Chapter 11
Closed Doors
Part Three
…on the way to Emme Jessica Watson's house
It was difficult for the talkative Josh to keep his mouth closed while he drove Drake to
Emme's house, but the houses in these wealthy sections were so extraordinary. Some
of the exteriors he recognized for those people that allowed the outside of their
properties to be used in motion pictures or television. The wealthy really do live
differently, with their spaced out houses, some with fences or in the cases of the
"guess who lives there?" types a wall and a fence combo to keep the psychos and
paparazzi out.
Not that it mattered in terms of personality, but Emme's parents must have been quite
financially well off.
"How did you find out Emme's address?" Josh inquired.
There was something about a well-manicured lawn that made Josh fantasize about
settling down into the good life with Mindy as Mindy Crenshaw-Nichols sitting on a
veranda and having a lemonade out of crystal flutes enjoying the sunshine.
"Believe it or not their address was in the book." Drake played with the zipper on his
navy blue with green racing stripes track jacket.
10 Del Mar Meadows Road
"Is Emme really going to like you showing up unannounced like this?" Josh treaded
water carefully, but he also didn't want to see his brother get hurt.
"I would think that she'd like the surprise." Drake raised his eyebrow in confidence.
Josh figured he better segue into another subject, he didn't want to push for
information and mention his own opinion on it because he knew valued his privacy.
"I cannot believe you're not complaining about the radio not being on."
"It gives me a headache."
And I'm a rock and roll musician—I'm supposed to like the volume loud and proud.
"Do I turn left or right here?" Josh asked out loud"Turn left. And Josh you didn't have to change the subject before."
"I just—well, I know you like your privacy, bro. I do hope it goes awesome for you."
"Thanks."
"Wow. That massive tudor? That's a great house."
Drake wasn't concerned about the architecture.
"Hey." Drake undid his seat belt when he noticed an intercom box on the outside of
Josh's driver side window.
Thankfully the car came to a stop, he thought he was about to throw up again. The ride
felt like one big roller coaster, but he wasn't about to admit it.
"Don't worry, I have it under control."
"Hello, this is Josh Nichols on behalf of Drake Parker from the Teen Cancer Support
Group, may we please visit with Emme Jessica Watson?"
Drake thought that was a mite too formal, but he questioned what did he know when a
voice said, "Come in." and the massive metal gate with the big metal "W" opened.
"Thanks, Josh." Those weren't the words Drake would have used.
He would've been polite as his mother taught him when he was a toddler wearing his
denim OshKosh B'Gosh overalls and eating Cheerios with his tiny fingers, but he
wouldn't have been so formal and he was convinced that was what cinched it.
Josh loved driving the length of this massive circular driveway. He really hoped that
someday he could provide Mindy with a house such as this.
Outside was a older woman carrying a bright orange box with a navy blue ribbon on it
standing by a blindingly shiny Lexus.
"Is that Emme's Mom?" asked Josh feeling the butterflies in his stomach so Drake
wouldn't have to.
"I'd imagine so." Drake opened the door, he didn't know if the urge to throw up was
due to his cancer or just the general nervousness of the situation. And he was Drake
Parker normally calm, cool, and collected when it came to girls. Normally.
"Hello." Drake said extending his hand
"I'm Mrs. Watson. I think Emme would most like this surprise. Follow me." She
punched a bunch of numbers into a security pad to open the cherry wood doors with
the spaded "arrow" accents. She put the big box on top of the entryway mahogany
sideboard.
Drake didn't have time to ooh and ahh over the furniture, artwork, or anything else so
he certainly hoped that Josh didn't ask for those details because he wouldn't have
known a Picasso from a Pollock. They were just names his hippie-esque art teacher
Mrs. Grimes who smelled like patchouli oil and musk mentioned to get them to release
their "inner artist".
"Would the steps be too much for you?" Mrs. Watson asked.
He was a sweet looking boy…or lovely as her daughter referred to Drake as.
"No."
"Okay, well, I have to step out for a moment. Go upstairs and Emme's door is the
second on the left. It was nice meeting you Drake."
"You too and thank you."
