It's Never Too Late

Chapter 11

            David was surprised, “just now, why were you startled?”

            “No, I didn’t expect you, Emily was telling me she wanted to go out on a double date again. I said I’d talk to you, we always make our decisions together.”

            “I actually told Terry, that I won’t be able to, why don’t you guys go?” Emily said.

            “Are you sure?” David saw that Terry was acting nervous. Emily gave her a look.

            “I’m sure,” Emily said sternly.

            “Can we go? I hate it here, it’s so dark. I can’t wait until we get there,” they left while she kept talking, “you’ll see the reservation I placed for us, and you won’t believe the view!” Terry kept going.

            Oh god, what a fake! Oh well I have to get ready for the biggest step of my career, how did she know that I’m an orphan? Did David tell her? “This is it! Emily, you can’t fail, it’s for your family.” Emily thought aloud. She was scared, but it was all worth it.

            Mr. Emerson came to see if everyone was gone, he saw Emily in her office, “do you need a lot?”

            “No, I’ll be done in five minutes. I just need to finish some things here and there.” Emily said quickly.

            “Ok, hurry I need to close, I’m meeting with someone,” Mr. Emerson said.

            “David’s mother?” Emily asked somehow knowing the answer.

            “You know, huh?” Mr. Emerson sighed.

            “Yes, that’s fine. You know what? I can finish at home. Yes, I’ll disconnect the laptop and leave now, ok bye,” Emily seemed sad.

            “Are you ok?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “Oh God! I’m fine, of course, David asked the same question, I’m tired. I’ll sleep early. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” Emily left home with Jacob and called Stanley. “Do you have everything ready?”

            “Yes, we’ll drop you off, Jacob put the cameras in the room, so you don’t have to worry, I will be working the case with him,” Stanley sounded serious.

            “I don’t want to know why you sound like a detective movie, I’ll ask anyways, why?” Emily asked.

            “I don’t want to lose you, I’ve come to think of you as someone special in my life, even if you don’t feel the same way yet. I’ll be losing if something were to happen to you.” Stanley sounded worried.

            Emily sighed, “tomorrow I'll be at work giving the news. Sam the thief/ murderer/ crook, caught by yours truly. I’m working on the title. David is good at that.”

            Stanley laughed, “I think you should leave that to him.”

            “I’m home, I need to ‘fix’ my bed, so they think I’m sleeping in. I’m on my way.” Emily got into her car when she noticed car lights shining behind her car she bent down before David could see her reflection.

            “Emily’s here, why does she have to live here, huh?” Terry was jealous.

            “Terry! That’s enough!” David said sternly.

            “I’m sorry, who can blame a girl for being jealous?” Silence. Emily peeked to see if she left, she was there, they were kissing again. Hurry up! “What happened?”

            “I thought I saw something,” David said looking towards Emily’s car.

            “I know who that is,” Emily ducked so he wouldn’t see her, “the police, they’re here because of Sam.” Terry explained.

            “Well, ok, bye.” David said.

            “Bye.” Terry waved and left.

            Emily waited to be sure he wasn’t there, when it was safe she left for the hotel.

            “Stanley? I’m on my way, I couldn’t leave before. Sorry I was waiting inside my car, I had to make sure David went in, so he wouldn’t see me.”

*********************

            Mr. Emerson, was on his way to see Irene, she wanted to talk to him. I will let her know that she can never come near my son. Especially without me there. “William, I’m glad you could make it, it’s good to finally see you again.”

            “I wish I could say the same, I came to tell you, to leave us alone, you went missing for twenty years,” Mr. Emerson sounded angry.

            “I know, it was the hardest decision I ever made. What I did was for the best. You’re no one to tell me about respect, you disrespected our marriage! I’ll never forgive you for that!” Irene said angrily.

            “See, I try to talk to you, and you- you- confuse me, you’re so complicated and you never listen!” Mr. Emerson got bothered.

            “I would believe you if I should have never caught you with her. God! You were kissing her!” Irene glared.

            “I- you lost me I’ll ask anyways, what the heck are you talking about?”

            “Never mind,” Irene rolled her eyes.

            “It’s always the same with you, you’re not going to tell me, right?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

            “I want to talk about our son,” Irene said.

            “My son, I told you, no mother abandons her children, you did.”

