and pack up some clothes?” she asked.
“Either way is good with me. Depends on what you want.” he told her.
Their hands brushed again as she said, “I’d be lonely if you didn’t stay over tonight. We could get up early and drive down to your place to get you things.” she said.
“You could stay at my apartment tonight.” he said.
She smiled and said,“That sounds like a good idea.”
Christopher skated forward and turned in front of her. “You know that when a guy brushes your hand while skating…” he began.
“I’m supposed to take his hand.” she said taking his hand. “I know.”
He smiled a toothy grin and skated back to where he had been at. “Don’t you just love skating?” he asked.
“Not nearly as much as bowling, but yes.” she said.
A camera flash went off and then heavy footsteps towards the exit. “They got us again, Emily!” Christopher said.
“It doesn’t matter.” she told him.
“You don’t care?” he asked.
“As long as I’m with you, no.”
They went back to their table and sat down. “As far as first dates go, this one is the best I’ve ever had.” Emily said.
“Me to.” he told her.
Emily had always loved skating and loved guys who loved skating. A skating date was on her list of favorite dates. “How many girlfriend have you had?” she asked.
“Two.” he told her.
“Is that including me?”she asked.
“No. What about you? How many boyfriends have you had?” he asked.
“Just one.”
“Think you got it right this time?” he asked.
“Do you?”
“Yes.” they said together.
They laughed and then Christopher said, “Are you hungry?”
“A little.” she said.
“Let’s go get some dinner.” he said. “On me.”
“Okay.” she said taking off her skates.
She put the protection back on the blades and then put her shoes back on. Christopher took off his skates and she took them to the skate return counter. She sat the skates down and walked back to Christopher. He put his arm around her waist and they walked back out to the car.
He opened the passenger door for her and when she was in he closed it. “Where do you want to go?” he asked getting in the driver’s side.
“Golden Coral.” she said.
“Good choice.”Christopher said pulling out of the parking lot.
He drove down the road and after three and half miles pulled into another parking lot. Christopher got out and went around the front of the car and opened her door. Emily took the hand he was holding out to her and got out of the car. They walked to the restaurant and went in.
“How many?” a women asked.
“Two.” Emily said.
“What kind of soda would you like?” she asked.
“Mountain Dew, please.”Christopher said.
“So two Mountain Dews?”the woman asked.
“But Emily never said that.” he said.
“I’m her sister.” the woman informed him.
“Christopher this is Kate.” Emily said.
“Nice to meet you, Kate.” he said.
“And you, Christopher.”she said handing them both sodas.
“Thanks. How much?”
“On the house, just this once.”
“Thank you, Kate.” Emily said.
Christopher and Emily walked to a table near the buffet. They sat down their sodas and got in line. Emily got two plates and handed one to Christopher. “I didn’t know you had a sister.” he said.
“You never asked. Besides, I told you I had two siblings. Matthew is one and Kate makes two siblings.” she said.
They walked through the line and got their food. When Emily sat down she had two slices of pizza, two chicken legs, and a side salad. Christopher also had pizza but instead of chicken he had shrimp, steak, and a baked potato. “They made the best baked potato here. You should try some.” he said holding out his fork.
She leaned forward and took a bite from the fork. Emily had never been crazy for baked potatoes but this one was really good. “That is good!” she said.
“I see you are trying new things.” Kate said setting down some rolls.
“Yeah, I am.” Emily told her sister.
“So how was it?” she asked.
“It was really good. If mom made them like that then I would have ate them years ago.” Emily told her sister.
“That’s funny because mom was the one who gave them the recipe.”
“I guess my taste buds changed.”
“Or your boyfriend is just that persuasive.” Kate said.
“Kate, get back to work!” the manager called.
“I’ll talk to you later, Emily.” she whispered.
Seeing Kate working meant that she was out of money just like Matthew was. Kate turned and walked away as Emily took another bite of potatoes from Christopher’s fork. “Why do you think she got a job?” Christopher asked.
“She ran out of money just like Matthew did. Kate’s didn’t last nearly as long as his because she thought that she needed to buy everything she sees that she likes. Her last boyfriend left her because she couldn’t keep paying him to live with her.” Emily whispered.
“So all in all you are the only kid that still has money from your family?” he asked.
“All because I’ve worked since I was sixteen.” she told him.
“So you’ve earned your money.” he said.
“I guess you’d say that. The money I earned before I turned eighteen paid for college. The money I earn now is to pay for my bills in case I run out of money like they did. I thought it all through before I spent the money mom and dad left me. The difference being they left me the mansion as well.” she said eating her chicken leg.
“Try a piece of the steak to.” he said holding out his fork one more time.
Emily leaned forward and took a bite from the steak on the fork. After all those years she still didn’t like the steak. She shook her head and Kate came back with more soda. “Thanks, Kate.”they said.
“It’s my job.” she said.
“Sit down. Have a roll.” Emily said.
“I couldn’t, Emily. You’re on a date.”she said.
“Come on. Just for a few minutes.”Christopher said.
Kate looked for the manager and sat down after she grabbed a roll. “Have you heard from Matthew recently?” Emily asked.
“No. What about you? You two have always been really close.” Kate said.
“I talked to him today at the bowling alley. He brought Ashley with him so I had Christopher keep an eye on her while we talked. I’m happy to say that we no longer have to worry about our pain in the ass sister-in-law. They are getting a divorce.” Emily said.
“Thank god! I hated her!” she said.
“That’s why Ashley and Christopher are moving in tomorrow. "
“Don’t you mean Matthew and Ashley?”
“No. I mean what I said. I invited Christopher to stay with me and Jeff at the same time I did Ashley.”
“Kate! I told you to get to work!” the manager yelled.
“I’m sorry, sir, but it’s my fault. I asked my sister to sit down so I could tell her what my brother asked me to pass along the line to her.” Emily called.
“Oh, Miss Johnston, please take as much time as you need.” the manager said.
“Thank you.” she said.
“How did you do that, Emily?” Christopher asked.
“I’m awesome.” she said simply.
“He likes her.” Kate said.
“That to I suppose. But he doesn’t have anything on you, Christopher.” she said.
“Well we should probably head out. I don’t usually leave my puppy alone for so long. Is it okay if she comes with me?” he asked.
“Sure. I love dogs and I’m sure Ashley will like her.”
“Let me grab you some rolls to go. Maybe a slice of pizza if you’d like, Emily.” Kate said.
“It’s okay, Kate, we will just leave you a tip and head on out.” she said tossing a twenty dollar bill on the table.
“Thank you, Emily.” Kate said hugging her sister.
Christopher held out his arm and Emily took it. They walked out to the parking lot and he opened the door for her. He made sure he legs were in before closing it. “So my apartment, right?” he asked.
“Yep.” she said.
“By the way my puppy’s name is Rosealice.”he said.
“That’s a beautiful name.” she said.
“Thanks.” he said.
“How old is she?”
“About five months old yesterday.”
“Do you know her breed?”
“Siberian Husky.”
“Oh, she is so cute!” she told him.
“Just like you.” he told her turning into a new parking lot.
“That’s sweet of you, Christopher.”she told him.
They got out of the car and met in the front of it again. Emily treaded her fingers through his and they walked to the apartment complex. The outside of it was green except the roof which was blue. He opened the front door for her and went in after her.
“This way.” he said leading her to an elevator.
He pressed the call button and then said, “We need to be quite because everyone else on my floor are senior citizens.”
“And yet you have a dog?” she asked quietly.
“My mother watches her during the day…well until I get home anyway. So unless you want her to know you are staying over tonight then I recommend you act like you are having a problem with your grandparents’ room key.” he said.
“What would make you happy, Christopher?” she asked as the elevator doors opened.
“Christopher!” a woman said.
“Mother, what are you doing leaving? What would you have done if I hadn’t come home again and then Rosealice started barking?” he asked.
“I was just going out to get some fresh air. It’s stuffy in you room.” she told him.
“Then you should have cracked a window.”
“Well who is this?” her mother said looking at Emily.
“My name is Emily. I was here to…” she began.
“Emily’s my girlfriend, Mother. She is staying over with me tonight.” he said.
“And on that note, we really should go, Christopher.” Emily said.
“Yes, we should. Good night, Mother.”he said taking Emily’s hand again.
They got on the elevator and he pressed the button for the third floor. When the doors slide close Emily said,“I thought we weren’t going to tell her.”
“I changed my mind. It made me feel happy to tell her the truth about where I had been all night.” he told her.
The elevator began to rise and then it stopped on the second floor. “Please, no.” Christopher muttered.
The doors slide open and there was a man there who looked about their age. “Hello, Christopher.” he said smiling.“Up or down?”
“I’m going up, Jake.” he said looking at Emily.
“Up.” she said.
“I’ll take the next one. It was nice seeing you again, Emily.” he said.
The doors closed and then she said,“How does he know me?”
“Didn’t I mention that he was on the college bowling team yesterday?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah, I think so, but I still don’t remember him.” she said.
“He joined the team after you quit.”he explained.
The elevator doors slide open and he led her to his room. He unlocked the door and opened it. Emily walked in and saw a black and white puppy sitting on the couch. “She is so cute.” she said holding out her hand.
The puppy licked it so Emily picked her up and held her in her right arm. “Let’s watch some television.”Christopher said.
Emily sat down next to him on the couch and leaned closer to him. He put his arm around her and hit the power button on the television remote. It was on the channel four news. “Breaking news! The richest person in our area has a new boyfriend. This picture was taken this morning while they were sleeping together.” the new man said.
A picture of them sleeping popped up on the screen. “This next picture was taken while they were apparently out on a date.” a new woman said as the picture changed to them skating.
“They are following us!” Emily said.
“I thought you deleted that picture.”he said.
“I forgot to. I was kind of worried about being late for work.” she said.
“Want me to change the channel?” he asked.
“And up next we have an interview with a man who saw these two love birds together just before he started his shift at work.” the news woman said.
“Justin is dead meat.” Christopher said.
After the commercial was over the face that popped up surprised them both. It was Jeff! “How do you know Miss Emily Johnston?” the man said.
“I don’t know her!” Jeff yelled.
“Then why do our sources say that you live with her? Is she cheating on you with that other man?” he asked.
“I don’t know her! All I said was that I saw her.” he lied.
“Our sources don’t lie, Jeff. Our source knows you rather well. Veronica said that you shared a lot with her. Including a fight just before they left on their date.”
“Veronica was my girlfriend! She was just angry because I told her she couldn’t move into my house! It wasn’t my place to say it was okay. My roommate wouldn’t have been happy.” he said.
“I see. Well we’ll get to the truth. Until next time, stay safe and don’t drink and drive.” the man said closing the news segment.
“Jeff was lying the whole time. Maybe that was what the fight was about though.” Emily said.
“I can get my stuff together and we can go find out.” he said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Positive.” he said getting up.
She got up and followed him down the hall and into a closet. “Why was you mother in your room?” Emily asked suddenly.
“She was most likely on the computer. Mother had to have something to do while she was watching Rosealice.” he told her pulling out an old suit case.
“You don’t really need too much. I’d be more than happy to get you some new clothes tomorrow. I’m taking Ashley out shopping so I figured you could come with us, if you want.” she said.
“That sounds like a plan.”
They walked into his room and he tossed it on his bed. Christopher walked to his wardrobe and pulled out a few shirts. “Can you grab five pairs of my jeans from the bottom drawer for me?” he asked her.
“Sure.” she said kneeling in front of the wardrobe.
Emily opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the top five pairs of pants. Underneath the bottom pair was an old picture. It had two girls; one boy who Emily assumed was Christopher, and his parents. “Who is in this picture?” she asked handing it to him.
“This picture was taken ten years ago. Where did you find it?” he asked.
“Under your jeans.” she said. “Who are they?”
“Well the little boy is me.” he said pointing to the boy. “The girl to my right is my sister Alex and the one to my left was Selena. These are my parents. My father died one year after this was taken and Selena the month after it was taken.”
“I’m so sorry, Christopher.” Emily said.
“It’s not your fault, besides Selena was only four when she died, so I didn’t really know her. She was a spoiled brat and that’s all I remember other than the fact I loved her anyway.” he said putting the picture in his suit case between shirts.
“She reminds me of Kate. Spoiled brat, but I love her anyway.” she said.
“What about Matthew? What was he like as a kid?” he asked.
“He was smart and funny. Matthew could get into tiny spaces and eavesdrop on our parents. There was another one of us back then though. He was Matthew’s identical twin.”
“What was his name?”
“Drake.”
“Do you know how he died?”
“Yeah. I’ll you later though.”
“Selena died from inhaling to much smoke in a house fire. Alex had second degree burns and my father had a few third degree burns from pulling my sister and my mother out.”
“How did you get out?” she asked.
“I jumped from a third story window. I broke an arm and leg other than that I was fine. Mother had a little head trauma but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t help with. That was why I was worried when I saw her leaving. I thought maybe she was having a little difficulty thinking and made an odd decision to leave early.”
He zipped the suit case and put it on the floor. “I’ll get Rosealice.” Emily said walking back to the main room.
Christopher had given her a lot to think about. She lifted the puppy of the couch, careful not to wake her. He came out with a bag of dog food and his suit case. “Come on. We need to be quite still.” he whispered.
They walked out the door and took the elevator to the lobby. “Hey, I’m checking out.” he said to the night manager.
“Key please.” the man said.
Christopher handed him the key and said, “I’ll send someone by tomorrow to collect the rest of my things, so please have someone show her how to get to my room.”
“Alright, Christopher, I’ll do just that. Good night and goodbye.” he said.
Christopher grabbed his suit case and dog food and led Emily to the car. The puppy was still asleep in her arms so they did their best to be quite. He opened the trunk sat the suit case and dog food down inside it. Emily got in the passenger side and placed the young Siberian husky on her lap.
Christopher got in and put the key in the ignition. He turned the key and pressed off on the stereo. “She likes you.”he whispered.
“As much as I like you or less than that?” she asked.
“A little less.” he smiled.
He drove down the road and then he placed his arm on the arm rest next to her and she took his hand. “Didn’t take too much of a hint that time.” she whispered.
“Maybe your catching on.” he teased.
Emily felt the puppy move on her lap and began to stroke its back. The movement stopped and the puppy lay back down. It was as close to her as it could get without actually being to close. When Christopher pulled into the driveway he let go of her hand and put it back on the wheel.
Jeff opened the front door as they stopped in front of the porch. “Hey, Jeff, what are you doing up?” Emily said.
“I was getting ready to head to bed when I saw you guys pull in.” he said walking down the steps.
Jeff helped Christopher with his suit case and dog food. “You didn’t mention you had a dog.” he said.
“Her name is Rosealice.” Emily said.
