Holly woke up early Christmas morning, the excitement had been
building
all week. Her first Christmas with her Dad, or at least the first one she
could remember. All week they had been doing special things together.
They went and watched the Boat Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay. It had
been cold, but her Dad had brought a thermos full of hot chocolate and they
had bundled up in coats and enjoyed the colorful array of boats parading
across the bay. He even had taken her to see the Nutcracker, a suggestion
from Mary. As far as Mary was concerned every 10 year old should experience
the Nutcracker. And although her Dad was not overly excited about the
ballet, he actually enjoyed it. Holly had loved it so much, she asked her
Dad if she might have dance lessons, and Stanley was thrilled that she was
finding something that interested her. They had hit all the malls, buying
up decorations. And spent one evening decorating the tree and listening to
Christmas music. Just the two of them. Her mother had always had a fake
tree with expensive ornaments and the maid put it up. Holly hadn't been
allowed to touch it. Christmas' in Malibu, were ones she wanted to forget.
Her dad had asked her what she really wanted for Christmas and she had
said she already had it...him. She truly felt that way. Christmas Eve he
had read her the Night Before Christmas and she didn't have the heart to
tell him she was to grown up for such a book. He had read it to her when
she was little and got so much enjoyment out of it. Sitting on her bed
together, holding her close.
She got out of bed and put on her robe and slippers, and was surprised to see her Dad sleeping on the couch, Scrap at his feet. She glanced down the hall at her dad's bedroom and quietly headed towards the door. She opened it and saw someone sleeping there, wearing her Dad's shirt, she couldn't make out who it was, but she had the same color hair as her teachers. Not many people Holly knew had that color hair. She thought this was strange. But she would find out soon enough. She went into the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker, Dad had to have his coffee in the morning.
Stanley stirred when he smelt the aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen. He had a pleasant sleep, surprisingly considering the couch was way to short for him. The kitchen was open to the living room with a bar and Holly saw her Dad waking up. She poured the coffee into a mug and took it over to him, "Merry Christmas, Dad." She set the coffee down on the table and gave him a hug.
Stanley returned the hug, and it almost brought tears to his eyes. This is the way it should be. Waking up on Christmas morning and your daughter giving you a hug. He felt he had missed so much. She handed him the coffee and he took a sip, "Great coffee, sweetheart, as usual."
"You always say that."
"And I mean it." He tousled the top of her head, "Hey, aren't you even wondering what Santa brought you?"
She was a bit embarrassed, "Dad, I don't believe in Santa. I am too old for that."
"No one is too old for Santa." He got off the couch, he was in his boxers and he took her stocking off the mantel and one for Scrap, smiling, raising his eyebrows as he headed back over to the couch, "Santa has been here."
"Dad." He sat next to her and handed her the stocking. And then put Scraps on the floor. Scrap immediately put his head inside it, smelling the treats and Stanley and Holly laughed. "Didn't he leave you anything, Dad?"
"I doubt it, maybe I haven't been good." Holly got up and got his stocking and brought it over to him.
He was surprised, "Santa knows you've been good, Dad. You've been good to me." He gave her a squeeze and looked inside the stocking, pulling out a box of See's chocolate truffles and a picture of her and Scrap in a handmade frame.
"My two favorite things in the world, Chocolate and you."
"What about Scrap?"
"Do I have to include him as one of my favorite things, the dirty mongrel?"
She smiled up at him and then he nudged her so she would look in her stocking, A CD of the nutcracker, red vines, and a beautiful silver charm bracelet. It had charms from all of the places they had been to over the summer...the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Florida...and a very special heart which was engraved with "Daddy's girl" She gave him a huge hug. "Oh, Dad, this is beautiful. I've always wanted one. And it has all the places we went to on our trip."
He was so pleased she liked it and he took it from her hands and put it on her wrist. She held it up and admired it, "You're the best. This is the best Christmas ever."
"And it's only begun." He got up to refill his cup of coffee and she went and sat on the bar stool looking over the counter watching him in the kitchen.
"Dad, why did you sleep on the couch and why is there a woman in your bed?"
He hadn't even thought about that since he awoke. Of course it was in the back of his mind, but being with Holly this morning had taken precedent over everything else. "Oh, shit, the woman in my bed...right...I have some explaining to do."
"I know all about men and women, Dad, you don't have to explain that."
He felt a bit embarrassed, this topic had never come up before and of course Holly had lived in a household with her Mom that it was happening all the time. "It' not what you think. Bringing women home is something I don't do, you know that." she could tell he was a bit uncomfortable talking about it.
"It doesn't matter. I don't need to know. Mom always had guys in her bed, when my step dad wasn't there. And she told me I wasn't to ask questions." She got off the stool and went over to Scrap, finding a pull toy in his stocking she began to play with him. Stanley moved over to her, crouching on the floor, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Stanley knew he needed to address this subject, but how..."Holly, I helped out a sick friend. That's all I did. She had too much to drink and couldn't drive home, I slept on the couch."
"She's wearing your Tshirt, Dad. " Holly was skeptical.
"She was sick all over her own clothes and mine. Come here." He took hold of her hand and they went out to the garage, he opened the washing machine and pulled out the clothes he had thrown in last night. "Here are her clothes." He threw them into the dryer and turned it on. "Do you believe me?"
She looked a little sheepish and put her head down nodding. "Good. Nothing is going to spoil this Christmas, baby, I promise you." he lifted her chin and smiled at her.
They headed back into the house, "Do I know her?"
This is where it was going to get complicated. He knew it. "Yeah, you do." It was obvious he was avoiding telling her as he started to fold up the sheets on the couch.
"She has hair the same color as my teachers. I don't know anyone with that hair color."
He turned towards her and just stared at her, "It is your teacher."
Holly looked surprised, but it wasn't the reaction Stanley was expecting, she smiled, "You went on a date with my teacher?"
"No, Holly, I didn't go on a date."
"You said you were going to play pool with the guys at the bar, but you went on a date with Ms. Heyward, didn't you?" she looked up at him waiting for an answer. "That changes everything, Dad. I like her. You can sleep with her, that's okay."
He put his hand to his head; surprised that this comment would come from his 10 year old daughter, "I'm glad I have your permission," he said sarcastically, " but it's not like that Holly. She was out with friends,other teachers from your school and she had too much to drink. I had no idea she would be there."
Holly looked a bit dissapointed. "Oh.."
Stanley knew Holly wanted a family. She was forever watching families at the park or on the beach. She had missed out so much living with Larry and Melissa and everytime Stanley thought of this fact, it killed him. He wasn't there for her. He had been so stupid messing up like that and losing her. And he would give anything to make up for the lost years, but her campaign to find him a partner had been something he wasn't ready for. Whenever they were in any place for any amount of time, Holly would be known to find the single women right away. Of course most of them were unsuitable even by Holly's standards which had been a relief, but there had a been a few she had felt worthy and quite dissapointed her Dad did not have the same sentiments. She had promised to drop it when they moved here but he saw that look in her eye, she was still determined to find the right woman for her dad. Emma Heyward was the first one Stanley had even thought of considering which concerned him a bit. He really was not ready for a relationship with anyone.
Holly had moved over to the floor and sat and played with Scrap quietly. Stanley joined her, breaking away from his thoughts, "She can stay for dinner if you'd like her to."
"Do you like her at all?" Stanley thought of Emma's words the night before and how he hadn't been ready to discuss that with her. Now his daughter wanted to know the same thing.
"She's a nice lady." Holly was looking up at him and he couldn't face her, "Hey, I better get this turkey in the oven." he changed the subject and got back on his feet heading into the kitchen.
Holly knew then and there he liked her more than he was letting on and smiled. "I'll help, and then we can open presents, Ms. Heyward should be awake by then. Do you think she likes games, Dad? I was hoping we could play Disneyland Monopoly or Uno....oh, and watch Miracle on 34th Street. Mary loaned me her copy, and I've never seen it. I bet Ms. Heyward would like that movie." Stanley smiled at her in amazement. She was his planner. Always had something going on.
"Sounds great." He pulled the turkey out of the fridge, "Now let's see about this big fella here. You think we can pull this off, Holly?"
"We can do anything, Dad." He gave her a squeeze and she grabbed the cookbook, opening it to the page with cooking turkeys.
Emma slowly awoke. Her head pounding. She could hear talking and laughing coming from outside the room...her kids..no, wait...her kids weren't here. They were in Utah with their dad. It was Christmas....she was alone. The voices, she must be imagining. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, noticing the sheets. They were striped...browns, blues and beiges...her sheets were plaid, in greens and navys. This startled her...this wasn't her bed. She sat up in bed rather quickly, and grabbed her head...the pain was so excruciating she lay back. She then realized what she was wearing...a T-shirt...not her own. It was purple...very retro 70's looking with a sunset and she looked down at the words, upside down from her angle...free and easy. My god, what the hell was going on? She tried sitting up again, slowly and looked around the room at her surroundings. In the corner a beautiful teak desk with a state of the art computer system. The surrounding area, a bit messy, papers scattered and piled in no particular order. A lazy boy chair in brown leather was situated by the closet and clothes were piled on top of it. A teak 3 drawer dresser, and a matching bed side table....obviously brand new. The walls were empty except for a poster on the closet door...a tourist advertisement for Montana...showing the snowcap mountains, a beautiful lake and a group of people on horseback. She turned to the bedside table and the digital clock read 10:47 am. And it was what she saw next that made her gasp...the pictures...three of them. Holly on a horse, Holly and her dad with Mickey Mouse at Walt DisneyWorld, and an older shot of what was a much younger Stanley holding a toddler of about 2 in the bathtub laughing, obviously Holly. How the hell did she end up in Stanley Jobson's house. She tried to remember anything about last night. The bar, she remembered the bar and Meg looking like a Madonna wannabe reject...oh, and her playing pool...with Stanley Jobson. Her head continued to throb. She gently got out of bed, trying not to panic...where were her clothes...she looked on the floor and on the chair, but they weren't there. Her mind was racing, how did she end up here, how did she get this tshirt on and what else went on that she couldn't remember? And to top it off, she now needed to go to the bathroom...She slowly opened the door and then she recognized Holly and her Dad's voices. From the gist of conversation she picked up they were in the kitchen cooking. She looked down the hall and luckily what seemed to be the bathroom door was to her left...because if she went to the right, she would pass by the living room and they would spot her. She managed to make it to the bathroom and back to the bedroom before anyone saw her.
