“But did you tell her you needed her to drive you?” Emma did not answer and Sarah inferred from her silence that she didn’t tell her mother that she needed a ride.
“See,” Sarah said, “it was just a lack of communication.”
“Why are you taking her side,” Emma yelled angrily.
“I’m just saying...” Sarah said defensively. “Why do you hate your mother so much anyway?”
“Because she’s a no good, selfish slob.”
“She lets you call her Jane?”
“She can’t stop me.”
“My mom would never let me call her Lara. She’d probably slap me,” Sarah said.
“If Jane ever put her hands on me, I’d punch her right in the face.”
“I still don’t get it, your mom is so nice and you treat her like garbage.”
“I don’t get why you even give a damn. Whose side are you on
anyway?” Emma stopped applying her makeup and looked at Sarah angrily.
“I’m only stating my opinion,” Sarah replied.
“Well if you have anything nice to say about her, keep it to yourself,” Emma snapped.
“Fine, I have a mother, if you don’t want one, that’s your business.”
“I have a father, that’s good enough,” Emma said, as her thoughts drifted to Gregory. She felt a bit nervous about seeing him again after such a long time had passed.
“Is he here?” she asked timidly.
“Who? Your dad? I didn’t see him. Did you invite him?”
“Of course I invited him.”
“So you invited the father you resented for almost two years and didn’t invite the mother who loves and takes care of you...that makes sense,” Sarah said sarcastically.
“My father paid for this party, as you already know and if you’re
gonna keep crying about Jane, why don’t you just leave cause I don’t wanna hear it!” Emma shouted.
“What’s gotten into you lately? Why’ve you been such a...such a....” Sarah hesitated.
“Such a what?” Emma demanded.
“Such a bitch,” Sarah yelled.
“Get out!” Emma shouted. “You’re no longer invited, only my real friends are invited.”
“What is the matter with you?”
“You’re just like Jane,” Emma yelled loudly. “Stay out of my life!”
The door to the restroom opened and two girls entered.
“What are you guys yelling about? We can hear you outside,” one of the girls exclaimed.
“Sarah thinks she’s better than everybody else,” Emma sneered.
“That’s not what I—” Sarah started to reply, but was interrupted by Emma’s ranting.
“Just get out of here,” Emma shouted and she left the restroom in a fit of anger.
One of the girls looked at Sarah sympathetically.
“What’s wrong with her?” she asked.
Sarah was near tears. Just minutes ago, Emma was her best
friend. Now she was yelling for her to leave the party.
“I really don’t know. She’s been acting so weird lately. I think it has to do with her mother,” Sarah answered. She was visibly upset.
“Don’t worry,” the shorter girl added. “She’s only freaking out on you because she’s so late to her own party.”
“I don’t know...she’s been so mean lately,” Sarah said.
“C’mon, let’s go back out there,” the taller girl said.
“I’m calling my mom to pick me up,” Sarah said.
“Kelly’s right, let’s just go out there. People say things they don’t mean when they’re upset. Emma’s your best friend, she really doesn’t want you to leave,” the shorter girl said.
Sarah shook her head.
“I’m leaving. I don’t even feel like going out there to grab my purse. Can one of you guys get it for me?”
Sarah told them where the purse was and they both left to retrieve it. They returned a minute later. Sarah fished in her purse for her cell phone and called her mother despite pleas from the other girls for her to stay. She waited in the restroom for her mother to call and let her know when she had arrived. The short girl left the restroom after waiting around for a little while longer. The taller girl, Kelly, kept Sarah company.
Kelly was tall and thin, with long, shiny, wavy dark hair and deep brown eyes. She had freckles on her milky, flawless face. She was not wearing any makeup, and really did not need any. She was pretty just the way she was. She looked older than the other girls because she towered over them, especially today in her fitted red dress and high-heeled red shoes.
