Emma was woken by a strange sound, she slowly opened her eyes
and looked at the clock, it was nearly 4am. She could just make out the
sound of the rain outside. That had to have been it, she figured. The
rain. She then was aware of the movement by her side. It took her a
minute to remember Stanley was in her bed. She turned to face him, only to
find him tossing and turning. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, turning the
bedside light on. Stanley was muttering nonsense, sweating profusely and
the tossing and turning soon became intense thrashing about. Emma had
never witnessed anything like it. She thought at first he had a fever, but
she gently touched his forehead and he wasn't hot. He was having a
nightmare of some kind, and she knew she needed to wake him up. Cautiously
of course.
She leaned over him, gently shaking him, "Stanley, wake up."
There was a flicker in his eyes, but it didn't look good, his facial expressions tensed. His eyebrows creased, his teeth clenched. She stroked his face gently, "Stanley."
His eyes opened wide, as he sat up abruptly pushing Emma's hand off him, "Get off me." His expression scared her. She thought about what he had said about becoming violent. And she now didn't know what to expect from him. But something inside her told her he was still dreaming and had no idea where he was.
She moved closer to him and knowing she was no match for him in strength didn't hold her back. She placed both hands on his shoulders and faced him, "Stanley, it's Emma. You're having a bad dream."
The angry expression in his eyes began to change. He shook his head and then looked straight at Emma, "Emma?" he seemed distant, confused. His hand went to his brow and he felt the sweat pouring off it.
"A bad dream?" He took a deep breath. His heart beating incredibly fast.He laid back on the pillow. "That was some dream." And it had been. The nightmares were back. After 10 months of being free of them, they were back. And to Stanley that meant only one thing. It was an omen. Something bad was going to happen. What he wasn't sure of, but he had a bad feeling.
Emma looked down at him concerned, "You scared me, the look in your eyes. Do you remember any of it?"
He didn't want to concern Emma, so he tried to make light of it, "Oh, you know one of those dreams where someone chases you to the edge of a cliff....pretty frightening stuff." He tried to laugh.
But Emma saw something lying beneath the surface. He reached up to her, stroking her cheek, smiling, "It was a dream, Emma....that's all. Probably caused by the bump on my head ." He reached for the water glass by the side of the bed, taking a sip. She was still staring at him. She could still see the image of him sitting up, that look in his eyes, the anger.
He took her in his arms, and held her, "This has really freaked you out hasn't it?"
She nodded. "I know it seems silly, but you lashed out at me, Stanley. You looked so angry."
He stroked her hair, "I'm sorry I scared you." He kissed the top of her head, "But it's over now." Did he really believe this, or was he just saying in hopes it was the truth. He had been fighting it this the last week. Ever since his run in with Roberts. The thought of Ginger and Gabriel coming back into his life had triggered the anxiety, the nightmares. God, he hated this. He just wanted to get on with his life.
Emma looked up at him seeing the anxiety, he seemed to be lying for her benefit. But he noticed her gaze of concern. At this time in the morning his mind was not as sharp as it could be, but he wanted to change the subject. He was surprised at what came out of his mouth next, "Call in sick tomorrow."
"What?" She was surprised by his remark, it was obvious he was changing the subject.
"We could stay in bed all day. No interruptions from kids....what do you say? I need someone to look after me, Emma." He gave her a wicked smile, lowering his eyebrows.
"I think you're crazy.... And I really can't..." boy, it did sound nice. She couldn't believe she was hesitating wanting to say 'sounds great'. "No, it's out of the question." His hands stroked her arms, she felt tingles going through her. He knew he was getting to her, the concern was diminishing quickly. He leaned in towards her kissing her tenderly. She tried to resist him, "I know what you're doing, Stanley."
He managed to speak between kisses, " I"m kissing you, that's pretty obvious. And you're trying to resist me. Which I think is pretty ridiculous."
"Really? Why do you say that?"
"Because you can't resist me." He teased
"We'll see about that." She pulled away from him and rolled over on her side away from him. "I need to get some sleep, and you should do the same."
He sighed, the thought of closing his eyes again, really didn't sound very appealing at this point in time. He rolled onto his side and put his arms around her. His hands gently caressing her abdomen, her Tshirt rising up. It was pretty apparent where they were heading. She placed her hands over his, causing him to stop the motion. She knew if she let him continue she would give in and it wasn't a good idea for either of them. She stroked the back of his hand.
Stanley let out a deep sigh, "Fine. I'll sleep, but I just want you to know that I feel totally rejected. "
She couldn't help but smile, "Rejected?"
"Have I lost my touch, Emma? Are you getting bored with me?"
"Never bored. And the touch....you're right I can't resist you. That's why you need to stop. I need to sleep. I can't miss work, not tomorrow."
"What if I black out again?" He was also thinking of the nightmares, with Emma around he knew that she could take his mind off them. She turned towards him. And for a brief moment she saw the anxiety resurface in his face. She was well aware he was still concerned about the nightmares, whatever they were...they weren't just going away.
He noticed her intent stare, and then managed a smile. Not wanting to draw concern back to what had just transpired only a few minutes earlier. He now had that look of triumph written across his face, thinking he had won her over, "You'll call in sick?"
She stroked his face, and then brought his head down to lay on her shoulder. Her hair tickled his nose slightly, he smiled and sighed as the fingers of her left hand gently ran through his hair. She kissed the top of his head, reassuring him, "The nightmares aren't coming back tonight, Stanley. Not with me holding you."
Stanley snuggled up to her, as her other hand wrapped around his back. Her arms encircling him comforted him. She was right. He felt at peace that moment, her stroking his hair, his back. But he wondered about tomorrow night and the one after that. When they invaded his sleep once again and she wasn't there to make it right. He was tired, and quickly brushed those thoughts away for the time being. Letting Emma's touch gently sooth him back into a peaceful sleep.
Emma was awake by 5:30, Stanley still cuddled up next to her in the crook of her arm. She smiled at the sight of his immense masculine body sleeping in a position she hadn't seen since her children were toddlers. It was incredibly endearing. A faint smile appeared on his lips. A good sign. There had been no more rumblings of bad dreams.
She wanted desperately to touch him. His arms, his cheek, his thigh...what the hell was she thinking. She needed to get to work. She needed to extinguish those thoughts right away. She slowly rolled away from him, not to disturb him and got out of bed heading for the bathroom, she stopped at the doorway and stood for a few seconds watching his sleeping figure. She hugged herself gently smiling. Could anything get better than this? This incredible man sharing her bed, this man who loved her and her kids. She closed her eyes and sighed. Part of her couldn't believe it was real. But when she opened her eyes again, he was still there. Incredibly satisfied she retreated to the shower.
Stanley stirred rolling form his side to his stomach, something was missing. His head against the mattress he squinted his eyes and with his left hand reached out patting the bed space around him. He slowly opened his eyes, to find nothing there. Emma. Where was she? He slowly rolled to his back and that is when he noticed the sound of running water, coming from the bathroom.
He reached a hand up feeling the back of his head. The bump seemed smaller, and it wasn't hurting him like it had yesterday. He managed to slowly sit up rubbing his hand through his hair, when the urge to relieve himself hit.
Emma didn't hear him enter the bathroom, she tilted her head back rinsing the shampoo out of her hair, humming. Stanley lifted the toilet seat and smiled at her image through the frosted glass. Even at this ungodly hour she managed to send shivers down his spine.
As Emma opened her eyes wiping away the soap suds,she noticed she had company. It surprised her to begin with, "Stanley?"
"Yeah, it's me....were you expecting someone else?" She felt a little embarrassed. "Is is a common occurance that strange men use your toilet at this ungodly hour? You've been keeping things from me haven't you?" he teased.
"I woke you up. I'm sorry."
He couldn't take his eyes off her. He gave himself a shake and put the seat down. Before she had any time to protest, his shorts were on the floor and the shower door had been opened.
Emma drew her arms up covering her breasts as he stepped in, next to her. Without hesitation he picked up the bar of soap, "I'll do your back." He smiled, "Turn around."
She was slow to react to begin with, but then managed to turn. Lathering his hands with the soap, he set it back down on the ledge, then slowly and sensually his hands caressed her back. Emma closed her eyes, and let out a deep breath. Feeling slightly awkward she tried to make conversation.
"You're obviously feeling better."
A hand reached down to her thigh slowly, continuing up to her bottom, Emma let out a gasp as he reached between her legs , "Much better." Emma moved forward only to find herself up against the frosted glass door, Stanley pressing in closer to her, his hands moving up and down her sides, her hands immediately braced against the door, while Stanley continued his intense stroking.
Emma felt weak to her knees, ready to collapse as his hands reached around her lathering her breasts. She called out his name, breathing heavily. She could now feel his excitement pressed against her, which only caused the rush she was feeling inside to intensify.
He turned her towards him, smiling, enjoying the reaction he created in her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her hard and passionately, she responded to him with fervor.
Rachel was picking up Emma that morning. They had a meeting discussing budget cuts and it was mandatory they were there. Normally they would go to work separately, but Rachel was dying to show off her new black Toyota Avalon When she turned into Emma's street she was surprised to see Stanley's suburban parked out front. It was just after 6, this only meant one thing to Rachel. Emma had company. Rachel was anxious now to get the scoop.
Melody opened the door, "Rachel? What are you doing here?"
"I'm picking up your mom." She walked past Melody and into the kitchen where Holly was having a bowl of cheerios. This was getting more interesting. Holly smiled at her, then Rachel turned back to Melody, "So where is she? We have a meeting in a half hour."
"I think in the shower." Melody sat back down at the table and continued eating.
There was no sign of Kyle, "And your brother?"