            “YES I DID! But as I said before, it was the hardest thing I could have done. I had to leave him, I couldn’t take him with me, that’s what I told you,” she sighed, “I was sick William.” Irene finally said.

            Mr. Emerson’s eyes widened while his face went pale, “what are you saying? You better not be lying because I promise—”

            “I had cancer, I had to go get treated, it took me years to recuperate, I’m here now.” Mr. Emerson ran his fingers through his hair. “David does that.” Irene smiled remembering.

            “Don’t say he has my mannerisms, it only shows you he’s my son. How could you lie to me? It would’ve been better to hear that. How dare you? Do you have any idea, what this meant for David? He loves you Damn it!” Mr. Emerson felt light headed and he took a deep breath.

            Irene smiled, “you said he loves me, did you notice?”

            “How could you?” Mr. Emerson turned to her furious.

            “I was afraid! I was gonna tell you, but I saw you-”Irene stopped herself.

            “What? I want to know,” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “You were kissing my cousin, we haven’t spoken since then because of you. I couldn’t trust her, I couldn’t trust you either,” Irene cried.

            His face went pale and his knees buckled, he fell on the sofa, thank god for this sofa or I would’ve hit the floor.

            “I thought I was gonna die, David was going to be fine with you. I lived with my parents for ten years. I survived it and I looked for you, you moved. But, you know what’s funny?” Irene asked.

            “I want to hear this, come on say it. Make me laugh!” Mr. Emerson said ironically.

            “I worked as a substitute teacher, when I was taking role, guess whose name I came up with: David Emerson, it was as if I was reunited with my son, nothing could go wrong. I never told him who I was, I never thought-” Irene looked as if remembering.

            “I’m still mad at you, don’t expect me to open my arms and forgive you, but the hardest is yet to come.” Mr. Emerson said thinking of a decision.

            “You mean…?” Irene couldn’t finish the sentence and she looked hopeful.

            “That’s exactly what I mean,” Mr. Emerson said.

            “How will he take it?” Irene asked.

            “He’ll understand.” Mr. Emerson said without believing it.

            “You know, I’ll never forgive you for this,” Irene said.

            Mr. Emerson sighed, “your cousin was visiting, she broke up with her boyfriend she came over me when I was comforting her. She kissed me I kicked her out, she left.

            Oh! But it didn’t end there, no sir, I went to pick you up I saw you crying. What did you tell me? That you’re leaving me and you wanted nothing to do with me and that you were leaving David.

            Do you know what happened that day? I was driving and thinking to myself, why? Did I do something? Trust me I wanted to understand, I didn’t see the car until it was too late, a car hit my side. I was in a comma for FIVE DAYS. My son stayed with Emily’s and Helen’s parents they always took care of each other and they became inseparable.

            After I awoke I decided to tell our son, that you died, I thought it was best, that day I buried you!”

            “I had no idea.” Irene was crying, she couldn’t help it.

            “STOP IT! I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE FEEL SORRY FOR ME! I don’t want sympathy, I wanted you to know. I’ll let you see him, but you won’t tell him who you are, not yet!” Mr. Emerson said angrily.

            “I’m not planning to take him away from you. I want to know him, maybe tell him who I am, but you told him I died.”

            “I’ll tell him when he’s ready, I’ll make him understand. I need some time to think.” Mr. Emerson was about to leave.

            Irene noticed that he was turning pale, “are you ok?” Mr. Emerson started breathing hard. Not now. “I’m a nurse, here lay down. You’ll have to go to the hospital.”

            “I’m fine! It’s just stress, yeah that’s it, stress I’ll leave,” he tried to get up, she placed him back down.

            “It’s your blood pressure, I can’t let you go,” she put a pillow under his head to get him to rest and gave him a glass of water, “drink it slowly.”

             Mr. Emerson sat up to drink the water, “I’m fine. How did you know? I mean, where did you learn?”

            “My friends from work, doctors that attended me and school nurses when I was a teacher. I attended the school of nurses and I graduated with a job.” Irene explained.

            “Tomorrow, come to the office, I’m going home. David is the manager and he’s a news anchor, he will be on the set.” Mr. Emerson explained.

            “I think I’ve seen him on TV. Who is that young lady that works alongside him? She seems familiar.” Irene asked.

