The air was hot and heavy as she stretched into consciousness, already anticipation simmered in her stomach. She grinned a little just to herself.
Summer had fallen on them slowly at first; they were busy cleaning up the messes of winter. Her hasty marriage and matching divorce, his pathetic, unprofessional and sometimes lunatic attempts to get her attention.
Today though Emma knew it was here. This day had been painted in her mind since that February day she told him Carl was leaving and Will had put his hand on her shoulder.
Two months later and see saw Will fleetingly during staff meetings, peered through his office window once in a while to see the back of his head nodding along to the tune of his Ipod. She knew that seeing him might all be too much and he must have too because he spent his lunch hour in the gym or the choir room and parked his clunker at the other end of the lot.
But Today Will was having an end of semester party at his place. Nothing serious, just the Glee kids and some bags of chips and Emma. He'd left a casual invitation under the paperweight on her desk.
Glee party at mine Saturday about 7. Can't wait to see you.
He left her notes like that a lot. Simple, unromantic yet hopeful thoughts.
Saw that deer get rescued on WOHN last night, it was epic!
Ready for flu shots next week?
Beware! Sue's running for School Board President.
And in return she rested against the head board, put her feet under the covers and dialled his number late at night.
Questions floated over the phone lines. Sweet and innocent questions and silly answers because they were getting to know each other without longing glances and nerve racked touches.
"Tell me a secret" she asked, the phone wedged between her ear and shoulder.
"Now, why would I do that?"
"Because I asked nicely"
" Ok, but if this gets out, I'll know you're the leak"
"You have my word"
He could have told her that once when he was in bed with Terri, he muttered her name instead, and quickly and he assumed successfully covered it up. Or that last year he bought her a vintage brooch for her birthday but never had the courage to give it to her.
But they had to take this slow. It was slow or not at all.
"I failed my finals in my second year of college. I couldn't tell Terri or my parents, so I pretended I was volunteering at a adult education centre over summer to get experience, but I was actually in summer school to make up my grades."
"Oh Will…"
"It's pathetic"
"But you graduated, that's what matters" then she changed the subject because she felt too much like a guidance councillor.
She liked the phone calls, without them she had to admit she would have been miserable. Divorce was hard, therapy was hard, but for the first time, friendship with Will was easy.
And yet she couldn't wait for tonight, when she knew she'd stay after the kids left and they'd stand side by side in the kitchen washing the dishes and giggling at each other's company. She would kiss him, he would be surprised she was making the first move but they both knew the night would end like this.
When the afternoon arrived she put on her favourite blue sun dress, curled her hair and hummed along to a love song on the radio.
She was contemplating if heels were appropriate when the doorbell rang.
She almost gasped, she hadn't seen him in so long. He smiled that smile and all the moments came back. He looked older, but it suited him and quickly she remembered how much expectation she had put on him and how much she had loved him.
"Andy! What are you…. Why are you here?"
He was casual and charming still with those eyes that perplexed her as a teenager. He blushed and it was flattering to his features, then asked to come in.
"Gosh Emma, you look amazing. Ohio really suits you"
She looked down and smirked and then remembered it had been fifteen years since she'd held his hand, sitting on the bleachers despite the germs, and two years since he broke her heart via email.
"How do you know where I live?"
"Oh that?" God, he was still so adorable with those dimples. "I'm a cop now" she said beaming with pride, grinning even bigger than before. "I've got some connections with the Sheriff's office here. I hope you don't mind, Em, I didn't mean to freak you out".
He was looking at her with his head turned to the side, waiting patiently for an answer, because he cared. Still. So she sat down on the sofa and invited him to do the same. And just like in Virginia, she waited for him to tell her everything on his mind.
"I got dumped last month. By Michelle Warner…" he shook his head self deprecatory.
"Michelle Warner? Wasn't she… a bit… well… out of your league?"
"Apparently so…"
Silence, breathing and smiles.
"What brings you to Lima?" she asked cheerfully trying to steer the conversation
"You, actually"
"Me?"
"I miss you. I miss talking to you. I know I was a jerk before, but Em, we were so young and I just can't help thinking-"
"Andy, we've been over this"
"You're my best friend. You have been ever you shared your sandwich with me in fifth grade"
"You live in Virginia-"
"I'm sick Emma. I didn't want to tell you but… it's leukaemia. I start treatment next week and it's just made me realise what's important"
He was crying and it made his eyes look greener and she couldn't help but reach over and rub circles on his shoulder.
"Please just let me stay with you tonight" she sobbed into her shoulder, making the strap of her dress damp.
She felt hot now with anxiety. She couldn't leave an old friend alone, a sick old friend, a sick old friend who'd tracked her from states away.
Her fingers were shaking as she picked up the phone.
"Em." God his voice was perfect in her ear.
"Will. Listen, I can't make it tonight… something's come up"
"Are you alright" he sounded deflated. She could picture his glance shifting downwards in defeat.
"No, yeah… I mean ofcourse I am" she looked over at Andy who was unloading a clean shirt from his backpack. "My… mom is having some health problems. Skype. We're going to skype each other and talk about…" she almost gagged she was such a terrible lair. And a horrible person. She should have told him the truth but there was no going back and already she could feel his concern on the other end of the line. How did the day turn out like this?
"Oh, Emma, I'm so sorry. Do you want me to come over later?"
"No! No, Will go have fun with the kids"
"Ok. Let me know if you need anything"
"Thanks Will"
She hung up and breathed the severity of the mess she made, too scared to open her eyes.
"Just breathe Em, it's okay. You wanna talk about it?" His tears were gone and he was standing in front of her and he was handsome and she was so confused.
"Is it a boyfriend? Are you seeing someone?" he asked in his unique, inquisitive and endearing way.
"Just a friend" she gulped. It was the truth afterall.
"God, I forgotten how beautiful you are" he was kissing her hair "I never stopped loving you".
She could do nothing but nod as he put his arms around her.