"In bed probably still. Mom usually has to drag him out of bed. His alarm doesn't even wake him up, but it wakes me up."
Rachel looked at the clock. Kyle was going to be late. She headed towards his room, and could hear music blaring from the clock radio. How could he sleep through that. Swinging the door open she found him sprawled in his boxers shorts and a tshirt across his bed. No intentions of waking.
She went to the bed and shook him, "Kyle, get up. You're going to be late for school." He mumbled and moaned. And slowly opened his eyes, focusing on Rachel.
"What are you doing here?"
"just be thankful I am." She thought about Emma. "Just get up." She threw him a pair of jeans.
"But I need a shower, and I can hear the water running....must be mom. I'll just lay here to she gets out." He flopped back on the bed.
"No, you don't. You are getting up now." She managed to pull him up, "I'll take care of your mom."
Kyle sat up and rubbed his eyes and focused on the clock, "Shit...sorry, Rachel... I'm going to be late for school. Why didn't you say something." Rachel rolled her eyes and headed out in the hall while he pulled on his pants.
She headed down the hall to the master bedroom, slowly opening the door. The queen size bed was empty. But it was obvious it had been slept in by two people. And she saw Stanley's clothes thrown on a chair in the corner. Rachel shook her head and smiled. She heard the sound of running water from the bathroom, and that wasn't all she heard. Emma's voice gasping his name. My god, what were they doing in there? Sweet Emma....she seemed to be getting all the action lately.
There was no time, Rachel had to get her out of the shower, She pounded on the door, "Okay, you two...times up....you'll have to finish this little escapade at some other time, because if we aren't in that meeting in a half hour...both of our jobs will be on the line." She shouted.
Oblivious to the world around them, the excitement flowing over both of them, Stanley was barely able to contain himself, as Emma reacted to his caressing, his kissing. One hand on the back of her head, as he couldn't pull his lips away from hers, his other hand exploring the wetness between her legs, as she moaned and sighed, calling out his name between kisses.
The pounding on the door, startled Emma, but didn't phase Stanley in the slightest. He was to far gone, to allow anyone to interrupt this pleasure he was experiencing. He felt incredibly selfish, not wanting to share her with anyone. So Emma's sudden stiffening, then both of her hands against his chest pushing him away, did not sit well with him whatsoever, "OH, my god...it's Rachel...I have a meeting...I totally forgot." She managed to pull away from his hold, but he didn't make it easy.
She quickly opened the shower door and stepped out, grabbing a towel, before Stanley could stop her. It happened so fast. Stanley stood there bewildered. He was dissapointed, Emma had a hard time meeting his eyes, "You're just going to leave me like this?" Stanley motioned with his hands, pointing out the hard on which she had been responsible for.
Emma followed his gaze, and tried stifling a giggle, She knew it wasn't funny, but it was a sight to behold, "I'm sorry, Stanley."
"Sorry? That's all you can say?" his frustration apparent.
"I'm sure you can take care of it yourself." Another giggle escaped.
"I'm sure I can, but it's not what I had in mind." She leaned into the door, kissing him, smiling, hoping he could find the humor. He managed a smile, "You would find this funny. And if you think I'm just going to let it slide, you're mistaken."
He started to pull her back in, and she resisted, "Stanley, I can't. Really."
"I won't forget this." He let her go, and waved a finger at her.
"I don't want you to."
There was another bang on the door, "Emma, get your ass out here now. Stanley, let her go of her. I don't think either one of you want me to come in there. Because I will, if I have to."
"I better go." She started to dry off quickly and put her robe on, looking back at Stanley still standing helplessly in the shower alone. She reached out and touched his cheek. "Will you think about me all day?"
"You are a cock tease, you know that? So that's the plan, you like the idea of me sitting in the shop, thinking about you and getting a hard on.?"
She smiled and nodded. "I'll come by after school."
"And?"
"Well, we might be able to work out something....." on that note she headed out the door nearly running into Rachel on the other side. Emma dodged her gaze, heading over to her dresser for clean underwear.
Rachel followed her, "So this is a first....late for school cause you were messing around with your lover....and to top that off you forgot about your son..I had to practically scrape him off the bed. I am amazed he can sleep through that racket on the radio."
She covered her mouth, "Oh, no, Kyle, he's going to be late."
"No, he's up. I took it upon myself to do the motherly duty you were neglecting.. How could you, Emma?" she smiled as she looked towards the bathroom door.
Emma pushed her out of the room, "I'll just be a sec. Make sure Kyle & the girls are okay."
"They're just fine...it's their mom and dad I'm concerned about. Acting like a couple of teenagers. This is not the Emma I knew at the beginning of the school year."
Emma started to blush, "Stop making it sound like such a big deal. It wasn't."
Rachel started imitating her, "Oh,Stanley...oh, that feels so good."
Emma gave her one more push out the door, and closed it on her. She was never going to hear the end of this one.
Kyle was heading for the front door, as she stepped out of Emma's room, "Is mom okay?"
Rachel tried to suppress her smile, "She's fine. Oh, just fine....don't need to worry about anything there."
Kyle gave her an odd look, "and Stanley...he wasn't doing to good yesterday, has a nasty bump on his head."
"Oh, I would say Stanley is in top form today." He was still eying her, "You better run."
Kyle headed out the door as Rachel joined the girls in the kitchen.
Emma got dressed and ran a comb through her hair, standing in front of her mirror putting on makeup, she heard the water being turned off and then the bathroom door slowly opened up behind her, Stanley' stood in his shorts, he caught her glance and then grabbed his clothes on the chair.
Emma turned around, she saw Stanley's dissapointment. She too,felt it. She went over to him, about to hug him. He put his hand out holding her back, "don't come near me. I"ve just spent the last few minutes trying to get you out of my system." He was trying to look serious.
Emma couldn't help but smile, his frustratation evident, "I love you."
"I know...." that intent gaze penetrating through her again, "I can't go on like this much longer Emma."
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. I want to be with you all the time." Emma stood very still looking at him in disbelief.
"Really?"
"All the time..." Why he couldn't say anymore was beyond him. The last 24 hours had been the best he'd had in a long time. The silence was broken by the bedroom door being flung open. They both looked a bit startled as Melody popped into the room, at first not seeing Stanley.
"Rachel said you have to go to a meeting, so how am I going to get to school?" She then realized Stanley was standing there half naked in his shorts, Melody covered her mouth, "Ooops." She started to back out and Stanley smiled.
"It's okay," He took his clothes into the bathroom, smiling at Emma as he shut the door.
Emma was in a daze. Reflecting on Stanley's last comment. Rachel and Holly were now standing in the doorway. Emma was unaware of her distant glazed expression. And they were all staring at her.
"Are you okay, Mom?" Melody asked.
"I'm great, but if I don't get a move on, I may not have a job and that's not a good thing." She escorted them all out the into the kitchen. Holly handed her her lunchbox.
"We made you lunch." Emma smiled at her, and leaned over kissing her cheek.
"That was sweet." Stanley walked in, looking a little rough around the edges, Rachel watched the glance that was exchanged between the two of them. He smiled at Emma's affection towards his daughter. He walked over to both of them, and while leaning down to kiss Holly, he gave Emma a pat on the behind. Rachel couldn't believe how they had all jelled together so nicely.
"You need to go. I'll take Melody to school." He looked at Melody to make sure that was okay, and she smiled.
"You have to pull up at the front. Don't drop me off the corner." Stanley looked a little confused by this comment, and looked at Emma confused..
Emma smiled and whispered in his ear, "She wants her friends to see you."
Stanley found this rather an interesting development from her. And smiled. "Oh, I see." Rachel was eying him, and he found it a big awkward, as a huge smiled appeared on her face. He looked over at the counter...the coffee pot empty. And sighed, god, he needed a cup of coffee. He refocused on Emma, the way she looked at him. Well, maybe he could do without the coffee for once.
Melody heard her mom's comment and shook her head, "Mom, that 's not true. It's raining. That's why." Rachel grabbed Emma's arm. At this rate they were never going to get out of here.
"Everything is under control here, Em. Stanley can take care of the girls. Let's go." Before being dragged out to the car, Stanley took her in his arms and kissed her. Not just a little peck but a full on kiss. Melody rolled her eyes, Rachel pulled on her arm to break them up.
"Do you want to lose your job, Em? "
"Of course not." She reluctantly pulled away from him, her eyes never left him as she headed out the door.
Emma was quiet at first in the car. Rachel was all questions and Emma's only thoughts were on Stanley's last words in the bedroom...he wanted to be with her all the time.
"Okay, So he's sleeping over, your kids think he's wonderful....Holly thinks you're wonderful. So what's going on, Emma? It's not about the sex anymore obviously."
This got her a little worked up, Rachel's main intentions. "It was never just about sex. How could you say that?"
"So what's it about? Has he asked you to marry him? To move in with him? What?"
"He hasn't asked me anything. We just like being together."
"Well, that is apparent. My god, the two of you can't keep your eyes off each other. And I thought you were cooling it til after school lets out. You don't want Meg to have any more fuel to add to the fire. These budget cuts are serious. I've heard talk about letting some teachers go. You would be first on the list. You know that right?"
"What are you saying? You were all for me being with Stanley. Now you want me to back off?"
"I want you to be careful. Nancy called me last night. She said Meg has been talking."
Emma started to smile, "She is quick."
"Why are you smiling? Do you know what this is about?"
"Stanley told me about Meg coming on to him the other night."
"That's not Meg's story."
"What?"
"She is thinking about pressing charges against him. She told Nancy He took advantage of her."
"that is crazy. That isn't what happened. Who else has she told?"
