Emma abruptly sat up and panicked. The kids were not expected
back until tomorrow. She reached for her T-shirt and quickly pulled it
over her head, not realizing it was inside out.
The door burst open and Melody appeared ranting, "Mo-m-m-m!", she cried out.
Emma abruptly stood up from the couch, running her hands down her front and through her hair, trying to straighten herself out but to not much avail. It felt quite awkward as her daughter ran to her arms, hugging her. Why did Emma feel it was obvious what had happened? It was as if a big neon sign was overhead flashing.
Sensing her mom's tension, Melody stood back. But she was still self-absorbed with the events of the disgusting evening and continued with a full gust in her sails. "I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I never want to see him again!"
The screen door flew open once again. This time Kyle flew in, looking a bit irate with the whole situation. Emma wondering what had happened and gave him a questioning look. He read her thoughts clear across the room. Divulging the silent request for information, "Dad brought his girlfriend camping."
That explained a lot. Melody continued with a vengeance. "It was sick, Mom! I mean, he was all over her, in front of me, in front of Kyle...and I had to listen to all that disgusting noise while trying to sleep!"
Stanley had heard the racket and realized Emma and he were no longer alone in the house. Her children weren't supposed to be home until tomorrow. He wondered who else it could be? Maybe a neighbor dropped over, which wouldn't be too bad. He readjusted and buttoned his jeans. Looking in the mirror, there was some visible stain by the fly. He pulled his shirt down so as it wasn't noticeable. With a splash of water on the face, he felt as ready as ever to face the firing squad.
As he headed out to the hall, he heard Melody's high-pitched ranting. His earlier comment on the couch hadn't been too far from the truth. Instead of parents finding them out, it was her kids. How ironic was that? He entered the living room.
Kyle had sized up the situation to realize something was going on. An inventory of two wine glasses, two plates with half eaten pizza, and the pile of movies gave the deduction of more than one person in the room. The TV screen now reflected a 'no one bothered to turn me off' blue screen, meaning the video had long been over. So when Stanley showed up in the living room, he wasn't surprised.
On the other hand Melody was not prepared nor overjoyed to see him. His company reinforced her opinion that parents are NOT allowed to be seen with the opposite sex in such close proximity, let alone her very own mother. "What is he doing here!?!" she pointed a daggered finger his way.
Emma immediately pushed her daughter's hand down.
Stanley, unsure of how to approach this situation, gave Emma a questioning glance. She rolled her eyes, not offering any translation of a teenager's ruined evening, and crossed her arms with an exaggerated drop and a huff.
Kyle at least acknowledged him, "Hey, Stanley."
Stanley nodded and awkwardly began to clean up the coffee table, taking the wineglasses into the kitchen.
The screen door was yanked opened for a third time and in came the benefactor of the young teens problems. Gary was ready to spit venom at having to bring his insubordinate children home this late in the evening. "I will not tolerate this behavior, young lady! You were rude to Nora and have ruined our whole weekend."
"She ruined my weekend!" A good amount of venom was loaded in the retort of opinion. Turning to look at her mother who was standing sheepishly with crossed arms in front of her, Melody directed her vent of anger and with another forefinger pointed commentary, "And you are just as bad as he is!" Her father was thrown an evil glare from across the room.
Kyle resigned them to their continued practice of the 'broken record communication theory'. He was not privy to participate. Finding a polite excuse to leave, he picked up the plates of pizza, turned off the video player, and decided to join Stanley in the kitchen. He didn't want anything to do with this conversation.
Melody was still quite upset with the fore and after and continued to take it out on those who remained in attendance. "You are both sick! You're adults and are supposed to be a good influence to your kids.! I don't think what happened in the trailer or here is giving off the kind of message parents are supposed to be showing to their kids!" Gary glanced over at Emma not knowing what she was talking about. Melody took the advantage of their silence and stormed off down the hall to her room. The door reflected all the emotion of turmoil in the young girl's heart.
The walls shook the framed photographs in the hall. A favorite one of Emma and her children in the sunflowers fell to the ground. Shattered glass sparkled the hallway.
A moment of silence with a short memory hovered over the scene.
"This is just wonderful, Gary." Emma went to the hall cupboard and got out a dustpan and brush and proceeded to clean up the mess. Thank goodness the glass had only broken in a few big pieces so it wasn't so bad. She picked up the picture of wonderful memories and winced at the happy times reflecting back at her from the photograph that was only a few short previous years. My, how we've all changed.
Stanley heard the commotion in the kitchen, a hard slam of a door, followed by glass breaking. He too winced at a few distant memories of his sad marriage breakup that the evening's turnabout atmosphere and sounds brought back. With his concern for Emma in the living room, he made a move as if about ready to go check on things. Kyle grasped his arm. "I wouldn't go out there just yet. Best to let them deal with this on their own." By Kyle's remark, Stanley could only assume these confrontations were frequent. He took his advice and turned on the tap, filling the sink with warm water. But his ear was tuned into the load voices coming from the living room. It was rather upsetting. Is this the way her ex husband spoke to her all the time?
Back in the living room Gary dug in with a vengeance just where Melody left off. "And what did she mean by that comment? What's been going on here?" Gary had a glance around the room. The cushions on the couch were scattered. He noticed the video boxes and pizza container. An empty wine bottle and two coasters with evident wet rings from their recent usage still decorated the end table. He let out a laugh. "Well, Miss High and Mighty Morals here is turning the tables, I see." He felt to take his wrath out on the certain someone he'd been wiping his feet on for years. It only seemed fitting to keep all his visits on an equal basis.
"Don't you need to get back to your girlfriend? I can see to Melody." Emma just wanted him to leave. She didn't want her wonderful evening spoiled by him and his demeaning judge and jury attitude over her. She felt like a teenager being scolded by her father. But then Gary had often treated Emma as if she was his 3rd child. She could tell by his cocky facial expression, he was ready for a confrontation.
Stanley put the glasses into the sink perking his head up at the raising of voices. Kyle was truly embarrassed. "Hey, I'm sorry you have to be a part of this. My Dad won't stay long, I'm sure. He left Nora back at the campsite."
Stanley wiped his hands on a dishtowel keeping his head down, "Maybe it would be better if I go." It was a bit awkward looking at Kyle.
"My mom wants you here. I'm okay with that. Just because Melody is overreacting as usual and my dad is being an asshole." Kyle knew his mom would be in the dumps for the rest of the weekend if this escalated. He then pleaded with him. "You've got to stay. If you're here, she won't get all upset. "
Gary picked up one of the video cases. He heard Kyle talking in the kitchen and realized someone was here. He cocked up one side of his mouth with a smirk. "You do have somebody here." The thought of Emma with anyone surprised him. Emma the dreamer, the romantic...no man would ever give her a second look. He was sure of that and was sure to remind her every chance he got. That man mongler of a girlfriend she kept buddying around with. Rachel must have dragged one home for her. There must have been one too many in her stables. The other side of the smirk raised. This is going to be fun.
Emma surprised herself when she actually spoke up. "Maybe I do. But I don't answer to you and what happens in my private life is none of your business." Usually she would cower in a corner with his bantering of his almighty gavel. Not tonight.
"I think it is my business when it's going on in my children's home."
"That's good coming from you, Gary. Especially after Melody informed me you were all over...who is it. Nora this month...?" A flare of her hand in the air indicated the importance of his 'girlfriend of the month' addiction. "Anyhow, all that noise in the trailer was quite repulsive while she was trying to sleep. You didn't seem to be so concerned about your children then, did you? OH, that's right, children have always come after your sexual rutting needs, haven't they?"
Gary was surprised by her outburst, but refused to let her get the best of him. "And you believe your 13 year old daughter? She is always over exaggerating and you know it." He was determined to keep his thumb on top of her where it was suppose to be. How dare she spat off to him.
"I don't think so, Gary. Not this time." This was starting to feel pretty good, standing up to him. "I want you to leave now." A taunt stance of rebellion and determination was on display.
Gary was starting to feel a little heat. He needed to change tactics and had to actually start thinking. All these years it never took any effort to make her buckle down and be obedient to his whims.