Emily carried Rosealice, Jeff carried the dog food, and Christopher carried his suit case. They all went in and climbed the stairs. “Follow me Jeff.” Emily said.
They went into a room across the hall from her room and he sat dog food down. “Watch Rosealice for a few minutes, please. I’m going to go find an old blanket she can lay on until I can get her a real dog bed.” she said handing Jeff the little puppy.
She walked back into the hall and said, “Just put your stuff in here for now.”
Emily opened the door to her room and motioned for him to go in. “Are you sure this is okay?” he asked.
“Of course I am. I’ll be right back.”she said stepping out.
Emily walked down the hall to a closet and opened the door. She found an old blanket that Drake had on his old bed. It was black and red. The blanket had a small tare in it. Often he had hidden things in it but since his death no one had checked.
Now she reached into the tare and pulled out four envelopes. One of them had her name on it. She walked to the room where she had left Jeff and handed him the blanket. “Lay down on the floor, please. I’ll be in my room.” she said.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“You remember my brother, Drake?” she asked.
“Didn’t he used to hide things in this blanket?” Jeff asked meaning he remembered.
“I found these in the small rip. That was where he used to hide them at. He told me and I wasn’t to tell anyone.” she said.
“What are they?” Jeff asked looking at the envelopes.
“They have names on them. There is one for Matthew, one for Kate, and one for me. The other one doesn’t have a name on it.”
“Well maybe you all should get together and open the fourth one.”
She shrugged and walked across the hall into the other room. Her hands were trembling as she opened the one with her name on it.
Dear Emily,
I know that if you are reading this then I have been killed. You guys don’t know who it was because there was no DNA left on the rope used to strangle me. She don’t like me. Remember that when our puppy went missing and I knew where it was? It’s just like that. I saw it happen and know it has by the time you find this. I was too afraid of it that I didn’t tell anyone. Above all I wish I had told you, Em. You would have known what to do and you above Katie and Matthew could have saved my life. I’m sorry. Remember…
I Love You Even in Death,
Drake
Emily had begun to cry after she read the first line. He knew about his death but hadn’t told anyone. “What’s that?” Christopher asked sitting next to her on the bed.
“A letter from Drake before he was killed.” she whispered.
“Do you want to tell me the story now before I read it or after?” he asked gently.
“He was only five years old. Drake climbed trees often and was set to receive a large amount of money, because our grandfather had died a few weeks before. The day after he got the money he was found hanging from a tree, strangled to death by a rope.” she said.
He read the letter and pointed at ‘She don’t like me.’ He read it over again and said, “She who?”
“I don’t know. Kate and I loved him and our mother wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.” she said.
“Did you have a maid?”
“Not that I remember.”
Jeff came in and said, “Did you open the envelope?”
“No. But I think I know what’s in it. You remember the day before he received a lot of money from our grandpa’s will? I think the money is in here.” she said holding up the sealed envelope.
“We need to get Kate down here tomorrow at the same time as Matthew and Ashley.” Christopher said.
“Maybe their letters have the other pieces of the puzzle in them. He could have been so distracted he split all the information into thirds instead of putting it in all of them or maybe he meant to so if anyone else read them they would become confused.” Emily said.
“Wait, this doesn’t say Kate, it says…Chris! He knew you’d be here! We just need Matthew.” Jeff said looking at the envelope.
Christopher opened the envelope that had been addressed to him.
Dear Christopher,
I know that by now my sister, Emily, is dating you since you are reading this. Take care of her and use your brains. Year I died. The…
Youngest Brother,
Drake
“He knew we were going to be dating when you found these letters. How did her know all this stuff?” he said when he read the letter.
“He was gifted with fortune telling actually. Almost anything Drake said would happen happened within the next few days. When our puppy went missing her knew where she was because he had for told that it would happen.” Emily told him.
“Why does he have the last word on your letter?” Jeff asked Christopher.
“It says, ‘The Youngest Brother.’ What does yours say Emily?” he asked.
“Remember I love you even in death.”she read.
“I wonder if Matthew’s has an extra word.” Jeff said.
“Give me your phone, Jeff. I’m going to call him and have him bring Ashley down tonight so we can figure this out.”Emily said.
He handed her his phone and she dialed his number. It rang three times before Matthew answered, “Hello?” he asked.
“Matthew! We need you to come down right now! I found something in that old blanket that Drake had.” she told him.
“I know. I’m almost there. Ashley woke up and said that she thought you’d need us.” he said. “Just like he used to do.”
“Maybe she can do it too.” she said.
“It’s only the first time it’s happened. When did he start doing it?”
“The month after he turned five. She turned five last month!”
“What’s going on?” Christopher asked.
“Ashley knew that we would need Matthew and they are going to be here in a few minutes. Drake started doing this the month after he turned five and so did she. She turned five last month.”Emily explained.
“We just pulled in. I’ll let myself in.” Matthew said hanging up.
The front door opened and they heard Matthew running up the stairs. “Ashley, stay down there for a few minutes. Go watch television while I talk to Aunt Emmy.” he said.
“Okay, Daddy!” she said.
He came in the room and said, “So what’s going on?”
“Here’s the letter that Drake wrote to you.” Emily said holding it out.
Matthew took it and opened it. He read it and said, “I’m confused.”
Emily took it and read it,
Dear Matthew,
I know that if you are reading this I’m dead. The Guild was lucky to have the both of us and Emily. I shall miss playing that with the two of you and I know that you stopped playing after my death. Oldest to youngest…
Odd balls out,
Drake
“What does that mean?” Matthew asked pointing at the last sentence and the signature.
“What were the last words in the other letters?” Jeff asked.
“Remember was the one in mine.” Emily said.
“Remember the Guild!” Christopher said.
“We can go tomorrow.” Matthew said.
“Daddy, where’s the Guild?” Ashley asked from the door.
“It’s in an old building where Aunt Emmy, Uncle Drake, and I used to play.” he told her.
“Don’t go there. Bad person waiting there for you. She wants to hurt you.” Ashley whispered.
Matthew looked from Ashley to the letters. “Wants to hurt who?” he asked.
“You, Daddy!” she yelled.
“What about Aunt Emmy or Chrissie?” he asked.
“No, just you! Like she did Uncle Drake!” she told him.
“How do you know that?” Emily asked.
“Drake was there and he told me so! He said not to go there tomorrow. The person who killed him is there!”
“Where is Uncle Drake?” Jeff asked gently.
“Gone. He went back to the Guild to make sure everything is still there. Uncle Drake did mention the secret passage leading to the library downstairs though. He said that he left something there for Chrissie.”
“We should go to bed.” Christopher whispered.
“Ashley, do you want to sleep in here with me and Christopher?” Emily asked.
“Is Daddy staying?” she asked.
“No, Daddy has to go home.” Emily said.
“Yes, please. Drake said I wouldn’t be safe unless I did.” she said.
“Good night, sweetie.” Matthew said kissing the top of her head.
Matthew and Emily grabbed each other’s wrists and said, “Te amo.”
Christopher picked Ashley up and said,“I want to show you something.”
He walked across the hall and opened the door. Rosealice was now lying on the blanket. “Drake says that she looks like the puppy he grew up with, the one that went missing.” she said.
“Did he tell you what the puppy’s name was?” Emily asked.
“Ivy.” she said
“That’s right. Ivy always loved Drake and followed him everywhere.”
“When she went missing he was the only one who could find her. Someone had kidnapped her so he would look for her alone. He outsmarted that person and took you with him when he went looking.”she whispered.
Ashley put her arms around Christopher’s neck and closed her eyes. “I’ll be right back.” Emily whispered.
She went across the hall into her room and changed into her pajamas. When she went back she kiss Ashley’s check then she kissed Christopher’s check. Emily took Ashley from him so he could go change. He came back and led her back into her room.
Emily lay Ashley on the bed and then crawled on it herself. She wrapped her arm around Ashley’s waist to make sure she wouldn’t role of the bed. Christopher lay next to Emily and put his arm around her.
There was a sudden flash of light and distant chattering. “We need a head
line!” someone said.
“What about, ‘The Rich and the Poor’ I think it would work.” another voice said.
“Christopher, wake up.”Emily whispered.
His grip on her arm tightened. Emily had her phone and quickly sent Jeff a text. “Come quick. Photographers. SOS.” it said.
Not a minute later the door flew open hitting one of the men. “Give me the camera!” Jeff said.
“No! This is tomorrow’s headline!” the man still standing said.
Christopher stood and grabbed the man’s camera. He tossed it to Emily and grabbed the man who had fallen. “Let’s take out the trash.” Jeff said.
“Wait, Christopher! We’re late!” Emily said looking at the time the picture had been taken.
“Come on!” he said dropping the man.
Emily pushed herself out of the bed and grabbed his shirt for him. They ran down the stairs and to her truck. Christopher got in the truck and opened the passenger door.
She handed him his shirt and watched him pull it on over his head. He put the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine roared like a lion. “Are you cold?” he asked glancing at the shivering Emily.
“A little.” she said.
“Come here.” he said holding his right arm.
Emily took off her seat belt and slide closer to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her as close as humanly possible. She could feel his warmth spread from where his fingertips had touched to the rest of her body. Her shivering slowly came to a stop. “Do you skate?” Christopher asked.
“Not since I was nineteen, but I probably can.” she said.
“How about we go ice skating after work today,” he said, “if you’d like?”
“I promised Jeff I’d hang out with him after work. I’m sorry.” she said.
“It’s cool. A promise is a promise and I wouldn’t want you to break a promise.” he said.
“You didn’t let me finish.” she said.
“Then by all means.”
“He is bringing his girlfriend so I don’t see why you can’t come.”
“Come where?”
Emily pulled out her phone and checked the calendar. “Ice skating actually.” she said.
“Sounds like a date.” he said.
“A double date.” she said.
Christopher pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. He opened the door and slide out. Emily jumped out after him and they ran, hand in hand.
Luckily no one had come yet. “Cover the shoe rental counter and I’ll work the food bar.” he said.
Emily went and got her laptop from her locker. She came back and put it on the counter. All she thought of was a poem she could write.
His eyes,
They shine,
Like the brightest,
Star in the night sky,
They twinkle,
They smile,
They laugh,
All at the same time.
Quickly she typed it on her computer and saved it. "What's that you were just writing?" Christopher asked.
Emily looked up into Christopher's shining green eyes. "A report." she lied.
Creative writing was her secret hobby. The only people who knew about it were Jeff and herself of course. If anyone else were to find out it could change her entire life forever and she didn't know if she wanted that just yet. She wanted to tell Christopher but she didn't know him well enough yet.
"Are you sure? You kept looking over at me." he said.
"I did?" she asked.
"Yeah. You looked lost... and you were muttering something."
Emily laughed and said, "I usually read my reports out loud as I type them."
"Okay, I believe you." he said half-heartedly.
"You’re still going to come skating, right?" she asked.
"I wouldn't miss it." he said.
He went back to the food bar and tried not to look at her. When he gave in to temptation to look he saw her talking to a little girl about six years old.
"Aunt Emmy!" the girl said.
"Hey, Ashley! How's my favorite girl doing?" Emily asked.
"Awesome! Daddy brought me bowling! He said he wanted to talk to you." she lowered her voice then said, "I think he missed you."
"Come here, Ashley." Emily's brother said.
"Hey, Matthew." Emily said.
"Hey, Emily." he said. "Give me your shoe sweetheart."
Ashley handed him her shoe and was confused when he handed it to Emily. "Why did you give Aunt Emmy my shoe, Daddy?" she asked.
"She works here so she is going to get you your rental shoes so you bowl." he explained.
Emily checked the shoe size and then got her niece a pair of size five shoes. She set them on the counter and jumped over it. "Come here, Ashley." she said lifting her onto the counter.
Emily pulled off Ashley's shoes and put on the rentals. She lifted her again and carried her to the food bar. "Christopher, can she have a small mountain dew, please." Emily said.
"Coming right up, Emily." he said smiling at her.
"Daddy doesn't look good." Ashley said.
Emily looked over her shoulder at her brother then said, "Hey, Christopher, can you help Ashley pick out a ball?"
"Sure thing, bud." he said.
"Ashley, this is my friend Christopher. He said he'd help you pick out a ball while I talk to your Daddy, okay." Emily said.
"Chrissie!” Ashley said when he handed her a soda.
“Come on, Ashley, let’s find you ball.” he said taking her from Emily.
He carried her to the lightest balls they had and let her pick one. Emily walked over to Matthew and said, "Are you okay?"
"Divorce. She wants a divorce and not custody." he said.
"She doesn't want Ashley?" she asked.
"Not even a little. She says she is too much like you." he paused, "She married me for the money and now that there is none left she's gone. What am I going to tell Ashley?" Matthew said.
"You are going to tell her that you ran into a problem and Mommy and Daddy have been mad at each other, so she is coming to stay with Aunt Emmy." she said.
"Really, Emily? You'll take care of Ashley? I swear I'll come see her everyday" he said.
"Of course, Matt. Starting tomorrow. I'm not working so bring her by anytime."
Matthew's eyes strayed over to Christopher to see why Emily's eyes hadn't left that direction. "Do you know him?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's Christopher. We have a date tonight." she said.
"I hope it isn't public." he said.
"It is." she said.
"Emily, you know photographers will do anything to get pictures of you." he said.
"I know. Keep an eye on the papers for me."
"Don't tell me they already got you." he whispered.
She looked at Matthew and said, "And Christopher."
"When?"
"This morning. Jeff took care of it and I... hope Jeff deleted the picture."
"Aunt Emmy, Daddy, I got two strikes in a row without bumpers!" Ashley called.
"She wants to be like you." Matthew smiled.
"What? Why me?" Emily asked.
"Did you really just ask me that? You are her favorite person in the world." he said.
"Hey, I've got an idea." Emily said.
"Okay." he said.
"Christopher!" she called.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Come here." she said.
He turned and said something to Ashley. As soon as she made her approach he turned and mouthed, "Strike."
Emily nodded as every pin fell. Christopher sat down next to her and said, "You called?"
"Can you give Ashley private lessons?" Emily asked.
"Private lessons? Em, I have no money." Matthew interjected.
"Mr. Johnston, I don't want money." Christopher said.
"Then what do you want?" Matthew asked.
"Some where to stay. Food to eat. A shower to cleanse myself in."
"And I'll take of all of that." Emily said.
They turned back to Ashley and looked at her score. She was doing extremely well for her age. "Why don't you give her private lessons, Em?" Matthew asked.
"Come here, Matt." she said.
Matthew and Emily got up and walked away to the lockers. "I want Ashley to have a chance to get to know him. Christopher and I... I think we have something that Eddy and I didn't. I'm just not sure what it is yet." she said.
They peered around the corner and saw Christopher showing Ashley, Emily's approach. "He knows my approach." she said.
"How much does he know about you?" Matthew asked.