*********************************************************************
Stanley heard the bedroom door, it had a bit of a creek when it opened...he wiped his hands on a dish towel and smiled at Holly who was making stuffing. "I think our house guest is awake." He went to the cupboard and got out some aspirin. He then proceeded to make a bloody Mary. His own surefire remedy for a hangover. And also poured a glass of water and put it on a tray. He started to head towards the hallway and Holly called to him, "Dad"
He turned to her, "Yeah?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
He looked down at the tray and everything seemed fine. He lowered his eyebrows confused.
She laughed, "Your pants...I think you should put your pants on and how about a shirt.." He smiled as he looked down at himself. He was still in his boxers and shirtless..."Right...good idea." He set the tray down on the counter and went over to the couch where his pants were hanging over the edge. He pulled them on, but realized he hadn't had a shirt on last night...he thought about Emma touching him and he closed his eyes for a second, that sensation passed through him again...no, he had to suppress any thoughts of that kind whatsoever. Holly watched him curiously, not understanding. She then realized he didn't have a shirt out here, she jumped off the stool and went to the Christmas tree. She reached under it and found a shirt sized box wrapped in Bright red wrapping paper with bits of green holly design. A big green and red bow adorned the top of it. She went over to him and gave him the present. "You can open this now."
He shook it smiling, "well, it's too small for that jaguar I have been eying."
"Stop teasing, you know what it is."
"I don't have any idea." He tore open the package and lifted the lid, it was a grey Tshirt but with a difference. Holly had used fabric paint...in black and red and white and in her best 5th grade printing it said..."World's Best Dad" she even managed to draw some of his favorite things on it....a computer monitor, golf clubs and balls, a pool cue and a smiling girls face and a scruffy dog's head. He was truly surprised as he looked it over, and a tear came to his eye, "Holly, this is great...when did you do this? I had no idea."
"Mary helped me. She took me to Michaels and we got all the stuff. I just wanted you to know that even when you weren't with me, I always knew how much you loved me and I always knew you were the best dad...now I get to experience it and it's just like I imagined when I was little."
He slipped the shirt on over his head and then gave her a squeeze, "Hey, you know when I wasn't with you, I thought about you all the time. There wasn't one moment that you weren't on my mind. You kept me going, kept me alive." He felt like he was going to cry and Holly could tell his voice was cracking.
"Don't you cry, Dad."
"Right, I won't cry." He stood back and smiled at her and then pulled on his shirt looking down at it, "So what does it look like on?"
"I think it will impress Ms. Heyward."
"Oh, I see, you've got a ulterior motive." He went and picked up the tray and gave her a wink, "Get cracking on that stuffing, young lady, we've got a turkey to put in the oven."
Stanley quietly tapped on the bedroom door, "Emma?" and then slowly opened it peeking around it. Emma had the covers pulled up and she wanted to crawl underneath them but she tried to act as normal as possible, nervously smiling. Their eyes locked for a brief second before Stanley turned away and he set the tray down on the dresser and set the clean towels he had under his arm on the end of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
She managed to sit up and was a bit startled when he leaned over her and propped up the pillows behind her. She once again nervously smiled up at him and then looked back down, not knowing what to focus on, "My head is throbbing, but otherwise I guess I'm fine...I haven't done anything this stupid since College."
He laughed, "I'm not surprised your head hurts after the amount of shots you were kicking back last night, and then to mix those with a few pints of beer....not the wisest thing you've ever done I'm sure." He picked up the Bloody Mary and handed it to her, "Drink this...hair of the dog...works every time."
She gently pushed it away , "I couldn't. The thought of any more alcohol makes me want to be sick." she grimaced.
"And we don't want to go through that again...but honestly, it'll make you feel better. Trust me."
"I was sick?" Why couldn't she remember that.
"Very." He paused, "I am sorry about your clothes. I've got them in the dryer now." He opened the top drawer of his dresser and pulled out a pair of plaid pajama bottoms with a draw string and a clean black tshirt "You can put these on for now. And I brought you towels...thought you might want to shower."
She had a lot of questions and wasn't sure how she should approach any of them. She really didn't even know this man, and didn't know where to begin. He looked at her and saw the confusion. He sat on the edge of the bed, "I guess you don't remember much about last night."
"I don't remember taking my clothes off."
"That's because I took them off." He said it so nonchalantly like it was no big deal, "You were in no shape for much of anything last night."
Emma felt a bit of panic. All she could think of was something had happened here. But what? If she went to bed with this guy, why didn't she remember any of it. Her expression was that of worry and concern and Stanley picked right up on it.
"Oh, I see..you think..." he smiled at the thought of it, "No, Emma, nothing happened." He laughed, "I guess it looks that way was doesn't it? You in my bed...I undressed you...you're wearing my shirt. You really don't remember anything?"
She shook her head feeling relieved, "Great Tshirt by the way." she said sarcastically as she looked down at the shirt she was wearing.
"I'm rather fond of it actually, although I must say it looks a helluva lot better on you than me."
She blushed, "So nothing happened...nothing at all?"
"You act like you wished it would've." he smiled.
Truly embarrassed, Emma shuffled in the bed, not looking at him, "No, no...I'm relieved. I should never have drunk that much. I was feeling blue and one drink led to another. I really do appreciate whatever you did...clean up after me, wash my clothes."
"No problem. I didn't want to think about you on the freeway in your state."
There was a silence between them. It was awkward, Emma finally spoke up, "Well, I'll just hide out in here till my clothes are dry and then I'll be out of your hair."
"You're not in my hair...and no one should be alone on Christmas."
She hated people feeling sorry for her and very defensively she said, "How do you know I don't have plans?"
He put his hands up; he wasn't prepared for her outburst, "Sorry, I don't....if you do...great. Be on your way."
Her head started to pound and she put her hand to it once again, Stanley reached for the bloody Mary and when he handed it to her this time she took it. It was not the drink of her choice, but she managed a few sips and grimaced at the taste. Stanley smiled, "I take it you don't like Bloody Marys"
"Despise them" She managed another swig and then Stanley took the glass from her and put it back down on the tray. She felt having the drink was a bit of Dutch courage...and she now looked him in the eye, "This is very awkward for me." She paused and tried to find the right words, "I'm Holly's teacher...you're her father...you've seen me in my underwear and god knows what I said to you last night in a drunken stupor."
Stanley smiled to himself, raised his eyebrows at the thought of some of her remarks. Emma knew then that she had said something, and felt embarrassed. "I said things didn't I? Oh, god, Mr. Jobson, this is so embarrassing."
"Stanley...please...after last night...we are definitely on first name basis."
She couldn't face him and turned her head away from him. She would've loved to have gotten up and darted out of the room but she was in her underwear and too self conscious, even if he had seen much more last night. He reached his hand around her and placed it on her chin, gently turning her head towards him. She was a little shocked. He smiled sweetly at her, "I was flattered...by everything you said." Emma couldn't help but wonder what she did say, he looked deeply into her eyes and continued.. "It's Christmas, Emma, we are friends...or at least I would like to think we are...and there is no reason to feel awkward. I helped you out of a situation that could've been a disaster, that's what friends do. Holly and I have already discussed the situation." He paused , "We both want you spend Christmas with us." He saw the apprehension on her face, "We have a turkey about ready to go in the oven, and I've invited some people over later. I want you to stay." He meant to say we but it was too late. Emma looked at him.
"That is pretty adventurous..the turkey." she was trying to make light conversation.
"My first attempt. Holly had this idea, to invite some of the people around here that aren't able to see their families over the holidays. Joe the bartender...you met him last night. His son is coming from up north, where he goes to college...they'll be here. And Mary, our neighbor who watches Holly and then Brett, who works at the shop. He is bringing his girlfriend. Nice kids. It's all very casual."
"It sounds nice. And you're sure I won't be in the way?"
"Not as far as I'm concerned...and Holly thinks you are great. She has planned this whole afternoon...she wants it to be just right...I don't think her Christmas' in the past have been very memorable." He wasn't sure why he brought that up, "Anyhow, I think charades is on the agenda and watching "It's a Wonderful Life"....after dinner, a walk on the beach."
Emma thought it sounded wonderful. Something a family would do together and it was obvious Holly was desperate for a family. Even if the family was just close friends. Emma thought about her own family, how at one time they had played games on Christmas, and taken walks after dinner. But it wasn't too be like that ever again. Stanley noticed her distant stare.
"You're missing your kids, aren't you?"
She nodded, "I guess more that I thought possible." He reached for the towels and placed them in her hands, along with the clean shirt and pj bottoms.
"Come on, take a shower and come out and join us."
She smiled at him. He was so kind and warm, what wasn't there to like about him, of course the fact that he was good looking and extremely well built...didn't even cross her mind..ha...he had stood up and was at the door standing there wondering what she was thinking. She noticed his gaze and snapped out of it, "I forgot to tell you...."she hesitated as she said his name, "Stanley...the shirt.." she pointed at what he was wearing, the shirt Holly had made him."It fits the bill."
How many women would comment on his abilities as a father. But Emma obviously felt this was one of his strongest attributes. He liked that. He smiled and nodded, "That means more to me than you know, Emma. Especially coming from you." He then walked out of the room.
Holly had gone to her room and began sorting through some of her things. She hated the thought that her teacher would not have a present to open on Christmas. She found a cute Santa gift bag and knew there must be something she could put in it. It was the thought that counted. And she knew it would make her teacher happy. She found a "Buy one get one free" coupon at Burger King, a package of lifesavers, a macaroni necklace she had made one afternoon when she was bored and she knew Ms. Heyward liked comics. She had a couple old Xmen comics that she had already read a couple of times. She added them into the bag. And a beanie baby her dad had won for her at a fair, that she already had. She tied a ribbon onto the package, and went out into the living room. Her dad was putting the turkey into the oven and her teacher was leaning on the counter talking to him. She had obviously taken a shower and was wearing a pair of her dad's pajama bottoms...which he never wore, Holly didn't know why he even owned them. And a clean t shirt. They were smiling at each other and it seemed obvious to Holly they both liked each other. Why did adults have to be so silly about these type of things...pretending they weren't interested. Like her Dad had done earlier. She quietly snuck over to the tree and slipped the package under it and then joined Emma on one of the bar stools, "Merry Xmas, Ms. Heyward."