"She is trying to stir things up, Emma. I doubt she will go through with it. But she isn't just going to let it go. She wants you out of the school. And I am sure she wants Stan to suffer, since she didn't get her way."
"Nancy said that?"
Rachel nodded. "It's crap, I know that. But you know what she's like, Emma. She doesn't let things go. People just want her shut up so they give in to her."
"It won't happen. I'm a good teacher."
"You're a great teacher. But you're having an affair with a parent, Emma. The board wants squeaky clean. You're not squeaky clean anymore. "
Emma was surprised that she wasn't extremely worried. She knew that there were a lot of things against her but lately, she wondered if Madison Elementary school was where she belonged. She smiled, "I kind of like not being squeaky clean." She looked over at Rachel.
Rachel was shocked by her friends' new found confidence. "Whatever Stanley is doing to you....I want some of it. Maybe he could give Josh a few pointers."
"Oh, come on, Rachel, Josh is incredibly sexy."
"He might be...but this spark that you and Stanley have...my, god....it's so incredibly erotic."
Emma blushed, "Stop it."
"Watching you together makes me want to phone Josh right now, and talk dirty to him...even better rent one of those hotel rooms by the hour...on my lunch break. That would be a hoot. So do you think Josh would go for it?"
They both laughed. Then Emma looked out the window, thinking about Stanley. All the joking aside. She wanted desperately to be with him...all the time. And wondered if it would ever really be.
* * * * * * *
Stanley pulled up in front of Melody's middle school and was surprised at the number of kids who were gawking as Melody stepped out of the car. She turned to him before she got out, "Stanley."
"Yeah."
She hesitated slightly, looking down at her feet and then back up at him, "I just wanted to say I've been kind of hard on you, and I'm sorry."
He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't be sorry. It's not easy having someone new come into your life. I know you've wanted to protect your mom."
"You're good for my mom. I think you're good for all of us." A couple of girls came up to the car, and Melody gave him and Holly a wave, "Thanks for the ride, Stanley."
"Anytime. Have a good day." As she walked off with her friends, she smiled back at him. Her friends bugging her about the mysterious good looking man bringing her to school. Enjoying the attention but much more enjoying the possibility of him becoming more prominent in her life. She was starting to like the idea.
Stanley pulled out of the parking lot in good spirits. Having Melody's approval was a major step. Heading for the freeway, Holly was babbling about last nights events, staying at Emma's.. Stanley was listening, but he trying to focus on the road. The freeway was busy and he wasn't used to this drive from La Mesa out to the beach in rush hour traffic.
Stuck in traffic in Mission Valley, Holly was still rambling on. Stan thinking about Emma and the morning in the shower, smiling to himself, he briefly looked out the window and two lanes over was a silver Mercedes convertible. He didn't really think anything of it, except that it was a nice looking car. Sometimes he had that boyish impulse to go out and purchase something fun to drive. But for now he was being the practical Dad, with the family car.
The traffic let up a bit and Stanley took the beach exit, when he looked into his rear view mirror, the silver Mercedes was behind him. And he could make out the driver. A woman...long dark hair with sunglasses. He thought about Brent's description of the woman in the shop, and took a double take. As he turned right onto Mission Blvd. She had pulled up along side of him, he quickly glanced at her and she put her foot on the accelerator and sped up. He wasn't imagining this. The woman....the resemblance to Ginger was uncanny. But the car had raced down the street.
He had an urge to follow it but Holly interrupted his thought process, "Dad, you're going to school." She tugged on his shirt, "I don't have any of my things. I need to go home first." He had forgotten. Right. He rubbed his forehead and looked over at Holly.
"Sorry about that, habit I guess." She noticed a strange look in his eyes. He was forcing a smile. He then turned and headed for the house. The feeling of dread resurfacing. He shook his head. It had to be a mistake. It just didn't make any sense.
But it wasn't the end of the sightings. All week, he had seen the Mercedes. It was parked at school one afternoon, at the grocery store. And when he and Emma came out of the father/daughter dance meeting....he could have sworn that it was parked across the street.
He became agitated at work, He couldn't concentrate.. the nightmares were back with a vengeance. Now all mixed up with images of searching down darken hallways for Emma and Holly. Hearing Emma crying out his name. Hostages exploding, Gabriel's voice repeating 'too bad you gotta die' rang through his ears. Walking over to Melissa's dead body and turning it over to see her face, but the face was Emma's. The house was Emma's. In the dream he can remember turning and finding Melody and Kyle's bodies lying dead on the floor. These images clouded his mind. And they always ended the same with Gabriel's smiling face glaring at him and saying, 'Just fucking with you, Stan."
Just when things should have been going so well. The renovation on the house was going well. Things were going so well with Emma..her kids were now accepting of him. Holly was overjoyed to finally have some kind of balance in her life. .he still couldn't shake the feelings he was having about the nightmares that were reoccurring. He felt on edge all the time. And it was beginning to effect his work. It took him longer to complete a job, he snapped more often at Brent and Kyle.
That Friday his sleepless nights and the these sightings began to take their toll. screeching the Suburban into the parking lot, slamming the door and cursing his way towards the shop only made Brent all the more apprehensive. He had pulled up right before him and was witness to the display.
Stanley couldn't even get the key to turn, "Fuck this lock. Brent, I thought I told you to get someone out here and fix this damn thing. It's been sticking for months."
Brent sided up to him turned the key with ease, and Stan took a deep breath furrowed his brow at him and pushed the door open heading towards the alarm. The thing kept beeping and he once again began cursing, Brent took over.
"Stan, you need a coffee. Do you want me to go get you one?" He said as he turned the alarm off. Stan had already headed towards the back room and Brent realized he hadn't even heard what he said. Brent shrugged his shoulder. It was going to be a fun day, he could see that already.
Stan didn't turn the lights on, but sat in the dark at his desk. He picked up the photograph of Holly sitting in front of him, and then picked up the phone dialing Emma's classroom number.
"Emma, I know you're busy."
"Stanley, never to busy for you." She could hear the agitation in his voice. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know. I just want to make sure you keep an eye on Holly all day. And make sure Melody isn't alone today. Get a neighbor to check in on her when she gets home." She heard a sigh on the other end.
"What's this all about? Stanley, you're scaring me."
That is something he didn't want to do, "It's called being a paranoid dad, I guess. That news this morning about that little girl that's missing. It freaked me out."
This was more than the little girl found missing. "Of course I'll keep an eye on Holly. You have nothing to worry about. And Melody is going over to a friends after school."
"Good."
Brent walked into the backroom, finding Stan sitting in the dark talking about that missing girl, was kind of creepy. Stanley turned and saw Brent glaring at him, "I've got to run, Em." He paused, "Just be extra careful today, okay."
"I will." she wasn't sure what he meant, "I'll bring Holly to the shop after school."
"That would be great. I think one of her friends is coming over" He felt so unorganized and couldn't remember who.
"Ariel, maybe?"
"That sounds right." Emma was a bit worried. Something was going on with him. "I love you, Em." He managed to say with a smile.
Her students had just started filing into the class, so she couldn't return the sentiments. "After school. I'll be there."
He then hung up. Brent went and turned on the lights, "What the hell is going on with you, Stan? You obviously aren't getting any sleep, and I thought last week was bad, you were a crotchety bastard then, but this is ten times worse."
Stanley wasn't listening, he skimmed through the notes left on his desk of things that needed to be done. But his mind elsewhere. He looked up at Brent.
"That woman."
"What woman?" Brent had no idea what he was talking about.
"The woman from last week, has she been back? When I've been out?"
"OH, that woman, the hot one with the Mercedes. Speaking of, I saw that car parked over at Grindz the past couple mornings."
"You too? You mean I'm not imagining it?"
"You've been seeing her car around?"
"Everywhere. It's like she's following me." Brent had never seen Stanley so worried.
"So what's the big deal. She's probably staying in town. It's a coincidence."
"If she was so anxious to speak to me, why hasn't she been back in? Answer that one."
Brent was speechless. "Don't know. If you've seen her car, why haven't you tried to hunt her down? Because Emma will have a coronary if she finds out? Is this why you have been such a bastard lately? Did you cheat on Emma? You have haven't you? Up in L.A., right? Didn't think she'd come back and throw it in your face. Stanley, you aren't to smart where the women are concerned are you."
Stanley stood up in frustration, rolling his eyes at Brent's little scenario and started pacing the floor, "No, I haven't cheated on Emma."
The shop bell rung and startled him, "Man, you are jumpy. You need to calm down, Stanley."
Brent headed out onto the floor. Stanley pounded his fist against the wall, he didn't like this cat and mouse game. And it was going to stop. The next time he saw the car he was going to be prepared. His reflexes were quick. She wouldn't get away next time. If she was here, he needed to know why. He couldn't go on like this.
* * * * * * * *
Gail sat in the airport lounge waiting for her flight to be called, when her cell phone rang.
"Can't wait til you're back in town, baby. I've missed you."
She was not happy with this situation at all. "Jake, next time, let's not panic when there's a computer oversight.. In fact, maybe it's just Tim, he's been staring at the screen so long, his vision is probably impaired."
There was a slight chuckle on the other end, then she continued, "This has been such a waste for me." She thought about the nights sitting her car, keeping an eye on Stanley, the other day his look as she passed him. She was positive he had recognized her. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him and Holly grief again. The guy had been through enough.
"I am sure you got a little thrill seeing Stan again. Still looking good, Gail?"
Avoiding his question she lied, "They just called my flight, I'll see you a few hours, Jake." She hung up and looked at the phone contemplating her next move. She couldn't just leave it like this. She dialed the Computer Man's number.
Brent picked up on the first ring. "The Computer Man, Brent speaking. Can I help you?"