"I don't know. He knows we used to be on the same bowling team and about Eddy."
"Does he know you are rich?"
"Yeah. I didn't even have to tell him that part. He knew by the way I bowled yesterday."
"How?"
"He could tell I had a mentor when I was younger. It cost a lot of money then to hire a private mentor so it was obvious." she said.
He smiled and held out his hand and she grabbed his wrist. "Te amo." they said together.
She released his wrist and they walked back to the tables. Ashley had one frame left to go and she was at one hundred and fifty. "She is going to be just like you." Matthew said.
"You think so?" she asked.
Ashley got another strike and he said, "I know so."
Ashley's total was one hundred and seventy-five. "Yo, Christopher, your sift is over." a guy said coming in.
"Thanks, Justin!" he called.
"Where's the new girl?" Justin asked.
Emily stood and said, "That would be me."
She turned around and walked to where Christopher was standing. "Hey, you’re pretty." the man said.
"Back off, buddy." she said.
"It’s not like your dating Christopher." he laughed.
She looked at him as Christopher said, "Is that supposed to be an insult."
Emily put her arm around him and said, "Actually, Justin, he is moving in tomorrow."
Justin's jaw dropped and said, "I'm sorry, man. I swear I didn't know!" he said.
"It's cool. Just don't do it again." he said.
"Well, both of your shifts are over so you can head out. I'll take care of them." he said looking at Emily's brother and niece.
"No, it’s okay. I'll finish up with them and then we'll leave." Emily said.
She didn't give him time to argue. Emily walked over to Matthew and Ashley and said, "Hey, Ashley, can you give me those shoes back?"
"Sure, Aunt Emmy!" she said taking them off.
"Thanks, sweetie." Emily said kissing the top of her head.
"Bye, Em." Matthew said.
"Bye, Matt." she said hugging him.
Emily walked behind the counter and slipped the money into the cash register. "I'm taking off, Emily. I'll meet you at your house in an hour!” Christopher called.
“Okay. See you later.”she said.
She watched him as he pulled out in his green Camaro. "You actually like him?" Justin asked.
"Yeah. Christopher is an awesome guy. You know that, you’re just too afraid to tell anyone that." Emily said to him.
"What do you mean, new girl?" he asked.
"Think about it. Meanwhile I'm going to head home." she said heading to her locker.
"Okay. Nice meeting you, new girl." he said.
"Name's Emily. Nice meeting you to Justin." she said leaving.
Emily jogged to her truck and threw her ball in the backseat and then slide her laptop in. She made the jump to get in and pulled out of the parking lot. Justin... she thought for a while and then it came to her.
Emily had a brother-in-law she hadn't met named Justin. She had seen pictures of him but that was it. He was Matthew's wife's brother and now because of the divorce he could flirt as much as he wanted without it being to super weird.
When she pulled into the driveway she put it out of her mind. As she walked up the steps she yelled, "Jeff! Open the doors please."
The doors swung open and Jeff and his girlfriend stood there in front of her. "Hello, Veronica. How are you?" Emily asked.
"Well. And you?" she said.
"Much the same. Oh, Jeff, Christopher has agreed to come skating with us tonight." Emily said turning to him.
"Right about that, Emily. Veronica and I decided to stay in tonight. You are of course welcome to join us if you so wish." he said.
"Oh, no. I couldn't! Christopher is very much looking forward to ice skating. Besides, you made a promise. I may be the one you promised you'd go skating with after I got off work but I wouldn't want you to keep you promise for once." Emily said calmly.
It was the fifth time he cancelled plans to hang out with her and all of them were because of Veronica. "Em, are you angry?" he asked.
"Don't call me that, Jeffrey! Never call me that. Matthew is the only one I let call me that. You know why, Jeffrey? Because when he promises me something he keeps that promise no matter his other plans." she was losing her temper and fast.
"I'm sorry. Tomorrow? I swear I won't skip tomorrow." he said.
"I'll think about. I'm going to go get ready for my date with Christopher." she said walking up the stairs.
She wanted to believe it was because of Veronica but she couldn't because he had done it before he started seeing her. Maybe there was a good reason for this time. Maybe he planned to propose tonight and didn't want her to know.
Emily took a quick shower and when she was brushing her hair a light knock came at the door. "Who is it?" she called.
"Christopher just pulled!" Jeff called.
"Tell him to wait in the living room. I'll be down in a few minutes." she said.
Emily wasn't angry with him anymore. She couldn't be for more than ten minutes, but when she was it was hard for her to control her words. The sound of Jeff's feet running down the stairs came to her ears. Twenty- three thumps and then his voice. "Hey, Christopher. Emily said to have you wait in the living room. She's going to be down in a few minutes."
"Okay, man. Hey, who is she?" Christopher asked.
"Christopher this is my girlfriend, Veronica. Veronica this is Christopher, Emily's boyfriend." Jeff said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Christopher." Veronica said.
"Are you from England?" he asked.
"Yes. How did you know?" she said.
"You have a pretty thick English accent." he pointed out.
"I must have forgotten about it. No one has mentioned it recently." she laughed.
Emily walked across the hall into her bedroom. She walked into her closet and chose her outfit. Quickly she dressed then grabbed her ice skates. As she walked down the stairs Christopher stood. He held out his arm as she reached the bottom step.
She took his arm and they walked to the door. “So I guess you heard?” she asked him.
“I did, but honestly it just means we will be alone so I don’t practically mind. Do you?” he asked opening the passenger door to his Camaro.
“Now that you put it that way… no I don’t.” she said slipping in.
He closed the car door and walked around the front of the car. Christopher got in the driver’s side of the car and put the key in the ignition. Emily looked out the window and Jeff and Veronica standing on the porch. It looked like he was yelling at her by the color of his face.
Veronica stomped down the steps and got into her car. She nearly hit Christopher when she pulled out. Jeff looked at the Camaro and waved to her. “What was that about?” Christopher asked.
“We can ask when we get back.” she said.
He pulled out of the driveway and head towards the ice rink. “Justin called me just after you left. He said that you had a different boyfriend by the name Matt.” he said.
“You’re kidding? What did you tell him?” she asked.
“That he was imagining things. He said he saw you hugging him and then I said you had a brother named Matt. He was so embarrassed.” he said.
Emily laughed and looked out the window again. “My brother and I used to go ice skating all the time before he met the women he married. She never liked me because I saw right through her. All she ever wanted was money and he had just that.” she said.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to move in with you guys. I mean wouldn’t it be a bit weird? You’ve only known me for a day.” he said.
“I’m positive. Would you rather I hadn’t made the offer?” she asked.
“That’s not what I meant.” Christopher said.
“Then what was?”
“Ashley hasn’t known me long at all and neither had Jeff.”
“Jeff can live with it and Ashley will be at the alley every day. Remember, Chrissie.” she said using Ashley’s name for him.
“Well, Emmy, thank so very much.”
He pulled into the skating rink parking lot and found a spot. They got out and walked to the front of the vehicle. Christopher put his arm around Emily’s shoulders and they walked in. Together they found an empty spot and sat their jackets on the table.
“I’m going to go get my skates and I’ll be right back.” he said.
“Okay.” she said.
Emily sat down and took off her shoes. She took the blades’ protection off and sat then on the table. Quickly she put them on and tied the laces. It took her a few minutes to get used to them. The balance came to her easily and so did walking… at first.
After taking the first few steps she tripped and fell forward. Christopher caught her mid fall. “I said I’d be right back!” he laughed.
“Thanks, Christopher.”she said.
They walked back to the table and she said down next to him. Emily waited for him to get his skates on and tied. “You want to take a few steps before you start skating?” he asked.
“No. Let’s skate!” she said.
He laughed as she pulled him from his seat and led him to the ice. She took her first step onto the ice and let go off his hand. It took only a few a seconds for the years of skating to come back to her. In no time she was gliding around doing old tricks.
When she finished she skated back to Christopher and said, “Well come on!”
She skated back and gave him room to get onto the ice. He took a step onto the ice and glided forward. They skated side-by-side talking. “When do you want me to start giving Ashley lessons?” he asked.
His hand brushed hers gently. “The day after tomorrow, if that’s okay with you.” she said.
Their hands brushed again. “Sounds good.” he said.
“So are you going to stay over again tonight or do want to go home and pack up some clothes?” she asked.
“Either way is good with me. Depends on what you want.” he told her.
Their hands brushed again as she said, “I’d be lonely if you didn’t stay over tonight. We could get up early and drive down to your place to get you things.” she said.
“You could stay at my apartment tonight.” he said.
She smiled and said,“That sounds like a good idea.”
Christopher skated forward and turned in front of her. “You know that when a guy brushes your hand while skating…” he began.
“I’m supposed to take his hand.” she said taking his hand. “I know.”
He smiled a toothy grin and skated back to where he had been at. “Don’t you just love skating?” he asked.
“Not nearly as much as bowling, but yes.” she said.
A camera flash went off and then heavy footsteps towards the exit. “They got us again, Emily!” Christopher said.
“It doesn’t matter.” she told him.
“You don’t care?” he asked.
“As long as I’m with you, no.”
They went back to their table and sat down. “As far as first dates go, this one is the best I’ve ever had.” Emily said.
“Me to.” he told her.
Emily had always loved skating and loved guys who loved skating. A skating date was on her list of favorite dates. “How many girlfriend have you had?” she asked.
“Two.” he told her.
“Is that including me?”she asked.
“No. What about you? How many boyfriends have you had?” he asked.
“Just one.”
“Think you got it right this time?” he asked.
“Do you?”
“Yes.” they said together.
They laughed and then Christopher said, “Are you hungry?”
“A little.” she said.
“Let’s go get some dinner.” he said. “On me.”
“Okay.” she said taking off her skates.
She put the protection back on the blades and then put her shoes back on. Christopher took off his skates and she took them to the skate return counter. She sat the skates down and walked back to Christopher. He put his arm around her waist and they walked back out to the car.
He opened the passenger door for her and when she was in he closed it. “Where do you want to go?” he asked getting in the driver’s side.
“Golden Coral.” she said.
“Good choice.”Christopher said pulling out of the parking lot.
He drove down the road and after three and half miles pulled into another parking lot. Christopher got out and went around the front of the car and opened her door. Emily took the hand he was holding out to her and got out of the car. They walked to the restaurant and went in.
“How many?” a women asked.
“Two.” Emily said.
“What kind of soda would you like?” she asked.
“Mountain Dew, please.”Christopher said.
“So two Mountain Dews?”the woman asked.
“But Emily never said that.” he said.
“I’m her sister.” the woman informed him.
“Christopher this is Kate.” Emily said.
“Nice to meet you, Kate.” he said.
“And you, Christopher.”she said handing them both sodas.
“Thanks. How much?”
“On the house, just this once.”
“Thank you, Kate.” Emily said.
Christopher and Emily walked to a table near the buffet. They sat down their sodas and got in line. Emily got two plates and handed one to Christopher. “I didn’t know you had a sister.” he said.
“You never asked. Besides, I told you I had two siblings. Matthew is one and Kate makes two siblings.” she said.
They walked through the line and got their food. When Emily sat down she had two slices of pizza, two chicken legs, and a side salad. Christopher also had pizza but instead of chicken he had shrimp, steak, and a baked potato. “They made the best baked potato here. You should try some.” he said holding out his fork.
She leaned forward and took a bite from the fork. Emily had never been crazy for baked potatoes but this one was really good. “That is good!” she said.
“I see you are trying new things.” Kate said setting down some rolls.
“Yeah, I am.” Emily told her sister.
“So how was it?” she asked.
“It was really good. If mom made them like that then I would have ate them years ago.” Emily told her sister.
“That’s funny because mom was the one who gave them the recipe.”
“I guess my taste buds changed.”
“Or your boyfriend is just that persuasive.” Kate said.
“Kate, get back to work!” the manager called.
“I’ll talk to you later, Emily.” she whispered.
Seeing Kate working meant that she was out of money just like Matthew was. Kate turned and walked away as Emily took another bite of potatoes from Christopher’s fork. “Why do you think she got a job?” Christopher asked.
“She ran out of money just like Matthew did. Kate’s didn’t last nearly as long as his because she thought that she needed to buy everything she sees that she likes. Her last boyfriend left her because she couldn’t keep paying him to live with her.” Emily whispered.
“So all in all you are the only kid that still has money from your family?” he asked.
“All because I’ve worked since I was sixteen.” she told him.
“So you’ve earned your money.” he said.
“I guess you’d say that. The money I earned before I turned eighteen paid for college. The money I earn now is to pay for my bills in case I run out of money like they did. I thought it all through before I spent the money mom and dad left me. The difference being they left me the mansion as well.” she said eating her chicken leg.
“Try a piece of the steak to.” he said holding out his fork one more time.
Emily leaned forward and took a bite from the steak on the fork. After all those years she still didn’t like the steak. She shook her head and Kate came back with more soda. “Thanks, Kate.”they said.
“It’s my job.” she said.
“Sit down. Have a roll.” Emily said.
“I couldn’t, Emily. You’re on a date.”she said.
“Come on. Just for a few minutes.”Christopher said.
Kate looked for the manager and sat down after she grabbed a roll. “Have you heard from Matthew recently?” Emily asked.
“No. What about you? You two have always been really close.” Kate said.
“I talked to him today at the bowling alley. He brought Ashley with him so I had Christopher keep an eye on her while we talked. I’m happy to say that we no longer have to worry about our pain in the ass sister-in-law. They are getting a divorce.” Emily said.
“Thank god! I hated her!” she said.
“That’s why Ashley and Christopher are moving in tomorrow. "
“Don’t you mean Matthew and Ashley?”
“No. I mean what I said. I invited Christopher to stay with me and Jeff at the same time I did Ashley.”
“Kate! I told you to get to work!” the manager yelled.
“I’m sorry, sir, but it’s my fault. I asked my sister to sit down so I could tell her what my brother asked me to pass along the line to her.” Emily called.
“Oh, Miss Johnston, please take as much time as you need.” the manager said.
“Thank you.” she said.
“How did you do that, Emily?” Christopher asked.
“I’m awesome.” she said simply.
“He likes her.” Kate said.
“That to I suppose. But he doesn’t have anything on you, Christopher.” she said.
“Well we should probably head out. I don’t usually leave my puppy alone for so long. Is it okay if she comes with me?” he asked.
“Sure. I love dogs and I’m sure Ashley will like her.”
“Let me grab you some rolls to go. Maybe a slice of pizza if you’d like, Emily.” Kate said.
“It’s okay, Kate, we will just leave you a tip and head on out.” she said tossing a twenty dollar bill on the table.
“Thank you, Emily.” Kate said hugging her sister.
Christopher held out his arm and Emily took it. They walked out to the parking lot and he opened the door for her. He made sure he legs were in before closing it. “So my apartment, right?” he asked.