Emma turned and smiled at her, "Holly...Merry Christmas. So how has it been so far? I can see there are still a number of presents under the tree."
"Dad says we should make it last all day."
"That's a good idea."
She held up her wrist and showed Emma the bracelet, "Look what Dad got me. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Oh, Holly, that's lovely." She fingered a few of the charms, "I have one at home, it's one of my favorite possessions....you haven't been to all these places have you?"
Stanley liked seeing them together. He knew what it meant to Holly having a female around, sure she had Mary, but Emma knew more about kids things and knew the right things to say.
Holly was very animated and it was obvious she was happy Emma was there, "My dad took me all across the United States last summer... after.." she paused and looked up at her Dad, looking for his approval of her mentioning her mom and he nodded for her to continue. Emma noticed the look that passed between them. "After my mom died. We had the best time. He took me to all the National parks and we did everything."
"You've got a pretty great Dad, I'd say ,Holly."
"Do you think so?" Stanley gave her the evil eye, knowing full well what his 10 year old matchmaker was up to. She saw the glance and stopped. Emma noticed it to. Stanley quickly changed the subject and clapped his hands, "Right...the turkey is in the oven, and I think it's time we finished unwrapping presents." He had warmed up cinnamon rolls Mary had brought over yesterday and placed them on a plate on the counter. Holly grabbed one, and then Stanley came around the counter and picked her up off the stool. He carried her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and she squirmed and giggled, till he set her down in front of the tree. Emma loved watching them together, Gary had never had that kind of relationship with his children, no wonder they were so cold to him most of the time. Emma picked at a cinnamon roll and watched as they sorted out the presents. Stanley motioned for her to join them, but she stayed put.
"I'm okay up here."
He then pulled out the present Holly had placed under the tree, and read the tag with her name on it, "But there's something here for you."
She looked surprised and looked at Stanley. He just shrugged. Emma got off the stool and joined them on the floor, she was aware of Stanley's gazes at her. And a bit self conscious. She had removed her underwear after her shower and rinsed them out, she hated the thought of putting dirty underwear on after a shower, they now were drying. But even though she was clothed, she felt a bit naked. Why did he have to look at her that way. He would do that eyebrow thing, and smile and it just was too much. She then averted her gaze to the package. And felt touched as she began to take the various items out of the bag. It was so sweet. Something Melody might have done at the same age. She smiled at Holly, "This is so sweet, Holly..you didn't have to do this."
"Everybody needs presents to open on Christmas." Stanley saw the comics and picked one up.
"Hey, these are mine." Holly took it away from him.
"It's Christmas, Dad. And you have already read them."
Emma could see that he was teasing, and she smiled up at him. They started to open presents and Emma just watched enjoying the family scene. She had a hard time imagining that these two had been separated for so long. They were so close, so loving towards one another. Who knew what they had been through together, but whatever it was the bond between them was nothing like anything she had every witnessed before.
He handed Holly a big package, the last one left and she dove into it, ripping the paper off. Emma was surprised to see a state of the art digital camera, not something you would give a normal 10 year old child. But then Holly was hardly normal. Holly was ecstatic and wrapped her arms around her dad. "Dad, this is just what I wanted."
"I thought you only wanted me..." he teased.
"You know what I mean...next to that of course."
"Well, it's already to go. I set it up earlier, wanted to make sure it all worked properly. I thought you could take some photos of the house and the beach and email them to your granddad."
"And what about Grandma Loren? That would be okay too, wouldn't it?" Loren was Melissa's mother and she had never liked Stanley. After Melissa's death she had threatened to take Stanley to court to gain custody of her granddaughter, but after an interview with child services, it was apparent to all that the only place Holly belonged was with her Dad. Stanley had not even given Loren their new address yet, but he knew Holly had emailed her on more than one occasion.
Stanley noticed Emma looking at him. He looked back at Holly, "Sure, that's a good idea. I'm sure she would love it. Now let me see if you can work this thing."
She took it out of the box and looked through the viewfinder, she had both Emma and her Dad in the picture. "Get closer to Dad, Ms. Heyward and I can take your picture." Emma looked leery, but Stanley just smiled...knowing his daughter too well...trying to throw them together. Well, he for one didn't need to be thrown. He put his arm out and reached over to her "I won't bite." She reluctantly sat next to him and he put his arm around her pulling her closer to him. She glanced at his fingers on her left shoulder and a tingle passed through her body. Just from his touch. An image came into view at that moment, holding his hand. Having her fingers entwined with his. Did she hold his hand last night. She sighed and then smiled as Holly snapped the picture. Holly quickly viewed it and was pleased, moving over to them and and showing them. "It's perfect." Stanley had to agree. It did look perfect.
The rest of the afternoon couldn't have been better. They treated her as if she was part of the family. The watched "Miracle on 34th street" and played games, Holly was camera happy and wouldn't stop clicking away. Emma's clothes finally dried and she felt so comfortable in Stanley's pajamas she hated to take them off and put her own clothes back on, but Stanley's guests began arriving at about 2, and what would it look like if she was lounging around his home in his pajamas. She wasn't sure what she was worried about. Stan's friends were the nicest people, non judgmental. They accepted her like she had been their friends for years. They got into a rather heated game of Charades where Emma was paired with Stanley, and of course beat the pants off everyone else. Emma was surprised where the time had gone and while sitting out of one of the games she realized she should check her voice mail. When she heard the first message a wave of guilt feelings flushed over her, in unison her kids wishing her a merry Christmas and telling her to call. How could she have forgotten to call, she was so involved in someone elses family she forgot her own...this was unthinkable for her. The second message was worse, Kyle trying to sound calm but obviously not, "Mom, where are you? Melody is worried. Please call us." And the 3rd one the worst, it was Gary. "Emma, what the hell are you playing at? You have the kids worried sick and in the process you are ruining my Xmas with them." He sounded condescending and angry and even though it was recorded Emma felt that same feeling she always felt when he yelled at her, that she was to blame and how could she be so thoughtless and useless. She looked around at all of the people in the house having fun, and all of a sudden the joyous Christmas feeling she had been experiencing was replaced with one of guilt, and melancholy. She quietly stepped outside the back door where she could be alone. Stanley had just come out of the bathroom and as he entered the living room saw her facial expression, it was not the same face he had seen only moments ago, cheering on Holly and Brett's girlfriend while they acted out their charade. He looked a bit concern, and quietly headed for the back door.
She sat on the lawn chair and dialed the number, she knew Gary would answer and dreaded it. He picked up on the 2nd ring.
"Hi, Gary." That was all she had to say and he then proceeded to lay into her.
"Where the hell are you? And why the hell didn't you pick up your messages earlier? And don't give me some lame excuse about you not knowing how to listen to your voice mail, Emma. I believed it over two years ago, now I don't. You can't even imagine what it has been like here. Melody has been crying for over an hour and she wants me bring her home."
"Are you going to let me say anything?" Stanley was standing at the screen door, not meaning to eavesdrop but couldn't help it.
"You mean you actually have something to say, Emma. This is a first."
She felt on the verge of tears but held them back, "I am sorry, Gary. I am at a friends and I lost track of the time. I have no excuse that can make up for my negligence. I already feel bad enough as it is. You aren't helping matters."
"You should feel bad, putting your kids through this on Christmas. I thought you were a better mother, obviously I was wrong."
"Let me talk to them." she pleaded. She didn't want to hear anymore.
"You have ruined their Christmas." She then heard scuffling on the other end of the line and made out Kyle's voice. She was relieved when he took the phone away from his dad.
"Mom, are you okay?" Kyle sounded truly concerned. It was so unlike his mom to forget to call. There had to be a reason.
Now she was crying. She couldn't stop, "Kyle, I am so sorry." she sobbed.
"I never meant for you and Melody to worry. Your Dad is right, I have ruined your Christmas."
"You have not, he is exaggerating. Yeah, Melody threw a fit, and she won't talk to him. It pisses him off. Hey, I am just glad you are okay. So where are you?"
"I went out with some of the teachers last night. I wasn't in any condition to drive home, so I stayed with a friend. I'm not particualary proud of my behavior last night. But these things happen."
"So you had a good time and you weren't alone on Christmas. I'm glad mom. I was kind of worried. Your first Christmas without us."
"And you thought I would fall apart..." she had cheered up a bit just from talking to him. "Which I did...that is why I got drunk. Please, don't look up to me as a good role model in this case."
"I miss you. I really do."
"Not half as much as I miss you, can I talk to your sister?"
"Yeah, she's hovering." He handed the phone to her and she started babbling.
"Gosh, Mom, why didn't you call us back? I thought something had happened to you. I even called Rachel. And when she didn't know where you were, I knew it had to be something bad."
"I am fine. I really am sorry I didn't call. Dad said how upset you were."
"I just want to come home, please, Mom." Emma could hear the sadness in her voice. It was hard for Melody. They were so close and she hadn't wanted to go away for the holidays, and now thinking something had happened to her. Her dad never knew the right thing to say to her. And Melody always felt eveything he did was out of guilt for splitting the family up.
"You only have a few more days." she knew she had to change the subject, get her thinking about something else. "So tell me what Dad got you for Christmas, and what about the skiing? How has that been?"
Melody knew what her mom was doing, and went along with it, "Dad has bought a house in Alpine. He's getting me a horse."
This was news to Emma. He had been in an apartment, that wasn't even big enough for the kids to stay. And now a house....and a horse...It made Emma a bit leary. What was he up to? But she didn't want to cause Melody any more cause to worry. So she tried to sound enthusiastic, "Wow, a horse...that's terrific, Melody. You have always wanted a horse."
