Just Like Em

by Marion Ekholm

  After another moment of silence, Roger added, “You can talk now. I’m through.”

  Em leaned back on the cushions and stretched, one hand grasping the top of the chair. “I don’t know what to say.” She closed her eyes and thought about what he had said, enjoying the warmth seeping through her that had nothing to do with the Arizona weather.

  There was a long pause before he said, “Have sweet dreams tonight, Auntie Em. Goodnight.”

  After she hung up, Em lay on the lounge. She felt comfy, comforted by his voice. Maybe he was finally releasing his hold on Karen and all those memories. Maybe he’d allow Em to fill the void.

  The breeze that always preceded a storm tantalized her skin, and she pretended the warm caresses were Roger’s feathery touch. Lightning flashed, making the puffy clouds visible in the darkened sky as they descended on the valley. A few large rain drops broke her trance. She hurried to gather the cushions and toss them into the shed. By the time she finished, she was soaking wet and cold. The only heat that remained in her body was the warm glow of her heart.

  * * *

  IT WASN’T UNTIL Tuesday that Jodie could meet Em to review the divorce documents. Jodie sat in a quiet corner of the Subway restaurant examining the papers while Em purchased their sandwiches and drinks. By the time Em got through the line with their order, Jodie had finished reading and put the papers aside.

  “Bradley is one conniving idiot. Nothing in there says you have to pay for anything. Where does he come off sending these to you?” Jodie picked up the receipts and dropped them back on the table.

  Somewhat relieved, Em took a bite of her turkey sandwich. She chewed on it for a while before saying, “Then he can’t take Sammy away if I don’t pay his bills?”

  “He’s yanking your chain, Em. These papers say you have full custody, and he’s supposed to pay child support. He’s also supposed to provide medical insurance. Has he done any of that?”

  “Not since he lost his job and his insurance was terminated. Nothing at all on the child support since I left California.”

  “And you’ve been divorced how long?” Jodie glanced down at the papers. “Over a year?”

  Em nodded. “I can’t get blood from a stone. He’s not working now that he’s gone back to college.” She was about to take another bite, when Jodie grabbed her hand.

  “And you trust what this guy says now, this lying cheat who hasn’t been honest with you since the day you met?”

  Em’s appetite suddenly disappeared. “What do you mean?”

  “How can he take Sammy away? If he’s not working, he can’t support a child.”

  “You’re right,” Em said as relief swept over her. How logical. Whenever Bradley entered the picture, she lost the ability to reason.

  “For that matter,” Jodie continued, “how can he even pay for college? Is he a veteran?”

  Em shook her head.

  “Is he so smart that he gets scholarships? What about government loans?”

  Em shook her head again. “He gets gullible women like me. For all I know, another woman is supporting him.”

  “How do you know he’s not working? For that matter, how do you know he went back to college? Just because he sends you copies of receipts doesn’t mean he actually kept those books. He could have bought them and returned them after making these copies.”

  Em sat back in wonder as Bradley’s possible deception became evident. “Why didn’t I think of that?” She leaned forward and slammed a fist on the table. “That scorpion! Of course. He figures he can say anything because I have no way to check. He knows I can’t afford to take off from work and track him down in California.”

  “Ah, but we can check. Harve has this detective who works for him sometimes and he can find out everything for us.”

  “Detectives cost money.”

  Jodi ignored Em’s statement and went on. “You know Bradley’s social security number? This guy can track almost anything through the internet. At the very least, he can find out if your ex-hubby went back to college.”

  Em reached over and grasped Jodie’s hand, nearly knocking the water glass over. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. The joy she felt had to reflect in her eyes.

  * * *

  “I HATE THEM. I want to move out.”

  Em looked up from her magazine to see Sammy’s scowling face in front of her. “We can’t move out. We’ve got no place to go.”

  “Well, I can move in with you and Grandma.”

  “There’s no room for another bed.”

  Sammy pushed her magazine aside and climbed into her lap. “I can sleep with you.”

  “What’s the problem with Chip and Chaz?” Em waited until her son stopped squirming before wrapping her arms around him.

  He thought a moment before saying, “They’re takin’ my toys and won’t let me have them.”

  “This happen a lot?” Em enjoyed the snuggling. There hadn’t been much of it since they’d moved in. Up to now he’d been perfectly happy with his friends.

  With a shake of his head, Sammy went on to say, “Samantha told me I’m not one of her brothers. She says I’m only here temparoyolly.”

  “Temporarily?”

  “Yeah, that one. What does it mean?”

  “It means we’re only here for a short time, and she’s right, you know. When Mr. Holden finds a new nanny for his family, we’ll have to go.” That subject hadn’t been addressed and probably wouldn’t be for a while. Roger was so busy with training new people and transferring the work to Seattle he’d had no time to look into the matter.

  “I don’t want to go. I like it here.”

  Em hid her smile as her son reversed his position. She hoped he wouldn’t have to move. She enjoyed living here, too, being part of Roger’s family. If only they could make the situation permanent.

