by Mj Fields
~
“We just got home an hour ago,” Emma told Lila on the phone.
“How is she?” Lila asked concerned.
“She is well. Right now she is in her room playing.” Emma laughed, “And I am drained.”
“Have you talked to the Police, about Troy?” Lila asked.
“I did talk to the Police. They charged him with endangering the welfare of a child Lila. I am so sick to my stomach over it all. Why couldn’t he just be better for her? One night a week I was certain he could handle. I was scared about the three nights, and then he changed it when he was upset. I guess he has court next week. I should go,” Emma said softly so that London would not hear.
“Come stay with me that night, I will watch London,” Lila offered.
“Alright, I will thank about it,” Emma said.
“Hey I am sending you an email right now of jobs I think you should apply for, just to see you know,” Lila pushed.
“Thanks I will look them over,” Emma said gratefully.
~
London and Emma spent the next two days school shopping. London insisted on picking her own clothes out. She was going for retro rock star in the third grade. Emma was very amused by this, she is her own little spirit, she remembered; at least he had not broken that. London didn’t ask about her father. She had not seen the Police there that night and Emma was grateful.
The house was prepared and ready for the crazy school year to begin. Emma lay down and snuggled with London until she fell asleep. When she felt London’s little body startle she knew she had fallen into a deep enough sleep for her to exit the room.
Emma opened her email finally to check out the jobs Lila had mentioned she was sending. She read through and decided to print them out. Her phone rang and it was her mother.
They talked about what had happened while she was in the city and what London had gone through. Her mother was coming up to stay with London while Emma went to court.
“Honey I really wish you would consider moving back here. I don’t mind driving at all but you could have a much stronger support system here. After your divorce and custody hearing are done and you know what is going on I want you to please think about it,” Caroline asked.
“I will, I just need to get through this first,” Emma said softly.
Emma took the paper from the printer and read over the jobs. All were in the city, a thirty minute train ride from her childhood home in Tarrytown. Her head was spinning.
I should just do it. London would have more opportunity living close to the city. She would have family who loved her. There were more jobs available. This is all too much, she thought.
Emma opened up her email again and saw another from Lila. She had told her that Brody had asked how she and her daughter were doing. He also asked for her phone number and email address. His court date was next week for his divorce.
Emma texted Lila.
-Tell him thank you again and good luck...Emma
-Em, I think he like you…Lila
-No I am sure he just feels vested in the situation after the newspapers and taking us to get London, there is a difference, and BTW he is a baby…Em
-Whatever you need to tell yourself…Lila
- Its reality, thank you for the ego boost…Emma
-Weird coincidence that your both going to court next week hu?...Lila
-Yes, coincidence. Leave it alone!!!...Emma
-Sweet dreams Em!!...Lila
-U 2…Emma
Emma spent the rest of the night emailing her resume to every company that Lila had suggested. Her dream was that one would pick her and let her work from home. That way she could still continue parenting the way she wanted to.
~
Emma walked into Lila’s apartment. Caroline was with London and Emma was glad. Not that she did not trust Lila enough to take her up on her offer but this way she would not have to miss school. London didn’t ask where she was going, down deep Emma knew that London was aware it had something to do with her father.
Emma decided to cook dinner for Lila who was supposed to be home at eight. She plugged her iPod into Emma’s system and played some tunes as she danced in the kitchen. One More Night by Maroon 5 was playing as she cleaned up her mess and danced around and sang loudly. When the song ended she heard clapping and turned around to see Lila, Brody, and another guy she didn’t know. Her face burned and she turned off the music and pulled her hair away from her face.
“Sorry,” They all stood smiling, “I made dinner,” she said trying desperately to change the subject focus “Will you be staying?”
Why on earth did I just ask that?
“Great idea,” Lila said. “What do you say guys, a work dinner?”
~
They all sat at the large square dining table, Emma was still trying to recover from the awkwardness earlier. The others talked about Brody’s court date tomorrow. The press had found out about his upcoming court date appearance and Lila was telling them how things would go down. The other man was Brody’s lawyer Mitch, he seemed young to be a lawyer but he was Brody Hines’ lawyer, he must be good.
Emma began to clear the table as Lila and Mitch coordinated tomorrow’s plans and strategies for Brody to walk away unscathed by the divorce.
“Let me help,” Brody said as he grabbed the dirty dishes.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Emma asked while standing at the sink.
“Not particularly, but it will be nice to close this chapter of my life. And you Emma, are you ready for tomorrow?” Brody asked with concern in his eyes.
“Yes, it’ll be nice to know what the next step is for London and I,” she said looking down.
“London is an interesting name. What made you choose it?” Brody asked curiously.
