It's Never Too Late

Chapter 7

            Emily returned to Stanley, their food was there and she was hungry, she hadn’t eaten since Jacob lied about David. David didn’t talk to her, because he was mad. Terry won’t destroy my date with Stanley.

            David was waiting, he saw Terry come out, “I suddenly, feel like going to the beach, why don’t we have a picnic there?” She said.

            “Ok,” he kept looking back at her, she kept rubbing her cheek and he remembered how he got slapped by Emily, she’s strong when it comes to getting mad. “Are you ok?” David looked shocked.

            “Yeah, I banged my head against the wall,” Terry explained.

            “Ok, we are here.” David turned to check her face.

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

            Emily wasn’t going to lie about her feelings to Stanley and when she found out, he felt the same way, it was a relief to say the least. She didn’t love him, but he was a good friend, someone she could definitely talk to.

            Emily called Helen they talked about the date and what happened with Terry and what she’d done. “I had no choice, I thought she wouldn’t try to hit me after I let her go, but what do you know? I slapped her before she could.”

            “Do you think she will tell David?” Helen asked.

            “I don’t know but it isn’t my fault she’s jealous,” Emily said.

            “I think she sees an enemy in you, David is in love with you. Jimmy told me, he likes you but won’t say it,” Helen said.

            “Helen, stop that! You’re lying.” Emily said with a sigh.

            “I’m not, you know I wouldn’t, why don’t you go to the office tomorrow early and place a voice recorder, in his desk?” Helen said.

            “If I do that I’m fired, besides, I’d be taking it too far.” Emily was surprised.

            “Fine, since you don’t believe me, here is what we’ll do, I’ll make a three-way call to Jimmy you will be able to hear him. Do you want to listen?” Helen asked hopeful.

            The phone was ringing on the other line. Emily felt nosy, but wanted to be sure. “I truly hope I don’t regret this.” Emily said.

            “Hush, he might hear you,” Helen warned.

            “Helen? Helen what happened? Did Emily go on her date? I thought she went out with Jacob after all, what happened?” Jimmy said.

            “Wait, what? She didn’t go anywhere with Jacob, I mean yeah, she celebrated, but his friends didn’t make it, or so he said, she left. David went to the restaurant, Jacob told her he didn’t,” Helen explained.

            “He went to the restaurant to tell Emily about his feelings. Jacob said she wasn’t going to work because they were going on a date, and that she felt the same way about him.” Jimmy said.

            “Really? Where are they?” Helen said.

            “I don’t know, I think in the beach having a picnic. She is starting to act weird, like she answers his phone, I mean come on I don’t even have a girl’s name.”

            “I think she found out about the feelings they have for each other. Emily didn’t want to believe he felt something for her, so I just showed her.” Helen said.

            “Showed her? How?” Jimmy asked confused.

            “Try not to be mad, I said I’d do something- hello Emily?” Helen said.

            “Hello Helen, how are you Jimmy?” Emily asked.

            “Fine, I thought David would’ve told you by now.” Jimmy said.

            “It’s ok, thanks. You kept my secret, must be hard for you, now that I know, I’ll explain. There’s nothing between me and Jacob. Stanley and I are friends we talked, ate, even joked and I feel relieved that he feels the same way. Where is he?” Emily asked.

            “So, you are finally going to tell him? He’s at the beach, for sure,” Jimmy said.

            “I’m on my way. Wish me luck.” Emily hung up, she was excited and nervous at the same time. She left for the beach, it was seven she might catch them at the picnic area. You can do this! You can do this! You can do this!

            Even after she found out, it was hard to keep her cool. She saw them talking. David had his back turned to her, Terry saw her she leaned over to say something in his ear. David kissed her passionately. Emily walked away she didn’t want to get her hopes up again. How could he lie like that? I never should have come.

            She ran to her car, she could see them laughing, joking and couldn’t hold back her tears. Why would he love me? I’m an orphan, he feels compassion for. I fell for the wrong guy and learned it the hard way. Never again! She promised herself, he lied. She’d text Jimmy and Helen, to keep this a secret, she didn’t want him to know.

            The next day, David asked Emily about her date, “it was wonderful, and yours?”

            “Unusual, she came out of the restaurant rubbing her cheek, and said she hurt herself on a wall, weird isn’t it?” David looked at her suspiciously.

            “Well, I don’t know how that could’ve happened,” Emily looked away.

            “Did something happen yesterday that I don’t know?” David kept looking at her.

            “What? No, no, no, why? Who told you something happened?” Emily was nervous thinking Jim could’ve said something about last night.

            “There is something you have to know, my father spoke to me yesterday, he told me to congratulate you,” David said.

            “Congratulate me?” Emily was confused.

            “You are our new news anchor, congratulations!” David said happily.

            Emily, couldn’t believe it she was the new anchor, she had worked so hard. David noticed, she had never worked so hard in her life.

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

            Helen came to visit for the holidays, they went around the city, Helen would go with Emily and David to the set. Seeing them made her sad, because they weren’t as close like they used to be.