            “That’s the eldest daughter, of Olivia and Damien McAllister, their youngest is going to be a doctor.” Mr. Emerson explained.

            “I never saw, the McAllister’s again, what’s happened to them?” Irene asked.

            “They died in a car crash five years ago,” Mr. Emerson said dryly.

            “Oh no! I had no idea.” Irene cried, “she was my best friend, we knew each other since grade school.”

            “I adopted the girls, or they would’ve gone to an orphanage,” he explained.

            “I’m sure they grew just fine.” Irene looked sad with the news.

            “Come tomorrow to my office. I’ll tell David, that you’re…what’s your last name now?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “Just tell him my name is, Ms. Wesley, that’s my maiden name remember?”

            “Fine! Ms. Wesley, from where? Now let me warn you, he feels he knows you, so choose your words wisely.” Mr. Emerson warned.

            “Don’t worry I will.” Irene promised.

**********************

            Emily arrived, she was planning on taking Jacob’s room and Jacob would surprise Sam from behind, as the door creaked they waited, and waited. Suddenly, they heard gun shots. Jacob grabbed the gun while taking him down. Sam Sanderson was finally caught.

            “YOU SHOT HER! WHY?” Stanley asked when he saw the wounds on the blankets.

            “I don’t care if I go to jail, she destroyed me and I destroyed her,” Sam laughed sarcastically. They walked out of the room, Stanley followed.

            “Stanley I need to talk to you. Procedures, you knew the victim.” Jacob explained.

            Stanley looked depressed, “how could you? She was a good person, she never did anything to you.”

            “She destroyed my life, I needed to get revenge, not only did she destroy me she destroyed my family and what’s worse, my father cut me off. His only real son out, disowned,” Sam glared at Stanley and said, “I’m happy she’s dead.”

            Stanley came back to the room minutes later, “Come out, it’s safe.”

            “How did you know? I was going to tell you of course, I don’t think I was that bad was I?” Emily made a bashful face at him.

            “Jacob told me,” Stanley explained.

            “Well, wait a minute, what time is it?” Emily looked surprised.

            “Four AM,” Stanley said.

            “What?” Emily said scared.

            “Uh…four am.” Stanley repeated.

            “I need to get back, they have to see me leaving, I will have to talk to them, before I go on air.” Emily explained.

            “Are you gonna be ok?” Stanley asked.

            “Yes.” Emily said nervous. Hopefully they’ll understand.

            They took her home and on the way, they kept talking, “he will be trapped in a straight jacket and never come off it. He won’t be able to escape.” Jacob explained.

            When she got home, she went in as silently as she could. Suddenly, the lamp turned on behind her she turned, startled. “Where the hell have you been?” David glared.

            “I did it, promise me you’ll keep the secret, until tomorrow, I actually was going to tell you guys. You’re mad now, but you’re going to be proud,” Emily sounded excited.

            “EMILY! I’M NOT PROUD I CAN’T EVER BE WITH A- I’m going to relax, you won’t get away with this.” David said angrily.

            “No! All I ask is that you keep my secret until seven, I’ll tell your father. If you want to know the video is there, I’m getting at least one hour of sleep.”

            “You know what? I don’t care, you are staying awake, you can take a cold shower, I promise not to tell until 6:30. Deal?” David glared at her.

            “Deal.” She went inside, and took a cold bath, at least he wasn’t going to tell his dad, right? She got out Mr. Emerson and David were down stairs waiting for her.

            “Hey, having breakfast?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “No, I need to be in the office, a lot to do.” Emily turned to leave.

            “You couldn’t do your work yesterday?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “About that, I have to talk to you guys about something that happened yesterday, it’s actually a funny story, yes, that’s it- Oh whatever! Look I’m just going to say it.”

            David gave her a look, “I told her to do it! She was never in danger Jacob was there to take care of her.”

            “Ok, first I- you guys aren’t making sense, what is going on?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “I am going to show you today at work, we really have to go. David you promised to give me until 6:30 I still have time.” Emily got to work at around six am, she was in a hurry, David and Mr. Emerson, were watching the video, Emily got ready to on air. She told Jimmy what she did the night before, “they’re going to be furious, but I don’t regret it, he was caught,” Emily explained.

            “Emily!” David startled her again.

