Just Like Em

by Marion Ekholm

  “What are you grinning about?” Em asked.

  “I’m surprised the headmistress allows you to be alone with me in my inner sanctum.”

  Em giggled. “So am I.”

  He rotated his head and rubbed his neck.

  Em came around the desk and placed her hands on his shoulders, massaging the muscles. “I think tonight she hoped you’d be more inclined to agree with her if she offered me as bait.”

  Roger closed his eyes and moved his head to get the full benefit of her magic fingers. “Well, it won’t work. I’m way too strong willed to fall for such temptations, no matter how pretty the package.”

  Em’s infectious giggle started again. “Right.” She stopped massaging his shoulders. “I’ll let her know.”

  He caught her hand as she walked past him. “You giving up so easily?” He drew her back to his chair. “I’m a reasonable man. I’ll at least listen before saying no.”

  “Mom thinks Samantha needs to attend the wedding. Sort of a closure. In many ways, Sophia has been a mother figure for her these past few years.”

  “And you agree?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “Explain.”

  “Yes, because it would help Samantha, but no, because you don’t need any additional pressure on you right now.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I can take Samantha. It’s only a day trip if we start early in the morning, and you can have the time free to complete whatever you need to do.”

  “You’d go through all that just to keep peace?”

  Em pushed his hair off his forehead with several light sweeps of her hand. He momentarily closed his eyes, enjoying her touch. Unfortunately, she didn’t get more personal.

  “Will your mother go, too?” he asked.

  “No. She’s taking all the boys to a birthday party, so they won’t bother you.”

  Roger mulled over the idea but couldn’t make a decision. He moved his legs and got up, forcing Em to step away.

  “Tell your mother I’ll think about it.”

  “And when can we expect Your Majesty’s decision?” she asked from the door.

  “Tomorrow morning. I’ll sleep on it tonight.”

  * * *

  “WHAT DID HE say?” Doris asked the moment Em came back into the sitting room that adjoined their bedroom.

  “He’ll think about it and give us his decision tomorrow.”

  Doris clucked her tongue and shook her head. She pushed a needle into her crewelwork and pulled the wool with a vengeance. “Well, what did he say about Samantha? Did he agree this is important for her?”

  “No. He’s thinking about me taking Samantha so he can stay home and work.” Her mother dropped her crewel embroidery on her lap. “It’s the best solution, Mom. He’s under a lot of pressure right now.”

  Doris gathered the various colored yarns she had spread out on the arm of the chair and put everything into her needlework bag. Without saying another word, she got up and headed for the door that led to the hall.

  “Where you going?”

  “I’m going to speak to Roger myself. You obviously never got to the heart of the matter.”

  After Doris flounced out of the room Em flopped against the back of the chair and rapped the arm. Darn. This was Roger’s household, his children. Her mother shouldn’t interfere.

  Just as Em considered going after her mother, Doris reentered the room. “Well, did he agree?”

  Doris paused. “He didn’t give me a chance to explain.” Doris raised her chin and looked away. “That poor girl. She’s doing everything she can to attract her father’s attention, and he only sees her as a nuisance.”

  “You’re not giving him enough credit. Roger’s very concerned. He just doesn’t know how to handle her.”

  “Well, I do. And he won’t listen to me.”

  Em pushed to her feet and walked over to her mother. Placing her hands on her shoulders, Em forced Doris to look at her. “It’s his house, Mom. We’re guests here. He has to make the decisions about his children, no matter what we may think.”

  * * *

  MAYBE HE’D BEEN rude in dismissing Doris that way, but Roger couldn’t tolerate one more person’s opinion concerning his daughter. Of course, Em’s opinion had been more of a pleasing distraction, one he didn’t mind at all. It wasn’t until Em left that he noticed the picture of Karen lying facedown on his desk.

  Roger went to his door and looked both ways before heading to the formal living room. Once there, he removed Karen’s portrait and slipped it behind the couch. He’d have to decide what to do with it, but he wouldn’t worry about it tonight.

  He went back into his office, picked up Karen’s picture, kissed it, then placed it in the bottom drawer of his desk. Two pictures of Karen out of view. He thought about that a moment. To his surprise he found her absence no longer hurt. Not that he’d ever forget her, but the anguish he’d felt for so long over her death had lost its sharp edge.

  Heading down the tiled hall, he stretched his tired arms over his head. Oh, that massage had felt good. He smiled as he passed the hallway to Em’s suite. At least she should feel more comfortable in the house now that Karen wasn’t so visible.

  A muffled noise caused him to stop before he reached his bedroom door. It sounded almost like a wounded animal. Strange. They had no pets despite the boys’ numerous requests for a dog. Roger tracked the sound to his daughter’s bedroom. Was she hiding something in there?

  He grabbed the doorknob, intending to push the door open and catch her unawares. Some instinct warned him to knock first. After a few soft knocks, the sound stopped. “Who...who is it?” a weak voice asked.

  “It’s me, Samantha. Can I come in?” When she didn’t answer, Roger opened the door. Her light was out. “You in bed?”

  “Of course,” she said. Sniffles and a hiccup followed her reply. He felt around for the surface of the bed and sat on the edge near her head. The sheet felt damp.