Because she was taller than the other girls and well-developed, Kelly was often the target of rumors and ridicule. She learned quickly not to let any of it bother her. She tried to reason with Sarah, giving her pep talks about how she shouldn’t let words bother her. Sarah couldn’t help but feel slighted. Unlike Kelly, she wasn’t used to harsh things being said to or about her.
“You know, I really don’t like her so much,” Kelly said, referring to Emma.
“She’s changed a lot. She used to be really nice. I don’t know what happened to her.”
“Is she on drugs?” Kelly asked bluntly.
“No, of course not!” Sarah answered in Emma’s defense.
“Are you sure?”
“I would know if my best friend—uh, well, I mean, I’d know if she were doing drugs.”
“Maybe she’s keeping it a secret from you,” Kelly said. Sarah started growing increasingly annoyed by Kelly’s ridiculous questions.
“She’s not on drugs, she’s just being a bitch,” Sarah snapped.
“Does she still like that guy Jim?” Kelly asked.
“Yes, but he doesn’t like her,” Sarah replied, relieved that the subject changed.
“Maybe that’s why she’s been so bitchy,” Kelly reasoned.
“Maybe....” Sarah responded, but she was certain it had to do with Emma’s mother. Before long, Sarah’s mother called her to say that she was waiting outside. Sarah thanked Kelly for keeping her company and Kelly walked alongside Sarah toward the main entrance of Sierra Gardens. On the way, they passed Emma, who was seated at the head table complaining about Sarah. The food had just been served and Sarah wished that Emma would change her mind and let her stay. As they made eye contact, Emma rolled her eyes and turned her head. Sarah continued walking until she was at the door. She said goodbye to Kelly, sadly, and left.
Emma sat at the head table, barely touching her food. She had a huge headache and no appetite whatsoever. There were five other people at her table, three girls and two guys, including Jim. Sarah was supposed to sit next to Emma, but now their friend Marcy took her place. Kelly was also supposed to sit at the head table but chose not to because of what had happened. She was seated at a table not far from where Emma sat. Emma had thought about telling her to leave as well, but the turnout wasn’t so great and she didn’t have the strength for another argument.
She had walked around the banquet room nearly a dozen times in search of her father and the fact that he had not attended her sweet sixteen party was more disappointing to her than the fact that she had arrived so late. She had fought back tears as she hopelessly searched for him. She hadn’t seen him in so long, she wondered if he would even recognize her.
Her anger had returned with a vengeance and she spent her night mouthing off to friends and snapping at every comment. “Happy
birthday” greetings were returned with dirty looks and heavy sighs, aside from an occasional “says who?” or “yeah, right” comment.
The tension was heavy in the air. Even the photographer had little luck getting Emma to pose for pictures, though everyone else eagerly complied.
“You’d probably feel better if you eat—you only picked at the vegetables on your plate,” one of the girls said. She was a blond-haired, brown-eyed girl who was slightly chubby.
“Do I look like I need a lecture from you?” she barked. “You should’ve
picked at your vegetables instead of shoveling everything on the plate down your throat.”
The girl looked shocked and embarrassed all at once. Without saying anything, she quickly got up and walked away from the table.
Emma’s four remaining friends looked annoyed.
“Why would you say that to her?” a petite girl in a mint green dress asked. Claudia had known Emma since fourth grade. The two had always been close friends. Emma had always seemed like the sensible, kind one in the bunch. Claudia couldn’t believe how she was behaving.
Emma rolled her eyes. Did she really need to explain herself to a girl who used to throw up after meals?
“It was a joke, God, you people need to lighten up,” she grumbled.
“You really hurt her feelings,” Jake, a young guy with long, dark hair said, as he looked disapprovingly at her.
“She’s a big girl...literally,” she sneered, “she’ll get over it.”
“Really, Emma,” Marcy said, “that wasn’t nice.”
“I’m going to talk to her,” Jake said, and he too, got up and left.
“I don’t get you,” Jim said. “You get here late to your own party then pick fights with your guests.”
Normally Emma would agree with anything Jim said but even his firm hold on her heart could not defuse her anger.
“Who’s fighting? I just spoke my mind. Why is everyone so sensitive all of a sudden?”