“Yep.” she said.
“By the way my puppy’s name is Rosealice.”he said.
“That’s a beautiful name.” she said.
“Thanks.” he said.
“How old is she?”
“About five months old yesterday.”
“Do you know her breed?”
“Siberian Husky.”
“Oh, she is so cute!” she told him.
“Just like you.” he told her turning into a new parking lot.
“That’s sweet of you, Christopher.”she told him.
They got out of the car and met in the front of it again. Emily treaded her fingers through his and they walked to the apartment complex. The outside of it was green except the roof which was blue. He opened the front door for her and went in after her.
“This way.” he said leading her to an elevator.
He pressed the call button and then said, “We need to be quite because everyone else on my floor are senior citizens.”
“And yet you have a dog?” she asked quietly.
“My mother watches her during the day…well until I get home anyway. So unless you want her to know you are staying over tonight then I recommend you act like you are having a problem with your grandparents’ room key.” he said.
“What would make you happy, Christopher?” she asked as the elevator doors opened.
“Christopher!” a woman said.
“Mother, what are you doing leaving? What would you have done if I hadn’t come home again and then Rosealice started barking?” he asked.
“I was just going out to get some fresh air. It’s stuffy in you room.” she told him.
“Then you should have cracked a window.”
“Well who is this?” her mother said looking at Emily.
“My name is Emily. I was here to…” she began.
“Emily’s my girlfriend, Mother. She is staying over with me tonight.” he said.
“And on that note, we really should go, Christopher.” Emily said.
“Yes, we should. Good night, Mother.”he said taking Emily’s hand again.
They got on the elevator and he pressed the button for the third floor. When the doors slide close Emily said,“I thought we weren’t going to tell her.”
“I changed my mind. It made me feel happy to tell her the truth about where I had been all night.” he told her.
The elevator began to rise and then it stopped on the second floor. “Please, no.” Christopher muttered.
The doors slide open and there was a man there who looked about their age. “Hello, Christopher.” he said smiling.“Up or down?”
“I’m going up, Jake.” he said looking at Emily.
“Up.” she said.
“I’ll take the next one. It was nice seeing you again, Emily.” he said.
The doors closed and then she said,“How does he know me?”
“Didn’t I mention that he was on the college bowling team yesterday?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah, I think so, but I still don’t remember him.” she said.
“He joined the team after you quit.”he explained.
The elevator doors slide open and he led her to his room. He unlocked the door and opened it. Emily walked in and saw a black and white puppy sitting on the couch. “She is so cute.” she said holding out her hand.
The puppy licked it so Emily picked her up and held her in her right arm. “Let’s watch some television.”Christopher said.
Emily sat down next to him on the couch and leaned closer to him. He put his arm around her and hit the power button on the television remote. It was on the channel four news. “Breaking news! The richest person in our area has a new boyfriend. This picture was taken this morning while they were sleeping together.” the new man said.
A picture of them sleeping popped up on the screen. “This next picture was taken while they were apparently out on a date.” a new woman said as the picture changed to them skating.
“They are following us!” Emily said.
“I thought you deleted that picture.”he said.
“I forgot to. I was kind of worried about being late for work.” she said.
“Want me to change the channel?” he asked.
“And up next we have an interview with a man who saw these two love birds together just before he started his shift at work.” the news woman said.
“Justin is dead meat.” Christopher said.
After the commercial was over the face that popped up surprised them both. It was Jeff! “How do you know Miss Emily Johnston?” the man said.
“I don’t know her!” Jeff yelled.
“Then why do our sources say that you live with her? Is she cheating on you with that other man?” he asked.
“I don’t know her! All I said was that I saw her.” he lied.
“Our sources don’t lie, Jeff. Our source knows you rather well. Veronica said that you shared a lot with her. Including a fight just before they left on their date.”
“Veronica was my girlfriend! She was just angry because I told her she couldn’t move into my house! It wasn’t my place to say it was okay. My roommate wouldn’t have been happy.” he said.
“I see. Well we’ll get to the truth. Until next time, stay safe and don’t drink and drive.” the man said closing the news segment.
“Jeff was lying the whole time. Maybe that was what the fight was about though.” Emily said.
“I can get my stuff together and we can go find out.” he said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Positive.” he said getting up.
She got up and followed him down the hall and into a closet. “Why was you mother in your room?” Emily asked suddenly.
“She was most likely on the computer. Mother had to have something to do while she was watching Rosealice.” he told her pulling out an old suit case.
“You don’t really need too much. I’d be more than happy to get you some new clothes tomorrow. I’m taking Ashley out shopping so I figured you could come with us, if you want.” she said.
“That sounds like a plan.”
They walked into his room and he tossed it on his bed. Christopher walked to his wardrobe and pulled out a few shirts. “Can you grab five pairs of my jeans from the bottom drawer for me?” he asked her.
“Sure.” she said kneeling in front of the wardrobe.
Emily opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the top five pairs of pants. Underneath the bottom pair was an old picture. It had two girls; one boy who Emily assumed was Christopher, and his parents. “Who is in this picture?” she asked handing it to him.
“This picture was taken ten years ago. Where did you find it?” he asked.
“Under your jeans.” she said. “Who are they?”
“Well the little boy is me.” he said pointing to the boy. “The girl to my right is my sister Alex and the one to my left was Selena. These are my parents. My father died one year after this was taken and Selena the month after it was taken.”
“I’m so sorry, Christopher.” Emily said.
“It’s not your fault, besides Selena was only four when she died, so I didn’t really know her. She was a spoiled brat and that’s all I remember other than the fact I loved her anyway.” he said putting the picture in his suit case between shirts.
“She reminds me of Kate. Spoiled brat, but I love her anyway.” she said.
“What about Matthew? What was he like as a kid?” he asked.
“He was smart and funny. Matthew could get into tiny spaces and eavesdrop on our parents. There was another one of us back then though. He was Matthew’s identical twin.”
“What was his name?”
“Drake.”
“Do you know how he died?”
“Yeah. I’ll you later though.”
“Selena died from inhaling to much smoke in a house fire. Alex had second degree burns and my father had a few third degree burns from pulling my sister and my mother out.”
“How did you get out?” she asked.
“I jumped from a third story window. I broke an arm and leg other than that I was fine. Mother had a little head trauma but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t help with. That was why I was worried when I saw her leaving. I thought maybe she was having a little difficulty thinking and made an odd decision to leave early.”
He zipped the suit case and put it on the floor. “I’ll get Rosealice.” Emily said walking back to the main room.
Christopher had given her a lot to think about. She lifted the puppy of the couch, careful not to wake her. He came out with a bag of dog food and his suit case. “Come on. We need to be quite still.” he whispered.
They walked out the door and took the elevator to the lobby. “Hey, I’m checking out.” he said to the night manager.
“Key please.” the man said.
Christopher handed him the key and said, “I’ll send someone by tomorrow to collect the rest of my things, so please have someone show her how to get to my room.”
“Alright, Christopher, I’ll do just that. Good night and goodbye.” he said.
Christopher grabbed his suit case and dog food and led Emily to the car. The puppy was still asleep in her arms so they did their best to be quite. He opened the trunk sat the suit case and dog food down inside it. Emily got in the passenger side and placed the young Siberian husky on her lap.
Christopher got in and put the key in the ignition. He turned the key and pressed off on the stereo. “She likes you.”he whispered.
“As much as I like you or less than that?” she asked.
“A little less.” he smiled.
He drove down the road and then he placed his arm on the arm rest next to her and she took his hand. “Didn’t take too much of a hint that time.” she whispered.
“Maybe your catching on.” he teased.
Emily felt the puppy move on her lap and began to stroke its back. The movement stopped and the puppy lay back down. It was as close to her as it could get without actually being to close. When Christopher pulled into the driveway he let go of her hand and put it back on the wheel.
Jeff opened the front door as they stopped in front of the porch. “Hey, Jeff, what are you doing up?” Emily said.
“I was getting ready to head to bed when I saw you guys pull in.” he said walking down the steps.
Jeff helped Christopher with his suit case and dog food. “You didn’t mention you had a dog.” he said.
“Her name is Rosealice.” Emily said.
Emily carried Rosealice, Jeff carried the dog food, and Christopher carried his suit case. They all went in and climbed the stairs. “Follow me Jeff.” Emily said.
They went into a room across the hall from her room and he sat dog food down. “Watch Rosealice for a few minutes, please. I’m going to go find an old blanket she can lay on until I can get her a real dog bed.” she said handing Jeff the little puppy.
She walked back into the hall and said, “Just put your stuff in here for now.”
Emily opened the door to her room and motioned for him to go in. “Are you sure this is okay?” he asked.
“Of course I am. I’ll be right back.”she said stepping out.
Emily walked down the hall to a closet and opened the door. She found an old blanket that Drake had on his old bed. It was black and red. The blanket had a small tare in it. Often he had hidden things in it but since his death no one had checked.
Now she reached into the tare and pulled out four envelopes. One of them had her name on it. She walked to the room where she had left Jeff and handed him the blanket. “Lay down on the floor, please. I’ll be in my room.” she said.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“You remember my brother, Drake?” she asked.
“Didn’t he used to hide things in this blanket?” Jeff asked meaning he remembered.
“I found these in the small rip. That was where he used to hide them at. He told me and I wasn’t to tell anyone.” she said.
“What are they?” Jeff asked looking at the envelopes.
“They have names on them. There is one for Matthew, one for Kate, and one for me. The other one doesn’t have a name on it.”
“Well maybe you all should get together and open the fourth one.”
She shrugged and walked across the hall into the other room. Her hands were trembling as she opened the one with her name on it.
Dear Emily,
I know that if you are reading this then I have been killed. You guys don’t know who it was because there was no DNA left on the rope used to strangle me. She don’t like me. Remember that when our puppy went missing and I knew where it was? It’s just like that. I saw it happen and know it has by the time you find this. I was too afraid of it that I didn’t tell anyone. Above all I wish I had told you, Em. You would have known what to do and you above Katie and Matthew could have saved my life. I’m sorry. Remember…
I Love You Even in Death,
Drake
Emily had begun to cry after she read the first line. He knew about his death but hadn’t told anyone. “What’s that?” Christopher asked sitting next to her on the bed.
“A letter from Drake before he was killed.” she whispered.
“Do you want to tell me the story now before I read it or after?” he asked gently.
“He was only five years old. Drake climbed trees often and was set to receive a large amount of money, because our grandfather had died a few weeks before. The day after he got the money he was found hanging from a tree, strangled to death by a rope.” she said.
He read the letter and pointed at ‘She don’t like me.’ He read it over again and said, “She who?”
“I don’t know. Kate and I loved him and our mother wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.” she said.
“Did you have a maid?”
“Not that I remember.”
Jeff came in and said, “Did you open the envelope?”
“No. But I think I know what’s in it. You remember the day before he received a lot of money from our grandpa’s will? I think the money is in here.” she said holding up the sealed envelope.
“We need to get Kate down here tomorrow at the same time as Matthew and Ashley.” Christopher said.
“Maybe their letters have the other pieces of the puzzle in them. He could have been so distracted he split all the information into thirds instead of putting it in all of them or maybe he meant to so if anyone else read them they would become confused.” Emily said.
“Wait, this doesn’t say Kate, it says…Chris! He knew you’d be here! We just need Matthew.” Jeff said looking at the envelope.
Christopher opened the envelope that had been addressed to him.
Dear Christopher,
I know that by now my sister, Emily, is dating you since you are reading this. Take care of her and use your brains. Year I died. The…
Youngest Brother,
Drake
“He knew we were going to be dating when you found these letters. How did her know all this stuff?” he said when he read the letter.
“He was gifted with fortune telling actually. Almost anything Drake said would happen happened within the next few days. When our puppy went missing her knew where she was because he had for told that it would happen.” Emily told him.
“Why does he have the last word on your letter?” Jeff asked Christopher.
“It says, ‘The Youngest Brother.’ What does yours say Emily?” he asked.
“Remember I love you even in death.”she read.
“I wonder if Matthew’s has an extra word.” Jeff said.
“Give me your phone, Jeff. I’m going to call him and have him bring Ashley down tonight so we can figure this out.”Emily said.
He handed her his phone and she dialed his number. It rang three times before Matthew answered, “Hello?” he asked.
“Matthew! We need you to come down right now! I found something in that old blanket that Drake had.” she told him.
“I know. I’m almost there. Ashley woke up and said that she thought you’d need us.” he said. “Just like he used to do.”
“Maybe she can do it too.” she said.
“It’s only the first time it’s happened. When did he start doing it?”
“The month after he turned five. She turned five last month!”
“What’s going on?” Christopher asked.
“Ashley knew that we would need Matthew and they are going to be here in a few minutes. Drake started doing this the month after he turned five and so did she. She turned five last month.”Emily explained.
“We just pulled in. I’ll let myself in.” Matthew said hanging up.
The front door opened and they heard Matthew running up the stairs. “Ashley, stay down there for a few minutes. Go watch television while I talk to Aunt Emmy.” he said.
“Okay, Daddy!” she said.
He came in the room and said, “So what’s going on?”
“Here’s the letter that Drake wrote to you.” Emily said holding it out.
Matthew took it and opened it. He read it and said, “I’m confused.”
Emily took it and read it,
Dear Matthew,
I know that if you are reading this I’m dead. The Guild was lucky to have the both of us and Emily. I shall miss playing that with the two of you and I know that you stopped playing after my death. Oldest to youngest…
Odd balls out,
Drake
“What does that mean?” Matthew asked pointing at the last sentence and the signature.
“What were the last words in the other letters?” Jeff asked.
“Remember was the one in mine.” Emily said.
“Remember the Guild!” Christopher said.
“We can go tomorrow.” Matthew said.
“Daddy, where’s the Guild?” Ashley asked from the door.
“It’s in an old building where Aunt Emmy, Uncle Drake, and I used to play.” he told her.
“Don’t go there. Bad person waiting there for you. She wants to hurt you.” Ashley whispered.
Matthew looked from Ashley to the letters. “Wants to hurt who?” he asked.
“You, Daddy!” she yelled.
“What about Aunt Emmy or Chrissie?” he asked.
“No, just you! Like she did Uncle Drake!” she told him.
“How do you know that?” Emily asked.
“Drake was there and he told me so! He said not to go there tomorrow. The person who killed him is there!”
“Where is Uncle Drake?” Jeff asked gently.
“Gone. He went back to the Guild to make sure everything is still there. Uncle Drake did mention the secret passage leading to the library downstairs though. He said that he left something there for Chrissie.”
“We should go to bed.” Christopher whispered.
“Ashley, do you want to sleep in here with me and Christopher?” Emily asked.
“Is Daddy staying?” she asked.