  “So, you still want to go to Sophia’s wedding?”

  Sniffle.

  “I’m not sure if I remember the time. Four in the afternoon on Saturday or Sunday?”

  “Sat...Saturday.”

  “Let me see,” Roger said, adjusting his position so that the headboard would support his back. “If we leave before one, we should make it in plenty of time.”

  A sudden movement brought Samantha right next to him. “Noon, Daddy, no later than twelve. We could have trouble on the road or something, and we don’t want to be late.”

  “Noon, it is.”

  A deafening squeal by his ear, was followed by a body slam and a neck-breaking hug. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.” Samantha plastered several wet kisses on his nose and chin before he could grab her face between his hands. Without further words, he planted a kiss on her forehead, got up and headed for the door.

  Roger wiped away the tears in his eyes before leaving her room. A momentary affliction. But the smile stayed with him for most of the night.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “HOW DO I LOOK?” Roger asked Em Saturday morning when he came into the kitchen. His white dress shirt had vertical pleats and white embroidery across the front. Black lizard cowboy boots peeked out from under flared pant legs.

  “Very Spanish. As Sophia would say, you one good-looking hombre.” He certainly was, with that dark hair falling across his forehead. She squeezed her fingers together to avoid touching him and returned to sorting laundry.

  “The boys left already?”

  Em nodded as he headed for the refrigerator. He pulled out a container of orange juice and lifted it to his mouth.

  “A glass, Mr. Holden.”

  “There’s only a swallow left, Ms. Turner.”

  He d
rank it down, tossed the container into the trash and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before taking a seat at the table. “I was hoping the twins would come to the wedding. Sophia has practically raised them the past few years.”

  “Clowns and water balloons are much more fun when you’re six.”

  “I suppose. What are you doing today?”

  “Let’s see. Mom left me a list.” Em glanced at the paper on the table. “The laundry, some shopping and stripping the beds. If I’m really good, I could earn three gold stars.”

  “You’re going to work all day?”

  “Well, this is the Labor Day weekend.” She picked up one of the boy’s shirts and threw it in the pile of dark colors. Roger grabbed her hand and pulled her away from her chore.

  “You are not staying here. You’re driving to Tucson with us.”

  Em dug in her heels and caught the edge of the door frame before he could drag her any farther.

  “I wasn’t invited.”

  “I’m inviting you.”

  “I have work to do.”

  “I’m the boss here, and you’ve got no work to do in my house.”

  “I don’t work for you, I work for my mother, and she gave me a whole list.”

  Roger placed his hand above hers and leaned toward her. “Do you want to dress yourself or shall I do it?”

  Em was considering the possibility, when Samantha took that moment to walk down the stairs. She reached the bottom and twirled, sending her bright red skirt pinwheeling. “What do you think? All I need is castanets, right?” She stepped dramatically to the left, one arm arched over her head.

  “You are gorgeous,” Em said, slipping away from Roger. “Let me see that blouse.” She took Samantha’s hands and held them to the side for a better view. “I love it.” The white peasant blouse had colorful flowers embroidered around the neckline, accented with red blanket stitches.

  “Now, if I had pierced ears,” Samantha said as she looked past Em at her father, “I could wear some really nice hoop earrings Sophia gave me.”

  Roger leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. “Nothing could improve your appearance. But we have a problem.” He pushed away from the wall. “Em doesn’t have a thing to wear, and we need to hurry so we can leave on time.”

  “You’re coming,” Samantha shouted in unrestrained delight. “I know just the thing.” She grabbed Em’s hand and pulled her down the hall. Em glanced over her shoulder as Roger washed the self-satisfied expression from his face.

  “This one,” Samantha said. She removed a dress from its hanger, a dress Em would never consider wearing.

  “No.”

  “No?” Samantha discarded it on the bed and pulled out another.

  Em pushed her aside. “Before you destroy my entire wardrobe, let me show you what might work.” She took out her latest purchase, one she had intended to return if her finances didn’t improve. With a flourish, she slipped off the plastic sleeve.

  “What do you think?” The blue sheath had cap sleeves that could be worn on the shoulder or off. She had hoped one day to wear it on a special occasion, and what could be more special than a wedding?

  “Perfect,” Samantha said with eyes about to pop from their sockets. “Can I wear it one day? I think it would fit me, too.” She looked up at Em and grinned. “I know. When I’m older. But that day will come. You watch. I’m getting older by the minute.”

  * * *

  THEY HAD A choice of three cars: Roger’s minivan, Em’s minivan or Roger’s red Mustang convertible. Samantha insisted no self-respecting person would be caught dead going to a wedding in a minivan. Because her hair was short and the constant breeze would not muss her hairdo, she sat in the back, with Em in the bucket seat next to him.

  Nothing could have delighted Roger more than being in the car with Em and his daughter. Em’s presence had to be the reason Samantha talked nonstop. He knew she could talk, because she often tied up his phone for hours at a time, but he’d never had the pleasure of being included in the conversations. All their communication had been in the form of confrontations.