“You don’t have to be mean,” Claudia said, shaking her head as she spoke.
“This is my party, I can act anyway I want,” Emma snapped.
“Why are you so angry?” Claudia asked.
“Because she’s a bitch,” Jim said angrily as he stood up and
stormed off.
Emma felt like her whole life was spiraling out of control. Part of her knew deep down that she was wrong to behave that way, but she was past the point of no return and could no longer control herself. Claudia waited for an answer, hoping that Emma would open up and tell her what was going on. After a long, awkward pause, Claudia made another attempt to find out what was bothering Emma.
“What’s going on with you, Emma?” she asked quietly.
“Would you get off my back!” Emma screamed so loudly that a girl seated next to Kelly jumped, spilling her drink.
“Fine,” Claudia yelled back. “Don’t call me when no one else will talk to you,” she said, as she, too, stormed off angrily. Marcy gave Emma a dirty look and ran after Claudia. Emma wanted to cry but everyone around her was staring at her, which infuriated her even more. She stared back at them contemptibly until they looked away, whispering to one another, no doubt saying bad things about her, she figured.
At that moment she hated all of them and wished she hadn’t invited them. She hated them almost as much as she hated Jane. Jane. That fat, awful loser. It was all her fault. If she didn’t screw her over, everything would be fine right now. She was the one who was responsible for putting her in this foul mood and making her yell at her friends. Now they all hated her too. She wanted to scream, but just sat there pathetically, alone at the head table, cursing her mother and wishing more than anything that she would die.
~8~
It was nearly nine-thirty. Jane was still at Zachary’s house. Zachary and Colleen were a great distraction, though Jane’s mind did wander to Emma now and again. Despite all the bitterness between them, she hoped Emma was having a wonderful time. Zachary could tell when Jane was thinking about Emma. There was a certain sadness that clung to her face like a shroud. Even Colleen seemed to sense the melancholy.
“What were you just thinking about?” Colleen asked.
“Hm? Oh, I was just thinking about...” Jane was trying to think of something to say when Zachary finished her sentence.
“About Emma,” he added.
Jane didn’t deny it. She nodded slowly.
“In fact, I really should get going,” she said. They had just finished eating cheesecake and having coffee.
“The night’s still young,” Colleen said with a smile that shifted Jane’s sadness from Emma to Zachary and Colleen. The two had always seemed so much in love despite any problems they faced. Jane had always wished that she and Gregory were more like them. Even when they were close, they were not as loving as Zachary and Colleen had been. More than once she had thought about bringing up the subject of their plans to separate, hoping that she could somehow mediate and make them change their minds. Yet she did not want to dampen the evening with such somber thoughts. It was bad enough she wallowed in a sea of depressing thoughts each time she thought about Emma.
“Don’t go yet,” Zachary pleaded.
“I don’t know what time Emma will be home,” Jane said, as Colleen looked over at Zachary.
Jane wondered whether Zachary had told Colleen all of the things she had shared with him about Emma. As if reading her mind, Zachary said, “I filled Colleen in on some of the things you told me about Emma.” Jane didn’t mind at all. She smiled.
“Did Zach tell you that she slapped me?” Jane asked, and based upon Colleen’s reaction, she knew he didn’t.
“What?!” she exclaimed, mouth open and eyes widened in disbelief.
“No, I just briefly told her how disrespectful Emma’s been,”
Zachary said.
“Disrespectful? That sounds more like abusive,” Colleen said, horrified. “You can’t let her do those things.”
“I know. I was shocked beyond belief. And hurt, of course. We basically just ignore each other now, but I’d still like to be there for her,” Jane said.
“I still can’t believe it. She used to be such an angel,” Colleen said.
“She’s a teenager...and she’s been through some rough times, with Greg leaving and all,” Jane said, trying to justify Emma’s actions.
“Have you thought about counseling?”
“No, we’ll be okay. It’s just a rough patch. But I really should go. I had a lovely time.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? We don’t have to talk about Emma,” Zachary asked, hoping that Jane was not offended by Colleen’s outrage.