“No, Daddy has to go home.” Emily said.
“Yes, please. Drake said I wouldn’t be safe unless I did.” she said.
“Good night, sweetie.” Matthew said kissing the top of her head.
Matthew and Emily grabbed each other’s wrists and said, “Te amo.”
Christopher picked Ashley up and said,“I want to show you something.”
He walked across the hall and opened the door. Rosealice was now lying on the blanket. “Drake says that she looks like the puppy he grew up with, the one that went missing.” she said.
“Did he tell you what the puppy’s name was?” Emily asked.
“Ivy.” she said
“That’s right. Ivy always loved Drake and followed him everywhere.”
“When she went missing he was the only one who could find her. Someone had kidnapped her so he would look for her alone. He outsmarted that person and took you with him when he went looking.”she whispered.
Ashley put her arms around Christopher’s neck and closed her eyes. “I’ll be right back.” Emily whispered.
She went across the hall into her room and changed into her pajamas. When she went back she kiss Ashley’s check then she kissed Christopher’s check. Emily took Ashley from him so he could go change. He came back and led her back into her room.
Emily lay Ashley on the bed and then crawled on it herself. She wrapped her arm around Ashley’s waist to make sure she wouldn’t role of the bed. Christopher lay next to Emily and put his arm around her.
Chapter 3
When Emily woke up she found that Ashley had moved between her and Christopher. His hand was in hers and Ashley’s arms were around his neck. She gently unwrapped her arms and woke him up. “Go look in that hall before she wakes up.” Emily whispered.
“I don’t know where it is.” he whispered back.
She wrapped Ashley’s arms around her neck and stood up. “Come with me.” she whispered.
He got out of bed and followed her across the hall. “Jeff, get up. I need you to watch Ashley for a few minutes.”
Jeff got up and took Ashley from Emily’s arms. The three of them walked down stairs and Jeff went to the living room. Emily took Christopher’s hand and led him down a hall. “Grab the books and pull them off that shelf. One of them opens a secret passage way.” she said pulling a book off.
He grabbed one but it didn’t do anything. They each had to grab three books before he grabbed the right book.“I heard something move.” he said.
She looked around the edge of the bookcase and said, “It opened.”
They went in the hidden passageway and walked down the narrow hall. Emily pulled a chain above her head and a light flashed on. “I don’t remember that picture ever being there.” she said.
Christopher looked at it and said, “I wonder if that is what he left in here for me.”
He took it down and they saw a little crack in the wall. “Is it okay if I punch it in?” he asked.
“Go ahead. I was going to seal the passage any way.” she said.
He touched the wall and said, “I don’t think that will be necessary. It feels like there is a four digit passcode for it. If we can get it right then maybe it will open something else.” he said.
“Wait… the letter he wrote to you said something about the year he died!” she said.
“What year was it?” he asked.
“I’m twenty two now and he died when I was eight so it was 1996.” she said.
He punched in the year and heard something click. “Congratulations. You cracked the code. Now enter your name and let’s see if it’s the person the item is meant for.” Drake’s five year old voice said.
“He was way too smart for his own good when he was five.” Emily whispered.
“He had the clue in my letter and Ashley said it was meant for me. Should I put in my full name or what Ashley called me?”
“She said, ‘He said he left something there for Chrissie.’ So maybe he called you that and she was relaying the message.” Emily said.
“I’ll try that.” he said.
He typed in what Ashley kept calling him and something else clicked. “Welcome, Chrissie. Now type in who has given you the message that something is here for you.” the voice said.
That was the easiest one that was asked. He typed in Ashley’s name and then something else clicked. “Good job, Christopher. I know Emily is with you so congratulations to both of you for figuring out my little riddle. The Guild holds more clues. Wait for Ashley to tell you it’s safe for you to go there.” the voice said again.
“Is that it? He left us he words of wisdom instead of something we would have to figure out? Man, Drake knew I love a good riddle.” Emily said.
“Emily, I know you just complained about a riddle so here is a riddle. Why did the bald man paint a rabbit on his head?” Drake’s voice said.
“Because from a distance they looked like hairs.” she said.
“Now think about that.” he said. “I am done with you. You may now access the new clue in the vault in my old room. It’s under my bedside table but to access it you must put all the pictures in there to their original place.”
“It’s just like Drake to put a memory game into the mystery.” Emily whispered.
“Maybe we can get Ashley to ask Drake where he used to keep them.” Christopher said.
“I don’t think he’ll help. He left this for me to figure out.” she said.
They left the passage and she closed it. “I’ll go check on Ashley and Jeff.” Christopher said,
“I’ll be in Drake’s old room. It’s the one on the far end of the hallway to the left.” she said turning to it.
Christopher walked down the stair and Emily went to Drake’s old bedroom. The pictures had been moved but it looked like they were still in the same order he had kept them in. “Come on, Drake, give me a hint.” she said.
Suddenly two pictures fell to the ground. She walked over to one of them and looked at it. It was a picture of Matthew, Drake, and herself. Emily looked at the other picture and it was a picture of Kate moving one of his pictures. Kate had been angry at Drake that day so she tried to rearrange his room before they returned from the Guild.
Their mother had caught her and took the picture thinking it was just a practical joke. She had let Kate carry on and when they returned the room looked just like this. It was the week before Drake was killed.
Emily studied the pictures and then decided to place all the pictures the way they were set up in the picture of Kate. The picture of Kate hadn’t been up and neither had the one of Drake, Matthew, and her. The rest of the pictures practically moved themselves.
Drake’s hint was to remove them from the wall. Emily moved three pictures. One of them was their first family picture. Drake had his arms around her and Matthew leaving Kate to stand by herself over to the side.
“Emily, did you figure out the pictures?” Christopher asked.
“No, but I think I understand the riddle. The one about the bald man and the rabbit.” she said.
“You already figured that out.” he said.
“I understand why he threw it into the mystery. Look at this picture.” she said handing him the family picture.
“You guys all look happy.”
“Except Kate. She didn’t like Drake because Matthew and I spent all our free time with him.”
“What’s the connection to the riddle?”
“It was Kate’s favorite riddle. She gave to us each day just waiting to see if we could figure it out. Of course, we figured it out the first day, but we didn’t tell her that.”
Emily’s phone rang and she pulled it out. She checked the Caller ID and then answered. “Hey, Kate, what’s up?” she said.
“I forgot to ask you the answer for my old riddle last night.” she said.
“From a distance they looked like hairs.” Emily said.
“How long have you known the answer?”Kate asked.
“Since the first time you said it.”she told her.
“Well that’s all I wanted.” Kate said hanging up.
“That was weird.” Emily said.
“What?” Christopher asked looking at the pictures.
“Kate just asked me that riddle. She didn’t seem happy I knew the answer though.” she said.
“Aunt Emmy!” Ashley yelled.
“Ashley, is everything okay? Where is Jeff?” she asked her niece.
“Uncle Drake just said the killer is mad! His killer is coming back here to find his next victim! We need to leave!”she said.
“We need to put these pictures in order. Can you help us?” Christopher said.
Ashley looked at them and pointed at the last one and said, “That one goes above the bed and the one to its right goes where the picture of you, Daddy, and Uncle Drake was.”
When Emily and Christopher put the pictures where Ashley had said something clicked loudly. “I’ll get the clue. You, Ashley, and Jeff head out to the car.” he said.
“No. I think Drake meant for me to get it.” she said moving the bedside table.
When she moved it she found a compartment in the floor with Drake’s old bowling ball in it. “Drake’s bowling ball. I’ve been looking for this for ages.” she said.
Christophe pulled it out and said, “We can take it with us. Ashley, did Drake tell you where we should go?”
“He said to go anywhere but the Guild and not to come back here until ten tonight.” she said.
“Jeff, get in the car!” Emily yelled.
“What’s going on?” he called.
“I’ll explain later!” she called back.“Take Ashley to the car and get her in her safety seat, I’m going to get the letters and pictures from my room.”
“Get my pictures to, just in case the killer goes through everything. I want my family to be safe.” he said.
Emily ran into her room and pulled out her laptop bag. She had put all the letters and pictures in it. Even the sealed envelope was in the bag. Quickly she found Christopher’s family picture and ran across the hall. As soon as she found Rosealice she picked her up and put her in the laptop bag with everything else, except the laptop, which was now in her hands. Now that she had everything she ran down the stairs. When she got outside she sat the alarm and locked the door.
Christopher had brought the car up closer to the porch so as soon as she was down the steps she handed him her bag and got in the car. He didn’t wait for her to close the door before he hit the accelerator. In no time flat they were on the main highway.
“You didn’t give Drake time to get in the car to.” Ashley said from behind Emily.
“Damn it, we left Rosealice at the mansion!” Christopher said.
Emily reached into her laptop bag and pulled out the small puppy. “No way was I about to leave this cutie there.” she said.
“Thank you so much.” he said. “I am in your debt.”
“Just keep your eyes on the road and drive the getaway car.” she laughed.
He drove down the road and said, “Where to first?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well since we aren’t technically on the run we can do anything we want until we go back, after ten tonight.” he said.
“Ashley, did you eat breakfast yet?” Emily asked looking at her.
“No, Jeff and I were playing hide and seek.” she said.
“Are you hungry?” Christopher asked looking in his rear view mirror.
“A little.” she said.
“Where do you want to go for breakfast?” he asked.
“Somewhere with pancakes, eggs, and bacon.” she said.
Emily thought it was weird how her favorite breakfast was the same as Drake’s favorite. “I guess that means we are going to Denny’s.” Christopher said.
Emily and Christopher both held out their hands at the same time and took the other’s hand. They held hands the rest of the way to Denny’s. Christopher got out and walked around the back of the car. He opened Ashley’s door and picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he opened Emily’s door and held out his hand.
Emily took his hand and stepped out of the car holding her laptop bag. She had taken everything out of it and put it all in the glove box so she could keep Rosealice in it while they ate. He took her hand after she put the bag over her shoulder and closed the car door.
They walked into Denny’s and the waiter said, “How many?”
“Three.” Christopher said.
“She is very pretty,” the waiter said looking at Ashley, “Is she your daughter?”
“No. She is my girlfriend’s niece.”Christopher said.
“Is a booth okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” Emily said.
Rosealice moved inside the bag at the sound of Emily’s voice. Gently she patted the bag and she stopped moving. Emily sat down across from Christopher and took they both smiled. “Hey, my name is Jessica and I’ll be you server this morning. Can I get you anything to drink?”a waitress said
“What do you want, Ashley?” Emily asked.
“Chocolate milk, please.” she whispered to Christopher.
“She wants chocolate milk and I’ll have a mountain dew.” he said.
“Mountain dew, please.” Emily said.
“Coming right up.” Jessica said walking away.
“So what are we going to do?” Emily asked Christopher.
“I don’t know. Ashley, what do you want to do after we eat?” he said.
“I thought we were going to go to the mall today, Aunt Emmy.” she said.
“That’s right, Ashley. I almost forgot about that. Christopher, I suppose you are going to join us.” she said.
“I wouldn’t miss it… or chance to get to be with you, Emily.” he said just loud enough she heard it.
She smiled as Jessica sat down the drinks. “Have you decided what you would like to order?” she asked.
“Ashley, what do you want to eat?”Emily asked putting the chocolate cup in front of her niece.
“Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon.”she said.
“Scrambled eggs and bacon.”Christopher said
“French toast, scrambled eggs, and three slices of bacon.” Emily said.
“I’ll get the order right in.” Jessica said.
“Thank you.” Christopher said.
Jessica smiled and turned her back on them. Ashley looked up as Christopher slide his hand into Emily’s and smiled at her. Quickly Ashley looked back down at her feet. “Ash, what’s wrong?” Emily asked.
“Oh, nothing.” she said quickly. “Uncle Drake said he’s happy for you. What does he mean? Why is he happy?”
Emily looked Christopher in the eyes. “I’m not sure why he’s happy for me. He should be happy for all of us, that we are here together.”she said.
Christopher smiled, seeming to understand what Emily was saying. Drake knew what would happen in the future and that was his way of telling her. If it meant the one was Christopher or if they would suffer hardships, then she meet someone else, neither of them were sure at that point in time.
Emily pulled out her phone and took a picture of her and Christopher. She showed it to him and they both smiled. “We should go ice skating again after we go to the mall.” he whispered.
“Ash, do you like to ice skate?” Emily asked.
Ashley looked like she was deep in thought, looking at the chair next to her she said, “Yes, Aunt Emmy.”
“Do you want to go ice skating with me and Chrissie after we go shopping?” she asked.
Ashley seemed to be thinking, but was looking at the empty chair next to her and nodding, like someone was there talking to her.“Yes, please.” she said.
Christopher looked at Emily and he looked concerned about Ashley. Emily was to but she knew there wasn’t anything she could do about except catch the killer. Like they would in their old version of Assassins. She smiled at the thought and then Christopher said, “Emily, are you okay?”
She realized she had started to cry a little thinking back to the past when Drake was still around. “Yeah, baby, just memories.” she said without thinking.
He smiled and wiped one of the tears off her cheek. “It’s going to be okay, Emily. I promise you that.” he whispered gently.
She smiled as the waitress sat down their breakfast. “Let me know if there is anything you need.” she said before she turned and went back to the kitchen.
Emily took a bite of her French toast and then her eggs. She watched Ashley her breakfast in case she started to choke. It had always been a habit of Emily’s to watch her closely. Christopher watched Emily and then whispered, “Are you going to finish eating?”
She had stopped eating when she saw a man in the back look up at her and stare her directly in the eye. Something about this man was off, different. Emily didn’t like it one bit. “Hurry up and finish eating.” she whispered.
Emily glanced back at where the man had been but he was gone. Her eyes darted around the restaurant and then she quickly finished eating her French toast, eggs, and bacon. Ashley and Christopher followed her lead, they could tell she was worried about something but neither of them asked why.
Ashley glanced at the empty chair next to her every few seconds. “Aunt Emmy,” she whispered after a few minutes, “there is a creepy guy staring at you.”
Emily took a deep breath as Christopher quickly looked behind him. “There is.” he whispered into Emily’s ear.
He kissed her temple and looked back at Ashley. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s go wait in the car.” he said.
“No. If we leave Aunt Emmy alone, he’ll hurt her.” she whispered. “Uncle Drake told me so.”
There it was again. Uncle Drake would be right, Emily knew it. She called for Jessica and paid the bill and handed her the tip. “Keep the change.” she said to Jessica quickly before picking Ashley up.
Christopher opened the door for them and followed them out. Emily buckled Ashley into her seat and got in the front seat. She pulled Rosealice out of the laptop bag a pet her gently. “Everything will be okay.”she said more to herself than any one.