  They had barely reached the outskirts of Chandler, just south of Phoenix, when the sky darkened, and he had to stop. Before the first drops of rain fell, they managed to get the top up. It dampened Samantha’s mood.

  “Why couldn’t the monsoon wait?” Samantha moaned as they continued their drive.

  “We need the rain,” Em added.

  “Maybe it will be over by the time we reach Tucson. Summer storms don’t generally last too long.” But it did. The rain continued with such force that Roger had to pull off the road and wait until the intense downpour abated.

  Samantha scowled. “We’re going to be late.”

  “I’m more concerned that we’ll be swept up in a flash flood and carried off to Mexico.”

  “Right. Then I’ll never get my ears pierced.”

  Roger couldn’t help but chuckle. Even the thought of death in a raging river couldn’t dissuade his daughter from wanting to drill holes in her ears.

  “You got a birthday coming up?”

  Samantha bounced out of her slumped position and placed her arms on the back of their seat. “Yes. The end of next month. Can I get them pierced then?”

  “I’m getting a little annoyed with that topic. What do you want to do for your birthday? Nana Betty and Grandpa Dave will be back by then. You want a party?”

  “Besides getting my ears pierced, I’d like a boy-girl party.”

  Just then a flash of lightning hit a tree on the side of the road, followed by a boom. The car shook, Samantha screamed and everyone caught their breath. Em moved closer, and he grabbed her hand.

  “Whew, did you see that?” Samantha asked.

  “Yes, it was God voicing his opinion about your boy-girl party. I tend to agree with him.”

  “Da-a-ad!” Samantha smacked his shoulder. “I’m a freshman in high school. I don’t want clowns making balloon animals and relatives pinching my cheeks. I want a grown-up party with booze and pot and sex—like you and Em used to have when you were my age.”

  He turned around, agitated as thoughts of her doing just that disturbed his reason. She was laughing, of all things, teasing him. And it felt so good. How wonderful not to have a constant fight. Em squeezed his hand.

  “If I agree to this boy-girl thing, it will be chaperoned. No liquor. No smoking. No sex. And no drugs of any kind.”

  “Oh, Daddy,” Samantha screamed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and cut off his windpipe. “You are the greatest.” With that she sat back in her seat and began counting on her fingers, naming all the people she planned to invite.

  At that moment, he felt like the greatest. Holding hands with Em, the rain pelting the canvas top, his daughter in blissful happiness in the backseat. What more could a man want?

  * * *

  “THAT’S IT. THAT’S IT,” Samantha shouted as they drove down the highway past Tucson. “People call the church the White Dove of the Desert. Isn’t it beautiful? Sophia says they go to services here all the time, and she always wanted to be married here.”

  Samantha picked up one of the black lace mantillas they’d brought and placed it over her head. Em reached for hers, folded it and tucked it into her purse.

  Once Roger parked the car, Samantha opened the door and took off. “There they are.” She waved, held tightly to her head covering and ran toward the people gathered in front of the church. Immediately, she stopped, turned and pointed to the sky.

  “Look. It’s blessed.” A rainbow arched over the San Xavier Mission and disappeared between the two white towers. A spectacular moment, Em thought. It would probably appear on postcards and advertisements in the future, although even a rainbow couldn’t improve on the whitewashed beauty of the
two towers framing the adobe sanctuary.

  Roger came around and held the door open for Em. “Not exactly what I’d pick for a ceremony. This is a tourist haven. Half the people here aren’t even invited to the wedding.”

  “I know. A chapel in Las Vegas is so much better.”

  Roger guffawed. “Especially when Elvis is reading the vows.”

  Em stared at him, not able to visualize prim and proper Karen going along with such a charade. “You’re kidding.”

  “No,” he said with a chuckle. “We did it right in a real church several years later, when we could afford the honeymoon.”

  He placed a hand at the small of her back and directed her toward the entrance to the church. Avoiding the large puddles that dotted the parking area was a challenge in itself, but at least the rain had stopped. Em looked for the rainbow. It had already disappeared.

  * * *

  “I CRIED, SOPHIA. I couldn’t help it. You looked so beautiful. Did you see the rainbow?”

  Roger watched as Sophia took his daughter into her arms and hugged her. How difficult this must be for them both. Sophia had been a confidante, a friend as well as a sometime mother. And yet Samantha was handling it well. She was maturing so quickly.

  Sophia brushed away tears from Samantha’s cheeks. “I’m so happy you come,” she said, grasping Roger’s hand. She released him and turned to Em. “And Miss Em, it’s good to see you again. This gringo treating you well? I told him he better or else.” Sophia grasped Em’s hands but gave Roger an evil look. Turning back to Em, Sophia said, “You like my church? I can make arrangements with the priest so you can use it, too.”

  “Your church is lovely,” Em said. Roger recognized the hesitation in her voice. Of course he had never mentioned Sophia’s suggestion that they make it a double wedding. Roger placed his hand at the small of Em’s back, pressuring her to move down the line. Finally, Sophia released her, and they were able to slip past the rest of the wedding party.

  “Doesn’t Sophia look nice?” Samantha said as Roger led her and Em back to the car. “What is this, her third marriage?”