Emma

I have five days until the charity party, and it's been horrible. I have to cut an hour of my four hour sleep, and still pay attention to Ruby's lectures during my lunch break and during work. It's really annoying, and I am so tempted to rip that lips of hers off her face. But I'm surprised at myself to remember every detail.

Henry doesn't know about this, but he is suspicious about Ruby's numerous visits to our apartment. I actually use Henry to pretend that his one of the guests in the party. Ruby lied to him that she's auditioning for a play. Henry doesn't believe her, of course. I really don't have a problem if Henry finds about my plan, what I'm worried up is that he wouldn't be able to accept another man to replace Bae's place. I myself wouldn't be happy. But a decent man who will offer me money for a lifetime will save both of our lives. As a mother, I have responsibilities as an adult with a small kid who has half the brain of a genius. If someone offers me money by leaping off the roof, or force me to push a truck down the road. So be it. I will do it.

~ After my long shift in the diner, I headed straight to the employee lounge. I unlocked my locker to get my things. Ruby came in. "Hey, I'm starting a new lesson tonight. You know you're deadline, you have two days." "I know." My eyes are so blurry with sleep and drowsiness I can't tell if I'm sitting down, or standing up. The only time I like during the day is when I lie down on bed, sleeping. I closed my eyes for a moment. Ruby placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, wake up. You can't give up now. Grab your things, and bring Henry. Just in case for safety. And come to Granny's motel. We have to practice dancing." My eyes burst open. I quickly turned around to face her. "Dancing? What? Are you insane?" Ruby giggled. "Are you? You're going to a club. What did you expect? People twirling around and doing the hokey - pokey. Oh please." "Ruby. Dancing is my weakest point." Ruby released a frustrating sigh. "Heavens, Emma. You really should have think things through before you ever made the decision to go on with your life the "easy way." But since you already made your decision, just shut up and come to Granny's motel in an hour." I opened my mouth to protest. Bur Ruby placed a finger against my lips. "No buts, girl. You gotta do what you gotta do. Now go." She placed her hands on my back and pushed me lightly out of the diner.

I took my time as I walked to my apartment. Grumpy snare at me as I walked up to the stairway. I walked to my apartment room, and knocked. Henry slowly opened the door. "Hey, Henry." "Hi, mom." I walked inside. "Did you eat?" "Yeah." "Henry, I'm sorry but I need you to come with me to Granny's motel." Henry just nodded his head. "I know. I figured you'll ask again." "I'm sorry Henry." Henry placed a hand on my cheek." Mom, your bruises are swelling." 'I been stressing more about Ruby's "tutoring" I totally forgot about the bruises on my face reducing its size, but increasing its pain.' "Oh yeah, but it's going away pretty fast. So grab your coat, and put your shoes on." Henry nodded.

The two of us sat on the bed. I waited as Henry put his shoes on. I closed my eyes, half asleep. "Mom, what's the real reason why Ruby is helping you to greet with men?" My eyes remained closed as I spoke. "Honestly?" "Yes." He said with determination. "I think you already know the answer to that question, Henry." The room fell silent. "So your really going to attract wealthy men, so you don't have to work anymore?" I opened my eyes, and looked at Henry with my dark shadowed eyes. "Henry, I'm not doing this so I could stop working. I'm doing this so I could give the two of us a better life. You know better then me that the jobs I'm taking isn't exactly beneficial for our lifestyle. Society basically look for good education for higher payment. That's something I can't have, or afford. Do you understand?" "Mom, I know your not doing this with greed. And I guess you really do care about me then yourself sometimes. But your really crossing the line in this situation. Your really going to manipulate wealthy men in order to be married off to a well - connected life." "If that's what it takes. Yes. I would. And I will." Henry lowered his eyes down on his lap. "What about dad?"

My heart almost stopped beating. Dad. Bae. Bae no longer is part of our family. He must never be part of our family. Whether his still single or started a new relationship he is not Henry's father, or my love. Whether he still loves me or not, he is not Henry's father or my true love. His no more. No more to us.