“Oh, I don’t mean to intrude,” Colleen apologized.
“Not at all,” Jane assured. “I’m so grateful for friends like you whom I can talk to. I would’ve gone crazy if I were home alone all night.”
“You know we’re here for you,” Colleen said softly.
“Whatever you need, Janey, you let us know,” Zachary added.
“Thank you both so much,” Jane said, misty-eyed. She was truly appreciative.
They stood up and Jane walked over and hugged Zachary and Colleen.
“Next time, we’re going to talk about the two of you,” she said with a devilish smile that made them all laugh. She thanked them again for the wonderful evening and they walked her to the foyer. Jane reached for her purse, then hugged Zachary and Colleen again, wishing them a good night as she fished in her purse for her car keys. She pulled out her cell phone as well and panicked when she saw the “4 missed calls” message displayed on the screen.
“What’s the matter?” Colleen asked, seeing the horrified expression on Jane’s face.
Jane felt a feeling of dread come over her as she realized that it was Emma who had been trying to call her. What was wrong? Did something happen? Had she been trying at last to invite her to the party? She was so upset she couldn’t even answer Colleen. She put up one finger, motioning for Colleen and Zachary to give her a minute as she quickly called Emma’s cell phone. Without even ringing, her call went to the voice mail. Emma’s cell phone was off. Jane felt nauseous as a sharp pain pierced her stomach. She dropped the phone and grabbed her abdomen.
“Jane, are you okay?” Zachary asked as Colleen picked up the cell phone.
“I have to go,” Jane said, anxiously and out of breath.
“What just happened?” Colleen asked as Zachary shook his head.
“Emma’s been trying to call me, I missed her c
alls and her phone’s off now,” Jane said nervously.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Zachary said, with little concern for Emma. She probably needed money, he thought to himself.
“I have to make sure,” Jane said as she stepped toward the front door.
“Are you okay to drive?” Colleen asked, looking at Jane doubtingly. Jane had gone pale instantly and there were small beads of sweat forming up high on her forehead.
“Let me drive you,” Zachary offered before Jane had a chance to answer Colleen.
“I’ll be fine,” Jane insisted and reached for the door. Over Zachary and Colleen’s objection, she quickly rushed to her car and drove off toward Sierra Gardens.
Jane was always one to drive cautiously, barely over the speed limit. Tonight was different. She drove as fast as traffic allowed and managed to arrive at Sierra Gardens in twenty-nine minutes despite the fact that Zachary’s house was out of the way a bit and would normally take no less than thirty-five minutes or so—forty-five at her usual pace. Her anxiety level was at an all-time high but even the pangs of pain attacking her stomach couldn’t keep her from
Emma.
It was after ten o’clock and Jane had no idea how long the party was supposed to last. She hoped that she hadn’t missed Emma. She
took a deep breath as she entered. The music was loud but there weren’t many kids dancing. Most of the kids stood in small groups chatting. Some were seated at the tables looking terribly bored. It certainly wasn’t the party Jane expected it to be.
As she approached the head table, she caught a glimpse of Emma sitting alone with her head down. She instantly worried that Emma was sick. She heard small gasps and snickering laughter as she made her way toward Emma. Emma heard them too as she lifted her head up to see what was going on. The biggest gasp came from Emma as she sat up, her eyes enlarged in horror and disbelief, her face contorted as if in great pain. She turned two shades lighter and looked as though she had seen a hideous monster about to devour her.
The laughter grew louder in response to Emma’s reaction. The photographer, who had grown incredibly tired of searching for picture-worthy moments, raced over with his camera.
Jane knew from Emma’s reaction that she was not welcome there. Her instincts told her to turn around and walk away quickly. Of course, she only listened to her heart, wanting to make sure that Emma was not sick or hurt. When she was a couple feet away from the table, Emma stood up violently, drawing even more attention to herself and Jane.
MOTHER: A Novel Page 8