Rosealice lay down in Emily’s lap right against her stomach. Christopher got in the driver’s seat and pulled out of the parking lot. Keeping one hand on the wheel he held Emily’s hand. Thirty miles later, around corners and turns, and out of the city they hit a red light. She had finally calmed down and they had turned the radio on to calm Ashley.
Emily finally had the courage to look out the window and she nearly screamed. The man from Denny’s was staring right at her from the next car. He was going to follow them where ever they went. Quickly she covered her own mouth to stop herself from screaming. Christopher glanced out the window and his eyes grew wide. Ashley now also looked out the window.
“Uncle Drake said to reeve your engine.” she said.
Christopher turned around and said gently, “Are you sure he said to reeve it?”
“Yes, he said when the light turns green, floor it and release the wheel.” she told him.
Emily glanced at Christopher and nodded. “Just do it. Drake has a knack for street racing.” she told him.
Christopher did as he was told and reeved his engine. The man in the next car followed his lead in acceptance to the challenge. The light turned green and Christopher floored the gas pedal and released the wheel. To his great surprise the wheel didn’t move, it stayed steady and then when the man in the next car steered towards him the wheel jerked to right, like some invisible force was controlling.
The car navigated itself though the oncoming traffic and the car that carried the strange man followed closely behind them. Emily turned in her seat just in time to see the man wreck into another car. Christopher grabbed the wheel and did a U-turn and drove to the other car upon instinct.
He got out and found that man was still inside the car, alive, breathing, and miraculously uninjured. The man grabbed Christopher’s hand and pulled him closer, “Get me the woman.”
Christopher pulled his hand back and said, “Leave my girlfriend alone.”
“My name is Erin. I need to talk to her about her brother Drake.” he said.
Christopher turned and walked away. When he reached Emily and Ashley he picked Ashley up and said to Emily, “He wants to talk to you about Drake.”
Emily was stunned and horrified at the same time. “Did he give you his name?”
“Erin, he said, but I wouldn’t believe him. Remember what Ashley told us? He wants to hurt you.” he whispered.
“Uncle Drake said to talk to the man.” Ashley piped up.
“Are you sure, Ash?” Emily asked.
“Yes, Aunt Emmy.” she said.
Emily kissed Christopher and walked away to the man who was now leaning against his totaled car. “How is it you are unharmed?” she asked.
“How is it your boyfriend was able to navigate the traffic without touching the wheel?” he asked.
“Is that all you wanted to know, sir?” she asked.
“I wanted to ask you about that girl he’s holding. She mentioned an Uncle Drake?” he said.
“What about her? What about my brother?” she said.
“I know why she can see him, hear him. If you want to know the answers all you have to do is look.” he said.
“Look? Now you have me confused.”
“Oh, but you already where, my dear.”
“Even more confused than before.”
The man looked at his feet for a second then back up at Emily. His eyes were clear, which frightened her slightly, but also intrigued her. “What’s up with your eyes?” she asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Do you feel as if you’ve met me before?” he asked randomly.
“I know of no one named Erin.” she said.
Her speech was different than normal, it was like his. “Indeed you do. Remember you’re past lives.” he told her.
“You… I don’t know you, Erin.” she said.
“Think back to your childhood. Whom do I look like?” he said.
Emily looked away from his eyes, afraid of the answer that would come. “I don’t know.” she said.
With that she turned her back and left him alone by his car. “We need to leave while his car is still in ruins.” she muttered to Christopher.
He nodded and put Ashley back in the car. Before Emily got in the car he grabbed her wrist. “Are you okay? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” he whispered.
She nodded and stepped forward. Emily hugged Christopher and started to cry. The man looked like someone she had known well as a child but hadn’t seen in nearly ten years. Christopher put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him and whispered words of comfort in her ear. Her favorite words were, “I love you.”
“I don’t know where it is.” he whispered back.
She wrapped Ashley’s arms around her neck and stood up. “Come with me.” she whispered.
He got out of bed and followed her across the hall. “Jeff, get up. I need you to watch Ashley for a few minutes.”
Jeff got up and took Ashley from Emily’s arms. The three of them walked down stairs and Jeff went to the living room. Emily took Christopher’s hand and led him down a hall. “Grab the books and pull them off that shelf. One of them opens a secret passage way.” she said pulling a book off.
He grabbed one but it didn’t do anything. They each had to grab three books before he grabbed the right book.“I heard something move.” he said.
She looked around the edge of the bookcase and said, “It opened.”
They went in the hidden passageway and walked down the narrow hall. Emily pulled a chain above her head and a light flashed on. “I don’t remember that picture ever being there.” she said.
Christopher looked at it and said, “I wonder if that is what he left in here for me.”
He took it down and they saw a little crack in the wall. “Is it okay if I punch it in?” he asked.
“Go ahead. I was going to seal the passage any way.” she said.
He touched the wall and said, “I don’t think that will be necessary. It feels like there is a four digit passcode for it. If we can get it right then maybe it will open something else.” he said.
“Wait… the letter he wrote to you said something about the year he died!” she said.
“What year was it?” he asked.
“I’m twenty two now and he died when I was eight so it was 1996.” she said.
He punched in the year and heard something click. “Congratulations. You cracked the code. Now enter your name and let’s see if it’s the person the item is meant for.” Drake’s five year old voice said.
“He was way too smart for his own good when he was five.” Emily whispered.
“He had the clue in my letter and Ashley said it was meant for me. Should I put in my full name or what Ashley called me?”
“She said, ‘He said he left something there for Chrissie.’ So maybe he called you that and she was relaying the message.” Emily said.
“I’ll try that.” he said.
He typed in what Ashley kept calling him and something else clicked. “Welcome, Chrissie. Now type in who has given you the message that something is here for you.” the voice said.
That was the easiest one that was asked. He typed in Ashley’s name and then something else clicked. “Good job, Christopher. I know Emily is with you so congratulations to both of you for figuring out my little riddle. The Guild holds more clues. Wait for Ashley to tell you it’s safe for you to go there.” the voice said again.
“Is that it? He left us he words of wisdom instead of something we would have to figure out? Man, Drake knew I love a good riddle.” Emily said.
“Emily, I know you just complained about a riddle so here is a riddle. Why did the bald man paint a rabbit on his head?” Drake’s voice said.
“Because from a distance they looked like hairs.” she said.
“Now think about that.” he said. “I am done with you. You may now access the new clue in the vault in my old room. It’s under my bedside table but to access it you must put all the pictures in there to their original place.”
“It’s just like Drake to put a memory game into the mystery.” Emily whispered.
“Maybe we can get Ashley to ask Drake where he used to keep them.” Christopher said.
“I don’t think he’ll help. He left this for me to figure out.” she said.
They left the passage and she closed it. “I’ll go check on Ashley and Jeff.” Christopher said,
“I’ll be in Drake’s old room. It’s the one on the far end of the hallway to the left.” she said turning to it.
Christopher walked down the stair and Emily went to Drake’s old bedroom. The pictures had been moved but it looked like they were still in the same order he had kept them in. “Come on, Drake, give me a hint.” she said.
Suddenly two pictures fell to the ground. She walked over to one of them and looked at it. It was a picture of Matthew, Drake, and herself. Emily looked at the other picture and it was a picture of Kate moving one of his pictures. Kate had been angry at Drake that day so she tried to rearrange his room before they returned from the Guild.
Their mother had caught her and took the picture thinking it was just a practical joke. She had let Kate carry on and when they returned the room looked just like this. It was the week before Drake was killed.
Emily studied the pictures and then decided to place all the pictures the way they were set up in the picture of Kate. The picture of Kate hadn’t been up and neither had the one of Drake, Matthew, and her. The rest of the pictures practically moved themselves.
Drake’s hint was to remove them from the wall. Emily moved three pictures. One of them was their first family picture. Drake had his arms around her and Matthew leaving Kate to stand by herself over to the side.
“Emily, did you figure out the pictures?” Christopher asked.
“No, but I think I understand the riddle. The one about the bald man and the rabbit.” she said.
“You already figured that out.” he said.
“I understand why he threw it into the mystery. Look at this picture.” she said handing him the family picture.
“You guys all look happy.”
“Except Kate. She didn’t like Drake because Matthew and I spent all our free time with him.”
“What’s the connection to the riddle?”
“It was Kate’s favorite riddle. She gave to us each day just waiting to see if we could figure it out. Of course, we figured it out the first day, but we didn’t tell her that.”
Emily’s phone rang and she pulled it out. She checked the Caller ID and then answered. “Hey, Kate, what’s up?” she said.
“I forgot to ask you the answer for my old riddle last night.” she said.
“From a distance they looked like hairs.” Emily said.
“How long have you known the answer?”Kate asked.
“Since the first time you said it.”she told her.
“Well that’s all I wanted.” Kate said hanging up.
“That was weird.” Emily said.
“What?” Christopher asked looking at the pictures.
“Kate just asked me that riddle. She didn’t seem happy I knew the answer though.” she said.
“Aunt Emmy!” Ashley yelled.
“Ashley, is everything okay? Where is Jeff?” she asked her niece.
“Uncle Drake just said the killer is mad! His killer is coming back here to find his next victim! We need to leave!”she said.
“We need to put these pictures in order. Can you help us?” Christopher said.
Ashley looked at them and pointed at the last one and said, “That one goes above the bed and the one to its right goes where the picture of you, Daddy, and Uncle Drake was.”
When Emily and Christopher put the pictures where Ashley had said something clicked loudly. “I’ll get the clue. You, Ashley, and Jeff head out to the car.” he said.
“No. I think Drake meant for me to get it.” she said moving the bedside table.
When she moved it she found a compartment in the floor with Drake’s old bowling ball in it. “Drake’s bowling ball. I’ve been looking for this for ages.” she said.
Christophe pulled it out and said, “We can take it with us. Ashley, did Drake tell you where we should go?”
“He said to go anywhere but the Guild and not to come back here until ten tonight.” she said.
“Jeff, get in the car!” Emily yelled.
“What’s going on?” he called.
“I’ll explain later!” she called back.“Take Ashley to the car and get her in her safety seat, I’m going to get the letters and pictures from my room.”
“Get my pictures to, just in case the killer goes through everything. I want my family to be safe.” he said.
Emily ran into her room and pulled out her laptop bag. She had put all the letters and pictures in it. Even the sealed envelope was in the bag. Quickly she found Christopher’s family picture and ran across the hall. As soon as she found Rosealice she picked her up and put her in the laptop bag with everything else, except the laptop, which was now in her hands. Now that she had everything she ran down the stairs. When she got outside she sat the alarm and locked the door.
Christopher had brought the car up closer to the porch so as soon as she was down the steps she handed him her bag and got in the car. He didn’t wait for her to close the door before he hit the accelerator. In no time flat they were on the main highway.
“You didn’t give Drake time to get in the car to.” Ashley said from behind Emily.
“Damn it, we left Rosealice at the mansion!” Christopher said.
Emily reached into her laptop bag and pulled out the small puppy. “No way was I about to leave this cutie there.” she said.
“Thank you so much.” he said. “I am in your debt.”
“Just keep your eyes on the road and drive the getaway car.” she laughed.
He drove down the road and said, “Where to first?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well since we aren’t technically on the run we can do anything we want until we go back, after ten tonight.” he said.
“Ashley, did you eat breakfast yet?” Emily asked looking at her.
“No, Jeff and I were playing hide and seek.” she said.
“Are you hungry?” Christopher asked looking in his rear view mirror.
“A little.” she said.
“Where do you want to go for breakfast?” he asked.
“Somewhere with pancakes, eggs, and bacon.” she said.
Emily thought it was weird how her favorite breakfast was the same as Drake’s favorite. “I guess that means we are going to Denny’s.” Christopher said.
Emily and Christopher both held out their hands at the same time and took the other’s hand. They held hands the rest of the way to Denny’s. Christopher got out and walked around the back of the car. He opened Ashley’s door and picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he opened Emily’s door and held out his hand.
Emily took his hand and stepped out of the car holding her laptop bag. She had taken everything out of it and put it all in the glove box so she could keep Rosealice in it while they ate. He took her hand after she put the bag over her shoulder and closed the car door.
They walked into Denny’s and the waiter said, “How many?”
“Three.” Christopher said.
“She is very pretty,” the waiter said looking at Ashley, “Is she your daughter?”
“No. She is my girlfriend’s niece.”Christopher said.
“Is a booth okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” Emily said.
Rosealice moved inside the bag at the sound of Emily’s voice. Gently she patted the bag and she stopped moving. Emily sat down across from Christopher and took they both smiled. “Hey, my name is Jessica and I’ll be you server this morning. Can I get you anything to drink?”a waitress said
“What do you want, Ashley?” Emily asked.
“Chocolate milk, please.” she whispered to Christopher.
“She wants chocolate milk and I’ll have a mountain dew.” he said.
“Mountain dew, please.” Emily said.
“Coming right up.” Jessica said walking away.
“So what are we going to do?” Emily asked Christopher.
“I don’t know. Ashley, what do you want to do after we eat?” he said.
“I thought we were going to go to the mall today, Aunt Emmy.” she said.
“That’s right, Ashley. I almost forgot about that. Christopher, I suppose you are going to join us.” she said.
“I wouldn’t miss it… or chance to get to be with you, Emily.” he said just loud enough she heard it.
She smiled as Jessica sat down the drinks. “Have you decided what you would like to order?” she asked.
“Ashley, what do you want to eat?”Emily asked putting the chocolate cup in front of her niece.
“Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon.”she said.
“Scrambled eggs and bacon.”Christopher said
“French toast, scrambled eggs, and three slices of bacon.” Emily said.
“I’ll get the order right in.” Jessica said.
“Thank you.” Christopher said.
Jessica smiled and turned her back on them. Ashley looked up as Christopher slide his hand into Emily’s and smiled at her. Quickly Ashley looked back down at her feet. “Ash, what’s wrong?” Emily asked.
“Oh, nothing.” she said quickly. “Uncle Drake said he’s happy for you. What does he mean? Why is he happy?”
Emily looked Christopher in the eyes. “I’m not sure why he’s happy for me. He should be happy for all of us, that we are here together.”she said.
Christopher smiled, seeming to understand what Emily was saying. Drake knew what would happen in the future and that was his way of telling her. If it meant the one was Christopher or if they would suffer hardships, then she meet someone else, neither of them were sure at that point in time.
Emily pulled out her phone and took a picture of her and Christopher. She showed it to him and they both smiled. “We should go ice skating again after we go to the mall.” he whispered.
“Ash, do you like to ice skate?” Emily asked.
Ashley looked like she was deep in thought, looking at the chair next to her she said, “Yes, Aunt Emmy.”
“Do you want to go ice skating with me and Chrissie after we go shopping?” she asked.
Ashley seemed to be thinking, but was looking at the empty chair next to her and nodding, like someone was there talking to her.“Yes, please.” she said.