Gary then noticed Emma's T-shirt was inside out and walked closer to her. He could tell she didn't like the close proximity to him so he reached out and pulled at the tag showing. She pulled away. "What's this?"
Trying to act like it was no big deal she was having a hard time pulling it off. Gary read her like a book and decided that this intimidation tactic would work well.
"So did lover boy get a little peek tonight?" he said sarcastically. "Or might possibly..." he paused laughing and shook his head. "No, there's no possible way Miss Ice Queen would allow these precious virgins to be touched." He cupped one hand under her breast to give it a vicious squeeze. Before she realized the fullness of the reaction, her right hand rose and struck him with a resounding smack across his left cheek, making a hard slapping sound. Emma winced when she realized she had hit him and covered her mouth in surprise.
Stanley heard the slapping sound and immediately headed out for the living room much to Kyle's protest. "You shouldn't go out there." Stanley gave him a sideways look as he left wondering who all had been smacked over the years. Just as he entered the room observing the situation, Gary was holding his cheek.
"You bitch." Gary immediately lifted his hand and was about ready to strike her when Stanley darted in and pushed him back. Gary wasn't prepared for this event and fell back onto the couch.
"Don't you ever lay a hand on her." Stanley went to Emma's side, putting his arm around her, "Are you okay?" The concern in his eyes apparent, the caring in his voice unquestionable. She nodded. His presence boosted her strength.
Gary looked up at this stranger and was thrown by what he saw. He would never have pictured someone with Stanley's build or looks even remotely interested in his ex-wife. Years ago she had infatuated him but he'd lost interest and looked for new adventures in the sex department and she'd turned cold. Although Gary was a 6' plus frame, this guy seemed more intimidating. His only thoughts were how did Emma land this one? This had to be Rachel's doing, finding Emma some male hooker. There had to be a pretty fair amount laid down to get anyone or 'anything' convinced to take her for a roll in the hay. It just didn't seem plausible. He managed to get up and glare at this guy, who now had his arm around his ex wife, "You must be the courtesan." He said snidely.
"I think Emma told you to leave. I would if I were you."A set of square shoulders solidified the statement.
"Well you aren't me." A glare met this intrusion head on trying to figure out what he had to deal with. " I don't think I caught your name." It was a forced statement. Gary stood up to full height and could almost look him in the eye.
Stan felt it best not to push this situation. His only interest was protecting someone he cared very much about. He waited for Gary to continue.
"Very gallant of you...protecting Emma, but you don't have any right being in my children's house."
"Gary, give it up." Emma was getting angry.
"Knowing you, Emma. You probably don't know anything about this guy." Gary waving his arm at Stanley. He had to change tactics again to save face. "For all you know the guy could have a prison record." Stanley flinched slightly when this was mentioned. "I bet you didn't even think about that did you? Allowing some strange guy, you know nothing about into your house. At least one of us is concerned about out children's welfare."
Stanley was now beginning to fume. "I can see the loving concern for your children, it's very heartwarming. Melody was very touched." The sarcasm in his voice was evident.
Emma didn't like where this was going He was still standing at her side and she tugged on his arm slightly, "Stanley!"
Gary looked at Emma, and managed to laugh cynically. "This guy is good, Emma." He then looked over at Stanley, "So what is it you do...Stanley? Clean pools, do yard work..." he paused, "...turn tricks?"
Stanley knew Emma and her children were more important than a confrontation with this loser and refused to be baited. He managed to smile, "Ah, a sense of humor...What I do is no business of yours. "
"My business is protecting my children. Do you know anything about children? What it feels like being a father? Somehow I doubt it."
Emma knew only to well how judging him as a father made him feel. And this comment would not sit well with Stanley. The look in his eyes, his breathing, she felt him tense by her side and move slightly forward. Emma held him back. The last thing she wanted was a knock-down drag-out fist fight in her living room.
"Gary, stop now. That statement was uncalled for." She paused, "Stanley's a father too."
Gary felt confident to win that first battle of the wills. He seemed to settle down a bit but Emma had a feeling it was a facade, and didn't trust him.
"You don't come across as father material." He was used to striking fast.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Stanley raised his voice. "And you are father material? Is walking into your children's home to verbally abuse their mother part of being a good dad?" There were sore spots of Melissa and confrontations he had with her in the past and this guy was unknowingly rubbing salt into them. He had always been on the receiving end of the abuse. All he had ever wanted was to be Holly's father. A good father. This guy had no idea.
"Ha, abusing Emma. That's what you think I'm doing?" He really enjoyed burying the knife in a little deeper.
"There is no other name for it in my book."
"This guy is charming, Emma. Where did your good friend Rachel pick him up for you? And an expert on child rearing no doubt." He looked at Stanley ready to parry in the proverbial knife a little deeper. "And where is your precious child now? With a baby sitter while you're messing around with my ex wife? What is that saying about your great father qualities, Stanley?"
Stanley was getting a bit riled up and Emma felt he would go up and slug him any minute.
Kyle had been leaning against the kitchen doorway and decided to step into the room. His dad for some reason was not backing down and this was going nowhere real fast. "Dad, go. Mom asked you to leave ages ago." His voice was quiet and heavy with shame, being reminded of how big a jerk his own father was willing to prove himself.
Gary seemed surprised. Kyle felt it was time to step in. He was usually so quiet. "Stanley is right. Melody and I hate the way you talk to mom. It's horrible. And I feel even more horrible that we never say anything. I won't stand for it anymore, Dad. She's our mom and you have no right coming in here and making her feel bad all the time." The finality sunk in with the quiet no-nonsense delivery this young man made.
Emma was moved with Kyle's mild manner and verbal conviction when it should have been a loud, angry outburst. Even more she was proud he actually stood up to him. and stood up for her.
Kyle went to the door and opened it eying Gary. "You can go now."
Gary looked at Emma. "I am not through with this conversation by a long run, Emma."
He then eyed Stan. "And you'd better hope and pray you're past is clean because I have every intention of checking you out. I won't allow my children around some hoodlum the cat drug in."
Stanley was not too concerned. Gary seemed like a bag of hot air.
He then walked passed Kyle, embarrassed of his son's revelation in front of Emma's boyfriend. Ashamed that this man had more of a relationship with his son than he did. His had head down as he left the house.
Emma, Kyle and Stanley stood speechless for a moment as Gary walked out the door. Emma moved over to her son and hugged him, "You were brilliant, Kyle."
"Oh, stop it, Mom." He hated Stanley seeing this affection between them and pulled away, "it was no big deal."
"It was too me." Kyle stuffed his hands into his pocket, managed to turn his mouth up on one corner, which Emma constituted as the closest thing to a smile she was going to get. He was glad he had spoken up. For the first time, he felt like he had actually done something to help his mom. Something he wasn't asked to do. Stanley gave him a smile, knowing he was embarrassed by the attention, but he too wanted to acknowledge Kyle's good dead. He gave him a little punch on the arm.
"You did good, Kyle."
"I should have said something a long time ago." He paused and sheepishly looked over at his mom, "I'm sorry, Mom. He's always wanted to come over here and cause trouble, and I just stood around and let it happen."
"Well, that doesn't matter. You stood up to him tonight....and I think this evening your dad might have realized that things aren't quite the same around here." Kyle looked at her listening intently. " I let him walk all over me for years. I should've stood up to him a lot sooner too...I'm not going to put up with his crap anymore, Kyle."
Stanley, without hesitation, encircled his arms around her waist and gave her a supportive hug, she whispered into his ear, "and thank you. For being supportive." She was surprised when she gently kissed him in front of Kyle. He watched this display of affection with interest.
Stanley managed to smile, the anger he had been feeling slowly dispersing, looking down at Emma, "I'm sorry but the guy is a dick. No offense, Kyle."
"I've known that for a long time, believe me." He decided he needed to leave them alone and sighed, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
"What no computer?" His mom asked.
"Not tonight." He smiled at Stanley, "See you on Monday, Stan."
"Right. Goodnight Kyle."