            David was going out with Terry, Jimmy and Helen kept talking to each other and they grew closer. They decided to go out together, when the summer came they would officially be a couple.

            David and Emily congratulated them, but Mr. Emerson was a different story, when he heard they were going out he was silent, he couldn’t hide his anger.

            He expected Emily and David, but he never thought that about Helen and Jimmy, Jimmy was nervous. But Helen is so young! Is she going to quit school? I should’ve seen this, it was right in front of my face and I never knew. Mr. Emerson glared at them, “since when? Are you quitting school? How could you do this to me? I never thought you—”

            “Dad, I’m not your real daughter but you’re the closest thing I have to a father. We talked about a lot of things, I’m not quitting school. I’m going to UCF, they’ve accepted me to complete my bachelor’s degree. With the scholarship that I have I can pay for my tuition; and as for how long it’s been, I-we just started going out.”

            Jimmy spoke up, “our relationship is serious, it‘s not some kind of adventure.”

            “How, did you two meet? I know you had to have met before the day your sister was kidnapped, you two were already close.” Mr. Emerson told Helen.

            “Mr. Emerson, it’s not like that, Emily is my friend too. Helen was suffering for her, I was comforting her,” Jimmy explained.

            “I knew this day would come, it feels too soon. Helen, do you love him?”

            Helen wanted to cry of happiness, “yes I do.”

            Mr. Emerson looked at both of them and the four of them looked back at him, he extended his hand, “welcome to the family, Jimmy.” Maybe, one day I’ll do this for David and Emily. The rest of the evening their chat became more enjoyable.

            The next day, Helen saw Emily and David were distant, but they would steal glances at each other whenever the other wasn’t looking. They still love each other, I knew it! Emily was interested in her work, ‘not David.’ “How’s work been Emily?”

            David answered for her, “Emily worked hard all day. Actually, she’s working harder every day after her date. She has no time to chat with me, isn’t that right Emily?” David said sarcastically.

            Emily glared at him, “that’s right, I have been working harder to keep my dream job, thank you very much. It’s not that I don’t have time, have you thought of that?” Emily sounded bothered.

            “Is something wrong? You work together, when you’re off set you seem distant. What’s going on?” Helen asked.

            “Nothing! I just have a different method of working,” David said looking at her.

            “I don’t think we should talk about that, sis, I could take you to the set and we can grab some lunch afterwards, how about it?” Emily asked Helen.

            “Perfect, when is your next air time?” Helen asked.

            Emily’s next air day was Friday morning, then she had another show on the evening. “Friday I have two times, morning and evening.” Emily explained.

            “Friday morning is perfect.” Helen said excitedly.

            Friday came and she got ready for work, Helen and Emily left for the set. She was excited to see her sister at work. I can’t believe I’m in a set. Helen wanted everybody there for her too when she graduated in June.

            Terry went to see David, ever since she found out they were working together, she became more of a leach. Whenever Terry came, Emily would sit in front of her computer and start typing like there was no tomorrow. This time, she got her glasses and purse “we’re leaving for lunch” Emily announced.

            David looked like he wanted to say something, but didn‘t. Emily won’t listen, she was angry, and I don’t know why. Helen and Emily were leaving when David found his voice and called to them, “we’ll take lunch together, I need to talk to both of you.”

            Helen looked at Emily who said, “that’s fine, do I follow you?”

            “Sure, just let me get my keys,” David said. They went to lunch and Emily asked going straight to the point, she didn’t want to feel uncomfortable, it was hard with David sitting in front of her.

            He just looked at her, for a moment and sighed. “I don’t know what’s been going on with you Emily. I wanted you to explain, why are you acting so indifferent these days? Are you stressed out? Have I done something? You know you can tell me anything, I’m always here for you.”

            Emily lowered her voice, “you’d like that wouldn’t you? My problem is not you,” she sighed and looked at him like wanting to talk, but couldn’t.

            There was an awkward silence Helen cleared her throat, “I’m graduating on June, I was wondering if you guys could make it, I need support.”

            David and Emily turned to Helen, they agreed and congratulated her, “David, don’t take this the wrong way I just want family there… I don’t see Terry as family.”

            Emily was surprised, did Terry say something to her? “Why not Helen?”

            “I can only have family members there, and Terry is your girlfriend David, I don’t know her that well.” Helen explained.

            “That’s fine, I’ll be there. That’s not all I wanted to talk about, the company is having an excursion next Saturday. We can’t bring visitors, but of course Helen is an exception, so do you guys want to come?” David asked them.

            Helen answered before Emily could say anything, “yes!” David smiled at Helen's interest. David was about to say something but Helen’s phone rang, she stood and left the noise to answer her phone. But, not before happily saying, “it’s Jimmy!”

            Emily turned serious when she left. She’s nervous, what’s going on? David cut the silence, “I heard about Jacob. Jimmy told me, I wish I could have been there.”

            “I never liked him that way anyway, he hasn’t changed. I mean, you know when you think something goes away with age, but not him he will be forever remain the high school jock. Maybe worse, now he talks about himself,” Emily said angrily.

            “What? His pretty face?” David joked.