"Brent...you probably don't remember me. I was in your shop last weekend, looking for your boss."
Brent couldn't believe it, the mystery woman. He knew Stan was in the back with headphones on working on a computer. "Of course I remember you...the lady with the hot..." he wanted to say legs, but changed his mind, "car."
She chuckled, "That's right."
"My boss is here. I'll go get him."
"No, no, don't do that. You know, this may sound crazy, but i got it all wrong." She nervously chuckled, "Wrong Stanley. Do you believe it? I never would have thought there were two Stanley Jobson's. I am sure it's not a common name. But there are two. Isn't that bizarre?"
"yeah, bizzare."
"Well, I found mine. He owed me some money, and it appears he's now in Vegas living the life of a high roller, so that's where I'm headed. Thinking he could just leave me, take my money and I wouldn't find him. Well, he is not so lucky." She deliberately was playing it up for Brent. "I just didn't want your boss having any grief trying to figure out who this mystery Gail was."
Brent was surprised she had it so right. He was quiet. Trying to put together this story he was being told. 2 Stanley Jobsons, hers owed her money...when she broke the silence.
"I would have liked to have met your Stanley, Brent. I'm sure he's not the bastard mine is. Probably knows how to treat a woman right." The bell of the shop rang and Emma waltzed in with Holly and Ariel. Brent looked up with a surprise look on his face. She smiled and gave him a slight wave as she headed towards the backroom.
"Anyhow, Brent. It was nice meeting you. Sorry if I troubled you in anyway."
"No trouble." The phone went dead and Brent stood in disbelief.
Holly threw her backpack down on the desk and headed over to her dad, she put her hands over his eyes, "Guess who?" she teased.
Stanley removed the headphones and swiveled his chair around to face her, a smile appeared on his face as he wrapped his arms around her. He looked over her shoulder to see Emma smiling sweetly at him, and Holly's friend Ariel looking around the room.
Holly looked at the computer on the worktop, "Dad, aren't you finished with that computer? That's the same one you were working on last night." Holly was right, he was having difficulties concentrating and nothing was coming easy to him at all.
He noticed Emma's look of concern, then looked back at Holly, "Hey, how about you and Ariel grabbing your dad a latte across the street." He pulled out a twenty dollar bill, "You want anything, Em?"
She shook her head. Brent came up behind her,"You're not going to ask me? I mean, since Emma doesn't want anything, I'll have hers. A Latte sounds perfect."
As Holly took the money from his hand he didn't let go, Holly looked into her dad's eyes. He had that worried look again. One she noticed a lot a year ago, right after all that happened. She didn't like it and she looked concerned. He managed a smile and whispered in her ear, "Treat you and Ariel to something. And be careful crossing the road...don't talk to anyone you don't know."
"Dad, I go over there all the time." she was a bit embarrassed especially in front of her friend.
"Sorry, of course you'll be careful." She and Ariel skipped out of the room. And Stanley held out his arms to Emma, who moved closer. When she was in reach he pulled her onto his lap, kissing her neck playfully. He whispered into her ear, "I've been thinking about you all day."
Stanley's shirt was loose, and Emma found it the perfect opportunity and slipped her hands up it and unto his bare chest. Stanley raised his eyebrows, and smiled sexily. But Emma didn't buy it. Something was bothering him.
"Hey, you two, can you refrain from the foreplay for a sec..."
Stanley gave him an evil look, "Is that display done, Brent?"
"I think this is more important than the display. The mystery woman was on the phone."
"Who is the mystery woman?" Emma looked from Stanley to Brent looking for an answer.
Boy, Brent had a big mouth. The last thing he wanted was Emma to start imagining things. "Brent...." he was not happy.
"Just listen to me, you weren't her Stanley Jobson."
"What is he talking about, Stanley?"
Before Stanley could say anything Brent continued, "You see this lady came in looking for Stanley Jobson. And well, she didn't leave a number or anything. Just a name...Gail." Emma looked at Stanley's expression. He was still eying Brent. "But Stanley didn't know a Gail. Well, she just called and seems she found her Stanley Jobson in Vegas. He left her high and dry taking all her money. So you weren't her Stanley. I'm sure Emma is relieved to hear that."
"I'm sure she is."
"So for a week you thought someone from your dark past was coming after you? Some mystery woman who you couldn't remember? It's all very intriguing" she smiled at him. His expression hardly changed. "I suppose this has something to do with your mood lately."
"Emma, it's not what you think." Stanley was still having a hard time believing that there were two Stanley Jobsons. What was this woman up to?
"I'm not thinking anything." She put her arms around him and kissed him tenderly, "Well, I am actually, but it has nothing to do with the mystery woman. I could care less about any mystery woman." Her hands stroked his back, sensually. Then turned to Brent, "Don't you have some display to take care of?"
"God, you two are disgusting. You need to get a room. This is a place of business you know."
Stanley lightened up, knowing Emma wasn't upset, maybe it was all a mistake and he was just being paranoid. "Business is what we plan to conduct here, it's all business, Brent. In fact, I was just thinking what a great asset Emma could be around here. My personal assistant. ." He then placed his hands in her hair and pulled her towards him, his mouth devouring hers. Brent rolled his eyes and started to head out to the floor.
"Right, you wouldn't get any work done. Those magical hands of yours would be on Emma, not flying over a computer keyboard. You really could use some self control, you know." Brent turned when he reached the door to the shop floor, "I'll give you plenty of warning when the kids get back. I wouldn't want them to have to witness this childish display. think bad about their teacher....I'm sure Holly is already used to your behavior by now, Stan."
Stanley still kissing Emma waved his hand at Brent, motioning for him to leave. Brent just smiled and went back on the floor. Glad to know this mystery woman thing was behind them and Stanley could get back to normal.
When Brent left, Emma pulled away from him and looked at him seriously, "I'm worried about you. You look like you haven't gotten any sleep in days." Her fingers brushed over his face, he closed his eyelids and sighed as her sensitive touch caused shivers down his spine.
When they slowly opened he managed to smile at her, "That's because I need you at my side, to sleep. I've gotten spoiled. I could stay at your house...it would be convenient. You and me and Holly carpooling every morning..."
"You know we can't do that."
"I don't see why not. I'm beginning to think you just want to torture me."
"torture you?"
"Yes, torture...." he teased, "You know what I'm talking about. Tempting me, coming around the shop..taking showers with me, lying naked beside me..pure torture." He began to kiss her. When she was with him everything seemed good. He felt he could get through the damn nightmares if she was there. He could get through anything. Why couldn't he just be honest with her? Everyday he didn't tell her about what was going on in his head, the worse it became. The harder it was to even think about telling her. He had never meant for it to get this way.
She saw the worry in his face still, wishing she could make it right. But it seemed obvious, he was working through some things that he wasn't ready to discuss with her. The mysterious woman did have her curious, she had to admit. His sleepless nights were not a good sign. Ever since his trip to LA. He had been sucessful in helping Holly and her nightmares and issues about her mom. But something had come back to haunt him, and he wasn't the same man he was a few short weeks ago. She wanted him to talk to her, but it was always the same. He avoided everything serious, joked it off, made light of it. Today was no different.
"I wish you would talk to me." She said in all seriousness.
"Emma, it's nothing. The last thing you need to worry about is me and my sleepless nights. It's being overworked, missing you...a mixture of things."
She couldn't take it anymore, she stood up, "I don't have time for this, Stanley. You won't let me help you. Something is wrong, and you won't talk to me." When was the last time she had shouted at him.
Without thinking he stood up, and he felt the anger in him building. The sleepless nights only were fuel to the flame, to cause his temper to get the best of him, "Maybe being a little more patient and understanding might help, instead of you shouting at me.." He stood up and walked to the other side of the room.
"I've been patient. And you are shutting me out."
"I don't need a lecture from you right now." He knew as soon as he had said it how his words would hurt her. "Thanks for dropping off Holly, I really need to get back to work."
Holly walked into the back room, she heard the sharpness in her Dad's voice. She was glad Ariel had stayed out on the shop floor, where Brent was showing her some cool game on one of the computers. She stared in disbelief. They were fighting. Stanley realized Holly was standing there and went to her taking the latte from her hand, "Just what I need, baby." He headed back over to the work table and didn't even say goodbye to Emma.
Emma stormed past Holly and through the shop, where Brent couldn't help but notice the anger in every step she took. But there was something else. Tears. Brent was sure she was crying. What the hell was Stan doing now? The best thing that could ever happen to him walking out in tears. Not good.
Holly continued to stare at her Dad. And he felt her eyes penetrating him . He turned around, "What is it?"
"You and Emma are fighing."
"That wasn't a fight."
"You used to yell at Mom like that." Holly could recall the yelling that went on between her parents as she was growing up, she hated it then and had been relieved when it stopped.
"I'm tired. That's all. I really need to get this damn thing finished." She was still glaring at him. He hated that she had heard him raise his voice. It was all so stupid. If he could just tell Emma the truth. And now he had upset Emma and Holly. He was doing wonderful this afternoon. He motioned for Holly to come over to him.When she did, he put his arm around her.
"Hey, I'll barbeque when we get home. And you can choose a movie, any movie. We'll have a father/daughter night." She knew he was changing the subject.
"I was hoping we'd go over to Emma's this weekend. I wanted to show Melody the drawing I was working on."
"Not this weekend."
"If you just told her, Dad, about everything...."
He had had enough, "Enough, Holly...I have way to much work to do."
"But, Dad..."
