Emma

After another long day of work, Henry and I walked to our apartment. We were lucky that Grumpy didn't say anything to us as we walked our way to our apartment room.

I reached for my keys in my pocket as we arrived to our apartment room. But my body is too tired to even budge an inch. "Henry, can you please open the door for me?" Henry nodded and took the keys from my hands. I couldn't help but drag myself like a zombie once Henry opened the door. I closed my eyes as I jumped on the bed. I could hear Henry remove his back pack and jacket.

"Rough day mom?"

"Isn't obvious...Henry, I need some sleep. Wake me up within three hours. I have my shift starting at the diner."

"Okay mom." Suddenly, the telephone rang.

I groaned, and turned over to the other side. "Henry, can you get that?"

Henry walked to the kitchen stand, and answered the phone.

"Hello?...Uh, yeah. Who are you?...Me? I live here...Um, I think you got the wrong phone number. We don't know any Jefferson Stan."

My eyes burst open. "Jefferson?...Wait!" I leaped off the bed and ran toward Henry. He stared at me with shocked eyes as I snatched the phone away from his hand.

"Yes, hello. Jefferson, it is so good to talk to you again."

"Hello, Emma. I'm glad I found out your number. Did Killian call you by any chance?"

"Um, no. Why?"

"Well, Killian and I are...No. I mean I am trying...No...How should I say this?"

I sighed. "He the piece of paper I gave you, so he could have another chance to get me. Rodger that."

"Stated correctly. Yes."

"Oh this will be fun. Should I humiliate him like the last time?"

I could hear Jefferson chuckle over the phone. Henry looked at me suspiciously. A look full of disappointment.

"A friend." I mouthed in mute. But Henry just shook his head, and walked away.

"Emma, I know this is much to ask. But please be a little easy on Killian, give the man a chance."

"Why are you helping him, when you're interested in me too?"

I could hear his lips curve into a smile. "You seem like a fascinating woman, and I would love to see where our relationship could take place. However, a writer must always give the chance to the person who created his wealth. Killian offered me a wonderful fame, according to the adventurous years we had on our ship...Please, open up for the two of us."

I don't know what to say. Jefferson is a fair man, I can't imagine a person like Killian to be so generous. On the contrary, I'm not looking for a man who'll be good to me, only good for Henry's future. And two options will give me more open opportunities for Henry and me. So why not?

"...We'll see then. Where is the next party going to be?"

"Killian has an interesting place for this party...Quite shocked me, I may add."

"Where is it?"

"His having his party in his ship."

"A ship? Is it the one you told me about."

"Yes. The ship was his, and our home since high school. We had such a wonderful time. Its odd he wants to use the ship, he would never let anyone get on it. Including me."

I paused for a moment. Henry is still nowhere to be found...Am I really fighting for Henry? Or am I hurting him even more?

"...Okay. I'm in...But I don't really...Well, have anything to wear. I been so busy lately, I don't really spend time shopping."

A sudden enthusiastic gasp rushed over the phone. "Sounds perfect. The two of us could go shopping. I might have the perfect hat for you."

I cleared my throat. "I thought you were playing fair."

"I am. But when it comes to opportunities like this, I wouldn't dream of letting that chance slip away."

I couldn't help but smile. "Alright. I'll meet you...um say Saturday? I have about four hours to kill. You pick the place."

"I'll pick you up from your place. Where do you live?"

'Crap.' I stopped for a moment. I stalled as best as I can by saying long "ummmmm." But I have to find an answer fast.

"I have...Well, I'm not comfortable with men coming to my apartment. So, how about we just meet up somewhere."

"Alright. Come to the department store called Lorbrege. I'll see you at Saturday, 3:30."

"Sounds perfect. Thanks. Bye."

"Good – bye, Emma."

I hung up the phone. 'Henry.' I walked to the corner of the bed, behind the drapes. Henry sat on the floor, his knees crossed to his legs as his arms embraced them close.

"Hey, kiddo."

He didn't dare look at me. I walked closer to his side, and slid down on the floor. "So, you heard that. Huh?"

"Yeah."

"Henry, I know this is hard. But I'm doing this for you. All my full time jobs are not going to help you, or me. Its not enough for us right now, and I'm behind the bills every month. I need to act fast before we lose our home."

Henry fell silent. But his expression melted from the anger.

"Mom. I don't care if we lose our home. I just don't like you being with other guys...Your dad's girl. No one else but dad."

I wrapped my arms around Henry. He accepted my embrace. 'Thank gosh. If he pulled away, it'll break my heart.'

"Henry...I love you so much. And I also love the family the three of us once were...I do admit that there are times I'm furious to think about your dad, but still love him at the same time."

Henry lifted his head at me. "But what Mom? What's the 'but'?

"...The 'but' is...Your dad will always be part of the family...But he and I can't be a married couple anymore, Henry. I always loved your dad, I still do. He and I have so much treasured memories this place... This is the place you started walking, we both complained whose turn it is to clean your diaper..." Henry snorted a laugh.

"Anyway, other memories were like the time your dad got a job at some old clock shop. Boy I hated that place, he keeps telling me to stay home. He's the man, the father, the provider. I always felt save when he said that...But the point is, your dad is not coming back to us. Maybe one day he will. Or another eight years. But right now, its just you and me." Henry looked at me. His eyes deeply locked with mine. And the sight of the first tears fell down his eyes. The last time I saw them was when Bae left with that suitcase on his hand, and a spare of keys for the motorcycle.

"Mom...I miss him so much. I do..."

I rubbed his shoulders as the two of us wept. "Me too. Me too, sweetheart."

"I keep thinking he'll come back. I keep staring at the door, hoping he'll somehow surprise me. And lift me up, like he did when I was three. But he just...doesn't."

The two of us sat there, talking softly and wept. Its something I hadn't shared with Henry for years. It feels good to let the pain out of me. And this emotional feeling between us, tells me Henry is not ready just yet to accept another man in his life. But, his understand the big picture that Bae is really not with us anymore, his long gone. Who knows where he could be. Its certainly nowhere in New York. I hope Jefferson likes children. And for my other option, I just want Killian to behave. Let's see how that goes on Saturday.

Sorry I took so long. Its just really difficult to write two stories. But I really appreciate for you all to continue reading. Again sorry again. Really. Enjoy.

~ the-skywriter.321