"I know, I can't believe it. He must have got a good raise or something. He says I can pick it out when we get back...and I am good at skiing." It was nice to hear her sound enthusiastic...but then she heard the sadness creep back in, "But I wish you were here, Mom. I don't like having fun without you."
Emma didn't want to end this conversation on a sad note. "But you are growing up and you will be having lots of fun without me."
"I don't like you all alone."
"I am not alone. I am with friends, and I am having fun. Of course it's not the same without you and your brother. Look, you better go be with your dad and try and salvage what's left of your Christmas. He's not to happy with me I'm afraid of spoiling it for all of you."
"He spoiled the last 2 Christmas' for us..so don't feel bad, Mom. I am glad you called and everything's okay. I can't wait til Tuesday and be back in San Diego."
"The time will fly by. Now give Kyle a hug from me and I love you both tonz."
"Do I have to give Kyle a hug?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I love you too mom. Merry Christmas." Emma hung up the phone and put her head in her hands and began to cry. She hadn't heard the screen door open and Stanley walk over to her. He sat on the edge of the chair, next to her and handed her his handkerchief. She took it from him and quickly wiped her eyes, not wanting to cry in front of him. He hated to see her like this on Christmas. Only a few minutes ago she had been laughing and smiling.
"Is there something I can do?"
She shook her head. There was a bit of silence. Stanley didn't know what to say. He then thought maybe he could get her mind on something else.
"Hey, we missed you in there. It seems you and I are being paired against Brent and Joe...to decipher the charades champions. So I told them I would come and haul you back in."
"I don't think I'd be very good at much of anything right now. I am sure Mary would make a great partner."
"I can't do it without you. We're unbeatable, Emma. You saw how we whipped their asses. And I'm not good at losing." he gave her that endearing smile and she couldn't help but smile back.
"I know what you're doing, Stanley Jobson."
"Well, I should think so...I'm trying to get you to play bloody charades me."
"You're trying to get my mind off my kids."
"I know that that's impossible. I just can't bear to see you so unhappy. A few minutes ago your smile lit up the whole room." he lifted her chin up, trying to get her to smile and she managed a slight one, blushing. "That's better."
She looked at him, "You heard the conversation, didn't you?"
"Bits."
"I didn't call them, Stanley. It's Christmas Day and I forgot to call my own kids. And they were worried. Melody especially. I bet you never forgot to call Holly on Christmas."
Stanley remembered the two Christmas's he spent incarcerated. One of them he had been in solitary for causing a fight and there had been no phone call to Holly, the second one Melissa had put a restraining order on him from contacting her in any way. Last Christmas, he had been lucky. He had been at his Dad's and his Dad had made the phone call. So he had gotten to talk to her, briefly. But he understood her grief."Maybe I didn't forget, but I've done a lot of shitty things in my life that caused my daughter pain, and there were Christmas' I wasn't allowed to speak to her. You can't even imagine what that was like and then to top it off my ex making up some wild stories about how I didn't give a shit. Which was far from the truth. We all make mistakes, Emma." He looked down at his feet briefly...he wasn't used to opening up about these things. But for some reason, he was doing it more often. Since he met Emma.
She didn't know the whole story, Stanley blurted out tiny bits of information but that was all. He was a very private person. But she saw the pain in his eyes remembering past Chirstmas'.
"But you have made up for it, Stanley. Holly couldn't have a better dad. I have watched you two together today and I only wish my kids' Dad could be half of the Dad you are to Holly. He buys them things and takes them places, but they don't even know him and then he gets all bent out of shape, when I do one little thing wrong. Saying I'm a bad mother." She paused, "Maybe he's right."
"You're not a bad mother. Like I said before we all make mistakes. You're not perfect. And I'm sure your ex has made a few mistakes in the past."
Emma managed to laugh, "That's funny...a few...more like a few hundred."
"Then you're even." he smiled at her and raised one of his eyebrows. "wouldn't you say? The kids are alright?"
She nodded.
He continued, "And they were glad you called?"
She nodded again.
"Then who gives a shit about your ex?"
She liked his way of thinking, , "I don't."
"Good answer. Now come on and let's beat the crap out of Brett and Joe. Show them that we are the charade champions."
"It's only a game, Stanley."
"Hey, of course I know that, but I'm doing it for Holly."
"Yeah, right...you are doing it for you." she said as she got up. He put his arm around her and escorted to the door. She looked up at him and realized she had a friend in him. She was beginning to feel more comfortable as the day had progressed and the gesture of his arm around her made her feel warm and secure. Stanley liked the feel of her nestled against him. They had become friends in such a short time and they both had a lot of issues to overcome but it felt good. He liked how she was fitting into his life.
As dinner approached Emma knew she had to call Rachel, before Rachel called out the cops. Rachel had an ex boyfriend who was on the force and was forever calling him for the slightest thing. And he would jump. She once again stepped out the back to make the call. Rachel picked up immediately.
"Rachel."
"Oh, my god, Emma. I have been worried sick since Melody called. I was just about to call Justin. He owes me one." Justin, the cop, Emma concluded. "I kept thinking you were lying in a ditch somewhere and it was all my fault for leaving you with those tarts. If I could've controlled my sexual desires for one brief night, I would have had you home safely. Where the hell are you anyway?"
Emma wasn't sure what to say and she nonchalantly said, "At a friends."
Rachel knew she was hiding something, "Oh, let's see..what friend could that be? You aren't with me. And I spoke to Lindsay and Pam earlier...they said Stanley Jobson was taking you home. And you aren't home....You are with him, aren't you, Emma?"
Stanley crept up behind her placing his hand on her back, and leaned over her whispering in her ear, "Dinner is ready. Are you coming?" She waved him to go in without her, covered the phone and turned to him, "I'll be just a minute."
"Great." He walked back in the house and kept turning back and smiling at her. She could hear Rachel on the other end.
"Oh, my god, Emma that was him. You are with him!"
"Rachel, I can't talk now. I just wanted you to know I'm okay. Maybe we can get together tomorrow."
"You can't leave me hanging like this...not knowing. Emma that is so unfair."
"Tomorrow, Rachel. Goodbye." And Emma hung up. She closed her phone and slipped it into her pocket, and smiled. That felt good. Rachel was always having the excitement. Maybe it was her turn now.
The rest of the evening was relaxed and enjoyable. Everyone had brought a dish and they served themselves from the counter in the kitchen. They ate in the living room on paper plates, watching "It's a wonderful Life". She sat on the floor with Holly. And they talked about the movie. Holly had never seen it before. Most of the others were half watching it and talking about other things. Emma liked the relax setting. She wasn't much of a socializer but she liked Stanley's friends. They had no heirs about them, what you see is what you get and they didn't prejudge others. Emma was so used to the school crowd that were forever prejudging and then after the divorce how a lot of Emma's married friends had abondened her. These people were so accepting and easy to talk to.She kind of felt guilty feeling this was the best Christmas she had ever had. Even though none of these people were related it was more like a family gathering, the kind Emma had always imagined. Stanley was at the back of the room, standing by the bar a beer in hand and picking at the turkey on the platter, Joe's son Brian telling him about some of the courses he was taking at Berkeley. Stanley was half listening, he kept glancing over at Emma and Holly sitting on the floor close to the TV. It was strange how this had all come about. Emma here in his house, sharing their Christmas, after her wild night. It was funny how things worked out. And they seemed to be working out as far as he could see. Emma looked up and caught his stares, he smiled and then returned to his conversation with Brian.
After paper plates were tossed and food put away. People started to disperse. Brent and his girlfriend, Chelsea were off to a party down on the beachfront. Mary took a plate of turkey and stuffing and was going to visit a sick friend in the hospital. Joe and Brian were the last to leave. Stanley saw them out and came back inside to find Emma finishing tidying up the kitchen. She wiped her hands on a dish towel. "I better be going."
"The night is young. You're welcome to stay." He said rather awkwardly not wanting to sound to interested.
He was standing by the bar counter and she brushed up against him as she leaned over to pick up her purse, her present from Holly and her jacket. She now felt nervous with everyone gone. "It's been lovely Stanley. I'm glad you included me in your Christmas celebration." She looked over at Holly who was lounging on the couch exhausted. "I think someone is probably ready for bed." After she said that she looked up at Stanley and he was smiling, "I meant Holly."
"Of course you did." She headed for the door and Holly stirred, slowly sitting up.
"You aren't going yet, are you, Emma?" She had asked if she could call her Emma by the end of the afternoon and Emma had said it was fine, but as soon as they were back in class it would have to be Ms. Heyward again. Holly felt special that her teacher was also her friend.
"It's late. And you're tired. So am I."
"But we haven't taken our walk on the beach."
"Another time, Holly."
Holly grabbed her Dad's hand as he walked by the couch, "Dad?" He knew she wanted Emma to stay and was hoping he could do something about it. But Stanley knew it was too much to ask.
"Emma's got to go, Holly. We'll see her another time." When he said this he looked at Emma questioningly. Hoping she was willing. A look passed between them and he knew the answer was yes. But Holly was adament
"Tomorrow. You can come over tomorrow."
Now Stanley was a bit embarrassed by his daughters forwardness. "Holly." he looked at her sternly and she stopped. "I'm seeing Emma out to her car, and I suggest you get ready for bed."
"Oh, Dad." She slowly got off the couch and as he opened the door he looked back at this daughter dragging her feet to her bedroom.
He walked Emma out to the car and opened the door for her, when she opened it, it still had the faint smell of vomit and they both grimaced. "Well, it looks like I'll be cleaning my car tomorrow." There was an awkward silence, "Thanks again, Stanley, for everything."
"My pleasure. I enjoyed your company...rather we enjoyed your company." He corrected himself. "And I am sorry about Holly. She gets attached so easily, I suppose it's because of her mother's death."
"Don't apologize. I find Holly charming. I like her, Stanley. It was nice having the attention, it's been a long time since my kids treated me the way she does."
"Hey, anytime you need the attention, you're welcome here." He realized that didn't sound exactly right. "I mean Holly's attention of course. I'm in the shop the rest of the week and she's going to be fending for herself, Mary's about but Holly tends to get bored with her quite easily. I'm sure Holly would love to see you, if you're not to busy."
