CHAPTER 4
SHADOWS OF DOUBT
Emma strapped Baby Jack into his stroller and picked up his baby bag. With Sean's help, Mrs. Nelson pulled the stroller through the door and onto the sidewalk. Emma picked up the packet of papers for their project and walked next to Sean, who was pushing the stroller. As they walked, neither of them spoke, but Sean was the first to break the silence.
Sean: So . . . um, nice weather today.
Emma: The weather's about as nice as you are.
Sean: Why you always have to be like that?
Emma: Like what? A babysitter? A nurse?
Sean: You're just . . . uptight.
Emma: Gees, Sean, I wonder why? I've heard that one before. Maybe you gave me a reason.
Sean: I was – look. I was just trying to talk.
Emma: Really? Is that all? (She stopped) Then next time, don't try.
How am I ever going to get through this project? Sean wondered as he focused all of his attention on pushing the stroller.
Ashley: El, where are we going?
They were walking down the sidewalk of Degrassi Street. Ellie hadn't told Ashley anything over the phone. She jus sounded really desperate and told her to meet her there.
Ellie: Isn't this Emma Nelson's street? (They were walking so fast, it could have been mistaken for a run and Ashley had trouble keeping up.)
Ashley: Emma Nelson? What does she have to with this?
Ellie: (dumbstruck) Nothing. I –I mean everything. I – I just don't know. (She abruptly stops walking and her face is flushed.)
Ashley: Okay, okay. Take a deep breath and start from the beginning. What's going on?
Ellie: Okay, it's about Sean and –
Ashley: Sean? Are you two having problems?
Ellie: Yes – I mean no – I mean. Hmmm, I dunno. He has this project with Emma, you
know, his ex. And he's been acting strange lately.
Ashley: So, you're going over Emma's house to . . . .
Ellie: That's just it. I don't know. My brain's telling me one thing, but my –
Ashley: – Heart is telling you another? I know the feeling.
Ellie: (sighs) The next thing I know, I'm on the phone with you and my feet are walking out the door. I just don't know what to do.
Ashley: Well, have you tried talking to him? Maybe this is all in your head.
Ellie: He said that nothings the matter. I was thinking about what happened between you and Craig and –
Ashley: Wait a minute, El. I don't know if you should be comparing my experiences with yours. I mean, Craig treated me like dirt and Manny was willing to . . . to be with him. I don't think Emma's like that.
Ellie: She's best friends with Manny. There two peas in a pod. Like glue. What should I do?
Ashley: Considering my experiences with Jimmy and Craig, I'm not the best person to be giving advice. But –
Ellie: Do you think I'm overreacting?
Ashley: Not in the least. If you have your suspicions . . . but then again, I dunno. Maybe you should wait before you do anything. Talk to Sean. Maybe –
Ellie patted Ashley on the shoulder and they both stared straight ahead. Ashley's eyes bugged out and Ellie's mouth dropped open so she covered it with her hand. Both girls were shocked and surprised because they saw Emma and Sean walking down a sidewalk.
Ellie felt a pit in her stomach tighten for some reason.
It wasn't because Emma and Sean were looking cozy together.
And it wasn't because Sean was pushing a stroller with a baby in it with Emma by his side.
In Ellie's eyes, they looked like the perfect family, and there was definitely no room for her.