He walked down the hall and looked back at his mom, never had he seen her so happy. And he really liked Stanley. He always wondered how he would feel if his mom started to date. He didn't really like the thought of her with anyone. She was just his mom and that is how he saw her. But tonight watching her with Stanley, she was so much more. He wasn't sure how to describe it.. Alive, happy, confident...he liked his mom like this. He liked what Stan was doing to her.
Emma snuggled up to Stanley, his hands caressed her back. "I'm sorry about this. Just what you needed was a run in with Gary." She looked up at him, sincerity in her voice, "he said a lot of things...Stanley, they aren't true. You're a good dad. If Gary could only have been half the dad you are to his children....well, then he wouldn't be Gary and I guess I wouldn't be here with you."
He looked down at her and whisped a strand of hair off her face, "Don't be sorry." He thought about Gary's remarks concerning prison and his abilities as a father. Yes, they had riled him up. But he knew that he shouldn't let this jerk get to him. "Gary is full of it, Emma, a lot of talk. I have better things to concern myself with then his accusations." He smiled, the corner of his mouth turned up and his eyebrows raised, "You, for one of them." he playfully pinched her bottom, laughing,"and you know I haven't fought over a woman in a long time," he kind of liked the idea of defending her. It had felt good. "I think I was 15 when I punched Tom Baker out on the football field for kissing Jennifer Pitman."
"Jennifer Pitman, your first girlfriend?" Emma was glad that the whole evening hadn't been ruined. Stanley had lightened up, and seemed happy.
"First major infatuation. She was more interested in Tom. I just happened to get her an A in Geometry."
"I thought you were going to slug him."
"I would've if he would have laid one finger on you." Emma was so glad he hadn't seen Gary touch her breast. She could just see him in a all out fist fight in the middle of her living room.
He tenderly stroked her cheek, "I'm proud of you." he gazed into her eyes, "You stood up to him. I know that wasn't an easy thing for you to do. He's treated you bad for a long time, hasn't he?"
She nodded. "Now everything makes sense to me. Why you reacted to me in such a way. You were afraid it might happen again. Falling for the wrong guy."
"I haven't fallen for the wrong guy. You are so right, Stanley." She meant it. An ill feeling of what may lay in the future reluctantly began to shadow over her. Was this even worth mentioning tonight? Maybe it was the best opportunity. She drew her eyes down, ashamed to bring forth the possibility. "But Gary isn't going away. And how much of him will you be able to tolerate?"
"Gary is not keeping me away from you. I had a wonderful evening tonight and I look forward to more. I'm not going away."
Her ears were overjoyed to hear those words. That was the last thing she wanted to happen. She hesitated briefly. "About tonight...you staying..."
"I know. Not tonight." Facing her with both his arms wrapped around her hips, he had lain his forehead down resting on her hair. "Can't say that I'm not dissapointed because I am."
Emma felt the dissapointment too. She had thought of nothing else since he had mentioned it. She looked down the darkened hall towards Melody's room, then looked up into his eyes, and met him with a smile, "I need to go check on Melody."
"I should get going."
She took hold of his hand, "Not just yet. Please."
"How can I resist that please." He smiled. "Take your time." He reluctantly let go of her hand as he sat down on the couch and picked up the video case on the coffee table. Was it really only such a short while ago they were entwined on this couch? The images still vivid in his mind. He felt excited just thinking about it. He closed his eyes reflecting on the woman who had made him feel this way. The woman he felt he would go to the ends of the earth for.
Emma knocked quietly on Melody's door there was no answer. She slowly opened it, the light was off and Emma saw Melody's figure snuggled under her covers clutching her big floppy stuffed dog. She went over to her and gently patted her head and leaned over kissing her cheek. Melody's cheeks were still wet from the tears. She whispered, "I love you , sweetie." Emma closed her eyes, wishing Melody could accept her happiness. She had to make her understand how important Stanley was to her and that no one would ever take her place.
As she walked out the door, Melody's eyes opened. She didn't want to get into an argument with her mom right now. She continued to cry, her world seemed to be tumbling down all around her and to top it off she was losing her. Stanley and his daughter were going to take her away, and then Melody would have nothing. OR at least that's what she thought.
Stanley stood up as she came back out. "She okay?"
Emma nodded, "This is going to be rough, Stanley. Kyle thinks you're wonderful, but Melody...I don't know."
"Give her some time." He put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, "Walk me out to my car."
They headed out to the Suburban, Stanley leaned against it and Emma pressed up against him in an embrace. His arms encircled her, one reached up inside the back of her t shirt, his warm hand caressing her skin the other just happened to find it's way down to gently squeeze her bottom. . His face buried into her hair, took a whiff of her, felt her soft skin, he wanted to go home remembering everything about her. The recollection of the evenings events caused an excitement within him to resurface and he sighed into her hair as he drew her closer to him.
Emma's hands moved slowly up his chest, her finger tips tenderly traveled upwards towards his neck. Eventually finding themselves on each side of his mouth. As his face drew closer to hers their mouths and noses nuzzled against each other, playfully giggling for a brief moment, until they both simultaneously ceased with a deep look of affection passing between them. She smiled sweetly as she covered his mouth with a kiss for of confidence and assurance. She was rewarded with trembling beneath her. She felt the excitement rolling over him once again.
They were not aware of the curtain moving from the front bedroom. Melody's room. She stood at her window and could see her mother and Stanley at his car, pressed against each other, kissing. The streetlight's glow made them look like they were in a movie. She had never seen her parents kiss like that . This was something so different. It was different from her dad and his girlfriends as well. She knew nothing about love and affection really. Only that her parents had lost it many years ago. And dad was always looking for it. But this....had her mom found it? The man she was trying to loath was touching her, and smelling her hair, and smiling. Her mom returning the smile. She wanted to like him. She wanted to be happy for her mom for she had known she had been so lonely for so long. And Stanley obviously made her mom happy. As she continued to observe, She saw her mom laughing and giggling, and smiling at him, especially when he touched her face.
But it didn't seem right. This stranger who was now slowly intruding into all their lives...her mom's and Kyle's...no, she didn't' want him in her life. She had a dad. Even if she thought he was a jerk most of the time, he was her dad. She didn't want another dad. She didn't want to be like the kids in her school, who had step dads and step moms. Why couldn't mom be happy with just her and Kyle. Melody couldn't bear to see anymore, she quickly shut the curtains and stood in the darkness crying.
Stanley felt that uncontrollable urge he had witnessed earlier and knew he had to stop this, before he found himself having his way with her in the backseat of the Surburban. He pulled away slowly and she seemed surprised, letting out a small gasp as his lips parted hers. Stanley took his index finger and trailed it from the tip of her nose to her succulent wet lips and smiled at her, "You are trouble." He gently kissed her one last time before he managed to break free from her embrace, and quickly darted to the drivers side of the car, Emma leaned on the hood. Looking up at him innocently, biting her bottom lip. She didn't want him to go.
"You are making this extremely hard, you know that don't you?"
"I'm not doing anything." she responded innocently. "It was just a goodnight kiss."
"No...no, that was definitely not a goodnight kiss...much more like a 'Well, hellllo kiss'." he smiled.
"Well, let me try it again. I can get it right." She started to move around the car and he held his hand up, palm facing her.
"You stay where you are. I think the car is a good distance to keep between us under the circumstances."
She pouted slightly.
"Don't give me that sweet and innocent look, Emma. I know what you are capable of." He smiled recalling the evenings events, and sighed.
"You want me?" leaning on the car on her elbows, chin in her hands.
"Silly question. "
"What are we going to do, Stanley?" her question was legit. Their situation was complicated. "I want you too."
"I don't know. But we can handle this, Emma. We are adults and it shouldn't be that difficult." He said that but inside he was thinking, 'this has got to be one of the most difficult situations I've ever been in'. He paused for a minute, trying to collect his thoughts, "I do know that I want it to be right. I don't want us hiding anything. It could easily be turned into some sordid affair, and that's not what I want. Meeting secretly, renting a room by the hour, lying to our kids....no, that isn't how it's going to be." He was adamant about that. "We will have our time, Emma. Believe me."