"I don't know. Maybe that isn't such a good idea."
"Sorry, I just thought, if you were missing your kids and Holly would be a good distraction. Stupid idea."
"No, not stupid." She thought about it for a minute. It was so against what a teacher should be doing, but she wanted to spend time with Holly....let's be honest, she wanted to spend time with Stanley and Holly. "You know I could take her to the movies or something."
"Hey, you don't have to."
"No, I want to. What about Saturday?"
"Okay, I'll call you."
"Great." She stepped into the car and he closed the door. A beautiful smile on his face. She drove off down his street and wondered what she was getting herself into. And then smiled. She hadn't felt this good in ages.
She got out of bed and put on her robe and slippers, and was surprised to see her Dad sleeping on the couch, Scrap at his feet. She glanced down the hall at her dad's bedroom and quietly headed towards the door. She opened it and saw someone sleeping there, wearing her Dad's shirt, she couldn't make out who it was, but she had the same color hair as her teachers. Not many people Holly knew had that color hair. She thought this was strange. But she would find out soon enough. She went into the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker, Dad had to have his coffee in the morning.
Stanley stirred when he smelt the aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen. He had a pleasant sleep, surprisingly considering the couch was way to short for him. The kitchen was open to the living room with a bar and Holly saw her Dad waking up. She poured the coffee into a mug and took it over to him, "Merry Christmas, Dad." She set the coffee down on the table and gave him a hug.
Stanley returned the hug, and it almost brought tears to his eyes. This is the way it should be. Waking up on Christmas morning and your daughter giving you a hug. He felt he had missed so much. She handed him the coffee and he took a sip, "Great coffee, sweetheart, as usual."
"You always say that."
"And I mean it." He tousled the top of her head, "Hey, aren't you even wondering what Santa brought you?"
She was a bit embarrassed, "Dad, I don't believe in Santa. I am too old for that."
"No one is too old for Santa." He got off the couch, he was in his boxers and he took her stocking off the mantel and one for Scrap, smiling, raising his eyebrows as he headed back over to the couch, "Santa has been here."
"Dad." He sat next to her and handed her the stocking. And then put Scraps on the floor. Scrap immediately put his head inside it, smelling the treats and Stanley and Holly laughed. "Didn't he leave you anything, Dad?"
"I doubt it, maybe I haven't been good." Holly got up and got his stocking and brought it over to him.
He was surprised, "Santa knows you've been good, Dad. You've been good to me." He gave her a squeeze and looked inside the stocking, pulling out a box of See's chocolate truffles and a picture of her and Scrap in a handmade frame.
"My two favorite things in the world, Chocolate and you."
"What about Scrap?"
"Do I have to include him as one of my favorite things, the dirty mongrel?"
She smiled up at him and then he nudged her so she would look in her stocking, A CD of the nutcracker, red vines, and a beautiful silver charm bracelet. It had charms from all of the places they had been to over the summer...the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Florida...and a very special heart which was engraved with "Daddy's girl" She gave him a huge hug. "Oh, Dad, this is beautiful. I've always wanted one. And it has all the places we went to on our trip."
He was so pleased she liked it and he took it from her hands and put it on her wrist. She held it up and admired it, "You're the best. This is the best Christmas ever."
"And it's only begun." He got up to refill his cup of coffee and she went and sat on the bar stool looking over the counter watching him in the kitchen.
"Dad, why did you sleep on the couch and why is there a woman in your bed?"
He hadn't even thought about that since he awoke. Of course it was in the back of his mind, but being with Holly this morning had taken precedent over everything else. "Oh, shit, the woman in my bed...right...I have some explaining to do."
"I know all about men and women, Dad, you don't have to explain that."
He felt a bit embarrassed, this topic had never come up before and of course Holly had lived in a household with her Mom that it was happening all the time. "It' not what you think. Bringing women home is something I don't do, you know that." she could tell he was a bit uncomfortable talking about it.
"It doesn't matter. I don't need to know. Mom always had guys in her bed, when my step dad wasn't there. And she told me I wasn't to ask questions." She got off the stool and went over to Scrap, finding a pull toy in his stocking she began to play with him. Stanley moved over to her, crouching on the floor, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Stanley knew he needed to address this subject, but how..."Holly, I helped out a sick friend. That's all I did. She had too much to drink and couldn't drive home, I slept on the couch."
"She's wearing your Tshirt, Dad. " Holly was skeptical.
"She was sick all over her own clothes and mine. Come here." He took hold of her hand and they went out to the garage, he opened the washing machine and pulled out the clothes he had thrown in last night. "Here are her clothes." He threw them into the dryer and turned it on. "Do you believe me?"
She looked a little sheepish and put her head down nodding. "Good. Nothing is going to spoil this Christmas, baby, I promise you." he lifted her chin and smiled at her.
They headed back into the house, "Do I know her?"
This is where it was going to get complicated. He knew it. "Yeah, you do." It was obvious he was avoiding telling her as he started to fold up the sheets on the couch.
"She has hair the same color as my teachers. I don't know anyone with that hair color."
He turned towards her and just stared at her, "It is your teacher."
Holly looked surprised, but it wasn't the reaction Stanley was expecting, she smiled, "You went on a date with my teacher?"
"No, Holly, I didn't go on a date."
"You said you were going to play pool with the guys at the bar, but you went on a date with Ms. Heyward, didn't you?" she looked up at him waiting for an answer. "That changes everything, Dad. I like her. You can sleep with her, that's okay."
He put his hand to his head; surprised that this comment would come from his 10 year old daughter, "I'm glad I have your permission," he said sarcastically, " but it's not like that Holly. She was out with friends,other teachers from your school and she had too much to drink. I had no idea she would be there."
Holly looked a bit dissapointed. "Oh.."
Stanley knew Holly wanted a family. She was forever watching families at the park or on the beach. She had missed out so much living with Larry and Melissa and everytime Stanley thought of this fact, it killed him. He wasn't there for her. He had been so stupid messing up like that and losing her. And he would give anything to make up for the lost years, but her campaign to find him a partner had been something he wasn't ready for. Whenever they were in any place for any amount of time, Holly would be known to find the single women right away. Of course most of them were unsuitable even by Holly's standards which had been a relief, but there had a been a few she had felt worthy and quite dissapointed her Dad did not have the same sentiments. She had promised to drop it when they moved here but he saw that look in her eye, she was still determined to find the right woman for her dad. Emma Heyward was the first one Stanley had even thought of considering which concerned him a bit. He really was not ready for a relationship with anyone.
Holly had moved over to the floor and sat and played with Scrap quietly. Stanley joined her, breaking away from his thoughts, "She can stay for dinner if you'd like her to."
"Do you like her at all?" Stanley thought of Emma's words the night before and how he hadn't been ready to discuss that with her. Now his daughter wanted to know the same thing.
"She's a nice lady." Holly was looking up at him and he couldn't face her, "Hey, I better get this turkey in the oven." he changed the subject and got back on his feet heading into the kitchen.
Holly knew then and there he liked her more than he was letting on and smiled. "I'll help, and then we can open presents, Ms. Heyward should be awake by then. Do you think she likes games, Dad? I was hoping we could play Disneyland Monopoly or Uno....oh, and watch Miracle on 34th Street. Mary loaned me her copy, and I've never seen it. I bet Ms. Heyward would like that movie." Stanley smiled at her in amazement. She was his planner. Always had something going on.
"Sounds great." He pulled the turkey out of the fridge, "Now let's see about this big fella here. You think we can pull this off, Holly?"
"We can do anything, Dad." He gave her a squeeze and she grabbed the cookbook, opening it to the page with cooking turkeys.
Emma slowly awoke. Her head pounding. She could hear talking and laughing coming from outside the room...her kids..no, wait...her kids weren't here. They were in Utah with their dad. It was Christmas....she was alone. The voices, she must be imagining. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, noticing the sheets. They were striped...browns, blues and beiges...her sheets were plaid, in greens and navys. This startled her...this wasn't her bed. She sat up in bed rather quickly, and grabbed her head...the pain was so excruciating she lay back. She then realized what she was wearing...a T-shirt...not her own. It was purple...very retro 70's looking with a sunset and she looked down at the words, upside down from her angle...free and easy. My god, what the hell was going on? She tried sitting up again, slowly and looked around the room at her surroundings. In the corner a beautiful teak desk with a state of the art computer system. The surrounding area, a bit messy, papers scattered and piled in no particular order. A lazy boy chair in brown leather was situated by the closet and clothes were piled on top of it. A teak 3 drawer dresser, and a matching bed side table....obviously brand new. The walls were empty except for a poster on the closet door...a tourist advertisement for Montana...showing the snowcap mountains, a beautiful lake and a group of people on horseback. She turned to the bedside table and the digital clock read 10:47 am. And it was what she saw next that made her gasp...the pictures...three of them. Holly on a horse, Holly and her dad with Mickey Mouse at Walt DisneyWorld, and an older shot of what was a much younger Stanley holding a toddler of about 2 in the bathtub laughing, obviously Holly. How the hell did she end up in Stanley Jobson's house. She tried to remember anything about last night. The bar, she remembered the bar and Meg looking like a Madonna wannabe reject...oh, and her playing pool...with Stanley Jobson. Her head continued to throb. She gently got out of bed, trying not to panic...where were her clothes...she looked on the floor and on the chair, but they weren't there. Her mind was racing, how did she end up here, how did she get this tshirt on and what else went on that she couldn't remember? And to top it off, she now needed to go to the bathroom...She slowly opened the door and then she recognized Holly and her Dad's voices. From the gist of conversation she picked up they were in the kitchen cooking. She looked down the hall and luckily what seemed to be the bathroom door was to her left...because if she went to the right, she would pass by the living room and they would spot her. She managed to make it to the bathroom and back to the bedroom before anyone saw her.
*********************************************************************
Stanley heard the bedroom door, it had a bit of a creek when it opened...he wiped his hands on a dish towel and smiled at Holly who was making stuffing. "I think our house guest is awake." He went to the cupboard and got out some aspirin. He then proceeded to make a bloody Mary. His own surefire remedy for a hangover. And also poured a glass of water and put it on a tray. He started to head towards the hallway and Holly called to him, "Dad"
He turned to her, "Yeah?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
He looked down at the tray and everything seemed fine. He lowered his eyebrows confused.