  Just one problem existed. Karen’s presence still dominated the house, through her photos, her decorating and that frightful portrait Em had to avoid every time she went past the living room. Roger had removed it, but several days ago, about the same time Samantha began acting rebellious, the picture returned. Karen’s mother also made her presence known, calling every day, asking questions and issuing orders. Had the picture’s reappearance anything to do with her?

  “Where will we live if we have to leave?” Sammy’s small voice interrupted Em’s thoughts.

  “We’ll buy a house.” Not as grand as this, but one they could call their own. Doris had set up an account with her first pay from Roger, and Em added what she could each payday of hers. “It will have a backyard where you can play with your friends, and you’ll have your own room and won’t have to share with anyone.”

  “I like sharing,” he said as he pushed off her lap.

  Really, she thought, then what was this big problem with the boys? By the time he’d disappeared and headed back up the stairs, she realized his real problem. Samantha.

  The girl had become combative as well as rebellious since her father left, disagreeing with anything and everyone. And Em hadn’t figured out why. If only she could discuss it with Roger. Maybe she’d have a chance when he returned.

  * * *

  ANOTHER LUNCHEON WITH Jodie a week later turned into an eye-opener. “That detective found all this on the internet?” Em checked over the printed sheet of information in wonder. The attached bill would eat up what she’d allotted this week for their house fund, but it was worth it.

  “Bradley Samuel Turner, otherwise known as slug bug, has a job and has not enrolled in any college within 100 miles of his address. Nor has he enrolled in online classes that could be thousands of miles away.”

  “So what should I do?” Em asked, folding the sheet and slipping it back into its envelope. “Call him, confront him, take him to court and get every last
cent he owes me?” That would include the hospital bill she’d had to charge in Prescott when Sammy had to be admitted. Em sat back and tapped the envelope on the Mexican-tiled restaurant table.

  “Right now, I’d say nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “From the little I’ve learned about this man and the way he affects you—” Jodie leaned closer “—I’d say don’t antagonize him.”

  Jodie’s words effectively silenced Em.

  “I’ve seen it before. He’s an abuser.”

  Immediately, Em rushed to Bradley’s defense. “He’s never hit me. Never even raised his voice.”

  “No, maybe not that kind of abuse, but the man radiates a need to control you. And he obviously gets some kind of pleasure from it. Even though he has no rights, he knows you well enough to pull your strings. He’s doing that now with these threats.”

  “But he has no basis, right? He can’t take Sammy.”

  “No. But he can make your life miserable. I’ve seen it before—civil suits with no real legal grounding that get thrown out eventually but ruin your life and drag on for years.”

  Em was close to a panic attack. “But what can he do?”

  “How much does he know about your present living conditions?”

  “Nothing. I haven’t told him I moved, and anything he sends me gets forwarded. I guess I should notify...”

  “Don’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “He might use that to take you to court.”

  “What?” Em rose slightly before flopping back onto her seat. “What are you talking about?”

  “If he finds out you’re living in another man’s house and sleeping with him...”

  This time Em did jump up. “I’m not!” she shouted.

  Jodie stood and grabbed Em’s arm, forcing her back into her seat. “That’s not what I heard.”

  Em glanced around at several patrons, who stared back. She gave them a weak smile before returning her attention to Jodie. Leaning across the table, Em whispered, “What did you hear, and where did you hear it?”

  Jodie met her halfway so that their faces were only inches away. “Samantha.”

  With an angry rap to the table, Em sat back. “Where does she come off saying such a thing? Roger and I have done nothing to warrant that accusation. And I promised her when we went shopping that I’d never do that outside of marriage.”

  “It came up?”

  “You’d be surprised what comes up with that girl.” Em squirmed in her seat and looked around to see if they were still the center of attention. “We were getting along fine, then he left for Seattle and she’s become impossible, and I can’t figure out why.”

  “The behavior started after he left?”

  “Yes. And he’s been away for nearly two weeks. Exactly when could we have done anything?”

  “So, she’s never witnessed anything.”

  “Some dancing at Sophia’s wedding.”

  “No kissing?”

  “One time. And she wasn’t even home. That’s it.” Em held her right hand up. “I swear.”

  “Maybe she’s confused, you know, not sure how...”

  With a sigh, Em tossed her head back, before looking Jodie straight in the eye. “That kid knows more than I knew on my wedding night.”

  “You’re probably right. Either way, you don’t want any of this to land in Bradley’s lap. Even if he can’t make anything stick, he could put doubt in a judge’s mind about your fitness as a mother. I’ve seen it happen. People with determination can screw everything up and make it look worse than it is, and it could mean a long drawn-out problem until the matter is settled.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Em said as she closed her eyes, clenched her hands and shook them in frustration. “Why do these things happen to me?”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  IT WAS ALREADY October, more than a month since Roger and Em had had their kiss. He was back in Seattle again, where he’d spent most of his time. None of his stopovers in Phoenix had included any chance for him and Em to be alone. It frustrated him every time he thought of it, usually on the long commutes.