"I do, Stanley." He smiled at her and slowly climbed into the drivers seat, their eyes locked on each other for quite sometime. She moved away from the car and stood on the curb. Her arms hugging herself, their was a chill in the air, but it was more holding on to the feeling Stanley gave her this evening...the warmth, the love, the passion. Stanley slowly turned the key in the ignition. He gazed at her. They were both feeling an incredible sense of lose. The more he gazed at her the harder time he had pulling away from the curb. He had to turn away, look in his rear view mirror and then he managed to steer the Surburban away from the curb and away from her house. She watched his car drive down her street for the longest time. Then it turned the corner and she took a deep breath and headed back into the house.
* * * * * *
Emma woke with a smile on her face and streched out in her queen size bed. She immediately turned and hugged one of the pillows close to her and recalled her evening with Stanley, with fondness. She closed her eyes and she could picture his hand touching her face, his lips approaching hers and she sighed. She was quickly pulled away from such thoughts as the telephone rang, she looked at her alarm clock and it read 8am. This was awfully early for anyone to be ringing on Sunday morning, she reached over and picked it up, and with a lilt in her voice she greeted the caller, "Hello."
Stanley on the other end of the line, layed back onto his pillow, his free hand behind his head and smiled as he heard her voice. "Good Morning, Beautiful." in his sexiest morning voice.
Emma sat up in bed, "Stanley?" the sound of his voice of his voice made her shiver.
He let out a sigh, "I miss you. I woke up this morning and I wanted you here beside me."
Emma smiled and layed back down onto her pillow, thinking what a lovely thing for him to say.
He continued, "Actually, I had a horrible nights sleep due to you. Incredibly restless."
Emma covered her mouth stifling a laugh, then just smiled with satisfaction that she could have this effect on him. She was quiet, but he heard her breathing, a sigh.
"So I should've guessed that would please you."
"Hearing your voice pleases me. I can't think of a nicer way to wake up." She stretched out her legs and drew circles around the receiver of the phone with her index finger, smiling.
Stanley's mind wondered to other things that had crossed his mind that might be nice, "I could think of a few."
"Oh, stop...I'm enjoying this."
There was a brief silence before he asked, "Are you in bed?"
Emma surprised, but curious about where this conversation was going, "Yes. Are you?" This was going to be fun, she raised her eyebrows and awaited his answer.
He pictured her lying on the bed her silken hair splayed across the pillow, possibly clutching a pillow to her, like she had done last night, a beautiful smile lighting up her face. He closed his eyes...the sight he had beheld in front of him when she had removed her Shirt in heated passion. Why was he tormenting himself with these images? Like he had done all night.
To answer her question, his voice sounded a bit raspy, "I am."
"Do you sleep in the nude?" Emma coyly asked, blushing and then pulling the pillow up to cover her face like someone was watching.
"Now that is a baited question." He felt himself blushing a tad. This could get interesting, he thought.
"Well, do you?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"I don't have anything on right now, does that answer your question?"
"Oh, yes." She now pictured him propped up in bed his bare chest...all of a sudden she realized she had never seen his bare chest, except on Christmas eve and that didn't count since she didn't remember it. So her image was purely fantasy. His muscled arms, maybe one behind his head...and what lay under the covers. Now her face was bright red, and she covered her mouth amazed she would even think such a thing.
It was so quiet on the other end of the line, "Emma, are you still there?"
"Just barely." she whispered. He laughed. She joined him. "You know how ridiculous we sound." she added.
"Oh, yeah, and I don't care."
"I do wish you could've stayed."
"I know." The prospects of what their evening together could've been was a bit much for him right now.
Emma's bedroom door swung open and Melody entered, she stood in front of her mother her arms crossed over her chest scowling disrupting the pleasant thought she was just having.
"I have to go." By the tone of her voice Stanley knew someone must be there.
"I want to see you later."
"I don't think today is good. But I will call you." Melody was glaring at her.
"It's Melody isn't it?"
"You got it. It was lovely of you to call." She tried sounding like it could be anybody, but Melody wasn't buying it.
"You know just the sound of your voice excites me." he continued.
Emma began to blush, trying to hide it from Melody, she turned her head away. But it was too late, Melody saw her cheeks turn red rather quickly. Emma let out a nervous laugh. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah." dropping his voice lower, and taking a deep breath.
Her face now very flushed, she put her hand to her cheek, "I really have to go."
"You're blushing." he paused, them smiled triumphantly, "I would love to be able to brush my fingertips across those incredibly soft pink cheeks, across your lips, " he sighed, he was enjoying this.
"You are horrible you know that." Emma loving every minute, but feeling guilty with Melody glares becoming more sinister. "I will talk to you later. Goodbye."
"You're going to hang up on me."
"I think it's my turn. Goodbye." She hung up the phone and Melody was still standing over her.
Emma lifted the covers and patted the space next to her, trying to get her daughter to join her. Something they used to do quite often. Emma missed those times. Mother/daughter Sunday mornings. Melody couldn't stay mad for long, even with the scornful look on her face, she managed to crawl in next to her mom, and Emma wrapped her arm around.
"We need to talk." Emma said matter of factly. "There's a lot going on right now, and I can't bear to see you so upset."
Melody ignored her comment, "Who was on the phone?"
"That doesn't matter."
"It was him wasn't it?"
Emma sighed. This was going to be difficult. "Stanley. Is that who you mean by him?"
"You lied to me." she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I never lied. You knew we were friends." she pushed Melody's bangs off her forehead.
"but not that kind of friends." Melody began to cry and Emma held her close. Trying to comfort her daughter and not knowing what she should really say to her.
"you told me once that you don't need a man in your life to make you happy."
"I still believe that." Emma wanted to say the right things. She was quiet for a moment while Melody looked up at her waiting for more of a response. "Happiness comes from in here." She tapped at her chest . "from inside. And I don't deny that I've had a problem with that." Where to go next. It did seem like she needed a guy to make her happy. How could she explain this to her daughter. That wasn't how it really was.
"I can't deny Stanley doesn't make me happy. Because he does." She paused. "I have fun with him, I like being with him. But you and Kyle are my life. Nothing will ever change that." She squeezed her tight, "Your dad hurt me a lot, Melody. But not all men are like your dad. I can't make you like Stanley. But you should give him a chance."
Melody was silent, she wasn't ready to give him a chance. But she didn't want to hurt her mom anymore. So she decided it was best not to say anything. Melody was hard to read. Not the open book, she had been and still was. Melody held things in. So it was hard to see what she was thinking. Emma knew she needed time. She wasn't going to force Stanley on her. Stanley had been right. She would come around when she was ready.
Emma had a great idea, "Remember that play we wanted to see at the Old Globe?"
Melody's mood changed, she looked at her mom and nodded.
"Rachel knows the stage manager and he owes her. So maybe I could give her a call and she could get us tickets for tonight."
"You're not busy with him?"
"No, not busy with him." she imitated her and emphasized the HIM. "I doubt HE would even be interested in something like this." She managed to get Melody to smile. Melody tried picturing her mom and Stanley at a play. And didn't see it. In the back of her mind she wondered what they had in common. What could they possibly enjoy doing together. Her mom and her loved plays and musicals and movies. She would never allow her mom to share that with anyone else. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn't care. Even when her dad was around, there had been a closeness between them, things they did together and shared together, that were special. No one could step into that place. No one.
Melody gave her mom a hug, which surprised Emma. She wasn't much for showing affection, so when she did it took her mom by surprise. "Can we have waffle Sundays again, like we used to? I can help."
Emma knew she was pulling out her comforts from the past. When was the last time they had waffle Sunday? Usually they were all up at different times and eating together on a weekend morning was out of the question. "I think that sounds like a good idea." Melody jumped out of bed. Her mood drastically changed. She grabbed her mom's hand.
Emma managed to get out of bed. Once again back to reality, fantasies would have to be put on hold for another day. She couldn't help but think of Stanley wonder what he was doing right now. Soon he would be picking up Holly, and they would probably do something special together. She had an image of them all together. Now that was a fantasy. Not likely to happen anywhere in the near future. But it was a nice thought.