She laughed, "Your pants...I think you should put your pants on and how about a shirt.." He smiled as he looked down at himself. He was still in his boxers and shirtless..."Right...good idea." He set the tray down on the counter and went over to the couch where his pants were hanging over the edge. He pulled them on, but realized he hadn't had a shirt on last night...he thought about Emma touching him and he closed his eyes for a second, that sensation passed through him again...no, he had to suppress any thoughts of that kind whatsoever. Holly watched him curiously, not understanding. She then realized he didn't have a shirt out here, she jumped off the stool and went to the Christmas tree. She reached under it and found a shirt sized box wrapped in Bright red wrapping paper with bits of green holly design. A big green and red bow adorned the top of it. She went over to him and gave him the present. "You can open this now."
He shook it smiling, "well, it's too small for that jaguar I have been eying."
"Stop teasing, you know what it is."
"I don't have any idea." He tore open the package and lifted the lid, it was a grey Tshirt but with a difference. Holly had used fabric paint...in black and red and white and in her best 5th grade printing it said..."World's Best Dad" she even managed to draw some of his favorite things on it....a computer monitor, golf clubs and balls, a pool cue and a smiling girls face and a scruffy dog's head. He was truly surprised as he looked it over, and a tear came to his eye, "Holly, this is great...when did you do this? I had no idea."
"Mary helped me. She took me to Michaels and we got all the stuff. I just wanted you to know that even when you weren't with me, I always knew how much you loved me and I always knew you were the best dad...now I get to experience it and it's just like I imagined when I was little."
He slipped the shirt on over his head and then gave her a squeeze, "Hey, you know when I wasn't with you, I thought about you all the time. There wasn't one moment that you weren't on my mind. You kept me going, kept me alive." He felt like he was going to cry and Holly could tell his voice was cracking.
"Don't you cry, Dad."
"Right, I won't cry." He stood back and smiled at her and then pulled on his shirt looking down at it, "So what does it look like on?"
"I think it will impress Ms. Heyward."
"Oh, I see, you've got a ulterior motive." He went and picked up the tray and gave her a wink, "Get cracking on that stuffing, young lady, we've got a turkey to put in the oven."
Stanley quietly tapped on the bedroom door, "Emma?" and then slowly opened it peeking around it. Emma had the covers pulled up and she wanted to crawl underneath them but she tried to act as normal as possible, nervously smiling. Their eyes locked for a brief second before Stanley turned away and he set the tray down on the dresser and set the clean towels he had under his arm on the end of the bed, "How are you feeling?"
She managed to sit up and was a bit startled when he leaned over her and propped up the pillows behind her. She once again nervously smiled up at him and then looked back down, not knowing what to focus on, "My head is throbbing, but otherwise I guess I'm fine...I haven't done anything this stupid since College."
He laughed, "I'm not surprised your head hurts after the amount of shots you were kicking back last night, and then to mix those with a few pints of beer....not the wisest thing you've ever done I'm sure." He picked up the Bloody Mary and handed it to her, "Drink this...hair of the dog...works every time."
She gently pushed it away , "I couldn't. The thought of any more alcohol makes me want to be sick." she grimaced.
"And we don't want to go through that again...but honestly, it'll make you feel better. Trust me."
"I was sick?" Why couldn't she remember that.
"Very." He paused, "I am sorry about your clothes. I've got them in the dryer now." He opened the top drawer of his dresser and pulled out a pair of plaid pajama bottoms with a draw string and a clean black tshirt "You can put these on for now. And I brought you towels...thought you might want to shower."
She had a lot of questions and wasn't sure how she should approach any of them. She really didn't even know this man, and didn't know where to begin. He looked at her and saw the confusion. He sat on the edge of the bed, "I guess you don't remember much about last night."
"I don't remember taking my clothes off."
"That's because I took them off." He said it so nonchalantly like it was no big deal, "You were in no shape for much of anything last night."
Emma felt a bit of panic. All she could think of was something had happened here. But what? If she went to bed with this guy, why didn't she remember any of it. Her expression was that of worry and concern and Stanley picked right up on it.
"Oh, I see..you think..." he smiled at the thought of it, "No, Emma, nothing happened." He laughed, "I guess it looks that way was doesn't it? You in my bed...I undressed you...you're wearing my shirt. You really don't remember anything?"
She shook her head feeling relieved, "Great Tshirt by the way." she said sarcastically as she looked down at the shirt she was wearing.
"I'm rather fond of it actually, although I must say it looks a helluva lot better on you than me."
She blushed, "So nothing happened...nothing at all?"
"You act like you wished it would've." he smiled.
Truly embarrassed, Emma shuffled in the bed, not looking at him, "No, no...I'm relieved. I should never have drunk that much. I was feeling blue and one drink led to another. I really do appreciate whatever you did...clean up after me, wash my clothes."
"No problem. I didn't want to think about you on the freeway in your state."
There was a silence between them. It was awkward, Emma finally spoke up, "Well, I'll just hide out in here till my clothes are dry and then I'll be out of your hair."
"You're not in my hair...and no one should be alone on Christmas."
She hated people feeling sorry for her and very defensively she said, "How do you know I don't have plans?"
He put his hands up; he wasn't prepared for her outburst, "Sorry, I don't....if you do...great. Be on your way."
Her head started to pound and she put her hand to it once again, Stanley reached for the bloody Mary and when he handed it to her this time she took it. It was not the drink of her choice, but she managed a few sips and grimaced at the taste. Stanley smiled, "I take it you don't like Bloody Marys"
"Despise them" She managed another swig and then Stanley took the glass from her and put it back down on the tray. She felt having the drink was a bit of Dutch courage...and she now looked him in the eye, "This is very awkward for me." She paused and tried to find the right words, "I'm Holly's teacher...you're her father...you've seen me in my underwear and god knows what I said to you last night in a drunken stupor."
Stanley smiled to himself, raised his eyebrows at the thought of some of her remarks. Emma knew then that she had said something, and felt embarrassed. "I said things didn't I? Oh, god, Mr. Jobson, this is so embarrassing."
"Stanley...please...after last night...we are definitely on first name basis."
She couldn't face him and turned her head away from him. She would've loved to have gotten up and darted out of the room but she was in her underwear and too self conscious, even if he had seen much more last night. He reached his hand around her and placed it on her chin, gently turning her head towards him. She was a little shocked. He smiled sweetly at her, "I was flattered...by everything you said." Emma couldn't help but wonder what she did say, he looked deeply into her eyes and continued.. "It's Christmas, Emma, we are friends...or at least I would like to think we are...and there is no reason to feel awkward. I helped you out of a situation that could've been a disaster, that's what friends do. Holly and I have already discussed the situation." He paused , "We both want you spend Christmas with us." He saw the apprehension on her face, "We have a turkey about ready to go in the oven, and I've invited some people over later. I want you to stay." He meant to say we but it was too late. Emma looked at him.
"That is pretty adventurous..the turkey." she was trying to make light conversation.
"My first attempt. Holly had this idea, to invite some of the people around here that aren't able to see their families over the holidays. Joe the bartender...you met him last night. His son is coming from up north, where he goes to college...they'll be here. And Mary, our neighbor who watches Holly and then Brett, who works at the shop. He is bringing his girlfriend. Nice kids. It's all very casual."
"It sounds nice. And you're sure I won't be in the way?"
"Not as far as I'm concerned...and Holly thinks you are great. She has planned this whole afternoon...she wants it to be just right...I don't think her Christmas' in the past have been very memorable." He wasn't sure why he brought that up, "Anyhow, I think charades is on the agenda and watching "It's a Wonderful Life"....after dinner, a walk on the beach."
Emma thought it sounded wonderful. Something a family would do together and it was obvious Holly was desperate for a family. Even if the family was just close friends. Emma thought about her own family, how at one time they had played games on Christmas, and taken walks after dinner. But it wasn't too be like that ever again. Stanley noticed her distant stare.
"You're missing your kids, aren't you?"
She nodded, "I guess more that I thought possible." He reached for the towels and placed them in her hands, along with the clean shirt and pj bottoms.
"Come on, take a shower and come out and join us."
She smiled at him. He was so kind and warm, what wasn't there to like about him, of course the fact that he was good looking and extremely well built...didn't even cross her mind..ha...he had stood up and was at the door standing there wondering what she was thinking. She noticed his gaze and snapped out of it, "I forgot to tell you...."she hesitated as she said his name, "Stanley...the shirt.." she pointed at what he was wearing, the shirt Holly had made him."It fits the bill."
How many women would comment on his abilities as a father. But Emma obviously felt this was one of his strongest attributes. He liked that. He smiled and nodded, "That means more to me than you know, Emma. Especially coming from you." He then walked out of the room.
Holly had gone to her room and began sorting through some of her things. She hated the thought that her teacher would not have a present to open on Christmas. She found a cute Santa gift bag and knew there must be something she could put in it. It was the thought that counted. And she knew it would make her teacher happy. She found a "Buy one get one free" coupon at Burger King, a package of lifesavers, a macaroni necklace she had made one afternoon when she was bored and she knew Ms. Heyward liked comics. She had a couple old Xmen comics that she had already read a couple of times. She added them into the bag. And a beanie baby her dad had won for her at a fair, that she already had. She tied a ribbon onto the package, and went out into the living room. Her dad was putting the turkey into the oven and her teacher was leaning on the counter talking to him. She had obviously taken a shower and was wearing a pair of her dad's pajama bottoms...which he never wore, Holly didn't know why he even owned them. And a clean t shirt. They were smiling at each other and it seemed obvious to Holly they both liked each other. Why did adults have to be so silly about these type of things...pretending they weren't interested. Like her Dad had done earlier. She quietly snuck over to the tree and slipped the package under it and then joined Emma on one of the bar stools, "Merry Xmas, Ms. Heyward."
Emma turned and smiled at her, "Holly...Merry Christmas. So how has it been so far? I can see there are still a number of presents under the tree."
"Dad says we should make it last all day."