“Well,” she laughed. “Her father and I had planned to go to London for our five year anniversary but could not afford it,” she looked at him feeling perplexed about whether or not he was just making small talk or truly wanted to know, she looked in his eyes, “We spent a lot of money on fertility treatments. Our trip plans changed. I made mention during an argument about money that the little one growing in my belly was way better than ten trips to London. It kind of stuck,” she laughed.
He smiled, “That is wonderful.”
“Ya, I think so too,” she said and smiled as she put the leftover food in the refrigerator.
“So you like Maroon 5?” Brody asked trying not to laugh.
Emma smiled, “I guess so.”
“May I see your iPod?” he asked taking it off the counter.
“Sure help yourself,” Emma said cynically.
“Lots of Kids Bop,” Brody said and the way he pronounced the P in Bop made her laugh.
“Yes it is way more appropriate for kids,” she said and sat on the barstool at the massive kitchen island.
“Hmm,” he said setting it down.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Hmm,” she said mockingly.
“No Brody Hines music,” Brody said astutely.
“Oh I guess not, I did enjoy your music,” Emma said trying to save face.
“Apparently not enough to listen to it again,” he laughed. “But Maroon 5 hu?”
“Alright do you want honesty?” Emma asked genuinely.
“Yes please do go on,” Brody said as he sat next to her.
“Okay I like music that doesn’t make me feel like your music does,” As soon as the words escaped her mouth she felt her face get red.
“Interesting Emma, how is it that my music makes you feel?” Brody asked sincerely.
“Well I had never heard your music before, I guess Kids Bop is not your thing,” she laughed. “I like music I can sing and dance to, fun music.”
“Yes I saw that earlier,” he laughed.
Emma scowled at him.
“Okay that doesn’t answer my question,” he asked immediately expunging the humor from his voice.
“When Lila and I came to your show the othe
r night,” Emma said looking down. “It was like watching someone tell a story, a very personal story. When you came on stage you looked over the crowd, not at them. The entire time you sang you didn’t make eye contact with the audience. The way you held your guitar was different. You cradled it, like you were holding a child or something that you held precious. It was like you wanted to share it but not like someone would share their cookies,” Emma smiled and looked up. “More like an artist displaying their greatest piece of art for the world to see but with the red rope embodying it so no one could get close. I felt like you were saying look, hear, and feel from a distance, but don’t come close. You close your eyes a lot when you sing. Which made me feel like it hurt you to share it,” She smiled and looked down. “I personally felt like I was watching you through a window during a very personal moment and you were allowing it. Your music is very intense. Beautiful but intense, and honestly it makes me uncomfortable,” Emma took a deep breath and looked up at him.
He looked deeply in her eyes, “Thank you.”
Her eyes widened, “Okay what does that mean?”
“Well that’s very true. I am a very private person,” Brody said.
She laughed and went to stand up.
“Don’t leave yet, please. Tell me what made you laugh.”
“Well you’re a celebrity, your job is to perform for people. How can you be a private person and do what you do?” Emma asked sitting back down.
“I love music, and I am very good at what I do,” he laughed. “Well most people think so anyways.”
“I think your music is great,” Emma said and raised her eyebrow, “I just said it seems very personal and private for you,” her face softened. “Is it because you feel insecure about what is going on in your personal life?”
“Wow,” he said and laughed.
“Sorry, I just know that after my husband and I split up I felt like I had failed. Every time I turned around someone would ask me how I was or wanted to know what happened. People at the grocery store would look at me differently. They even started asking in front of my daughter,” she shook her head and smiled sadly looking down. “I stopped going to the store in our town when London was with me. I took her out of our local dance school and took her half an hour away, just so I didn’t have to deal with the chit chat or the looks. So for someone like you, it must be just like that, except everyone knows who you are. Not just the people in your little town. And the way you were when you sang made me want to hug you or help you, knowing you’re going through what you are going through. So your fans must feel so much pain for you. Which I am certain that makes you uncomfortable, embarrassed, and pissed off,” she laughed. “on a much grander scale of course.”
Brody looked at her thoughtfully, “I see, but add to that the letters, e-mails, and screaming fans who feel like they may actually be able to fix it for you. Or those who say they would like to take your mind off of it,” he grinned seductively which made Emma laugh.
“I don’t get those,” she said jokingly.
“You are lucky then Emma,” Brody said with a smile. “They are kind of freaky.”
“Do you get unsolicited advice from everyone like I do?” Emma asked.
“Hordes of it,” he smiled.
“Everyone else knows what you need, and how to fix it. When sometimes all you want to do is vent or just enjoy life and not think about it,” Emma grinned.
“Exactly, and I am not sure how it is for you but in my case I feel like everyone needs something from me. Often I feel if I went on a sexual binge people may back off. That is deranged thinking isn’t it?” Brody snickered.
“Maybe after your divorce you could come out,” Emma laughed.
“Do you think I am gay Emma?” he asked seriously.
Emma smiled and tried to mask her amusement, “No, I just think that way the screaming fans would realize they had no chance.”