The door burst open and Melody appeared ranting, "Mo-m-m-m!", she cried out.
Emma abruptly stood up from the couch, running her hands down her front and through her hair, trying to straighten herself out but to not much avail. It felt quite awkward as her daughter ran to her arms, hugging her. Why did Emma feel it was obvious what had happened? It was as if a big neon sign was overhead flashing.
Sensing her mom's tension, Melody stood back. But she was still self-absorbed with the events of the disgusting evening and continued with a full gust in her sails. "I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I never want to see him again!"
The screen door flew open once again. This time Kyle flew in, looking a bit irate with the whole situation. Emma wondering what had happened and gave him a questioning look. He read her thoughts clear across the room. Divulging the silent request for information, "Dad brought his girlfriend camping."
That explained a lot. Melody continued with a vengeance. "It was sick, Mom! I mean, he was all over her, in front of me, in front of Kyle...and I had to listen to all that disgusting noise while trying to sleep!"
Stanley had heard the racket and realized Emma and he were no longer alone in the house. Her children weren't supposed to be home until tomorrow. He wondered who else it could be? Maybe a neighbor dropped over, which wouldn't be too bad. He readjusted and buttoned his jeans. Looking in the mirror, there was some visible stain by the fly. He pulled his shirt down so as it wasn't noticeable. With a splash of water on the face, he felt as ready as ever to face the firing squad.
As he headed out to the hall, he heard Melody's high-pitched ranting. His earlier comment on the couch hadn't been too far from the truth. Instead of parents finding them out, it was her kids. How ironic was that? He entered the living room.
Kyle had sized up the situation to realize something was going on. An inventory of two wine glasses, two plates with half eaten pizza, and the pile of movies gave the deduction of more than one person in the room. The TV screen now reflected a 'no one bothered to turn me off' blue screen, meaning the video had long been over. So when Stanley showed up in the living room, he wasn't surprised.
On the other hand Melody was not prepared nor overjoyed to see him. His company reinforced her opinion that parents are NOT allowed to be seen with the opposite sex in such close proximity, let alone her very own mother. "What is he doing here!?!" she pointed a daggered finger his way.
Emma immediately pushed her daughter's hand down.
Stanley, unsure of how to approach this situation, gave Emma a questioning glance. She rolled her eyes, not offering any translation of a teenager's ruined evening, and crossed her arms with an exaggerated drop and a huff.
Kyle at least acknowledged him, "Hey, Stanley."
Stanley nodded and awkwardly began to clean up the coffee table, taking the wineglasses into the kitchen.
The screen door was yanked opened for a third time and in came the benefactor of the young teens problems. Gary was ready to spit venom at having to bring his insubordinate children home this late in the evening. "I will not tolerate this behavior, young lady! You were rude to Nora and have ruined our whole weekend."
"She ruined my weekend!" A good amount of venom was loaded in the retort of opinion. Turning to look at her mother who was standing sheepishly with crossed arms in front of her, Melody directed her vent of anger and with another forefinger pointed commentary, "And you are just as bad as he is!" Her father was thrown an evil glare from across the room.
Kyle resigned them to their continued practice of the 'broken record communication theory'. He was not privy to participate. Finding a polite excuse to leave, he picked up the plates of pizza, turned off the video player, and decided to join Stanley in the kitchen. He didn't want anything to do with this conversation.
Melody was still quite upset with the fore and after and continued to take it out on those who remained in attendance. "You are both sick! You're adults and are supposed to be a good influence to your kids.! I don't think what happened in the trailer or here is giving off the kind of message parents are supposed to be showing to their kids!" Gary glanced over at Emma not knowing what she was talking about. Melody took the advantage of their silence and stormed off down the hall to her room. The door reflected all the emotion of turmoil in the young girl's heart.
The walls shook the framed photographs in the hall. A favorite one of Emma and her children in the sunflowers fell to the ground. Shattered glass sparkled the hallway.
A moment of silence with a short memory hovered over the scene.
"This is just wonderful, Gary." Emma went to the hall cupboard and got out a dustpan and brush and proceeded to clean up the mess. Thank goodness the glass had only broken in a few big pieces so it wasn't so bad. She picked up the picture of wonderful memories and winced at the happy times reflecting back at her from the photograph that was only a few short previous years. My, how we've all changed.
Stanley heard the commotion in the kitchen, a hard slam of a door, followed by glass breaking. He too winced at a few distant memories of his sad marriage breakup that the evening's turnabout atmosphere and sounds brought back. With his concern for Emma in the living room, he made a move as if about ready to go check on things. Kyle grasped his arm. "I wouldn't go out there just yet. Best to let them deal with this on their own." By Kyle's remark, Stanley could only assume these confrontations were frequent. He took his advice and turned on the tap, filling the sink with warm water. But his ear was tuned into the load voices coming from the living room. It was rather upsetting. Is this the way her ex husband spoke to her all the time?
Back in the living room Gary dug in with a vengeance just where Melody left off. "And what did she mean by that comment? What's been going on here?" Gary had a glance around the room. The cushions on the couch were scattered. He noticed the video boxes and pizza container. An empty wine bottle and two coasters with evident wet rings from their recent usage still decorated the end table. He let out a laugh. "Well, Miss High and Mighty Morals here is turning the tables, I see." He felt to take his wrath out on the certain someone he'd been wiping his feet on for years. It only seemed fitting to keep all his visits on an equal basis.
"Don't you need to get back to your girlfriend? I can see to Melody." Emma just wanted him to leave. She didn't want her wonderful evening spoiled by him and his demeaning judge and jury attitude over her. She felt like a teenager being scolded by her father. But then Gary had often treated Emma as if she was his 3rd child. She could tell by his cocky facial expression, he was ready for a confrontation.
Stanley put the glasses into the sink perking his head up at the raising of voices. Kyle was truly embarrassed. "Hey, I'm sorry you have to be a part of this. My Dad won't stay long, I'm sure. He left Nora back at the campsite."
Stanley wiped his hands on a dishtowel keeping his head down, "Maybe it would be better if I go." It was a bit awkward looking at Kyle.
"My mom wants you here. I'm okay with that. Just because Melody is overreacting as usual and my dad is being an asshole." Kyle knew his mom would be in the dumps for the rest of the weekend if this escalated. He then pleaded with him. "You've got to stay. If you're here, she won't get all upset. "
Gary picked up one of the video cases. He heard Kyle talking in the kitchen and realized someone was here. He cocked up one side of his mouth with a smirk. "You do have somebody here." The thought of Emma with anyone surprised him. Emma the dreamer, the romantic...no man would ever give her a second look. He was sure of that and was sure to remind her every chance he got. That man mongler of a girlfriend she kept buddying around with. Rachel must have dragged one home for her. There must have been one too many in her stables. The other side of the smirk raised. This is going to be fun.
Emma surprised herself when she actually spoke up. "Maybe I do. But I don't answer to you and what happens in my private life is none of your business." Usually she would cower in a corner with his bantering of his almighty gavel. Not tonight.
"I think it is my business when it's going on in my children's home."
"That's good coming from you, Gary. Especially after Melody informed me you were all over...who is it. Nora this month...?" A flare of her hand in the air indicated the importance of his 'girlfriend of the month' addiction. "Anyhow, all that noise in the trailer was quite repulsive while she was trying to sleep. You didn't seem to be so concerned about your children then, did you? OH, that's right, children have always come after your sexual rutting needs, haven't they?"
Gary was surprised by her outburst, but refused to let her get the best of him. "And you believe your 13 year old daughter? She is always over exaggerating and you know it." He was determined to keep his thumb on top of her where it was suppose to be. How dare she spat off to him.
"I don't think so, Gary. Not this time." This was starting to feel pretty good, standing up to him. "I want you to leave now." A taunt stance of rebellion and determination was on display.
Gary was starting to feel a little heat. He needed to change tactics and had to actually start thinking. All these years it never took any effort to make her buckle down and be obedient to his whims.