"Run along. I'm sure Brent can find something for you and Ariel to do, while I finish this up." He motioned for her to leave the room and then turned back around to finish up the computer. His hand went to his head. The throbbing intensified. All he could think about was Emma's face, the concern, and he had handled it so badly. He slammed his fist onto the table, then took a deep breath. He had to get a grip. He stared at the computer in front of him, refocused, clapped his hands and went to work on the keyboard. But all that lingered in his mind was how he was going to make this right. There was only one answer. He had to tell Emma, everything.
She leaned over him, gently shaking him, "Stanley, wake up."
There was a flicker in his eyes, but it didn't look good, his facial expressions tensed. His eyebrows creased, his teeth clenched. She stroked his face gently, "Stanley."
His eyes opened wide, as he sat up abruptly pushing Emma's hand off him, "Get off me." His expression scared her. She thought about what he had said about becoming violent. And she now didn't know what to expect from him. But something inside her told her he was still dreaming and had no idea where he was.
She moved closer to him and knowing she was no match for him in strength didn't hold her back. She placed both hands on his shoulders and faced him, "Stanley, it's Emma. You're having a bad dream."
The angry expression in his eyes began to change. He shook his head and then looked straight at Emma, "Emma?" he seemed distant, confused. His hand went to his brow and he felt the sweat pouring off it.
"A bad dream?" He took a deep breath. His heart beating incredibly fast.He laid back on the pillow. "That was some dream." And it had been. The nightmares were back. After 10 months of being free of them, they were back. And to Stanley that meant only one thing. It was an omen. Something bad was going to happen. What he wasn't sure of, but he had a bad feeling.
Emma looked down at him concerned, "You scared me, the look in your eyes. Do you remember any of it?"
He didn't want to concern Emma, so he tried to make light of it, "Oh, you know one of those dreams where someone chases you to the edge of a cliff....pretty frightening stuff." He tried to laugh.
But Emma saw something lying beneath the surface. He reached up to her, stroking her cheek, smiling, "It was a dream, Emma....that's all. Probably caused by the bump on my head ." He reached for the water glass by the side of the bed, taking a sip. She was still staring at him. She could still see the image of him sitting up, that look in his eyes, the anger.
He took her in his arms, and held her, "This has really freaked you out hasn't it?"
She nodded. "I know it seems silly, but you lashed out at me, Stanley. You looked so angry."
He stroked her hair, "I'm sorry I scared you." He kissed the top of her head, "But it's over now." Did he really believe this, or was he just saying in hopes it was the truth. He had been fighting it this the last week. Ever since his run in with Roberts. The thought of Ginger and Gabriel coming back into his life had triggered the anxiety, the nightmares. God, he hated this. He just wanted to get on with his life.
Emma looked up at him seeing the anxiety, he seemed to be lying for her benefit. But he noticed her gaze of concern. At this time in the morning his mind was not as sharp as it could be, but he wanted to change the subject. He was surprised at what came out of his mouth next, "Call in sick tomorrow."
"What?" She was surprised by his remark, it was obvious he was changing the subject.
"We could stay in bed all day. No interruptions from kids....what do you say? I need someone to look after me, Emma." He gave her a wicked smile, lowering his eyebrows.
"I think you're crazy.... And I really can't..." boy, it did sound nice. She couldn't believe she was hesitating wanting to say 'sounds great'. "No, it's out of the question." His hands stroked her arms, she felt tingles going through her. He knew he was getting to her, the concern was diminishing quickly. He leaned in towards her kissing her tenderly. She tried to resist him, "I know what you're doing, Stanley."
He managed to speak between kisses, " I"m kissing you, that's pretty obvious. And you're trying to resist me. Which I think is pretty ridiculous."
"Really? Why do you say that?"
"Because you can't resist me." He teased
"We'll see about that." She pulled away from him and rolled over on her side away from him. "I need to get some sleep, and you should do the same."
He sighed, the thought of closing his eyes again, really didn't sound very appealing at this point in time. He rolled onto his side and put his arms around her. His hands gently caressing her abdomen, her Tshirt rising up. It was pretty apparent where they were heading. She placed her hands over his, causing him to stop the motion. She knew if she let him continue she would give in and it wasn't a good idea for either of them. She stroked the back of his hand.
Stanley let out a deep sigh, "Fine. I'll sleep, but I just want you to know that I feel totally rejected. "
She couldn't help but smile, "Rejected?"
"Have I lost my touch, Emma? Are you getting bored with me?"
"Never bored. And the touch....you're right I can't resist you. That's why you need to stop. I need to sleep. I can't miss work, not tomorrow."
"What if I black out again?" He was also thinking of the nightmares, with Emma around he knew that she could take his mind off them. She turned towards him. And for a brief moment she saw the anxiety resurface in his face. She was well aware he was still concerned about the nightmares, whatever they were...they weren't just going away.
He noticed her intent stare, and then managed a smile. Not wanting to draw concern back to what had just transpired only a few minutes earlier. He now had that look of triumph written across his face, thinking he had won her over, "You'll call in sick?"
She stroked his face, and then brought his head down to lay on her shoulder. Her hair tickled his nose slightly, he smiled and sighed as the fingers of her left hand gently ran through his hair. She kissed the top of his head, reassuring him, "The nightmares aren't coming back tonight, Stanley. Not with me holding you."
Stanley snuggled up to her, as her other hand wrapped around his back. Her arms encircling him comforted him. She was right. He felt at peace that moment, her stroking his hair, his back. But he wondered about tomorrow night and the one after that. When they invaded his sleep once again and she wasn't there to make it right. He was tired, and quickly brushed those thoughts away for the time being. Letting Emma's touch gently sooth him back into a peaceful sleep.
Emma was awake by 5:30, Stanley still cuddled up next to her in the crook of her arm. She smiled at the sight of his immense masculine body sleeping in a position she hadn't seen since her children were toddlers. It was incredibly endearing. A faint smile appeared on his lips. A good sign. There had been no more rumblings of bad dreams.
She wanted desperately to touch him. His arms, his cheek, his thigh...what the hell was she thinking. She needed to get to work. She needed to extinguish those thoughts right away. She slowly rolled away from him, not to disturb him and got out of bed heading for the bathroom, she stopped at the doorway and stood for a few seconds watching his sleeping figure. She hugged herself gently smiling. Could anything get better than this? This incredible man sharing her bed, this man who loved her and her kids. She closed her eyes and sighed. Part of her couldn't believe it was real. But when she opened her eyes again, he was still there. Incredibly satisfied she retreated to the shower.
Stanley stirred rolling form his side to his stomach, something was missing. His head against the mattress he squinted his eyes and with his left hand reached out patting the bed space around him. He slowly opened his eyes, to find nothing there. Emma. Where was she? He slowly rolled to his back and that is when he noticed the sound of running water, coming from the bathroom.
He reached a hand up feeling the back of his head. The bump seemed smaller, and it wasn't hurting him like it had yesterday. He managed to slowly sit up rubbing his hand through his hair, when the urge to relieve himself hit.
Emma didn't hear him enter the bathroom, she tilted her head back rinsing the shampoo out of her hair, humming. Stanley lifted the toilet seat and smiled at her image through the frosted glass. Even at this ungodly hour she managed to send shivers down his spine.
As Emma opened her eyes wiping away the soap suds,she noticed she had company. It surprised her to begin with, "Stanley?"
"Yeah, it's me....were you expecting someone else?" She felt a little embarrassed. "Is is a common occurance that strange men use your toilet at this ungodly hour? You've been keeping things from me haven't you?" he teased.
"I woke you up. I'm sorry."
He couldn't take his eyes off her. He gave himself a shake and put the seat down. Before she had any time to protest, his shorts were on the floor and the shower door had been opened.
Emma drew her arms up covering her breasts as he stepped in, next to her. Without hesitation he picked up the bar of soap, "I'll do your back." He smiled, "Turn around."
She was slow to react to begin with, but then managed to turn. Lathering his hands with the soap, he set it back down on the ledge, then slowly and sensually his hands caressed her back. Emma closed her eyes, and let out a deep breath. Feeling slightly awkward she tried to make conversation.
"You're obviously feeling better."
A hand reached down to her thigh slowly, continuing up to her bottom, Emma let out a gasp as he reached between her legs , "Much better." Emma moved forward only to find herself up against the frosted glass door, Stanley pressing in closer to her, his hands moving up and down her sides, her hands immediately braced against the door, while Stanley continued his intense stroking.
Emma felt weak to her knees, ready to collapse as his hands reached around her lathering her breasts. She called out his name, breathing heavily. She could now feel his excitement pressed against her, which only caused the rush she was feeling inside to intensify.
He turned her towards him, smiling, enjoying the reaction he created in her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her hard and passionately, she responded to him with fervor.
Rachel was picking up Emma that morning. They had a meeting discussing budget cuts and it was mandatory they were there. Normally they would go to work separately, but Rachel was dying to show off her new black Toyota Avalon When she turned into Emma's street she was surprised to see Stanley's suburban parked out front. It was just after 6, this only meant one thing to Rachel. Emma had company. Rachel was anxious now to get the scoop.
Melody opened the door, "Rachel? What are you doing here?"
"I'm picking up your mom." She walked past Melody and into the kitchen where Holly was having a bowl of cheerios. This was getting more interesting. Holly smiled at her, then Rachel turned back to Melody, "So where is she? We have a meeting in a half hour."
"I think in the shower." Melody sat back down at the table and continued eating.
There was no sign of Kyle, "And your brother?"
"In bed probably still. Mom usually has to drag him out of bed. His alarm doesn't even wake him up, but it wakes me up."
Rachel looked at the clock. Kyle was going to be late. She headed towards his room, and could hear music blaring from the clock radio. How could he sleep through that. Swinging the door open she found him sprawled in his boxers shorts and a tshirt across his bed. No intentions of waking.