            “Stop! I already showed him the video,” Emily said trying to leave. David blocked her way, “what are you doing? I can’t apologize I didn’t do anything wrong.”

            “Why did you do this? You promised-” David glared.

            “I didn’t promise-” Emily explained.

            From behind her Irene came, “like Olivia, I’d know that independence anywhere.”

            Whoever this is I’m thankful. She came in time, to change the conversation. “Wait, I know you.” Emily knew immediately who this was and got nervous, she left to distract Mr. Emerson but, he walked towards them. Oh no, now what? No this can’t be.

            “David? Ms. Wesley, she knew your mother.” Mr. Emerson sounded monotone, “Ms. Wesley, this is David, my son.”

            David looked shocked, father wanted to keep me away from her and now he’s presenting us? What’s going on?

            “I knew both your mothers, we can talk about them after your air time. Emily, you look so much like her, you have the same personality and remind me of her. I heard she had another daughter?” Irene explained.

            “Yes.” Emily said.

            “David, I’m sorry, there was some misunderstanding before with your father and I. He apologized, right William?” Irene looked at him, he sighed.

            “Dad, is she-?” David looked confused.

            “David, why don’t we go? We are going on in a few minutes! And no matter what you say to me, you’re not bringing me down today!” Emily told David.

            They sat in front of the cameras, Ms. Wesley and Mr. Emerson sat behind a glass where they could see them giving out the news that Sam Sanderson had been caught. “She really did it, you know she said, she’d do this one day.”

            “Yeah, you have to leave, you can come back later, they still need to work on today’s recording for the afternoon, don’t say too much, not yet.” Mr. Emerson warned.

            “When am I going to tell him? The sooner the better,” Irene said.

            “We have to prepare him! He is going to take this hard. I don’t know how we’re going to explain and I need to talk to Emily.” Mr. Emerson said maddened.

            “Emily? That’s her right.” Irene asked watching her come over.

            “Mr. Emerson, hi Irene, I already know who you are. David’s trying to recognize you, he wants to talk to you.” Emily explained.

            “I’ll come back for lunch, I have to go to work, I work at the hospital, can’t be late.” Irene explained. David saw Ms. Wesley leave, he walked to her. Ms. Wesley extended her hand to his cheek, “don’t worry sweetheart, we’ll meet for lunch,” Mr. Emerson, was protectively, watching.

            Mr. Emerson walked towards her, “I’ll show you to the door.”

            “William I know where the door is, I’ll be back for lunch.” Irene said.

            David, was shocked, no, it can’t be! She died, he went back to work, trying to take Ms. Wesley out of his mind. She reminded him of someone, who died long ago.

            Ms. Wesley couldn’t help herself, she knew that she could trigger his memory. Seeing him, reminded her of the old times, she’d always caress his little cheek and say, ‘don’t worry, sweetheart.’

            “Emily, in my office.” Mr. Emerson said sternly. Emily went to his office, she knew that what she did was dangerous. It was what I had to do. I have to explain.

            Mr. Emerson sat across from her, “Mr. Emerson, I know it was dangerous, but—”

            “THEN WHY DID YOU?!” Mr. Emerson screamed.

            “I had to! The car, that was destroyed belonged to a young girl, since her car looked like mine. Sam Sanderson crashed it, destroying her car completely. It came up in the cameras, he became a murderer. It was either that, or-” Emily stopped herself.

            “Or?!” Mr. Emerson glared at her.

            “He could have hurt you or David I’d never forgive myself if that happened. He was looking for me. I had to make him think he found me. I didn’t sleep at all thinking if I made the right choice. Once he came, I knew I had.” Emily explained.

            Mr. Emerson put his head between his hands, “What am I to do with you? You have any idea what you’ve put us through? David wouldn’t tell me what happened this morning, now I know.”

            “I understand, you’re mad, it was all I could think of. What else could I do?” Emily had felt useless, but I’ve done something finally.

            “Anything, but that, why didn’t you come to me? I could have thought of something. I could’ve—” Mr. Emerson tried to find the words.

            “You would’ve stopped me! I couldn’t tell you or David.” Emily said.

            “How did he know if you didn’t tell him?” Mr. Emerson asked.

            “I got home at around 4—”

            “4 IN THE MORNING?” Mr. Emerson said shocked.