Gary then noticed Emma's T-shirt was inside out and walked closer to her. He could tell she didn't like the close proximity to him so he reached out and pulled at the tag showing. She pulled away. "What's this?"
Trying to act like it was no big deal she was having a hard time pulling it off. Gary read her like a book and decided that this intimidation tactic would work well.
"So did lover boy get a little peek tonight?" he said sarcastically. "Or might possibly..." he paused laughing and shook his head. "No, there's no possible way Miss Ice Queen would allow these precious virgins to be touched." He cupped one hand under her breast to give it a vicious squeeze. Before she realized the fullness of the reaction, her right hand rose and struck him with a resounding smack across his left cheek, making a hard slapping sound. Emma winced when she realized she had hit him and covered her mouth in surprise.
Stanley heard the slapping sound and immediately headed out for the living room much to Kyle's protest. "You shouldn't go out there." Stanley gave him a sideways look as he left wondering who all had been smacked over the years. Just as he entered the room observing the situation, Gary was holding his cheek.
"You bitch." Gary immediately lifted his hand and was about ready to strike her when Stanley darted in and pushed him back. Gary wasn't prepared for this event and fell back onto the couch.
"Don't you ever lay a hand on her." Stanley went to Emma's side, putting his arm around her, "Are you okay?" The concern in his eyes apparent, the caring in his voice unquestionable. She nodded. His presence boosted her strength.
Gary looked up at this stranger and was thrown by what he saw. He would never have pictured someone with Stanley's build or looks even remotely interested in his ex-wife. Years ago she had infatuated him but he'd lost interest and looked for new adventures in the sex department and she'd turned cold. Although Gary was a 6' plus frame, this guy seemed more intimidating. His only thoughts were how did Emma land this one? This had to be Rachel's doing, finding Emma some male hooker. There had to be a pretty fair amount laid down to get anyone or 'anything' convinced to take her for a roll in the hay. It just didn't seem plausible. He managed to get up and glare at this guy, who now had his arm around his ex wife, "You must be the courtesan." He said snidely.
"I think Emma told you to leave. I would if I were you."A set of square shoulders solidified the statement.
"Well you aren't me." A glare met this intrusion head on trying to figure out what he had to deal with. " I don't think I caught your name." It was a forced statement. Gary stood up to full height and could almost look him in the eye.
Stan felt it best not to push this situation. His only interest was protecting someone he cared very much about. He waited for Gary to continue.
"Very gallant of you...protecting Emma, but you don't have any right being in my children's house."
"Gary, give it up." Emma was getting angry.
"Knowing you, Emma. You probably don't know anything about this guy." Gary waving his arm at Stanley. He had to change tactics again to save face. "For all you know the guy could have a prison record." Stanley flinched slightly when this was mentioned. "I bet you didn't even think about that did you? Allowing some strange guy, you know nothing about into your house. At least one of us is concerned about out children's welfare."
Stanley was now beginning to fume. "I can see the loving concern for your children, it's very heartwarming. Melody was very touched." The sarcasm in his voice was evident.
Emma didn't like where this was going He was still standing at her side and she tugged on his arm slightly, "Stanley!"
Gary looked at Emma, and managed to laugh cynically. "This guy is good, Emma." He then looked over at Stanley, "So what is it you do...Stanley? Clean pools, do yard work..." he paused, "...turn tricks?"
Stanley knew Emma and her children were more important than a confrontation with this loser and refused to be baited. He managed to smile, "Ah, a sense of humor...What I do is no business of yours. "
"My business is protecting my children. Do you know anything about children? What it feels like being a father? Somehow I doubt it."
Emma knew only to well how judging him as a father made him feel. And this comment would not sit well with Stanley. The look in his eyes, his breathing, she felt him tense by her side and move slightly forward. Emma held him back. The last thing she wanted was a knock-down drag-out fist fight in her living room.
"Gary, stop now. That statement was uncalled for." She paused, "Stanley's a father too."
Gary felt confident to win that first battle of the wills. He seemed to settle down a bit but Emma had a feeling it was a facade, and didn't trust him.
"You don't come across as father material." He was used to striking fast.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Stanley raised his voice. "And you are father material? Is walking into your children's home to verbally abuse their mother part of being a good dad?" There were sore spots of Melissa and confrontations he had with her in the past and this guy was unknowingly rubbing salt into them. He had always been on the receiving end of the abuse. All he had ever wanted was to be Holly's father. A good father. This guy had no idea.
"Ha, abusing Emma. That's what you think I'm doing?" He really enjoyed burying the knife in a little deeper.
"There is no other name for it in my book."
"This guy is charming, Emma. Where did your good friend Rachel pick him up for you? And an expert on child rearing no doubt." He looked at Stanley ready to parry in the proverbial knife a little deeper. "And where is your precious child now? With a baby sitter while you're messing around with my ex wife? What is that saying about your great father qualities, Stanley?"
Stanley was getting a bit riled up and Emma felt he would go up and slug him any minute.
Kyle had been leaning against the kitchen doorway and decided to step into the room. His dad for some reason was not backing down and this was going nowhere real fast. "Dad, go. Mom asked you to leave ages ago." His voice was quiet and heavy with shame, being reminded of how big a jerk his own father was willing to prove himself.
Gary seemed surprised. Kyle felt it was time to step in. He was usually so quiet. "Stanley is right. Melody and I hate the way you talk to mom. It's horrible. And I feel even more horrible that we never say anything. I won't stand for it anymore, Dad. She's our mom and you have no right coming in here and making her feel bad all the time." The finality sunk in with the quiet no-nonsense delivery this young man made.
Emma was moved with Kyle's mild manner and verbal conviction when it should have been a loud, angry outburst. Even more she was proud he actually stood up to him. and stood up for her.
Kyle went to the door and opened it eying Gary. "You can go now."
Gary looked at Emma. "I am not through with this conversation by a long run, Emma."
He then eyed Stan. "And you'd better hope and pray you're past is clean because I have every intention of checking you out. I won't allow my children around some hoodlum the cat drug in."
Stanley was not too concerned. Gary seemed like a bag of hot air.
He then walked passed Kyle, embarrassed of his son's revelation in front of Emma's boyfriend. Ashamed that this man had more of a relationship with his son than he did. His had head down as he left the house.
Emma, Kyle and Stanley stood speechless for a moment as Gary walked out the door. Emma moved over to her son and hugged him, "You were brilliant, Kyle."
"Oh, stop it, Mom." He hated Stanley seeing this affection between them and pulled away, "it was no big deal."
"It was too me." Kyle stuffed his hands into his pocket, managed to turn his mouth up on one corner, which Emma constituted as the closest thing to a smile she was going to get. He was glad he had spoken up. For the first time, he felt like he had actually done something to help his mom. Something he wasn't asked to do. Stanley gave him a smile, knowing he was embarrassed by the attention, but he too wanted to acknowledge Kyle's good dead. He gave him a little punch on the arm.
"You did good, Kyle."
"I should have said something a long time ago." He paused and sheepishly looked over at his mom, "I'm sorry, Mom. He's always wanted to come over here and cause trouble, and I just stood around and let it happen."
"Well, that doesn't matter. You stood up to him tonight....and I think this evening your dad might have realized that things aren't quite the same around here." Kyle looked at her listening intently. " I let him walk all over me for years. I should've stood up to him a lot sooner too...I'm not going to put up with his crap anymore, Kyle."
Stanley, without hesitation, encircled his arms around her waist and gave her a supportive hug, she whispered into his ear, "and thank you. For being supportive." She was surprised when she gently kissed him in front of Kyle. He watched this display of affection with interest.
Stanley managed to smile, the anger he had been feeling slowly dispersing, looking down at Emma, "I'm sorry but the guy is a dick. No offense, Kyle."
"I've known that for a long time, believe me." He decided he needed to leave them alone and sighed, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
"What no computer?" His mom asked.
"Not tonight." He smiled at Stanley, "See you on Monday, Stan."
"Right. Goodnight Kyle."