She went to the bed and shook him, "Kyle, get up. You're going to be late for school." He mumbled and moaned. And slowly opened his eyes, focusing on Rachel.
"What are you doing here?"
"just be thankful I am." She thought about Emma. "Just get up." She threw him a pair of jeans.
"But I need a shower, and I can hear the water running....must be mom. I'll just lay here to she gets out." He flopped back on the bed.
"No, you don't. You are getting up now." She managed to pull him up, "I'll take care of your mom."
Kyle sat up and rubbed his eyes and focused on the clock, "Shit...sorry, Rachel... I'm going to be late for school. Why didn't you say something." Rachel rolled her eyes and headed out in the hall while he pulled on his pants.
She headed down the hall to the master bedroom, slowly opening the door. The queen size bed was empty. But it was obvious it had been slept in by two people. And she saw Stanley's clothes thrown on a chair in the corner. Rachel shook her head and smiled. She heard the sound of running water from the bathroom, and that wasn't all she heard. Emma's voice gasping his name. My god, what were they doing in there? Sweet Emma....she seemed to be getting all the action lately.
There was no time, Rachel had to get her out of the shower, She pounded on the door, "Okay, you two...times up....you'll have to finish this little escapade at some other time, because if we aren't in that meeting in a half hour...both of our jobs will be on the line." She shouted.
Oblivious to the world around them, the excitement flowing over both of them, Stanley was barely able to contain himself, as Emma reacted to his caressing, his kissing. One hand on the back of her head, as he couldn't pull his lips away from hers, his other hand exploring the wetness between her legs, as she moaned and sighed, calling out his name between kisses.
The pounding on the door, startled Emma, but didn't phase Stanley in the slightest. He was to far gone, to allow anyone to interrupt this pleasure he was experiencing. He felt incredibly selfish, not wanting to share her with anyone. So Emma's sudden stiffening, then both of her hands against his chest pushing him away, did not sit well with him whatsoever, "OH, my god...it's Rachel...I have a meeting...I totally forgot." She managed to pull away from his hold, but he didn't make it easy.
She quickly opened the shower door and stepped out, grabbing a towel, before Stanley could stop her. It happened so fast. Stanley stood there bewildered. He was dissapointed, Emma had a hard time meeting his eyes, "You're just going to leave me like this?" Stanley motioned with his hands, pointing out the hard on which she had been responsible for.
Emma followed his gaze, and tried stifling a giggle, She knew it wasn't funny, but it was a sight to behold, "I'm sorry, Stanley."
"Sorry? That's all you can say?" his frustration apparent.
"I'm sure you can take care of it yourself." Another giggle escaped.
"I'm sure I can, but it's not what I had in mind." She leaned into the door, kissing him, smiling, hoping he could find the humor. He managed a smile, "You would find this funny. And if you think I'm just going to let it slide, you're mistaken."
He started to pull her back in, and she resisted, "Stanley, I can't. Really."
"I won't forget this." He let her go, and waved a finger at her.
"I don't want you to."
There was another bang on the door, "Emma, get your ass out here now. Stanley, let her go of her. I don't think either one of you want me to come in there. Because I will, if I have to."
"I better go." She started to dry off quickly and put her robe on, looking back at Stanley still standing helplessly in the shower alone. She reached out and touched his cheek. "Will you think about me all day?"
"You are a cock tease, you know that? So that's the plan, you like the idea of me sitting in the shop, thinking about you and getting a hard on.?"
She smiled and nodded. "I'll come by after school."
"And?"
"Well, we might be able to work out something....." on that note she headed out the door nearly running into Rachel on the other side. Emma dodged her gaze, heading over to her dresser for clean underwear.
Rachel followed her, "So this is a first....late for school cause you were messing around with your lover....and to top that off you forgot about your son..I had to practically scrape him off the bed. I am amazed he can sleep through that racket on the radio."
She covered her mouth, "Oh, no, Kyle, he's going to be late."
"No, he's up. I took it upon myself to do the motherly duty you were neglecting.. How could you, Emma?" she smiled as she looked towards the bathroom door.
Emma pushed her out of the room, "I'll just be a sec. Make sure Kyle & the girls are okay."
"They're just fine...it's their mom and dad I'm concerned about. Acting like a couple of teenagers. This is not the Emma I knew at the beginning of the school year."
Emma started to blush, "Stop making it sound like such a big deal. It wasn't."
Rachel started imitating her, "Oh,Stanley...oh, that feels so good."
Emma gave her one more push out the door, and closed it on her. She was never going to hear the end of this one.
Kyle was heading for the front door, as she stepped out of Emma's room, "Is mom okay?"
Rachel tried to suppress her smile, "She's fine. Oh, just fine....don't need to worry about anything there."
Kyle gave her an odd look, "and Stanley...he wasn't doing to good yesterday, has a nasty bump on his head."
"Oh, I would say Stanley is in top form today." He was still eying her, "You better run."
Kyle headed out the door as Rachel joined the girls in the kitchen.
Emma got dressed and ran a comb through her hair, standing in front of her mirror putting on makeup, she heard the water being turned off and then the bathroom door slowly opened up behind her, Stanley' stood in his shorts, he caught her glance and then grabbed his clothes on the chair.
Emma turned around, she saw Stanley's dissapointment. She too,felt it. She went over to him, about to hug him. He put his hand out holding her back, "don't come near me. I"ve just spent the last few minutes trying to get you out of my system." He was trying to look serious.
Emma couldn't help but smile, his frustratation evident, "I love you."
"I know...." that intent gaze penetrating through her again, "I can't go on like this much longer Emma."
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. I want to be with you all the time." Emma stood very still looking at him in disbelief.
"Really?"
"All the time..." Why he couldn't say anymore was beyond him. The last 24 hours had been the best he'd had in a long time. The silence was broken by the bedroom door being flung open. They both looked a bit startled as Melody popped into the room, at first not seeing Stanley.
"Rachel said you have to go to a meeting, so how am I going to get to school?" She then realized Stanley was standing there half naked in his shorts, Melody covered her mouth, "Ooops." She started to back out and Stanley smiled.
"It's okay," He took his clothes into the bathroom, smiling at Emma as he shut the door.
Emma was in a daze. Reflecting on Stanley's last comment. Rachel and Holly were now standing in the doorway. Emma was unaware of her distant glazed expression. And they were all staring at her.
"Are you okay, Mom?" Melody asked.
"I'm great, but if I don't get a move on, I may not have a job and that's not a good thing." She escorted them all out the into the kitchen. Holly handed her her lunchbox.
"We made you lunch." Emma smiled at her, and leaned over kissing her cheek.
"That was sweet." Stanley walked in, looking a little rough around the edges, Rachel watched the glance that was exchanged between the two of them. He smiled at Emma's affection towards his daughter. He walked over to both of them, and while leaning down to kiss Holly, he gave Emma a pat on the behind. Rachel couldn't believe how they had all jelled together so nicely.
"You need to go. I'll take Melody to school." He looked at Melody to make sure that was okay, and she smiled.
"You have to pull up at the front. Don't drop me off the corner." Stanley looked a little confused by this comment, and looked at Emma confused..
Emma smiled and whispered in his ear, "She wants her friends to see you."
Stanley found this rather an interesting development from her. And smiled. "Oh, I see." Rachel was eying him, and he found it a big awkward, as a huge smiled appeared on her face. He looked over at the counter...the coffee pot empty. And sighed, god, he needed a cup of coffee. He refocused on Emma, the way she looked at him. Well, maybe he could do without the coffee for once.
Melody heard her mom's comment and shook her head, "Mom, that 's not true. It's raining. That's why." Rachel grabbed Emma's arm. At this rate they were never going to get out of here.
"Everything is under control here, Em. Stanley can take care of the girls. Let's go." Before being dragged out to the car, Stanley took her in his arms and kissed her. Not just a little peck but a full on kiss. Melody rolled her eyes, Rachel pulled on her arm to break them up.
"Do you want to lose your job, Em? "
"Of course not." She reluctantly pulled away from him, her eyes never left him as she headed out the door.
Emma was quiet at first in the car. Rachel was all questions and Emma's only thoughts were on Stanley's last words in the bedroom...he wanted to be with her all the time.
"Okay, So he's sleeping over, your kids think he's wonderful....Holly thinks you're wonderful. So what's going on, Emma? It's not about the sex anymore obviously."
This got her a little worked up, Rachel's main intentions. "It was never just about sex. How could you say that?"
"So what's it about? Has he asked you to marry him? To move in with him? What?"
"He hasn't asked me anything. We just like being together."
"Well, that is apparent. My god, the two of you can't keep your eyes off each other. And I thought you were cooling it til after school lets out. You don't want Meg to have any more fuel to add to the fire. These budget cuts are serious. I've heard talk about letting some teachers go. You would be first on the list. You know that right?"
"What are you saying? You were all for me being with Stanley. Now you want me to back off?"
"I want you to be careful. Nancy called me last night. She said Meg has been talking."
Emma started to smile, "She is quick."
"Why are you smiling? Do you know what this is about?"
"Stanley told me about Meg coming on to him the other night."
"That's not Meg's story."
"What?"
"She is thinking about pressing charges against him. She told Nancy He took advantage of her."
"that is crazy. That isn't what happened. Who else has she told?"
"She is trying to stir things up, Emma. I doubt she will go through with it. But she isn't just going to let it go. She wants you out of the school. And I am sure she wants Stan to suffer, since she didn't get her way."
"Nancy said that?"
Rachel nodded. "It's crap, I know that. But you know what she's like, Emma. She doesn't let things go. People just want her shut up so they give in to her."
"It won't happen. I'm a good teacher."