"That's a good idea."
She held up her wrist and showed Emma the bracelet, "Look what Dad got me. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Oh, Holly, that's lovely." She fingered a few of the charms, "I have one at home, it's one of my favorite possessions....you haven't been to all these places have you?"
Stanley liked seeing them together. He knew what it meant to Holly having a female around, sure she had Mary, but Emma knew more about kids things and knew the right things to say.
Holly was very animated and it was obvious she was happy Emma was there, "My dad took me all across the United States last summer... after.." she paused and looked up at her Dad, looking for his approval of her mentioning her mom and he nodded for her to continue. Emma noticed the look that passed between them. "After my mom died. We had the best time. He took me to all the National parks and we did everything."
"You've got a pretty great Dad, I'd say ,Holly."
"Do you think so?" Stanley gave her the evil eye, knowing full well what his 10 year old matchmaker was up to. She saw the glance and stopped. Emma noticed it to. Stanley quickly changed the subject and clapped his hands, "Right...the turkey is in the oven, and I think it's time we finished unwrapping presents." He had warmed up cinnamon rolls Mary had brought over yesterday and placed them on a plate on the counter. Holly grabbed one, and then Stanley came around the counter and picked her up off the stool. He carried her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and she squirmed and giggled, till he set her down in front of the tree. Emma loved watching them together, Gary had never had that kind of relationship with his children, no wonder they were so cold to him most of the time. Emma picked at a cinnamon roll and watched as they sorted out the presents. Stanley motioned for her to join them, but she stayed put.
"I'm okay up here."
He then pulled out the present Holly had placed under the tree, and read the tag with her name on it, "But there's something here for you."
She looked surprised and looked at Stanley. He just shrugged. Emma got off the stool and joined them on the floor, she was aware of Stanley's gazes at her. And a bit self conscious. She had removed her underwear after her shower and rinsed them out, she hated the thought of putting dirty underwear on after a shower, they now were drying. But even though she was clothed, she felt a bit naked. Why did he have to look at her that way. He would do that eyebrow thing, and smile and it just was too much. She then averted her gaze to the package. And felt touched as she began to take the various items out of the bag. It was so sweet. Something Melody might have done at the same age. She smiled at Holly, "This is so sweet, Holly..you didn't have to do this."
"Everybody needs presents to open on Christmas." Stanley saw the comics and picked one up.
"Hey, these are mine." Holly took it away from him.
"It's Christmas, Dad. And you have already read them."
Emma could see that he was teasing, and she smiled up at him. They started to open presents and Emma just watched enjoying the family scene. She had a hard time imagining that these two had been separated for so long. They were so close, so loving towards one another. Who knew what they had been through together, but whatever it was the bond between them was nothing like anything she had every witnessed before.
He handed Holly a big package, the last one left and she dove into it, ripping the paper off. Emma was surprised to see a state of the art digital camera, not something you would give a normal 10 year old child. But then Holly was hardly normal. Holly was ecstatic and wrapped her arms around her dad. "Dad, this is just what I wanted."
"I thought you only wanted me..." he teased.
"You know what I mean...next to that of course."
"Well, it's already to go. I set it up earlier, wanted to make sure it all worked properly. I thought you could take some photos of the house and the beach and email them to your granddad."
"And what about Grandma Loren? That would be okay too, wouldn't it?" Loren was Melissa's mother and she had never liked Stanley. After Melissa's death she had threatened to take Stanley to court to gain custody of her granddaughter, but after an interview with child services, it was apparent to all that the only place Holly belonged was with her Dad. Stanley had not even given Loren their new address yet, but he knew Holly had emailed her on more than one occasion.
Stanley noticed Emma looking at him. He looked back at Holly, "Sure, that's a good idea. I'm sure she would love it. Now let me see if you can work this thing."
She took it out of the box and looked through the viewfinder, she had both Emma and her Dad in the picture. "Get closer to Dad, Ms. Heyward and I can take your picture." Emma looked leery, but Stanley just smiled...knowing his daughter too well...trying to throw them together. Well, he for one didn't need to be thrown. He put his arm out and reached over to her "I won't bite." She reluctantly sat next to him and he put his arm around her pulling her closer to him. She glanced at his fingers on her left shoulder and a tingle passed through her body. Just from his touch. An image came into view at that moment, holding his hand. Having her fingers entwined with his. Did she hold his hand last night. She sighed and then smiled as Holly snapped the picture. Holly quickly viewed it and was pleased, moving over to them and and showing them. "It's perfect." Stanley had to agree. It did look perfect.
The rest of the afternoon couldn't have been better. They treated her as if she was part of the family. The watched "Miracle on 34th street" and played games, Holly was camera happy and wouldn't stop clicking away. Emma's clothes finally dried and she felt so comfortable in Stanley's pajamas she hated to take them off and put her own clothes back on, but Stanley's guests began arriving at about 2, and what would it look like if she was lounging around his home in his pajamas. She wasn't sure what she was worried about. Stan's friends were the nicest people, non judgmental. They accepted her like she had been their friends for years. They got into a rather heated game of Charades where Emma was paired with Stanley, and of course beat the pants off everyone else. Emma was surprised where the time had gone and while sitting out of one of the games she realized she should check her voice mail. When she heard the first message a wave of guilt feelings flushed over her, in unison her kids wishing her a merry Christmas and telling her to call. How could she have forgotten to call, she was so involved in someone elses family she forgot her own...this was unthinkable for her. The second message was worse, Kyle trying to sound calm but obviously not, "Mom, where are you? Melody is worried. Please call us." And the 3rd one the worst, it was Gary. "Emma, what the hell are you playing at? You have the kids worried sick and in the process you are ruining my Xmas with them." He sounded condescending and angry and even though it was recorded Emma felt that same feeling she always felt when he yelled at her, that she was to blame and how could she be so thoughtless and useless. She looked around at all of the people in the house having fun, and all of a sudden the joyous Christmas feeling she had been experiencing was replaced with one of guilt, and melancholy. She quietly stepped outside the back door where she could be alone. Stanley had just come out of the bathroom and as he entered the living room saw her facial expression, it was not the same face he had seen only moments ago, cheering on Holly and Brett's girlfriend while they acted out their charade. He looked a bit concern, and quietly headed for the back door.
She sat on the lawn chair and dialed the number, she knew Gary would answer and dreaded it. He picked up on the 2nd ring.
"Hi, Gary." That was all she had to say and he then proceeded to lay into her.
"Where the hell are you? And why the hell didn't you pick up your messages earlier? And don't give me some lame excuse about you not knowing how to listen to your voice mail, Emma. I believed it over two years ago, now I don't. You can't even imagine what it has been like here. Melody has been crying for over an hour and she wants me bring her home."
"Are you going to let me say anything?" Stanley was standing at the screen door, not meaning to eavesdrop but couldn't help it.
"You mean you actually have something to say, Emma. This is a first."
She felt on the verge of tears but held them back, "I am sorry, Gary. I am at a friends and I lost track of the time. I have no excuse that can make up for my negligence. I already feel bad enough as it is. You aren't helping matters."
"You should feel bad, putting your kids through this on Christmas. I thought you were a better mother, obviously I was wrong."
"Let me talk to them." she pleaded. She didn't want to hear anymore.
"You have ruined their Christmas." She then heard scuffling on the other end of the line and made out Kyle's voice. She was relieved when he took the phone away from his dad.
"Mom, are you okay?" Kyle sounded truly concerned. It was so unlike his mom to forget to call. There had to be a reason.
Now she was crying. She couldn't stop, "Kyle, I am so sorry." she sobbed.
"I never meant for you and Melody to worry. Your Dad is right, I have ruined your Christmas."
"You have not, he is exaggerating. Yeah, Melody threw a fit, and she won't talk to him. It pisses him off. Hey, I am just glad you are okay. So where are you?"
"I went out with some of the teachers last night. I wasn't in any condition to drive home, so I stayed with a friend. I'm not particualary proud of my behavior last night. But these things happen."
"So you had a good time and you weren't alone on Christmas. I'm glad mom. I was kind of worried. Your first Christmas without us."
"And you thought I would fall apart..." she had cheered up a bit just from talking to him. "Which I did...that is why I got drunk. Please, don't look up to me as a good role model in this case."
"I miss you. I really do."
"Not half as much as I miss you, can I talk to your sister?"
"Yeah, she's hovering." He handed the phone to her and she started babbling.
"Gosh, Mom, why didn't you call us back? I thought something had happened to you. I even called Rachel. And when she didn't know where you were, I knew it had to be something bad."
"I am fine. I really am sorry I didn't call. Dad said how upset you were."
"I just want to come home, please, Mom." Emma could hear the sadness in her voice. It was hard for Melody. They were so close and she hadn't wanted to go away for the holidays, and now thinking something had happened to her. Her dad never knew the right thing to say to her. And Melody always felt eveything he did was out of guilt for splitting the family up.
"You only have a few more days." she knew she had to change the subject, get her thinking about something else. "So tell me what Dad got you for Christmas, and what about the skiing? How has that been?"
Melody knew what her mom was doing, and went along with it, "Dad has bought a house in Alpine. He's getting me a horse."
This was news to Emma. He had been in an apartment, that wasn't even big enough for the kids to stay. And now a house....and a horse...It made Emma a bit leary. What was he up to? But she didn't want to cause Melody any more cause to worry. So she tried to sound enthusiastic, "Wow, a horse...that's terrific, Melody. You have always wanted a horse."
"I know, I can't believe it. He must have got a good raise or something. He says I can pick it out when we get back...and I am good at skiing." It was nice to hear her sound enthusiastic...but then she heard the sadness creep back in, "But I wish you were here, Mom. I don't like having fun without you."
Emma didn't want to end this conversation on a sad note. "But you are growing up and you will be having lots of fun without me."
"I don't like you all alone."
"I am not alone. I am with friends, and I am having fun. Of course it's not the same without you and your brother. Look, you better go be with your dad and try and salvage what's left of your Christmas. He's not to happy with me I'm afraid of spoiling it for all of you."
"He spoiled the last 2 Christmas' for us..so don't feel bad, Mom. I am glad you called and everything's okay. I can't wait til Tuesday and be back in San Diego."