I cannot say these words to Henry. But I must remind him that Bae is gone, and its going to stay that way for a long time. I took Henry's hand. "Henry, I promise you. Nobody is going to replace your dad. A new, strange man might be by my side, he may be in our home, he may be treating you as a son, and he may be in some of the family photos. But he will never, ever be your father. I promise, no I swear Henry. No man is going to replace your father, our precious man of the house. We're the three musketeers, remember. The third musketeer might be gone, but that doesn't mean his not our musketeer. Right?" Henry nodded. He lifted his head. "You really promise?" "I swear it." A tear drop fell down his cheek. I kissed it away, and wrapped a arm around his shoulders.

~ "Again!" Ruby shouted. I sighed. Henry placed his hands on my waist, I placed my hands on his shoulders. And we took slow steps to the left and to the right, taking half the space in the room. "One two three...One two three...One two three..." She clapped her hands as Henry and I followed the basic dance steps. "Okay that's much better." The two of us finally stopped. Thankfully, Henry is enjoying himself, seeing his mother dance again just like old times.

Ruby changed the song. "I love this song," she squealed. 'Oh great. What's next.' She took my hands. "Same position. This is called Everybody in Love." She placed one hand on my waist, and the other hand holding my right had with a light grip. We followed the basic steps. I tried to take careful steps because she made me wear killing high heels, and they are hurting my feet like crazy! I'm frightened if I might stab her feet with these deadly heels. But Ruby sped the steps a bit, and she did a few successful twirls. "Smile Emma. But not too wide, or jolly. A smile that tells the partner "I'm enjoying myself" that's the message you need to give the partner with that one smile. Go." I curved my lips, I could feel my dimples exposing from each cheeks. Ruby smiled. "Perfect. That's the money look." Once the song came to a close end, I surprised her of a different move. I released her light grip on my right hand, and took a few step out of my left side. Then I circled, twirling back to Ruby's side, sliding the smooth surface against my shoes and stopped my rotation once my back was behind her chest. And I leaned on her free arm, making a curved letter C by arching my back to perfect curve. Ruby smiled. "That's new. I like it," she said. Henry smiled with an awkward arched eyebrow.

After my long dance lesson with Ruby, Henry fell asleep on a couch in the employees lounge. Ruby and I sat on the kitchen drinking warm cups of coffee. "You shocked me tonight, Emma. Didn't know that you had that kind of moves in you." "It was just a quick thought, that's all." "Well, use it. You'll need it. The day of the party is going to start soon." "I'm aware of that. And I been meaning to ask you something." "Proceed." She tilted her mug, and took a long sip as she listened. "Ruby, you covered all the lectures about introduction and causal moves. But what am I going to wear?" Ruby placed her mug down. "Yeah, about that. I can't help you there. I have some clothes that'll look good on you. But it won't be good enough for the party." I sighed. I hid my eyes beneath my clenched fists. "What am I going to do now?" "How about you ask Jimmy? After all, he did offer to take you there, right?" I dropped my hands. "Ruby, that'll be rude. I can't do that to Jimmy." "Emma, it's also rude that he invited you to a party where its full of overly criticizing people." "I don't know." "Well, Emma. You need a dress fast. Not to mention again, your deadline is coming up in thirty - two hours." "I'm aware of that Ruby. I should go home, it's past midnight. Now I have three hours of sleep, and fifteen minutes to get ready for work in the diner." I rose from the small stool. Ruby stood up too, and wrapped a arm around my shoulders. "I'll walk with you."

The two of us walked to the employee lounge. I carefully carried Henry on my back, I wrapped my arms around each on his legs, to carry his weight properly. Ruby opened the door for me on the way out. "Talk to Jimmy. Don't forget. If he says no, then I'll try to fix you a 30% acceptable outfit." "Thanks, Ruby. I owe you big." "No problem, good night." "Good night." I turned away and walked my way down the street. 'Everything is going to change soon, Henry. Time is almost up. It's almost up.'