Emma

The evening did not end well. It took me all the effort to head home without Jefferson following me. Killian greeted me good bye when Jefferson left me to get his car from the valid. It was short, but I knew that he regret that moment we had back in the cabin, did not go on any further.

I arrived home. Grumpy just sucked on a toothpick, watching with those devilish eyes.

"You had a nice evening. Are you trying to manipulate other men to take you home now?"

"Shut up Grumpy! I'm sure you wife is doing the same." Again I crossed the line. But its so hard to watch your mouth in front of Grumpy, you just want to grab one of his hands and make him choke on it.

Grumpy walked up to me. He spat the toothpick out of his mouth. "What did you say to me, girl? I guess the last time we fought wasn't enough for you."

I didn't back away. I know I should be running to my apartment room. But I hate to show weakness in front of Grumpy. He always looked down on me, and judge me so harshly with that horrid tongue of his.

I stood there firmly. "You hear me clear as a bell. Or are you just going to that old age, losing your hearing?"

Grumpy started rolling up his sleeves. "You know missy. I am just full of fury!" He rushed toward me, and a punch hit straight on my face. He grabbed my shoulders, and pushed me against the wall. He shook me wildly, my head banging hard against the wall till large drops of blood fell down my face.

His dangerous dark eyes looked straight at me. The grip of his rough hands tightening harder on my shoulders. "I try so hard to hold myself together, missy. But no, you always push me to do this."

"Oh please, Grumpy. You never try to fight that terrible temper of yours. We all have a situation. We all have something negative about ourselves. But you have no right to judge me so coldly."

Grumpy snared at me. "You do the same all the time."

"I'm trying to prove a point. How do you feel when I judge you? I certainly don't feel relieved when I do it, because it is not my business, and I don't know if it is true. Your marriage is your business, your personal life. Even though your wife is gone, your marriage is still real and it happened. But how dare you judge me in such a way. You don't know what I go through, every night. I have a kid. I have two lousy jobs that barely keeps the bread on the table. I have no rest to feel eased that everything is okay. And I can't even support a little happiness for my son. I'm always tired, and upset. I always leave the house, worrying if my son is alright at home. I look desperately at the increased rate of our bills..."

Grumpy just looked at me. The same expression is still remained on his face - anger and annoyance. However, I could see a vague understanding in his eyes. He slowly released my shoulders. He just stood there, giving me a long look. And just turned around and walked back to his small office.

~ I wiped the blood off with the sleeve of my jacket. The lights are not on, so Henry could possibly be asleep. I adjusted the key to the door knob, and opened the door.

Henry is still awake. He got off the bed and walked up to me. I lowered my head slightly, and walked quickly to the bathroom.

"Hi mom." He already changed into his pajamas.

"Hey, Henry. Just give me a second. Okay? I need to take a shower. I have my shift starting in fifteen minutes. I don't have time to sleep for awhile. But I'll stop by at home at three thirty. Don't forget to call me before you go to school. I'll be at the diner." I rushed inside the bathroom, and shut the door behind me.

I turned the shower on, and removed my clothes. I stood there, letting the warm water wash the blood off my skin. I tried my best to wipe the blood off, but it keeps oozing out unstoppably. I ripped a roll of toilet paper, and blocked the scar on my head. I brushed my teeth fiercely as one of my hands pressed on the roll of toilet paper. I rinsed, and splashed some cold water on my face. The blood reached deeply through the thick layers of the rolled up toilet paper. So I ripped a fresh pair, and pressed it on my scar.

I opened the door, and speed walked to the closet. I took out my uniform and carefully placed the dress inside the closet. Henry laid on the bed, reading his book. Suddenly, I feel terribly dizzy, I could feel the nausea starting. My lips turned dry as I slowly removed the dress. I have this urge to lie down. But it feels like the bed is thousands of miles away from where I'm standing. I instantly fell to my knees.

Henry looked up at me. "Mom? Mom, you alright?"

I tried to nod. But my head feels too dry and light headed I can't even shake my head. Henry got off the bed and walked to me. His hands touched my shoulder.

I forced words to escape my lips. "...Henry don't touch me...I don't feel so good. Just give me a moment."

Henry kneeled down beside me for a long moment. The nausea soon passed, but my body still feels weak. But I pushed myself to stand. Henry protested for me to stay home and rest. I worked like this for eight years, these symptoms are not uncommon. If I could risk the difficulties all those years ago, I could do it again for another eight years.

It was a challenge to change to my uniform, but Henry continuing to speak pushed me to hide the pain. I grabbed my apron and put it in my purse.

"Goodbye, Henry. Go to bed. And I'll ask Ruby if she can come over."

Henry looked at me with those concerned eyes. But I just forced myself a smile, and kissed his temple. "Bye, I'll see you soon." I walked out the door.

Sorry I took so long. It's really risky balancing my schedule and my favorite activity. But I hope you all enjoy. Now this is when I want you to take a closer attention to Emma. I want to build the undeniable risk, and in the end a solution. Enjoy you guys, and you all rock!

P.S. I want to make an announcement to the people in Boston. I recently heard there was a bomb explosion in a marathon somewhere in Boston. I was so shocked by the numbers of people immediately taken away from the paramedics. I hope all the injured people in that marathon will soon recover. And I also hope the police will resolve that situation as soon as possible. Anyway, I wish for all of you the best. Bye.