Christopher looked at Emily and he looked concerned about Ashley. Emily was to but she knew there wasn’t anything she could do about except catch the killer. Like they would in their old version of Assassins. She smiled at the thought and then Christopher said, “Emily, are you okay?”
She realized she had started to cry a little thinking back to the past when Drake was still around. “Yeah, baby, just memories.” she said without thinking.
He smiled and wiped one of the tears off her cheek. “It’s going to be okay, Emily. I promise you that.” he whispered gently.
She smiled as the waitress sat down their breakfast. “Let me know if there is anything you need.” she said before she turned and went back to the kitchen.
Emily took a bite of her French toast and then her eggs. She watched Ashley her breakfast in case she started to choke. It had always been a habit of Emily’s to watch her closely. Christopher watched Emily and then whispered, “Are you going to finish eating?”
She had stopped eating when she saw a man in the back look up at her and stare her directly in the eye. Something about this man was off, different. Emily didn’t like it one bit. “Hurry up and finish eating.” she whispered.
Emily glanced back at where the man had been but he was gone. Her eyes darted around the restaurant and then she quickly finished eating her French toast, eggs, and bacon. Ashley and Christopher followed her lead, they could tell she was worried about something but neither of them asked why.
Ashley glanced at the empty chair next to her every few seconds. “Aunt Emmy,” she whispered after a few minutes, “there is a creepy guy staring at you.”
Emily took a deep breath as Christopher quickly looked behind him. “There is.” he whispered into Emily’s ear.
He kissed her temple and looked back at Ashley. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s go wait in the car.” he said.
“No. If we leave Aunt Emmy alone, he’ll hurt her.” she whispered. “Uncle Drake told me so.”
There it was again. Uncle Drake would be right, Emily knew it. She called for Jessica and paid the bill and handed her the tip. “Keep the change.” she said to Jessica quickly before picking Ashley up.
Christopher opened the door for them and followed them out. Emily buckled Ashley into her seat and got in the front seat. She pulled Rosealice out of the laptop bag a pet her gently. “Everything will be okay.”she said more to herself than any one.
Rosealice lay down in Emily’s lap right against her stomach. Christopher got in the driver’s seat and pulled out of the parking lot. Keeping one hand on the wheel he held Emily’s hand. Thirty miles later, around corners and turns, and out of the city they hit a red light. She had finally calmed down and they had turned the radio on to calm Ashley.
Emily finally had the courage to look out the window and she nearly screamed. The man from Denny’s was staring right at her from the next car. He was going to follow them where ever they went. Quickly she covered her own mouth to stop herself from screaming. Christopher glanced out the window and his eyes grew wide. Ashley now also looked out the window.
“Uncle Drake said to reeve your engine.” she said.
Christopher turned around and said gently, “Are you sure he said to reeve it?”
“Yes, he said when the light turns green, floor it and release the wheel.” she told him.
Emily glanced at Christopher and nodded. “Just do it. Drake has a knack for street racing.” she told him.
Christopher did as he was told and reeved his engine. The man in the next car followed his lead in acceptance to the challenge. The light turned green and Christopher floored the gas pedal and released the wheel. To his great surprise the wheel didn’t move, it stayed steady and then when the man in the next car steered towards him the wheel jerked to right, like some invisible force was controlling.
The car navigated itself though the oncoming traffic and the car that carried the strange man followed closely behind them. Emily turned in her seat just in time to see the man wreck into another car. Christopher grabbed the wheel and did a U-turn and drove to the other car upon instinct.
He got out and found that man was still inside the car, alive, breathing, and miraculously uninjured. The man grabbed Christopher’s hand and pulled him closer, “Get me the woman.”
Christopher pulled his hand back and said, “Leave my girlfriend alone.”
“My name is Erin. I need to talk to her about her brother Drake.” he said.
Christopher turned and walked away. When he reached Emily and Ashley he picked Ashley up and said to Emily, “He wants to talk to you about Drake.”
Emily was stunned and horrified at the same time. “Did he give you his name?”
“Erin, he said, but I wouldn’t believe him. Remember what Ashley told us? He wants to hurt you.” he whispered.
“Uncle Drake said to talk to the man.” Ashley piped up.
“Are you sure, Ash?” Emily asked.
“Yes, Aunt Emmy.” she said.
Emily kissed Christopher and walked away to the man who was now leaning against his totaled car. “How is it you are unharmed?” she asked.
“How is it your boyfriend was able to navigate the traffic without touching the wheel?” he asked.
“Is that all you wanted to know, sir?” she asked.
“I wanted to ask you about that girl he’s holding. She mentioned an Uncle Drake?” he said.
“What about her? What about my brother?” she said.
“I know why she can see him, hear him. If you want to know the answers all you have to do is look.” he said.
“Look? Now you have me confused.”
“Oh, but you already where, my dear.”
“Even more confused than before.”
The man looked at his feet for a second then back up at Emily. His eyes were clear, which frightened her slightly, but also intrigued her. “What’s up with your eyes?” she asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Do you feel as if you’ve met me before?” he asked randomly.
“I know of no one named Erin.” she said.
Her speech was different than normal, it was like his. “Indeed you do. Remember you’re past lives.” he told her.
“You… I don’t know you, Erin.” she said.
“Think back to your childhood. Whom do I look like?” he said.
Emily looked away from his eyes, afraid of the answer that would come. “I don’t know.” she said.
With that she turned her back and left him alone by his car. “We need to leave while his car is still in ruins.” she muttered to Christopher.
He nodded and put Ashley back in the car. Before Emily got in the car he grabbed her wrist. “Are you okay? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” he whispered.
She nodded and stepped forward. Emily hugged Christopher and started to cry. The man looked like someone she had known well as a child but hadn’t seen in nearly ten years. Christopher put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him and whispered words of comfort in her ear. Her favorite words were, “I love you.”
Chapter 4
Emily had calmed down after a while and then gotten in the car after wiping away the last of her tears. Christopher had felt her pain and cried along with her after a few minutes. Ashley didn’t ask any questions as Christopher drove down the road to the mall.
She glanced out the window and then back again every few seconds waiting for the silence to be broken. “Aunt Emmy, can I hold Rosealice?” she said
Emily picked the small puppy up and handed her to Ashley, smiling. Rosealice licked Ashley’s hand and then started to lick her face. Ashley giggled and pet Rosealice. Christopher looked in the rear view mirror at the two. He chuckled to himself and continued to drive.
He had one hand on the wheel and the other was now holding Emily’s. She smiled and squeezed his hand gently. “I love you.” he said.
She had smiled and whispered, “I love you too, Christopher.”
She felt like she had known him her entire life but in reality it had only been two days. They had fallen so hard and so fast, but Emily knew there was reason for it. Fate. Destiny. Hope, even.
Christopher pulled into the parking lot of a large mall and got out of the car. He walked around the back of the car and got Ashley out of the seat. Emily picked up the puppy and slipped her into the laptop bag and got out of the car. She stretched and then took Christopher’s empty hand. He was carrying Ashley in one hand and holding onto Emily’s hand in the other.
They walked across the parking lot into the large mall. Hours passed and they seemed to forget circumstances. “Aunt Emmy,” Ashley said after four hours, “I’m hungry.”
Emily checked the time and said, “Let’s get some pizza in the food court.”
Christopher led the way to the food court and while Ashley and Emily found a table he went to place an order at a shop they had passed. He was back before they realized he had gone. Emily was sitting across from Ashley so he slide in next to her.
She glanced up and smiled then back down at her laptop bag. Christopher smiled and looked at the bag. Rosealice was probably as hungry as they were. “We can feed her some pizza.” he whispered.
She nodded and they both ordered a mountain dew while Ashley got water. They decided on a large pizza; half cheese and half sausage. Their waiter was a young man about Emily’s age. He also wore no wedding ring, like Christopher. “Ah, a happy family Don’t see that around here too often.” the man said. “My name is Jacob.”
“Family?” Christopher asked.
Emily smiled and said, “She’s my niece, and he is my boyfriend.”
The man named Jacob looked at Christopher and smiled.“Looking good, Chris.”
Christopher rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks, Jake.”he said unsure.
“What will you be having today?” Jacob asked.
“Large pizza, half cheese half sausage.” Emily said quickly.
“Aunt Emmy, what about breadsticks?” Ashley asked.
“Breadsticks too, please.” Emily said.
Jacob wrote down the order still smiling at Christopher.“I’m surprised at you, Christopher.”
“Why is that, Jacob?” Christopher said, distaste in his voice.
“You have a girlfriend. Does she even know?” Jacob asked.
Emily stood up. “Of course I know, Jacob. I remember you as well. You were on the same college bowling team as I.” she said.
Jacob was stunned. “You know about what happened with the two of us,” he said gesturing at Christopher and himself, “and you still are with him?”
“Sexuality has nothing to do with his personality.” Emily said. “Now if you don’t mind, my niece is hungry.”
Jacob took the defeat and left. “He’s trying to ruin my life. That’s nice.” Christopher said.
Emily said back down and moved her chair closer to his. She put her hand on his and said, “You are still you, Christopher. I don’t care what happened with Jacob. All I care about is what happens with us and that you are happy.”
He looked up at her and smiled. “Thank you, Emily.”
She smiled and kissed him. “I’ll be right back.” he said and got up.
He walked away towards a different part of the mall. Emily watched him until he was out of sight. Suddenly Jacob was back and he was sitting next to her. “You do know why he brought you here right?” he asked quietly.
“What’s that mean?” Emily asked.
“To make me jealous.” he whispered.
“Christopher wouldn’t do that.” she told him.
“Then why are you here? He knows better than anyone that this is my shift.” he said.
“It is illegal to be hungry?” Emily asked. “I wanted to come here, not Christopher.”
Jacob looked up and then kissed Emily. “Get off me!” she said pushing him away.
Emily heard footsteps behind her and then saw Christopher grab Jacob by the neck. “Leave my girlfriend alone!” he said pushing Jacob away.
Jacob stumbled backwards and then caught his balance.“Keep your hands off of me!” he said and tackled Christopher.
Emily was scarred but she was madder at Jacob than anything else at the moment. She walked up to where they were now fighting at and yanked Jacob of her boyfriend. Without even thinking she punched him in the face. He put his face to his lip and wiped away the blood. “You little…” he stopped there.
“What’s going on here!” the manager yelled as he came out of the kitchen.
“This guy just kissed my girlfriend and then tackled me when I told him to leave her alone.” Christopher said.
“Then I pulled the guy of my boyfriend and hit him ‘cause he was hitting my guy, who is a pacifist.” Emily said.
She knew it wasn’t the whole truth. Christopher had defended her against Eddy. The manager grabbed Jacob by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back into the kitchen. A few minutes later he came out and said,“I am very sorry about Jacob. I’ll be taking his place as your waiter and your meal is on us.”
“No, I insist on paying.” Emily said.
“As do I.” the manager said.
“We will pay.” Christopher said.
Ashley looked confused as to what had happened but she didn’t say anything. She just stared at the shop Christopher had been to only minutes before. “Chrissie, there is a guy in the window holding a sign with your name on it.” she whispered.
Christopher turned and saw the man in the window. He nodded quickly and said, “I’ll be just a minute, Emily. I want to show Ashley something.” he said.
Emily smiled and said, “Hurry back.”
Christopher picked Ashley up out of her chair and walked with her to the shop. “Chrissie, why aren’t you bringing Aunt Emmy too?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise for Aunt Emmy.” he whispered walking into the shop.
“Christopher, it’s nice of you to return.” the man said.
“I was here only twelve minutes ago.” he said.
The man laughed and said, “Come my boy, how often do I see you in here?”
“Not very often, Uncle, I’ll give you that.” he said smiling.
“The rare pleasure, my boy.” his uncle said.
He smiled and said, “Indeed it is, Uncle Ohanzee.”
“Ah but you didn’t come here to catch up, my boy! The necklace is finished. It was very simple but very hard at the same time. I had to be careful, yet fast. All in all it is some of my best work.” he said.
“May I see it?”
“No not yet. First I must know who this little cutie his.”
“This is Emily’s niece Ashley. Ashley this is my Uncle Ohanzee.” Christopher.
“Ohanzee.” she said. “I like that name.”
Ohanzee chuckled and said, “Your Aunt Emmy is getting a very beautiful necklace from Christopher, but you have to keep it a secret.”
“Secret!” she said smiling.
“Come now.” he whispered to them.
He took her hand and lead her to the backroom behind his uncle. He lead them to a work station with a necklace on it. Gently he picked her up and let her look at the necklace. “Pretty!” she squealed in excitement.
“Christopher, yours is just over here.” Ohanzee said holding out his arm towards another work station.
“Thank you for repairing it.” he smiled at his uncle.
“I’m just happy you came to me first. Only I know how to fix one of my own makes.” he said with a nod. “I hope you don’t mind that I upgraded it. You have the twin of the one for Miss Emily.”
“How much do I owe you?” he said, nodding that it was fine.
“Nothing.”
“What? Of course I do. Money is not object.”
Ashley rested her chin on Christopher’s shoulder, looking out. “Chrissie, someone is bothering Aunt Emmy.” she whispered.
He turned and saw no one. “Not now, Ashley. I’m almost done.” he said.
She sniffled and shook her head. “Now, Chrissie!” she said stubbornly.
Christopher looked at her and saw she was worried and scarred. “I’ll be back later, Uncle.” he said.
“It’s quite alright, my boy. Your girl needs you as it would seem to Miss Ashley.” Ohanzee said with a nod.
Christopher turned and saw Emily with her head down on the table, a small puddle of blood near her seat. “Uncle, take Ashley.” he said calmly.
Ohanzee took Ashley from Christopher and watched his nephew run. When Christopher got to her seat he looked around and saw Jacob. Either it was get Jacob’s help or let her die. “Jake! Emily needs help!” he yelled, plead in his voice.
He watched Jacob turn his back and walk away. “Em.” he whispered touching her softly. “Em, I got you. Don’t worry.”
He reached into her coat pocket and dialed the police. The operator asked him to check her pulse and when he moved her hair, he saw what had happened. Someone had cut her neck when his back was turned, and Ashley had seen it happen.
“There’s a cut on her neck. It’s still bleeding. It’s a large cut.” he said to her.
“I’ll send someone right over.” she said. “Do you need me to stay on the line?”
“No, ma’am.” he said.
“Please remain calm and we’ll be there as soon as possible.” she said.
He clicked the off button and put the phone on the table. A hand pulled him out of the way and he saw Jacob. “Leave her alone.”Christopher growled.
Jacob held up the first aid kit and then looked at her neck. “Explain what happened?” he said calmly.
Christopher eyes Jacob. He knew that Jacob had never been able to stomach blood, let alone a lot of it. “I don’t know.” he said.