            “I was going to tell you guys, trust me, I don’t know how he found out. He was waiting for me, when I arrived.” Emily explained.

            “I suppose Irene was right, she said you’re strong, independent like your mother. But, this Emily, why?” Mr. Emerson looked maddened.

            “I promised my mother I would never fall, I won’t be afraid and I’ll do anything to be like her, she wasn’t just strong, or independent, she was brave too,” Emily said.

            “You could have died! I’d never forgive myself!” Mr. Emerson explained.

            “Nothing would happen, I needed to get away from both of you. Just the thought of my sister coming and Sam being free to hurt her, worried me. My mother would have done the same! I knew you would have stopped me.”

            Mr. Emerson came around his desk, “Emily, I always saw you like family, I was your god father, Irene was your godmother and…” Mr. Emerson put his hand over his face to hide his sorrow, “if she stayed she would have been Helen’s as well.

            Next time, no matter what it is talk to someone, you can’t do this alone. You don’t have to think that you can’t trust me or David. You did a good job as a reporter, as a daughter, you should’ve come to me,” Mr. Emerson said noticeably disappointed.

            “I understand,” Emily said.

            “You can go home, you didn’t sleep, David will drive you. I know you were done last night, but I didn’t know what you were up to.” Mr. Emerson opened the door, “David, come here please, take Emily home, she didn’t sleep all night, make sure she comes back for the afternoon report. Emily go on.”

            David was still mad, Emily could tell because he ignored her. But right now, she didn’t care, she was tired and needed the rest, finally he spoke when they were near the house. “Here’s where I saw that car, I was thankful it wasn’t you. I- we would have lost you if it had. How could you?”

            “That accident which you speak of, I found out later, he thought it was me. What you saw yesterday, should’ve been me! She was young, she did nothing wrong!”

            “What are you talking about?” David asked.

            “Sam killed her because he thought it was me, he wanted to kill me, no matter when or how. I had to make him think he had a chance, he thought he got me and I’m alive.” Emily said.

            “Now, what if that had been you? You want to give me a heart attack?” David looked angry.

            “Don’t worry too much, it was dangerous, but it had to be done, no one knew where he was, he knew what kind of car I drive.

            He had to have known where I was coming from, he was waiting for me, don’t you understand? I went through here, I never saw the accident you’re telling me about, but I heard what happened.

            Jacob told me, Sam confessed, he said, he didn’t know who it was, that he had nothing against her and that he only wanted to kill me!” Emily cried.

            “You still should’ve come to me, why don’t you understand? I- look it doesn’t matter it’s done. I want to help you.” David explained.

            Emily remembered, what Terry said the night before, I’ll stop pretending to myself, that David’s always going to be there for me. “You have a life, you shouldn’t be there for me all the time. You should protect me less, I can protect myself from now on.”

            “What are you hiding from me now?” David looked at her suspiciously.

            “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself,” Emily looked away and saw they were home, “have fun with Ms. Wesley she’s nice.” Emily got off the car. David knew something was wrong, she never acted this way and what she said makes no sense.

            David went back he couldn’t stop thinking of her, he was confused, what was she hiding? I’m going to find out! She isn’t going to keep secrets from me.

            For some reason he thought Terry had something to do with it, she spoke with her yesterday and got nervous when he got there. What was going on?

            Mr. Emerson called David during lunchtime with Ms. Wesley. I won’t leave them alone, to let her make a mistake. David was silent after that morning he knew something triggered. They were mother and son but he’d tell him when he was ready he couldn’t allow him to feel unloved, or feigned, it’s not like I meant it, he has to understand.

            They went to a coffee shop far from the office, where they always used to go long ago. David remembered, he turned to look at his father with an expression of a question arousing in his face. “Your mother loved it here, we came here every time after school. I’m sure she brought you many times.”

            “I remember when William and your mother came here, you know your dad proposed to your mother, right where were sitting,” Irene told David.

            “It was here where I last-” Mr. Emerson spoke without thinking, here is where I last saw her, he stopped before it was too late to take it back. “Ate with your mother, we had lunch that day.”

            “Dad, if I knew better I’d say you were still in love with mom.” He smiled.

            Mr. Emerson was displeased, “I buried her in life and in my heart.”