“Or they would try to fix me,” he said looking horrified.
They both laughed.
“What is going on in here?” Lila asked playfully.
“Divorce chatter,” Emma said and smiled.
“So did you fix it all Lila dear?” Brody asked standing up.
“I think you will be just fine,” Lila said shaking her head and walking out of the room.
“See even Lila is trying to fix both of us,” Brody said as he winked at Emma.
“I kind of gathered that, sorry,” Emma said as if she was annoyed.
“Best of luck tomorrow,” Brody said extending his hand.
Emma shook it, “You too.”
“Would it be awkward if I texted you to tell you how things went with me and you could let me know how things went for you?” Brody asked earnestly.
“Not at all, it is kind of nice having someone who understands what I am going through. I hope you feel the same way,” Emma smiled.
“I do,” he said.
Emma and Brody walked out into the living room and she said goodnight to Lila. She walked into the room and checked her emails. She had several responses from the companies she had submitted her resume to. Many asked for her to come in and interview. Emma was happy but knew from previous attempts at finding a job an interview meant that they may be interested.
“Hey Mom, how is my girl?” Emma asked.
“She went to bed after she talked to you. She is very tired,” Caroline reported.
“It always takes her a few weeks to get used to the school schedule,” Emma said softly. “So dependent on how court goes tomorrow, I may need to stay a few days for some job interviews. Would you be willing to bring London back home with you and I will meet you there?”
“Emma, you said home. Are you considering my proposal?” Caroline said with a smile in her voice.
“Dependent on court Mom,” Emma said with reserve in her voice knowing if she said yes her mother would be pushing her to do it now.
“Well of course,” Caroline said happily.
Emma skipped out in her pajamas to tell Lila the news.
“That is amazing Emma,” Lila said hugging her.
“Celebratory dance party,” Emma said and jumped on the couch and shook her fanny at Lila as she made a loud whoop whoop noise as if she were at a sporting event cheering on her favorite team.
Lila looked towards the bathroom and Emma followed her eyes. Again Brody stood witness to her goofy ways.
“Listening to your iPod happy music again Miss Emma?” he joked.
She jumped off the couch and laughed. “No, Emma just got some good news. She put in a bunch of resumes and has to schedule interviews tomorrow,” Lila said smiling. “I will be seeing much more of you if you accept an offer.”
“What kind of work are you looking for?” Brody asked earnestly.
“Editor positions, entry level of course. It seems companies don’t want to hire people like me who have been out of the workforce for seven years. Sorry again about the show. Goodnight,” Emma smiled as she shook her head walking to her room.
Chapter 3
Brody woke in his hotel room. He showered and shaved and grabbed the suit Lila had picked out for him. He was not looking forward to his pending court appearance. He had changed hotels again and it seemed no one knew where he was. No slew of fans outside in the streets screaming for him. No packages delivered wishing him good luck today, or letters offering to take his mind off of this train wreck of a day. Brody was grateful to his new friend Lila and for her friend that seemed to be occupying his thoughts lately. Emma was wonderful, kind, sweet, and funny. Even though she didn’t seem to have to try to be, he thought and laughed to himself remembering the two incidents last night in which he caught her dancing.
Brody stepped out of the black town car wearing a gray suit and woven tie. He had on sunglasses and he plastered his signature smile across his face. There were about a hundred women standing behind the police barricades screaming and yelling to him. Lila, his lawyer, and his manager followed him in the courthouse. He wave
d and walked past the masses trying to grab him. They may all mean well but he certainly never asked for this, he wished his personal moments could be his own. Like Emma, he wished they could feel his discomfort and just sit back and watch, if that’s what they felt they needed to do, he thought.
He sat in the large court room behind a wooden desk next to his lawyer when she walked in with hers. He glanced up and immediately looked away. He expected to be angry when he saw her or disgusted like he was when he saw her in print with another man. From the day he left after the affair came to light he had not been alone with her. Brody avoided all the calls and only answered text messages that concerned the divorce. Ariel was beautiful. She was almost six foot tall and very thin. Her long black hair was in a ponytail today. She wore a tan skirt and jacket, making her brown skin look even darker.
The judge looked over the paper work and asked if any changes had been made since the previous hearing. There had been none. His decision was that Brody would pay spousal support for the same number of years they had been married at fifty thousand dollars a month. Ariel would get the New York home and he would keep the one in Liverpool. No future earnings would be taken into consideration because the marriage had only lasted three years. Brody was to pay a three million dollar settlement. All parties accepted the decision and Brody and Ariel signed the paperwork. Brody was relieved that he would not have to sell the home in England near his family. He was not happy with spousal support, three million dollars and their shared home should have been enough. When they left the courtroom Ariel looked at him and smiled sadly as she walked into the arms of the man she was now shacked up with.