Jacob lifted Emily from her seat and lay her down on the floor. Christopher pushed the hair off her neck and watched Jacob pull off his shirt. Just like he remembered, Jacob has a six pack and a tattoo on his right shoulder. He shook his head and lifted Emily’s head from the floor as Jacob placed the shirt under it.
“Where is the kid?” Jacob asked as he held a cloth to her neck.
“With my Uncle.” Christopher told him.
Jacob placed a gently hand on Christopher’s back and rubbed it lightly. “Hold this while I go tell the manager.” he said, looking at him.
Christopher put his hand over Jacob’s and pressed his hand against the cloth when Jacob removed his hand. He left at run and when he turned the corner… Christopher didn’t see him again after that. The police came in and found Christopher. “Sir, we need you to relate what happened.” the chief said.
“Please, officer, I have to go get her niece. She’s with my Uncle in his shop. I’ll come right back.” he said, pleading.
“I’ll escort you over to the shop and I expect you to be out with a girl in five minutes.” he said.
He nodded and pointed to the shop. “That’s it.” he said.
“Then by all means, lead the way.”
Christopher did just that. When he walked into the shop he found his Uncle showing Ashley other necklaces. She had one on her own tiny neck. “Uncle…” Christopher said, in a grave voice.
“Ashley, I think it’s time you go back with Christopher.”he said, handing her a small bag. “Make sure you give this to him, okay?”
Ashley nodded and ran over to Christopher, holding up her arms. He belt down and picked her up. Slowly he took a deep breathe. “Aunt Emmy is hurt, Ashley.” he told her. “They don’t know if she’ll make it.”
Ashley nodded. “She will. They don’t know my sister.” she whispered.
“Did Drake say that?” he asked.
She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder as he walked out. “So you weren’t just trying to get out of the questions.” the officer from a few minutes prior said.
“Of course not. I want to know just as much as you, what happened.” Christopher said.
“Why was the little one not with her aunt?”
“We were at my Uncle’s shop. I was getting Emily something when Ashley said someone was bothering her Aunt. When I looked no one was there so I returned to my business, when I looked again there was a puddle of her blood under her seat.” he said.
Ashley sniffled and hid her face in his neck. “Chrissie, I’m scared.” she whispered.
Christopher rubbed her back gently. “I need to see her. Where is she being taken?” he asked.
The officer looked at him and then to the gurney as it passed, her body covered. “No…” he said. “She can’t be.”
“The coroner is on his way.” the officer said gravely.
“Lies.” Ashley whispered. “Drake said she’s breathing.”
“She’s not dead.” Christopher said, boldly.
“How would you know?”
“She’s too stubborn to die now.”
“Do you wish to see her body?”
“Yes, I do.” Christopher said, holding Ashley closer.
He felt that if Drake said she’s alive, then she was; as he would be the first to know he wasn’t. The officer motioned forward towards where Emily had been taken. Christopher slowly approached her body and looked at her stomach. “Look! She IS breathing!” he told the officer. The officer looked around for the nearest medic. “You! Get a team and keep this woman alive!” he yelled.
She glanced out the window and then back again every few seconds waiting for the silence to be broken. “Aunt Emmy, can I hold Rosealice?” she said
Emily picked the small puppy up and handed her to Ashley, smiling. Rosealice licked Ashley’s hand and then started to lick her face. Ashley giggled and pet Rosealice. Christopher looked in the rear view mirror at the two. He chuckled to himself and continued to drive.
He had one hand on the wheel and the other was now holding Emily’s. She smiled and squeezed his hand gently. “I love you.” he said.
She had smiled and whispered, “I love you too, Christopher.”
She felt like she had known him her entire life but in reality it had only been two days. They had fallen so hard and so fast, but Emily knew there was reason for it. Fate. Destiny. Hope, even.
Christopher pulled into the parking lot of a large mall and got out of the car. He walked around the back of the car and got Ashley out of the seat. Emily picked up the puppy and slipped her into the laptop bag and got out of the car. She stretched and then took Christopher’s empty hand. He was carrying Ashley in one hand and holding onto Emily’s hand in the other.
They walked across the parking lot into the large mall. Hours passed and they seemed to forget circumstances. “Aunt Emmy,” Ashley said after four hours, “I’m hungry.”
Emily checked the time and said, “Let’s get some pizza in the food court.”
Christopher led the way to the food court and while Ashley and Emily found a table he went to place an order at a shop they had passed. He was back before they realized he had gone. Emily was sitting across from Ashley so he slide in next to her.
She glanced up and smiled then back down at her laptop bag. Christopher smiled and looked at the bag. Rosealice was probably as hungry as they were. “We can feed her some pizza.” he whispered.
She nodded and they both ordered a mountain dew while Ashley got water. They decided on a large pizza; half cheese and half sausage. Their waiter was a young man about Emily’s age. He also wore no wedding ring, like Christopher. “Ah, a happy family Don’t see that around here too often.” the man said. “My name is Jacob.”
“Family?” Christopher asked.
Emily smiled and said, “She’s my niece, and he is my boyfriend.”
The man named Jacob looked at Christopher and smiled.“Looking good, Chris.”
Christopher rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks, Jake.”he said unsure.
“What will you be having today?” Jacob asked.
“Large pizza, half cheese half sausage.” Emily said quickly.
“Aunt Emmy, what about breadsticks?” Ashley asked.
“Breadsticks too, please.” Emily said.
Jacob wrote down the order still smiling at Christopher.“I’m surprised at you, Christopher.”
“Why is that, Jacob?” Christopher said, distaste in his voice.
“You have a girlfriend. Does she even know?” Jacob asked.
Emily stood up. “Of course I know, Jacob. I remember you as well. You were on the same college bowling team as I.” she said.
Jacob was stunned. “You know about what happened with the two of us,” he said gesturing at Christopher and himself, “and you still are with him?”
“Sexuality has nothing to do with his personality.” Emily said. “Now if you don’t mind, my niece is hungry.”
Jacob took the defeat and left. “He’s trying to ruin my life. That’s nice.” Christopher said.
Emily said back down and moved her chair closer to his. She put her hand on his and said, “You are still you, Christopher. I don’t care what happened with Jacob. All I care about is what happens with us and that you are happy.”
He looked up at her and smiled. “Thank you, Emily.”
She smiled and kissed him. “I’ll be right back.” he said and got up.
He walked away towards a different part of the mall. Emily watched him until he was out of sight. Suddenly Jacob was back and he was sitting next to her. “You do know why he brought you here right?” he asked quietly.
“What’s that mean?” Emily asked.
“To make me jealous.” he whispered.
“Christopher wouldn’t do that.” she told him.
“Then why are you here? He knows better than anyone that this is my shift.” he said.
“It is illegal to be hungry?” Emily asked. “I wanted to come here, not Christopher.”
Jacob looked up and then kissed Emily. “Get off me!” she said pushing him away.
Emily heard footsteps behind her and then saw Christopher grab Jacob by the neck. “Leave my girlfriend alone!” he said pushing Jacob away.
Jacob stumbled backwards and then caught his balance.“Keep your hands off of me!” he said and tackled Christopher.
Emily was scarred but she was madder at Jacob than anything else at the moment. She walked up to where they were now fighting at and yanked Jacob of her boyfriend. Without even thinking she punched him in the face. He put his face to his lip and wiped away the blood. “You little…” he stopped there.
“What’s going on here!” the manager yelled as he came out of the kitchen.
“This guy just kissed my girlfriend and then tackled me when I told him to leave her alone.” Christopher said.
“Then I pulled the guy of my boyfriend and hit him ‘cause he was hitting my guy, who is a pacifist.” Emily said.
She knew it wasn’t the whole truth. Christopher had defended her against Eddy. The manager grabbed Jacob by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back into the kitchen. A few minutes later he came out and said,“I am very sorry about Jacob. I’ll be taking his place as your waiter and your meal is on us.”
“No, I insist on paying.” Emily said.
“As do I.” the manager said.
“We will pay.” Christopher said.
Ashley looked confused as to what had happened but she didn’t say anything. She just stared at the shop Christopher had been to only minutes before. “Chrissie, there is a guy in the window holding a sign with your name on it.” she whispered.
Christopher turned and saw the man in the window. He nodded quickly and said, “I’ll be just a minute, Emily. I want to show Ashley something.” he said.
Emily smiled and said, “Hurry back.”
Christopher picked Ashley up out of her chair and walked with her to the shop. “Chrissie, why aren’t you bringing Aunt Emmy too?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise for Aunt Emmy.” he whispered walking into the shop.
“Christopher, it’s nice of you to return.” the man said.
“I was here only twelve minutes ago.” he said.
The man laughed and said, “Come my boy, how often do I see you in here?”
“Not very often, Uncle, I’ll give you that.” he said smiling.
“The rare pleasure, my boy.” his uncle said.
He smiled and said, “Indeed it is, Uncle Ohanzee.”
“Ah but you didn’t come here to catch up, my boy! The necklace is finished. It was very simple but very hard at the same time. I had to be careful, yet fast. All in all it is some of my best work.” he said.
“May I see it?”
“No not yet. First I must know who this little cutie his.”
“This is Emily’s niece Ashley. Ashley this is my Uncle Ohanzee.” Christopher.
“Ohanzee.” she said. “I like that name.”
Ohanzee chuckled and said, “Your Aunt Emmy is getting a very beautiful necklace from Christopher, but you have to keep it a secret.”
“Secret!” she said smiling.
“Come now.” he whispered to them.
He took her hand and lead her to the backroom behind his uncle. He lead them to a work station with a necklace on it. Gently he picked her up and let her look at the necklace. “Pretty!” she squealed in excitement.
“Christopher, yours is just over here.” Ohanzee said holding out his arm towards another work station.
“Thank you for repairing it.” he smiled at his uncle.
“I’m just happy you came to me first. Only I know how to fix one of my own makes.” he said with a nod. “I hope you don’t mind that I upgraded it. You have the twin of the one for Miss Emily.”
“How much do I owe you?” he said, nodding that it was fine.
“Nothing.”
“What? Of course I do. Money is not object.”
Ashley rested her chin on Christopher’s shoulder, looking out. “Chrissie, someone is bothering Aunt Emmy.” she whispered.
He turned and saw no one. “Not now, Ashley. I’m almost done.” he said.
She sniffled and shook her head. “Now, Chrissie!” she said stubbornly.
Christopher looked at her and saw she was worried and scarred. “I’ll be back later, Uncle.” he said.
“It’s quite alright, my boy. Your girl needs you as it would seem to Miss Ashley.” Ohanzee said with a nod.
Christopher turned and saw Emily with her head down on the table, a small puddle of blood near her seat. “Uncle, take Ashley.” he said calmly.
Ohanzee took Ashley from Christopher and watched his nephew run. When Christopher got to her seat he looked around and saw Jacob. Either it was get Jacob’s help or let her die. “Jake! Emily needs help!” he yelled, plead in his voice.
He watched Jacob turn his back and walk away. “Em.” he whispered touching her softly. “Em, I got you. Don’t worry.”
He reached into her coat pocket and dialed the police. The operator asked him to check her pulse and when he moved her hair, he saw what had happened. Someone had cut her neck when his back was turned, and Ashley had seen it happen.
“There’s a cut on her neck. It’s still bleeding. It’s a large cut.” he said to her.
“I’ll send someone right over.” she said. “Do you need me to stay on the line?”
“No, ma’am.” he said.
“Please remain calm and we’ll be there as soon as possible.” she said.
He clicked the off button and put the phone on the table. A hand pulled him out of the way and he saw Jacob. “Leave her alone.”Christopher growled.
Jacob held up the first aid kit and then looked at her neck. “Explain what happened?” he said calmly.
Christopher eyes Jacob. He knew that Jacob had never been able to stomach blood, let alone a lot of it. “I don’t know.” he said.
Jacob lifted Emily from her seat and lay her down on the floor. Christopher pushed the hair off her neck and watched Jacob pull off his shirt. Just like he remembered, Jacob has a six pack and a tattoo on his right shoulder. He shook his head and lifted Emily’s head from the floor as Jacob placed the shirt under it.
“Where is the kid?” Jacob asked as he held a cloth to her neck.
“With my Uncle.” Christopher told him.
Jacob placed a gently hand on Christopher’s back and rubbed it lightly. “Hold this while I go tell the manager.” he said, looking at him.
Christopher put his hand over Jacob’s and pressed his hand against the cloth when Jacob removed his hand. He left at run and when he turned the corner… Christopher didn’t see him again after that. The police came in and found Christopher. “Sir, we need you to relate what happened.” the chief said.
“Please, officer, I have to go get her niece. She’s with my Uncle in his shop. I’ll come right back.” he said, pleading.
“I’ll escort you over to the shop and I expect you to be out with a girl in five minutes.” he said.
He nodded and pointed to the shop. “That’s it.” he said.
“Then by all means, lead the way.”
Christopher did just that. When he walked into the shop he found his Uncle showing Ashley other necklaces. She had one on her own tiny neck. “Uncle…” Christopher said, in a grave voice.
“Ashley, I think it’s time you go back with Christopher.”he said, handing her a small bag. “Make sure you give this to him, okay?”
Ashley nodded and ran over to Christopher, holding up her arms. He belt down and picked her up. Slowly he took a deep breathe. “Aunt Emmy is hurt, Ashley.” he told her. “They don’t know if she’ll make it.”
Ashley nodded. “She will. They don’t know my sister.” she whispered.
“Did Drake say that?” he asked.
She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder as he walked out. “So you weren’t just trying to get out of the questions.” the officer from a few minutes prior said.
“Of course not. I want to know just as much as you, what happened.” Christopher said.
“Why was the little one not with her aunt?”
“We were at my Uncle’s shop. I was getting Emily something when Ashley said someone was bothering her Aunt. When I looked no one was there so I returned to my business, when I looked again there was a puddle of her blood under her seat.” he said.
Ashley sniffled and hid her face in his neck. “Chrissie, I’m scared.” she whispered.
Christopher rubbed her back gently. “I need to see her. Where is she being taken?” he asked.
The officer looked at him and then to the gurney as it passed, her body covered. “No…” he said. “She can’t be.”
“The coroner is on his way.” the officer said gravely.
“Lies.” Ashley whispered. “Drake said she’s breathing.”
“She’s not dead.” Christopher said, boldly.
“How would you know?”
“She’s too stubborn to die now.”
“Do you wish to see her body?”
“Yes, I do.” Christopher said, holding Ashley closer.
He felt that if Drake said she’s alive, then she was; as he would be the first to know he wasn’t. The officer motioned forward towards where Emily had been taken. Christopher slowly approached her body and looked at her stomach. “Look! She IS breathing!” he told the officer. The officer looked around for the nearest medic. “You! Get a team and keep this woman alive!” he yelled.