            “William I’m sure you did, I buried my husband too, I mean you notice I kept my maiden name, right?” Irene said with irony.

            “I’m sorry, is there something going on between you?” David looked suspiciously.

            “I can assure you, your mother was the only woman, and she-” Mr. Emerson saw they were astounded by what he was saying, “she’s dead.”

            “Anyways, your father always brought roses for her birthday, your mother loved them. When he fell in love with her, he asked her to prom with a rose bouquet in his hand,” Irene explained.

            “I thought he met mom when he was in his twenty’s,” David looked surprised.

            “Well that’s because your mother, moved after prom night, it was the last time they saw each other until destiny brought them together. Your mother studied journalism, they took classes together and opened the business you are working for now. Your father brought your business a long way you’d owe it to him. Do you have a picture of your mother?” Irene asked.

            “My father keeps them.” David glanced over at his father accusingly.

            “Too bad, you never showed him any?” Irene looked at him surprised.

            “I keep them safe,” Mr. Emerson looked at her sternly.

            “Well, here is a picture of your mother as a young girl with your father.”

Mr. Emerson didn’t want him to recognize her, not yet, and took the picture away. Her mother had taken the picture before they left to prom. Her father was in the middle, checking that they weren’t too close to each other, she looked so different.

            Yet again, I can’t believe she kept that picture all this time. He handed it to David, who was confused by his reaction. “I really miss her. I know she is close.”

            Mr. Emerson was shocked, he turned to David, “wh-what?” Did he really find out, already? It’s too soon.

            “I know she’s watching over me,” David looked surprised by his father’s reaction.

            “That’s right, son,” Mr. Emerson turned satisfied.

            Ms. Wesley realized that she missed out on a lot. Not like I didn’t know it before, I wished things had been different, I wouldn’t have left, I miss those days when everything was just fine and happy family moments.

            She was lost in her thoughts when David startled her, “Did you have children? You did say you were married, right?” Mr. Emerson was surprised at what his son was asking.

            “Yes, I had to leave him,” her eyes filled with tears, “he was only a little boy, and I thought he wouldn’t understand. I had cancer.”

            Mr. Emerson looked at her, “why did you think that?”

            “I thought my son was too young to understand,” Irene’s eyes filled with tears and she wiped them away.

            “You abandoned him!” Mr. Emerson glared at her.

            “Father? What’s gotten into you?” David was shocked.

            “He’s right I abandon him, he was in school. I worked late, his father would pick me up, after picking up my son. That day, my son was sick, he stayed home, I was getting off early. I found out, about the cancer, since the doctor called and gave me the results, I didn’t tell my husband or my son. I chose to leave them, but it was hard.”

            “Excuse me!” Mr. Emerson couldn’t control his sorrow, it was finally coming out, the feelings he held for years. “Ms. Wesley can you come for one minute?”

            She stood, “I’ll be back in a sec,” she wiped her face and followed him, he was pale, was this his blood pressure? What he said next, she wasn’t expecting.

            “Let’s tell him, I hate lying to him, I’ve been doing it for many years, I don’t like it!” Mr. Emerson looked hurt and worried.

            David was confused he had so many questions he didn’t know where to begin. He looked at his dad and Ms. Wesley together talking outside the restaurant, he couldn’t help but think, who was she? How did she get a hold of this picture?

            They came back, sitting side by side. “Dad are you two going to tell me you’re dating or something because-what’s going on?” David asked.

            “We have something to tell you, I have been keeping a secret from you David, I lied since you were a child, I hated it.” Mr. Emerson said.

            “What are you talking about?” David asked his father.

            “What Ms. Wesley told you, is the true…” he couldn’t go on and he stood and went outside.

            “Can you tell me what is going on?” David asked Ms. Wesley.

            Ms. Wesley looked deep into David’s eyes, while her hand went to his cheek she said, “oh sweetheart! Don’t ever change, I am very proud of you.”

            “What are you saying?” David’s face went pale.

            Ms. Wesley did not answer she looked at David. Mr. Emerson came back, they turned to him, “did you tell him?” Mr. Emerson asked her.

            “I can’t.” Ms. Wesley said.

            David looked at them, Mr. Emerson sat back down. “I wish there was a better way to say it, I’ll come out and-I promise not to hold it against you, if you hate me. She’s Irene Emerson your mother.”