He walked down the hall and looked back at his mom, never had he seen her so happy. And he really liked Stanley. He always wondered how he would feel if his mom started to date. He didn't really like the thought of her with anyone. She was just his mom and that is how he saw her. But tonight watching her with Stanley, she was so much more. He wasn't sure how to describe it.. Alive, happy, confident...he liked his mom like this. He liked what Stan was doing to her.
Emma snuggled up to Stanley, his hands caressed her back. "I'm sorry about this. Just what you needed was a run in with Gary." She looked up at him, sincerity in her voice, "he said a lot of things...Stanley, they aren't true. You're a good dad. If Gary could only have been half the dad you are to his children....well, then he wouldn't be Gary and I guess I wouldn't be here with you."
He looked down at her and whisped a strand of hair off her face, "Don't be sorry." He thought about Gary's remarks concerning prison and his abilities as a father. Yes, they had riled him up. But he knew that he shouldn't let this jerk get to him. "Gary is full of it, Emma, a lot of talk. I have better things to concern myself with then his accusations." He smiled, the corner of his mouth turned up and his eyebrows raised, "You, for one of them." he playfully pinched her bottom, laughing,"and you know I haven't fought over a woman in a long time," he kind of liked the idea of defending her. It had felt good. "I think I was 15 when I punched Tom Baker out on the football field for kissing Jennifer Pitman."
"Jennifer Pitman, your first girlfriend?" Emma was glad that the whole evening hadn't been ruined. Stanley had lightened up, and seemed happy.
"First major infatuation. She was more interested in Tom. I just happened to get her an A in Geometry."
"I thought you were going to slug him."
"I would've if he would have laid one finger on you." Emma was so glad he hadn't seen Gary touch her breast. She could just see him in a all out fist fight in the middle of her living room.
He tenderly stroked her cheek, "I'm proud of you." he gazed into her eyes, "You stood up to him. I know that wasn't an easy thing for you to do. He's treated you bad for a long time, hasn't he?"
She nodded. "Now everything makes sense to me. Why you reacted to me in such a way. You were afraid it might happen again. Falling for the wrong guy."
"I haven't fallen for the wrong guy. You are so right, Stanley." She meant it. An ill feeling of what may lay in the future reluctantly began to shadow over her. Was this even worth mentioning tonight? Maybe it was the best opportunity. She drew her eyes down, ashamed to bring forth the possibility. "But Gary isn't going away. And how much of him will you be able to tolerate?"
"Gary is not keeping me away from you. I had a wonderful evening tonight and I look forward to more. I'm not going away."
Her ears were overjoyed to hear those words. That was the last thing she wanted to happen. She hesitated briefly. "About tonight...you staying..."
"I know. Not tonight." Facing her with both his arms wrapped around her hips, he had lain his forehead down resting on her hair. "Can't say that I'm not dissapointed because I am."
Emma felt the dissapointment too. She had thought of nothing else since he had mentioned it. She looked down the darkened hall towards Melody's room, then looked up into his eyes, and met him with a smile, "I need to go check on Melody."
"I should get going."
She took hold of his hand, "Not just yet. Please."
"How can I resist that please." He smiled. "Take your time." He reluctantly let go of her hand as he sat down on the couch and picked up the video case on the coffee table. Was it really only such a short while ago they were entwined on this couch? The images still vivid in his mind. He felt excited just thinking about it. He closed his eyes reflecting on the woman who had made him feel this way. The woman he felt he would go to the ends of the earth for.
Emma knocked quietly on Melody's door there was no answer. She slowly opened it, the light was off and Emma saw Melody's figure snuggled under her covers clutching her big floppy stuffed dog. She went over to her and gently patted her head and leaned over kissing her cheek. Melody's cheeks were still wet from the tears. She whispered, "I love you , sweetie." Emma closed her eyes, wishing Melody could accept her happiness. She had to make her understand how important Stanley was to her and that no one would ever take her place.
As she walked out the door, Melody's eyes opened. She didn't want to get into an argument with her mom right now. She continued to cry, her world seemed to be tumbling down all around her and to top it off she was losing her. Stanley and his daughter were going to take her away, and then Melody would have nothing. OR at least that's what she thought.
Stanley stood up as she came back out. "She okay?"
Emma nodded, "This is going to be rough, Stanley. Kyle thinks you're wonderful, but Melody...I don't know."
"Give her some time." He put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, "Walk me out to my car."
They headed out to the Suburban, Stanley leaned against it and Emma pressed up against him in an embrace. His arms encircled her, one reached up inside the back of her t shirt, his warm hand caressing her skin the other just happened to find it's way down to gently squeeze her bottom. . His face buried into her hair, took a whiff of her, felt her soft skin, he wanted to go home remembering everything about her. The recollection of the evenings events caused an excitement within him to resurface and he sighed into her hair as he drew her closer to him.
Emma's hands moved slowly up his chest, her finger tips tenderly traveled upwards towards his neck. Eventually finding themselves on each side of his mouth. As his face drew closer to hers their mouths and noses nuzzled against each other, playfully giggling for a brief moment, until they both simultaneously ceased with a deep look of affection passing between them. She smiled sweetly as she covered his mouth with a kiss for of confidence and assurance. She was rewarded with trembling beneath her. She felt the excitement rolling over him once again.
They were not aware of the curtain moving from the front bedroom. Melody's room. She stood at her window and could see her mother and Stanley at his car, pressed against each other, kissing. The streetlight's glow made them look like they were in a movie. She had never seen her parents kiss like that . This was something so different. It was different from her dad and his girlfriends as well. She knew nothing about love and affection really. Only that her parents had lost it many years ago. And dad was always looking for it. But this....had her mom found it? The man she was trying to loath was touching her, and smelling her hair, and smiling. Her mom returning the smile. She wanted to like him. She wanted to be happy for her mom for she had known she had been so lonely for so long. And Stanley obviously made her mom happy. As she continued to observe, She saw her mom laughing and giggling, and smiling at him, especially when he touched her face.
But it didn't seem right. This stranger who was now slowly intruding into all their lives...her mom's and Kyle's...no, she didn't' want him in her life. She had a dad. Even if she thought he was a jerk most of the time, he was her dad. She didn't want another dad. She didn't want to be like the kids in her school, who had step dads and step moms. Why couldn't mom be happy with just her and Kyle. Melody couldn't bear to see anymore, she quickly shut the curtains and stood in the darkness crying.
Stanley felt that uncontrollable urge he had witnessed earlier and knew he had to stop this, before he found himself having his way with her in the backseat of the Surburban. He pulled away slowly and she seemed surprised, letting out a small gasp as his lips parted hers. Stanley took his index finger and trailed it from the tip of her nose to her succulent wet lips and smiled at her, "You are trouble." He gently kissed her one last time before he managed to break free from her embrace, and quickly darted to the drivers side of the car, Emma leaned on the hood. Looking up at him innocently, biting her bottom lip. She didn't want him to go.
"You are making this extremely hard, you know that don't you?"
"I'm not doing anything." she responded innocently. "It was just a goodnight kiss."
"No...no, that was definitely not a goodnight kiss...much more like a 'Well, hellllo kiss'." he smiled.
"Well, let me try it again. I can get it right." She started to move around the car and he held his hand up, palm facing her.
"You stay where you are. I think the car is a good distance to keep between us under the circumstances."
She pouted slightly.
"Don't give me that sweet and innocent look, Emma. I know what you are capable of." He smiled recalling the evenings events, and sighed.
"You want me?" leaning on the car on her elbows, chin in her hands.
"Silly question. "
"What are we going to do, Stanley?" her question was legit. Their situation was complicated. "I want you too."
"I don't know. But we can handle this, Emma. We are adults and it shouldn't be that difficult." He said that but inside he was thinking, 'this has got to be one of the most difficult situations I've ever been in'. He paused for a minute, trying to collect his thoughts, "I do know that I want it to be right. I don't want us hiding anything. It could easily be turned into some sordid affair, and that's not what I want. Meeting secretly, renting a room by the hour, lying to our kids....no, that isn't how it's going to be." He was adamant about that. "We will have our time, Emma. Believe me."