(What are YOU doing here?)
(WHY?)
Emme fumbled in her dresser for a scarf and ran into her bathroom to put it all
together with a white gold heart shaped pin.
(Stick your nose up in the air)
(BE a SNOB)
(Put the mask on)
(PUT IT ON!)
The young girl counted to ten in her head before answering the gentle knocks on the
door.
"Hey, Emme, I couldn't wait for the next meeting to see you."
Drake Parker admitting that to a female?
"How did YOU get my address? I certainly don't remember giving YOU permission to
come over."
"Are you done with your act, Miss Priss? I saw you E.J. Watson in your cheerleading
uniform telling the youth of America not to do drugs."
Her eyes widened like saucers.
He saw her when she was that different person called E.J.?
"YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO SEE THAT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! BEFORE I SEND
THE DOGS UP!"
There were no dogs, just an over decorated dog house next to the guesthouse for
Dipsy the poodle who died five years ago. Drake didn't realize that of course, but he
did know she was lying about the dogs and mostly everything else that came out of her
mouth.
"You're lying."
"GET!OUT!OF!MY!HOUSE!" She pushed him with what little strength she had today.
This fighting was no good for her body.
"Fine," Drake replied, "I'll go."
"Good Riddance."
She didn't even acknowledge my name.
As soon as Drake's body was out of her room she slammed the door tight like a bank
vault and locked it.
Emme Jessica rested her back and head against the door and let out the silent
screaming tears, she turned her body and put her palm up against the door.
Drake was half way down the plush off-white carpeted stairway with the ebony banister
and slightly turned himself around thinking for a brief second to go back up there but
then at the last second decided against it.
There were no words when he got in the car with Josh, but his body was going to
violate the moment and Josh handed Drake a empty round cardboard ice-cream
container with the top off.
"I figured just incase you needed something."
Josh didn't ask Drake how it went. He knew how it went. The hurt in his brother's eyes
was explanation enough.
"Do you want me to leave the car for a---"
Too late for the pleasantries as Drake threw up in the ice cream box. Josh handed
Drake the top when he was done.
"I have a pack of mints in my pocket."
"Mints? I don't want any—oh shit…" and he almost didn't get the lid off the container in
time.
Maybe that could be the new Ben and Jerry's flavor vomit berry crunch.
Drake got sick again. Josh was almost afraid to start the car up.
"I promise that I'll drive slow."
"Get me out of here, Josh. Please."
"I packed some bottled water…"
"I don't fucking care. I just want to go home."
Emme after her puke fest and ripping the pages out of old yearbooks snuggled up in
her bed with the floral themes.
She wrapped herself in the blankets feeling the worst she ever felt in her life, she didn't
even notice when her mother came in with the big orange box.
"Sweetie, are you up?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Look what came in! I was going to save this until Christmas, but I thought you could
use a nice surprise now."
For her mother's sake she forced herself upright but could care less about this whole
conversation.
(I'm broken)
"The best gifts come inside the orange box." Emme said wryly.
"Come on, open it, dear. I know you'll be pleased. You've wanted one for a very long
time."
It was a Hermes Blue Jean 30cm Birkin in togo leather with palladium hardware and the dangling
charm was in the shape of an elephant, also in palladium.
"Thanks, Mom."
A hug was given so that she'd just go away.
"You're welcome. I'll make you some herbal tea before your lunch. By the way
speaking of surprises how did your visit with your lovely friend Drake go?"
"Just how I expected it to go."
(That wasn't quite a lie)
Mrs. Watson smiled and kissed her daughter on the cheek. "I'll be back upstairs in a
minute with your tea and maybe some cookies from that fabulous new bakery in town.
If you need me, just use the intercom."
"I will. I think I'll lie down for awhile, Mother."
"Okay, Sweetie." Mrs. Watson closed the door softly behind her.
When she knew her mother was far away from where she could hear her, Emme
Jessica Watson let out a shrill scream and threw her brand new six thousand dollar
enviable status symbol purse across the room.
(What's another four letter word for ugly?)
(Emme).
Author's Note: To be continued…