  Roger tossed his suitcase on the hotel bed and took out the double gold picture frame with its hinged spine. He’d packed it every time he traveled, updating the pictures whenever new ones became available.

  He stared at the side containing his children. How big they’d grown in the year since this photo was taken. On the other side of the frame, Karen smiled back at him. Who knew that only a few months after posing for this picture she’d be gone? They’d had nearly twelve wonderful married years together. Roger sighed and gave each picture a kiss before placing the frame on the night stand next to the bed.

  He reached into the suitcase pocket and removed a packet of pictures Jodie had taken at his nephew’s party. He began flipping through them, then stopped at the one he wanted. Em grinned at the camera with her arms wrapped around Sammy’s neck. It was impossible not to grin back. She made him smile, not only when he was with her but also during those long times when they were apart. Just thinking about Em...

  Over the past month they hadn’t had the opportunity to share even the slightest kiss. If the children didn’t intercept every stolen moment, then Doris took over and watched their every move. He’d had more freedom as a teenager.

  Roger picked up the phone and dialed his home number. Everyone should be in bed by now, including Doris, the Wicked Witch of the West. He grinned as he thought of how she now had his home running like a well-oiled machine. Everyone helped, and he hadn’t found kitchen duty such a drudge, after all. At least it gave him a chance to spend a few minutes with Em, even if it usually included one or more children.

  He let the phone ring once then hung up—their prearranged signal. He dialed again.

  “Hello.” Em’s voice was soft and low, and he pictured her hunkered down on the couch in an effort to keep anyone else from hearing her.

  “Hi. The kids in bed?”

  “Finally. Mom’s totally done in, as well. How’s Seattle? Enjoying the rain?”

  “Nope. Missing the sunshine.” He choked back his desire to say, You’re the sun, radiating warmth and light. I miss you.

  “Well, we certainly have plenty of that to go around. It’s still hitting 90 here.”

  Were they reduced to talking about the weather? Roger flopped onto the bed. “I’ve been thinking, we haven’t had a moment to ourselves since you moved in. How about you and me going out on that date when I get back?”

  “Oh, a date?”

  Roger chuckled. He picked up the photo of her and Sammy and set it against the picture frame. “Yeah, a real honest-to-goodness date. We’ll go dancing, too, if you want, or maybe to a play. What do you say?”

  “I’d love to. When?”

  “Saturday night. I’ll be flying in Friday on the redeye.”

  “Saturday? Oh, no, we can’t.” Her voice rang with genuine disappointment.

  Roger sat up and tossed his legs over the side of the bed. “Why not?”

  “It’s Samantha’s birthday. She turns fourteen and we’re having this special party for her. Remember, that boy-girl thing you agreed to?”

  Roger smacked his forehead with his palm. He had agreed to let Samantha have the kind of party she wanted during their trip to Tucson. It was this Saturday? Of course he’d put it out of his mind once Em took over all the preparations. Samantha had mentioned it during his short time at home, along with a not-so-subtle hint about getting her ears pierced.

  “A few adults should be handy. Jodie’s taking the boys to the movies and then keeping them overnight. It’s up to you, me and Mom, unless you think we should ask someone else for additional help.”

  “No. We don’t need overkill. But I thought
we had another week.”

  “And don’t forget Sunday we’re having your family over.”

  Roger cradled his head in his hand and leaned an elbow on his knee. “Then Monday night I’m flying back here after checking in at the Phoenix office.” He began to rub the spot above his eyes where a headache had clamped itself.

  “Plan on Monday,” he said, standing and reaching into his bag for some aspirin. “We’ll have dinner before I take off, in that restaurant that spins around overlooking Phoenix. Sound okay?”

  “Sounds great.” He shook two pills from the bottle and was considering swallowing them without water, when Em whispered, “I’ve got to hang up. Somebody’s coming down the stairs.” A moment later the line went dead.

  Damn. The phone call left him frustrated. His dreams would have to do, just as they had since Em became a part of his life. He popped the pills into his mouth and headed for the bathroom and some water to wash them down.

  When he returned, he took Em’s photo and studied it for a moment. It produced another smile. He slipped it in front of Karen’s and ran a finger over the curve of Em’s face.

  Once he was back in Phoenix, he planned to ask Em to marry him. Metro had given him a firm offer to move him and his family to Seattle to run the customer-relations operations. At least he had a future now, something to offer Em along with his name. He hoped that would be enough for her to commit to his large, sometimes unruly family.

  He reached into his bag again and removed a tiny blue box. Originally, he had gone into the jewelry store in search of a ring, something to present to Em when he popped the question. But all his confidence had slipped through his shoes the moment he’d searched the display. What did he know of her tastes, her desires? Nothing.

  Had her first husband given her an engagement ring? Was it a diamond? He had no desire to duplicate anything that might remind her of Bradley Turner. Roger tried recalling what he’d bought for Karen, but that had been years after they were married, and she had picked it out herself.