"You're a great teacher. But you're having an affair with a parent, Emma. The board wants squeaky clean. You're not squeaky clean anymore. "
Emma was surprised that she wasn't extremely worried. She knew that there were a lot of things against her but lately, she wondered if Madison Elementary school was where she belonged. She smiled, "I kind of like not being squeaky clean." She looked over at Rachel.
Rachel was shocked by her friends' new found confidence. "Whatever Stanley is doing to you....I want some of it. Maybe he could give Josh a few pointers."
"Oh, come on, Rachel, Josh is incredibly sexy."
"He might be...but this spark that you and Stanley have...my, god....it's so incredibly erotic."
Emma blushed, "Stop it."
"Watching you together makes me want to phone Josh right now, and talk dirty to him...even better rent one of those hotel rooms by the hour...on my lunch break. That would be a hoot. So do you think Josh would go for it?"
They both laughed. Then Emma looked out the window, thinking about Stanley. All the joking aside. She wanted desperately to be with him...all the time. And wondered if it would ever really be.
* * * * * * *
Stanley pulled up in front of Melody's middle school and was surprised at the number of kids who were gawking as Melody stepped out of the car. She turned to him before she got out, "Stanley."
"Yeah."
She hesitated slightly, looking down at her feet and then back up at him, "I just wanted to say I've been kind of hard on you, and I'm sorry."
He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't be sorry. It's not easy having someone new come into your life. I know you've wanted to protect your mom."
"You're good for my mom. I think you're good for all of us." A couple of girls came up to the car, and Melody gave him and Holly a wave, "Thanks for the ride, Stanley."
"Anytime. Have a good day." As she walked off with her friends, she smiled back at him. Her friends bugging her about the mysterious good looking man bringing her to school. Enjoying the attention but much more enjoying the possibility of him becoming more prominent in her life. She was starting to like the idea.
Stanley pulled out of the parking lot in good spirits. Having Melody's approval was a major step. Heading for the freeway, Holly was babbling about last nights events, staying at Emma's.. Stanley was listening, but he trying to focus on the road. The freeway was busy and he wasn't used to this drive from La Mesa out to the beach in rush hour traffic.
Stuck in traffic in Mission Valley, Holly was still rambling on. Stan thinking about Emma and the morning in the shower, smiling to himself, he briefly looked out the window and two lanes over was a silver Mercedes convertible. He didn't really think anything of it, except that it was a nice looking car. Sometimes he had that boyish impulse to go out and purchase something fun to drive. But for now he was being the practical Dad, with the family car.
The traffic let up a bit and Stanley took the beach exit, when he looked into his rear view mirror, the silver Mercedes was behind him. And he could make out the driver. A woman...long dark hair with sunglasses. He thought about Brent's description of the woman in the shop, and took a double take. As he turned right onto Mission Blvd. She had pulled up along side of him, he quickly glanced at her and she put her foot on the accelerator and sped up. He wasn't imagining this. The woman....the resemblance to Ginger was uncanny. But the car had raced down the street.
He had an urge to follow it but Holly interrupted his thought process, "Dad, you're going to school." She tugged on his shirt, "I don't have any of my things. I need to go home first." He had forgotten. Right. He rubbed his forehead and looked over at Holly.
"Sorry about that, habit I guess." She noticed a strange look in his eyes. He was forcing a smile. He then turned and headed for the house. The feeling of dread resurfacing. He shook his head. It had to be a mistake. It just didn't make any sense.
But it wasn't the end of the sightings. All week, he had seen the Mercedes. It was parked at school one afternoon, at the grocery store. And when he and Emma came out of the father/daughter dance meeting....he could have sworn that it was parked across the street.
He became agitated at work, He couldn't concentrate.. the nightmares were back with a vengeance. Now all mixed up with images of searching down darken hallways for Emma and Holly. Hearing Emma crying out his name. Hostages exploding, Gabriel's voice repeating 'too bad you gotta die' rang through his ears. Walking over to Melissa's dead body and turning it over to see her face, but the face was Emma's. The house was Emma's. In the dream he can remember turning and finding Melody and Kyle's bodies lying dead on the floor. These images clouded his mind. And they always ended the same with Gabriel's smiling face glaring at him and saying, 'Just fucking with you, Stan."
Just when things should have been going so well. The renovation on the house was going well. Things were going so well with Emma..her kids were now accepting of him. Holly was overjoyed to finally have some kind of balance in her life. .he still couldn't shake the feelings he was having about the nightmares that were reoccurring. He felt on edge all the time. And it was beginning to effect his work. It took him longer to complete a job, he snapped more often at Brent and Kyle.
That Friday his sleepless nights and the these sightings began to take their toll. screeching the Suburban into the parking lot, slamming the door and cursing his way towards the shop only made Brent all the more apprehensive. He had pulled up right before him and was witness to the display.
Stanley couldn't even get the key to turn, "Fuck this lock. Brent, I thought I told you to get someone out here and fix this damn thing. It's been sticking for months."
Brent sided up to him turned the key with ease, and Stan took a deep breath furrowed his brow at him and pushed the door open heading towards the alarm. The thing kept beeping and he once again began cursing, Brent took over.
"Stan, you need a coffee. Do you want me to go get you one?" He said as he turned the alarm off. Stan had already headed towards the back room and Brent realized he hadn't even heard what he said. Brent shrugged his shoulder. It was going to be a fun day, he could see that already.
Stan didn't turn the lights on, but sat in the dark at his desk. He picked up the photograph of Holly sitting in front of him, and then picked up the phone dialing Emma's classroom number.
"Emma, I know you're busy."
"Stanley, never to busy for you." She could hear the agitation in his voice. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know. I just want to make sure you keep an eye on Holly all day. And make sure Melody isn't alone today. Get a neighbor to check in on her when she gets home." She heard a sigh on the other end.
"What's this all about? Stanley, you're scaring me."
That is something he didn't want to do, "It's called being a paranoid dad, I guess. That news this morning about that little girl that's missing. It freaked me out."
This was more than the little girl found missing. "Of course I'll keep an eye on Holly. You have nothing to worry about. And Melody is going over to a friends after school."
"Good."
Brent walked into the backroom, finding Stan sitting in the dark talking about that missing girl, was kind of creepy. Stanley turned and saw Brent glaring at him, "I've got to run, Em." He paused, "Just be extra careful today, okay."
"I will." she wasn't sure what he meant, "I'll bring Holly to the shop after school."
"That would be great. I think one of her friends is coming over" He felt so unorganized and couldn't remember who.
"Ariel, maybe?"
"That sounds right." Emma was a bit worried. Something was going on with him. "I love you, Em." He managed to say with a smile.
Her students had just started filing into the class, so she couldn't return the sentiments. "After school. I'll be there."
He then hung up. Brent went and turned on the lights, "What the hell is going on with you, Stan? You obviously aren't getting any sleep, and I thought last week was bad, you were a crotchety bastard then, but this is ten times worse."
Stanley wasn't listening, he skimmed through the notes left on his desk of things that needed to be done. But his mind elsewhere. He looked up at Brent.
"That woman."
"What woman?" Brent had no idea what he was talking about.
"The woman from last week, has she been back? When I've been out?"
"OH, that woman, the hot one with the Mercedes. Speaking of, I saw that car parked over at Grindz the past couple mornings."
"You too? You mean I'm not imagining it?"
"You've been seeing her car around?"
"Everywhere. It's like she's following me." Brent had never seen Stanley so worried.
"So what's the big deal. She's probably staying in town. It's a coincidence."
"If she was so anxious to speak to me, why hasn't she been back in? Answer that one."
Brent was speechless. "Don't know. If you've seen her car, why haven't you tried to hunt her down? Because Emma will have a coronary if she finds out? Is this why you have been such a bastard lately? Did you cheat on Emma? You have haven't you? Up in L.A., right? Didn't think she'd come back and throw it in your face. Stanley, you aren't to smart where the women are concerned are you."
Stanley stood up in frustration, rolling his eyes at Brent's little scenario and started pacing the floor, "No, I haven't cheated on Emma."
The shop bell rung and startled him, "Man, you are jumpy. You need to calm down, Stanley."
Brent headed out onto the floor. Stanley pounded his fist against the wall, he didn't like this cat and mouse game. And it was going to stop. The next time he saw the car he was going to be prepared. His reflexes were quick. She wouldn't get away next time. If she was here, he needed to know why. He couldn't go on like this.
* * * * * * * *
Gail sat in the airport lounge waiting for her flight to be called, when her cell phone rang.
"Can't wait til you're back in town, baby. I've missed you."
She was not happy with this situation at all. "Jake, next time, let's not panic when there's a computer oversight.. In fact, maybe it's just Tim, he's been staring at the screen so long, his vision is probably impaired."
There was a slight chuckle on the other end, then she continued, "This has been such a waste for me." She thought about the nights sitting her car, keeping an eye on Stanley, the other day his look as she passed him. She was positive he had recognized her. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him and Holly grief again. The guy had been through enough.
"I am sure you got a little thrill seeing Stan again. Still looking good, Gail?"
Avoiding his question she lied, "They just called my flight, I'll see you a few hours, Jake." She hung up and looked at the phone contemplating her next move. She couldn't just leave it like this. She dialed the Computer Man's number.
Brent picked up on the first ring. "The Computer Man, Brent speaking. Can I help you?"
"Brent...you probably don't remember me. I was in your shop last weekend, looking for your boss."
Brent couldn't believe it, the mystery woman. He knew Stan was in the back with headphones on working on a computer. "Of course I remember you...the lady with the hot..." he wanted to say legs, but changed his mind, "car."
She chuckled, "That's right."