"I do, Stanley." He smiled at her and slowly climbed into the drivers seat, their eyes locked on each other for quite sometime. She moved away from the car and stood on the curb. Her arms hugging herself, their was a chill in the air, but it was more holding on to the feeling Stanley gave her this evening...the warmth, the love, the passion. Stanley slowly turned the key in the ignition. He gazed at her. They were both feeling an incredible sense of lose. The more he gazed at her the harder time he had pulling away from the curb. He had to turn away, look in his rear view mirror and then he managed to steer the Surburban away from the curb and away from her house. She watched his car drive down her street for the longest time. Then it turned the corner and she took a deep breath and headed back into the house.
* * * * * *
Emma woke with a smile on her face and streched out in her queen size bed. She immediately turned and hugged one of the pillows close to her and recalled her evening with Stanley, with fondness. She closed her eyes and she could picture his hand touching her face, his lips approaching hers and she sighed. She was quickly pulled away from such thoughts as the telephone rang, she looked at her alarm clock and it read 8am. This was awfully early for anyone to be ringing on Sunday morning, she reached over and picked it up, and with a lilt in her voice she greeted the caller, "Hello."
Stanley on the other end of the line, layed back onto his pillow, his free hand behind his head and smiled as he heard her voice. "Good Morning, Beautiful." in his sexiest morning voice.
Emma sat up in bed, "Stanley?" the sound of his voice of his voice made her shiver.
He let out a sigh, "I miss you. I woke up this morning and I wanted you here beside me."
Emma smiled and layed back down onto her pillow, thinking what a lovely thing for him to say.
He continued, "Actually, I had a horrible nights sleep due to you. Incredibly restless."
Emma covered her mouth stifling a laugh, then just smiled with satisfaction that she could have this effect on him. She was quiet, but he heard her breathing, a sigh.
"So I should've guessed that would please you."
"Hearing your voice pleases me. I can't think of a nicer way to wake up." She stretched out her legs and drew circles around the receiver of the phone with her index finger, smiling.
Stanley's mind wondered to other things that had crossed his mind that might be nice, "I could think of a few."
"Oh, stop...I'm enjoying this."
There was a brief silence before he asked, "Are you in bed?"
Emma surprised, but curious about where this conversation was going, "Yes. Are you?" This was going to be fun, she raised her eyebrows and awaited his answer.
He pictured her lying on the bed her silken hair splayed across the pillow, possibly clutching a pillow to her, like she had done last night, a beautiful smile lighting up her face. He closed his eyes...the sight he had beheld in front of him when she had removed her Shirt in heated passion. Why was he tormenting himself with these images? Like he had done all night.
To answer her question, his voice sounded a bit raspy, "I am."
"Do you sleep in the nude?" Emma coyly asked, blushing and then pulling the pillow up to cover her face like someone was watching.
"Now that is a baited question." He felt himself blushing a tad. This could get interesting, he thought.
"Well, do you?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"I don't have anything on right now, does that answer your question?"
"Oh, yes." She now pictured him propped up in bed his bare chest...all of a sudden she realized she had never seen his bare chest, except on Christmas eve and that didn't count since she didn't remember it. So her image was purely fantasy. His muscled arms, maybe one behind his head...and what lay under the covers. Now her face was bright red, and she covered her mouth amazed she would even think such a thing.
It was so quiet on the other end of the line, "Emma, are you still there?"
"Just barely." she whispered. He laughed. She joined him. "You know how ridiculous we sound." she added.
"Oh, yeah, and I don't care."
"I do wish you could've stayed."
"I know." The prospects of what their evening together could've been was a bit much for him right now.
Emma's bedroom door swung open and Melody entered, she stood in front of her mother her arms crossed over her chest scowling disrupting the pleasant thought she was just having.
"I have to go." By the tone of her voice Stanley knew someone must be there.
"I want to see you later."
"I don't think today is good. But I will call you." Melody was glaring at her.
"It's Melody isn't it?"
"You got it. It was lovely of you to call." She tried sounding like it could be anybody, but Melody wasn't buying it.
"You know just the sound of your voice excites me." he continued.
Emma began to blush, trying to hide it from Melody, she turned her head away. But it was too late, Melody saw her cheeks turn red rather quickly. Emma let out a nervous laugh. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah." dropping his voice lower, and taking a deep breath.
Her face now very flushed, she put her hand to her cheek, "I really have to go."
"You're blushing." he paused, them smiled triumphantly, "I would love to be able to brush my fingertips across those incredibly soft pink cheeks, across your lips, " he sighed, he was enjoying this.
"You are horrible you know that." Emma loving every minute, but feeling guilty with Melody glares becoming more sinister. "I will talk to you later. Goodbye."
"You're going to hang up on me."
"I think it's my turn. Goodbye." She hung up the phone and Melody was still standing over her.
Emma lifted the covers and patted the space next to her, trying to get her daughter to join her. Something they used to do quite often. Emma missed those times. Mother/daughter Sunday mornings. Melody couldn't stay mad for long, even with the scornful look on her face, she managed to crawl in next to her mom, and Emma wrapped her arm around.
"We need to talk." Emma said matter of factly. "There's a lot going on right now, and I can't bear to see you so upset."
Melody ignored her comment, "Who was on the phone?"
"That doesn't matter."
"It was him wasn't it?"
Emma sighed. This was going to be difficult. "Stanley. Is that who you mean by him?"
"You lied to me." she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I never lied. You knew we were friends." she pushed Melody's bangs off her forehead.
"but not that kind of friends." Melody began to cry and Emma held her close. Trying to comfort her daughter and not knowing what she should really say to her.
"you told me once that you don't need a man in your life to make you happy."
"I still believe that." Emma wanted to say the right things. She was quiet for a moment while Melody looked up at her waiting for more of a response. "Happiness comes from in here." She tapped at her chest . "from inside. And I don't deny that I've had a problem with that." Where to go next. It did seem like she needed a guy to make her happy. How could she explain this to her daughter. That wasn't how it really was.
"I can't deny Stanley doesn't make me happy. Because he does." She paused. "I have fun with him, I like being with him. But you and Kyle are my life. Nothing will ever change that." She squeezed her tight, "Your dad hurt me a lot, Melody. But not all men are like your dad. I can't make you like Stanley. But you should give him a chance."
Melody was silent, she wasn't ready to give him a chance. But she didn't want to hurt her mom anymore. So she decided it was best not to say anything. Melody was hard to read. Not the open book, she had been and still was. Melody held things in. So it was hard to see what she was thinking. Emma knew she needed time. She wasn't going to force Stanley on her. Stanley had been right. She would come around when she was ready.
Emma had a great idea, "Remember that play we wanted to see at the Old Globe?"
Melody's mood changed, she looked at her mom and nodded.
"Rachel knows the stage manager and he owes her. So maybe I could give her a call and she could get us tickets for tonight."
"You're not busy with him?"
"No, not busy with him." she imitated her and emphasized the HIM. "I doubt HE would even be interested in something like this." She managed to get Melody to smile. Melody tried picturing her mom and Stanley at a play. And didn't see it. In the back of her mind she wondered what they had in common. What could they possibly enjoy doing together. Her mom and her loved plays and musicals and movies. She would never allow her mom to share that with anyone else. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn't care. Even when her dad was around, there had been a closeness between them, things they did together and shared together, that were special. No one could step into that place. No one.
Melody gave her mom a hug, which surprised Emma. She wasn't much for showing affection, so when she did it took her mom by surprise. "Can we have waffle Sundays again, like we used to? I can help."
Emma knew she was pulling out her comforts from the past. When was the last time they had waffle Sunday? Usually they were all up at different times and eating together on a weekend morning was out of the question. "I think that sounds like a good idea." Melody jumped out of bed. Her mood drastically changed. She grabbed her mom's hand.
Emma managed to get out of bed. Once again back to reality, fantasies would have to be put on hold for another day. She couldn't help but think of Stanley wonder what he was doing right now. Soon he would be picking up Holly, and they would probably do something special together. She had an image of them all together. Now that was a fantasy. Not likely to happen anywhere in the near future. But it was a nice thought.