            Emily laughed, “no about how good he is at his job and wouldn’t stop talking about it. He was supposed to bring his buddies, but they ‘couldn’t’ make it.”

            “I thought you wanted to go on a date.” David looked surprised.

            Placing her right hand over her heart, “why poor old me can do better” she joked.

            David laughed, “right,” it had been a long time, since they had a conversation that didn’t involve work. “What happened to us Emily? We use to be so happy, I miss our conversations.”

            “I woke up David, I wanted to believe something that wasn’t there, but you’ve shown me the truth. I should have never even dreamed… I very stupid for…” Emily stopped herself.

            “For?” David asked.

            “Never mind, I don’t want to talk about it,” Emily said uncomfortable.

            “We always had fun, now you’re hiding something from me. I will figure it out you know, I never give up.” Emily looked away scared. “Look at me, damn it! I want to go back to the way we were. How can we if you’re not talking to me?” David said angry.

            “I thought we were,” Emily swallowed.

            “You’ve been acting strange, I want to know what happened between you and Terry, she’s not telling me, I know you will!” David glared at her. Emily didn’t know what to do, she didn’t want to lie and telling the truth was out of the question. “Well?” David insisted.

            “I don’t want to talk about it! If you want to know, ask your girlfriend to tell you.”

            Was that jealousy in her voice? He could never tell, “Emily, are we ok? Are we still friends?” David asked.

            “Yes, we’re friends, why wouldn’t we be?” Emily sounded worried.

            “Then tell me, why have you changed?” David was bothered.

            Helen came back, “hey you guys, is it ok if Jimmy joins us?”

            David didn’t answer, he just looked deep into Emily’s eyes like he wanted to read her. He couldn’t, she had a ‘protective shield’ against his ‘x-ray vision,’ “why not? Tell him to come.” Emily answered.

            “You got away this time but you’ll have to tell me some day,” David said.

            “I don’t think so. I have a lot of work besides spending my time worrying about telling you. Why would you care anyways? You have Terry.”

            “I care because all you live for is work!” David glared

.

            “Excuse me, I live for more than my work, I went on a date with Stanley.”

            “That was a blind date. But now, it’s like you’ve become a workaholic-”

            “I’ve been working my butt off, because you thought I wasn’t working hard enough, now you call me a ‘workaholic’? Make up your mind!” Emily glared.

            “I wanted you to become a great anchor, you’re so stuck you haven’t gone out, unless it’s to the office. It’s crazy, how you don’t think-” David stopped himself.

            “I don’t think what?” Emily said crossly.

            David looked at her as if wanting to read her again. Damn! She puts up this front, it’s like talking to a brick wall! “I am going to find out whether you want me to or not!”

            Emily glared back, “good luck with that!”

            “I will. Mark my words!” David whispered angrily.

            “Did you tell Jimmy to come?” Emily turned to Helen, changing the conversation.

            “Yes, he’s coming. Did you guys want to be left alone?” Helen asked.

            “No!” Emily said.

            “Yes,” David said answering at the same time.

            “Ok, is it no or yes?” Helen looked confused.

            “Helen, I am going to go to the office,” Emily said.

            “See, there you go again. Do you think you can truly say there’s nothing unhealthy about this? You know the next report I’m doing will be about workaholics like you!” David said.

            “Can I ask why you’re doing this? You never cared before why do you care?”

            “I…” David was wide eyed, he couldn’t say it. I love you, his heart yelled and the voice was stuck in his throat.

            “I’m not the only one hiding things from you, there are things you haven’t told me. Mark my words I will be the first to figure you out!” Emily glared.

            Jimmy was staring at them, “hi you guys, what’s going on?”

            “They’re in some kind of a duel, to figure each other out.” Helen told Jimmy. “Emily thinks she can figure out you know what about David, and David thinks the same about Emily.”

            Helen regretted saying that, when she saw Emily and David glaring at her, “you know what it is don‘t you? Tell me,” they said at the same time.

            “It’s obvious, you should just tell each other and get it over with, why don’t you do it?” Helen couldn’t have looked more nervous, Jimmy was astonished at how things were playing out.

            They went back to the office, “Emily? I want to talk to you” David said.

            “You’re right, I’m sorry David, I have been busy with work and oh my god, I have to get this to the post office before they close, maybe later, ok?” She was trying to avoid David, he made her nervous and she hated that.

            Emily walked fast to the elevator and David followed, “I want to talk to you, and obviously you make up stories to get away from me, so…” Emily seemed nervous, what is he going to do?

            David’s face came towards hers and he reached for the emergency button and before he could press it, Emily stopped him. For a moment everything froze around them, the elevator opened and Terry was waiting to get on.

            “I told you to stay away from him, he’s my boyfriend!” Terry glared at Emily.

            “I was just leaving.” Emily looked away and left.

            “Terry I’ll call you tonight, I need to talk to you too. Why don’t we meet tonight? I’ll call you, got to go!” David left after Emily with a wave of hand.

            Terry didn’t know what happened, all she cared about was that she was going to meet him tonight, and nothing or no one could get in her way.