"My boss is here. I'll go get him."
"No, no, don't do that. You know, this may sound crazy, but i got it all wrong." She nervously chuckled, "Wrong Stanley. Do you believe it? I never would have thought there were two Stanley Jobson's. I am sure it's not a common name. But there are two. Isn't that bizarre?"
"yeah, bizzare."
"Well, I found mine. He owed me some money, and it appears he's now in Vegas living the life of a high roller, so that's where I'm headed. Thinking he could just leave me, take my money and I wouldn't find him. Well, he is not so lucky." She deliberately was playing it up for Brent. "I just didn't want your boss having any grief trying to figure out who this mystery Gail was."
Brent was surprised she had it so right. He was quiet. Trying to put together this story he was being told. 2 Stanley Jobsons, hers owed her money...when she broke the silence.
"I would have liked to have met your Stanley, Brent. I'm sure he's not the bastard mine is. Probably knows how to treat a woman right." The bell of the shop rang and Emma waltzed in with Holly and Ariel. Brent looked up with a surprise look on his face. She smiled and gave him a slight wave as she headed towards the backroom.
"Anyhow, Brent. It was nice meeting you. Sorry if I troubled you in anyway."
"No trouble." The phone went dead and Brent stood in disbelief.
Holly threw her backpack down on the desk and headed over to her dad, she put her hands over his eyes, "Guess who?" she teased.
Stanley removed the headphones and swiveled his chair around to face her, a smile appeared on his face as he wrapped his arms around her. He looked over her shoulder to see Emma smiling sweetly at him, and Holly's friend Ariel looking around the room.
Holly looked at the computer on the worktop, "Dad, aren't you finished with that computer? That's the same one you were working on last night." Holly was right, he was having difficulties concentrating and nothing was coming easy to him at all.
He noticed Emma's look of concern, then looked back at Holly, "Hey, how about you and Ariel grabbing your dad a latte across the street." He pulled out a twenty dollar bill, "You want anything, Em?"
She shook her head. Brent came up behind her,"You're not going to ask me? I mean, since Emma doesn't want anything, I'll have hers. A Latte sounds perfect."
As Holly took the money from his hand he didn't let go, Holly looked into her dad's eyes. He had that worried look again. One she noticed a lot a year ago, right after all that happened. She didn't like it and she looked concerned. He managed a smile and whispered in her ear, "Treat you and Ariel to something. And be careful crossing the road...don't talk to anyone you don't know."
"Dad, I go over there all the time." she was a bit embarrassed especially in front of her friend.
"Sorry, of course you'll be careful." She and Ariel skipped out of the room. And Stanley held out his arms to Emma, who moved closer. When she was in reach he pulled her onto his lap, kissing her neck playfully. He whispered into her ear, "I've been thinking about you all day."
Stanley's shirt was loose, and Emma found it the perfect opportunity and slipped her hands up it and unto his bare chest. Stanley raised his eyebrows, and smiled sexily. But Emma didn't buy it. Something was bothering him.
"Hey, you two, can you refrain from the foreplay for a sec..."
Stanley gave him an evil look, "Is that display done, Brent?"
"I think this is more important than the display. The mystery woman was on the phone."
"Who is the mystery woman?" Emma looked from Stanley to Brent looking for an answer.
Boy, Brent had a big mouth. The last thing he wanted was Emma to start imagining things. "Brent...." he was not happy.
"Just listen to me, you weren't her Stanley Jobson."
"What is he talking about, Stanley?"
Before Stanley could say anything Brent continued, "You see this lady came in looking for Stanley Jobson. And well, she didn't leave a number or anything. Just a name...Gail." Emma looked at Stanley's expression. He was still eying Brent. "But Stanley didn't know a Gail. Well, she just called and seems she found her Stanley Jobson in Vegas. He left her high and dry taking all her money. So you weren't her Stanley. I'm sure Emma is relieved to hear that."
"I'm sure she is."
"So for a week you thought someone from your dark past was coming after you? Some mystery woman who you couldn't remember? It's all very intriguing" she smiled at him. His expression hardly changed. "I suppose this has something to do with your mood lately."
"Emma, it's not what you think." Stanley was still having a hard time believing that there were two Stanley Jobsons. What was this woman up to?
"I'm not thinking anything." She put her arms around him and kissed him tenderly, "Well, I am actually, but it has nothing to do with the mystery woman. I could care less about any mystery woman." Her hands stroked his back, sensually. Then turned to Brent, "Don't you have some display to take care of?"
"God, you two are disgusting. You need to get a room. This is a place of business you know."
Stanley lightened up, knowing Emma wasn't upset, maybe it was all a mistake and he was just being paranoid. "Business is what we plan to conduct here, it's all business, Brent. In fact, I was just thinking what a great asset Emma could be around here. My personal assistant. ." He then placed his hands in her hair and pulled her towards him, his mouth devouring hers. Brent rolled his eyes and started to head out to the floor.
"Right, you wouldn't get any work done. Those magical hands of yours would be on Emma, not flying over a computer keyboard. You really could use some self control, you know." Brent turned when he reached the door to the shop floor, "I'll give you plenty of warning when the kids get back. I wouldn't want them to have to witness this childish display. think bad about their teacher....I'm sure Holly is already used to your behavior by now, Stan."
Stanley still kissing Emma waved his hand at Brent, motioning for him to leave. Brent just smiled and went back on the floor. Glad to know this mystery woman thing was behind them and Stanley could get back to normal.
When Brent left, Emma pulled away from him and looked at him seriously, "I'm worried about you. You look like you haven't gotten any sleep in days." Her fingers brushed over his face, he closed his eyelids and sighed as her sensitive touch caused shivers down his spine.
When they slowly opened he managed to smile at her, "That's because I need you at my side, to sleep. I've gotten spoiled. I could stay at your house...it would be convenient. You and me and Holly carpooling every morning..."
"You know we can't do that."
"I don't see why not. I'm beginning to think you just want to torture me."
"torture you?"
"Yes, torture...." he teased, "You know what I'm talking about. Tempting me, coming around the shop..taking showers with me, lying naked beside me..pure torture." He began to kiss her. When she was with him everything seemed good. He felt he could get through the damn nightmares if she was there. He could get through anything. Why couldn't he just be honest with her? Everyday he didn't tell her about what was going on in his head, the worse it became. The harder it was to even think about telling her. He had never meant for it to get this way.
She saw the worry in his face still, wishing she could make it right. But it seemed obvious, he was working through some things that he wasn't ready to discuss with her. The mysterious woman did have her curious, she had to admit. His sleepless nights were not a good sign. Ever since his trip to LA. He had been sucessful in helping Holly and her nightmares and issues about her mom. But something had come back to haunt him, and he wasn't the same man he was a few short weeks ago. She wanted him to talk to her, but it was always the same. He avoided everything serious, joked it off, made light of it. Today was no different.
"I wish you would talk to me." She said in all seriousness.
"Emma, it's nothing. The last thing you need to worry about is me and my sleepless nights. It's being overworked, missing you...a mixture of things."
She couldn't take it anymore, she stood up, "I don't have time for this, Stanley. You won't let me help you. Something is wrong, and you won't talk to me." When was the last time she had shouted at him.
Without thinking he stood up, and he felt the anger in him building. The sleepless nights only were fuel to the flame, to cause his temper to get the best of him, "Maybe being a little more patient and understanding might help, instead of you shouting at me.." He stood up and walked to the other side of the room.
"I've been patient. And you are shutting me out."
"I don't need a lecture from you right now." He knew as soon as he had said it how his words would hurt her. "Thanks for dropping off Holly, I really need to get back to work."
Holly walked into the back room, she heard the sharpness in her Dad's voice. She was glad Ariel had stayed out on the shop floor, where Brent was showing her some cool game on one of the computers. She stared in disbelief. They were fighting. Stanley realized Holly was standing there and went to her taking the latte from her hand, "Just what I need, baby." He headed back over to the work table and didn't even say goodbye to Emma.
Emma stormed past Holly and through the shop, where Brent couldn't help but notice the anger in every step she took. But there was something else. Tears. Brent was sure she was crying. What the hell was Stan doing now? The best thing that could ever happen to him walking out in tears. Not good.
Holly continued to stare at her Dad. And he felt her eyes penetrating him . He turned around, "What is it?"
"You and Emma are fighing."
"That wasn't a fight."
"You used to yell at Mom like that." Holly could recall the yelling that went on between her parents as she was growing up, she hated it then and had been relieved when it stopped.
"I'm tired. That's all. I really need to get this damn thing finished." She was still glaring at him. He hated that she had heard him raise his voice. It was all so stupid. If he could just tell Emma the truth. And now he had upset Emma and Holly. He was doing wonderful this afternoon. He motioned for Holly to come over to him.When she did, he put his arm around her.
"Hey, I'll barbeque when we get home. And you can choose a movie, any movie. We'll have a father/daughter night." She knew he was changing the subject.
"I was hoping we'd go over to Emma's this weekend. I wanted to show Melody the drawing I was working on."
"Not this weekend."
"If you just told her, Dad, about everything...."
He had had enough, "Enough, Holly...I have way to much work to do."
"But, Dad..."
"Run along. I'm sure Brent can find something for you and Ariel to do, while I finish this up." He motioned for her to leave the room and then turned back around to finish up the computer. His hand went to his head. The throbbing intensified. All he could think about was Emma's face, the concern, and he had handled it so badly. He slammed his fist onto the table, then took a deep breath. He had to get a grip. He stared at the computer in front of him, refocused, clapped his hands and went to work on the keyboard. But all that lingered in his mind was how he was going to make this right. There was only one answer. He had to tell Emma, everything.