"The time will fly by. Now give Kyle a hug from me and I love you both tonz."
"Do I have to give Kyle a hug?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I love you too mom. Merry Christmas." Emma hung up the phone and put her head in her hands and began to cry. She hadn't heard the screen door open and Stanley walk over to her. He sat on the edge of the chair, next to her and handed her his handkerchief. She took it from him and quickly wiped her eyes, not wanting to cry in front of him. He hated to see her like this on Christmas. Only a few minutes ago she had been laughing and smiling.
"Is there something I can do?"
She shook her head. There was a bit of silence. Stanley didn't know what to say. He then thought maybe he could get her mind on something else.
"Hey, we missed you in there. It seems you and I are being paired against Brent and Joe...to decipher the charades champions. So I told them I would come and haul you back in."
"I don't think I'd be very good at much of anything right now. I am sure Mary would make a great partner."
"I can't do it without you. We're unbeatable, Emma. You saw how we whipped their asses. And I'm not good at losing." he gave her that endearing smile and she couldn't help but smile back.
"I know what you're doing, Stanley Jobson."
"Well, I should think so...I'm trying to get you to play bloody charades me."
"You're trying to get my mind off my kids."
"I know that that's impossible. I just can't bear to see you so unhappy. A few minutes ago your smile lit up the whole room." he lifted her chin up, trying to get her to smile and she managed a slight one, blushing. "That's better."
She looked at him, "You heard the conversation, didn't you?"
"Bits."
"I didn't call them, Stanley. It's Christmas Day and I forgot to call my own kids. And they were worried. Melody especially. I bet you never forgot to call Holly on Christmas."
Stanley remembered the two Christmas's he spent incarcerated. One of them he had been in solitary for causing a fight and there had been no phone call to Holly, the second one Melissa had put a restraining order on him from contacting her in any way. Last Christmas, he had been lucky. He had been at his Dad's and his Dad had made the phone call. So he had gotten to talk to her, briefly. But he understood her grief."Maybe I didn't forget, but I've done a lot of shitty things in my life that caused my daughter pain, and there were Christmas' I wasn't allowed to speak to her. You can't even imagine what that was like and then to top it off my ex making up some wild stories about how I didn't give a shit. Which was far from the truth. We all make mistakes, Emma." He looked down at his feet briefly...he wasn't used to opening up about these things. But for some reason, he was doing it more often. Since he met Emma.
She didn't know the whole story, Stanley blurted out tiny bits of information but that was all. He was a very private person. But she saw the pain in his eyes remembering past Chirstmas'.
"But you have made up for it, Stanley. Holly couldn't have a better dad. I have watched you two together today and I only wish my kids' Dad could be half of the Dad you are to Holly. He buys them things and takes them places, but they don't even know him and then he gets all bent out of shape, when I do one little thing wrong. Saying I'm a bad mother." She paused, "Maybe he's right."
"You're not a bad mother. Like I said before we all make mistakes. You're not perfect. And I'm sure your ex has made a few mistakes in the past."
Emma managed to laugh, "That's funny...a few...more like a few hundred."
"Then you're even." he smiled at her and raised one of his eyebrows. "wouldn't you say? The kids are alright?"
She nodded.
He continued, "And they were glad you called?"
She nodded again.
"Then who gives a shit about your ex?"
She liked his way of thinking, , "I don't."
"Good answer. Now come on and let's beat the crap out of Brett and Joe. Show them that we are the charade champions."
"It's only a game, Stanley."
"Hey, of course I know that, but I'm doing it for Holly."
"Yeah, right...you are doing it for you." she said as she got up. He put his arm around her and escorted to the door. She looked up at him and realized she had a friend in him. She was beginning to feel more comfortable as the day had progressed and the gesture of his arm around her made her feel warm and secure. Stanley liked the feel of her nestled against him. They had become friends in such a short time and they both had a lot of issues to overcome but it felt good. He liked how she was fitting into his life.
As dinner approached Emma knew she had to call Rachel, before Rachel called out the cops. Rachel had an ex boyfriend who was on the force and was forever calling him for the slightest thing. And he would jump. She once again stepped out the back to make the call. Rachel picked up immediately.
"Rachel."
"Oh, my god, Emma. I have been worried sick since Melody called. I was just about to call Justin. He owes me one." Justin, the cop, Emma concluded. "I kept thinking you were lying in a ditch somewhere and it was all my fault for leaving you with those tarts. If I could've controlled my sexual desires for one brief night, I would have had you home safely. Where the hell are you anyway?"
Emma wasn't sure what to say and she nonchalantly said, "At a friends."
Rachel knew she was hiding something, "Oh, let's see..what friend could that be? You aren't with me. And I spoke to Lindsay and Pam earlier...they said Stanley Jobson was taking you home. And you aren't home....You are with him, aren't you, Emma?"
Stanley crept up behind her placing his hand on her back, and leaned over her whispering in her ear, "Dinner is ready. Are you coming?" She waved him to go in without her, covered the phone and turned to him, "I'll be just a minute."
"Great." He walked back in the house and kept turning back and smiling at her. She could hear Rachel on the other end.
"Oh, my god, Emma that was him. You are with him!"
"Rachel, I can't talk now. I just wanted you to know I'm okay. Maybe we can get together tomorrow."
"You can't leave me hanging like this...not knowing. Emma that is so unfair."
"Tomorrow, Rachel. Goodbye." And Emma hung up. She closed her phone and slipped it into her pocket, and smiled. That felt good. Rachel was always having the excitement. Maybe it was her turn now.
The rest of the evening was relaxed and enjoyable. Everyone had brought a dish and they served themselves from the counter in the kitchen. They ate in the living room on paper plates, watching "It's a wonderful Life". She sat on the floor with Holly. And they talked about the movie. Holly had never seen it before. Most of the others were half watching it and talking about other things. Emma liked the relax setting. She wasn't much of a socializer but she liked Stanley's friends. They had no heirs about them, what you see is what you get and they didn't prejudge others. Emma was so used to the school crowd that were forever prejudging and then after the divorce how a lot of Emma's married friends had abondened her. These people were so accepting and easy to talk to.She kind of felt guilty feeling this was the best Christmas she had ever had. Even though none of these people were related it was more like a family gathering, the kind Emma had always imagined. Stanley was at the back of the room, standing by the bar a beer in hand and picking at the turkey on the platter, Joe's son Brian telling him about some of the courses he was taking at Berkeley. Stanley was half listening, he kept glancing over at Emma and Holly sitting on the floor close to the TV. It was strange how this had all come about. Emma here in his house, sharing their Christmas, after her wild night. It was funny how things worked out. And they seemed to be working out as far as he could see. Emma looked up and caught his stares, he smiled and then returned to his conversation with Brian.
After paper plates were tossed and food put away. People started to disperse. Brent and his girlfriend, Chelsea were off to a party down on the beachfront. Mary took a plate of turkey and stuffing and was going to visit a sick friend in the hospital. Joe and Brian were the last to leave. Stanley saw them out and came back inside to find Emma finishing tidying up the kitchen. She wiped her hands on a dish towel. "I better be going."
"The night is young. You're welcome to stay." He said rather awkwardly not wanting to sound to interested.
He was standing by the bar counter and she brushed up against him as she leaned over to pick up her purse, her present from Holly and her jacket. She now felt nervous with everyone gone. "It's been lovely Stanley. I'm glad you included me in your Christmas celebration." She looked over at Holly who was lounging on the couch exhausted. "I think someone is probably ready for bed." After she said that she looked up at Stanley and he was smiling, "I meant Holly."
"Of course you did." She headed for the door and Holly stirred, slowly sitting up.
"You aren't going yet, are you, Emma?" She had asked if she could call her Emma by the end of the afternoon and Emma had said it was fine, but as soon as they were back in class it would have to be Ms. Heyward again. Holly felt special that her teacher was also her friend.
"It's late. And you're tired. So am I."
"But we haven't taken our walk on the beach."
"Another time, Holly."
Holly grabbed her Dad's hand as he walked by the couch, "Dad?" He knew she wanted Emma to stay and was hoping he could do something about it. But Stanley knew it was too much to ask.
"Emma's got to go, Holly. We'll see her another time." When he said this he looked at Emma questioningly. Hoping she was willing. A look passed between them and he knew the answer was yes. But Holly was adament
"Tomorrow. You can come over tomorrow."
Now Stanley was a bit embarrassed by his daughters forwardness. "Holly." he looked at her sternly and she stopped. "I'm seeing Emma out to her car, and I suggest you get ready for bed."
"Oh, Dad." She slowly got off the couch and as he opened the door he looked back at this daughter dragging her feet to her bedroom.
He walked Emma out to the car and opened the door for her, when she opened it, it still had the faint smell of vomit and they both grimaced. "Well, it looks like I'll be cleaning my car tomorrow." There was an awkward silence, "Thanks again, Stanley, for everything."
"My pleasure. I enjoyed your company...rather we enjoyed your company." He corrected himself. "And I am sorry about Holly. She gets attached so easily, I suppose it's because of her mother's death."
"Don't apologize. I find Holly charming. I like her, Stanley. It was nice having the attention, it's been a long time since my kids treated me the way she does."
"Hey, anytime you need the attention, you're welcome here." He realized that didn't sound exactly right. "I mean Holly's attention of course. I'm in the shop the rest of the week and she's going to be fending for herself, Mary's about but Holly tends to get bored with her quite easily. I'm sure Holly would love to see you, if you're not to busy."
"I don't know. Maybe that isn't such a good idea."
"Sorry, I just thought, if you were missing your kids and Holly would be a good distraction. Stupid idea."
"No, not stupid." She thought about it for a minute. It was so against what a teacher should be doing, but she wanted to spend time with Holly....let's be honest, she wanted to spend time with Stanley and Holly. "You know I could take her to the movies or something."
"Hey, you don't have to."
"No, I want to. What about Saturday?"
"Okay, I'll call you."
"Great." She stepped into the car and he closed the door. A beautiful smile on his face. She drove off down his street and wondered what she was getting herself into. And then smiled. She hadn't felt this good in ages.