Chapter 2
5011 Words
She went to her hotel room and called David. He took my story the least he could do was keep me posted. “Hi David! Just wanted to know—”
“Emily! How are you? How is your sister? You girls having fun? Wait a minute. You’re not getting info on work, not yet anyways,” David sounded excited.
“David the least you can do is let me know how it’s going I-can help.” Emily said.
“When you come back or I’ll be forced to hang up if you don’t wait ‘til then,” David said harshly.
Emily sighed heavily, “alright! Fine but mark my words you will ask me for help. Just tell me, have you tried looking into the banks? I think—”
“Ok, bye I’m hanging up now. You go on to your sister’s place. I thought you had gone, just tell me, how was it?” David asked while sitting with his feet on his desk.
“Hey are you trying to change the conversation? Well, if you must know it was perfect she’s doing fine, that won’t change the fact that you are trying to over protect me, and—” Emily was starting to get mad.
“I know, you’re right and I’m sorry about the little conversation at the office. I wanted to protect you… I hope you can forgive me. I meant to say it sooner, but you seemed busy getting ready for the airport.” David explained.
“You owe me, what you said was harsh. I want in as soon as I get back,” Emily said sternly.
“Emily!” David said angrily.
“No David! Stop protecting me, I want in it’s the only way I’ll ever feel safe, please, for my safety.” Emily said pleadingly.
“For your safety?” David said not quite believing it.
“I’ll never feel safe unless I’m the first to know they’ve caught him,” Emily said.
“Alright, alright-I can’t believe I’m doing this! I don’t know, well I guess I can use your help,” David sighed still in disbelief.
“Perfect I’ll be there Monday morning.” Emily hung up, happy to be back, this story was a huge step to her success.
David couldn’t believe she had convinced him, yet he needed the help.
*************
The next morning Emily went to meet her sister. She got to see a few things in the city they went to the coffee shop together. “So, tell me, what’s going on with David, is he still clueless?” Helen asked.
“I stopped trying, he’ll never see me as anything else but a sister, a little sister at that, and who can blame him we practically grew up together. I want to be his friend,” she was lying, “I don’t want our friendship destroyed because of the feelings I have.”
“You said have, and nothing you say can destroy the three musketeers’ friendship, remember?” Helen looked at her wide-eyed.
“Helen that only worked when we were children, trust me I’d rather not tell him, it’s complicated. I can’t bring myself to say it. Every time I try to impress him… well, let me put it this way, he sees me as a little sister and that’s all!” Emily said giving up.
“I still think you should tell him.” Helen said.
“What for?” Emily said looking at her.
“It might work out, you should tell him. He will see the woman in you. Trust me it will work out.” Helen said as if knowing.
“No! I can’t, especially now. I’m mad at him.” Emily said remembering.
“Oh no, what did he do this time?” Helen sighed.
“You’ll never believe it! Mr. Emerson actually kicked me out of my story, they’re protecting me, they say ‘it’s too dangerous,’” Emily said with the deepest voice she could master, “how will I ever get better if they keep protecting me.”
“I think you should definitely tell him, if he is protecting you it’s because he loves you.” Helen said reassuringly.
“If he loved me, he never would’ve embarrassed me in front of everyone at the office.” Emily said angrily.
“What? What happened?” Helen looked surprised.
“I thought that after all these years he wouldn’t mention I was an orphan, he was saying that, ‘that is a promise I made to your mother on her death bed and I won’t break that promise.’ it hurt I couldn’t believe it.”
“Never mind, don’t tell him immediately. I know that he feels something, I can’t believe you never saw it, you just have to see it.” Helen insisted.
“You don’t understand! I’ve tried trust me, my heart tells me to say it, then my mind tells me not to. I don’t want to lose my friendship with him. If he’s not there my mind is blank I have to put up a front, so I don’t want to get my heart broken if David doesn’t feel the same. My knees get weak I have to use all my strength not to show weakness.” Emily said.
“I bet if you told him, he’d understand. The worse that can happen is he doesn’t love you that way, ‘your friendship,’ our friendship is too strong it won’t end that way, you are strong I know that. If he doesn’t feel the same way it’s ok, your friendship might just get stronger.” Helen assured. “Besides, I know you always put a shield around you so everyone sees how “strong” you are, but even the strongest person cries. Like when you cried for our parents’ death locked in your room.”
“You knew I cried?” Emily seemed surprised.
“Every night. I knew, I wished you would have cried with me, I want you to know I’ve always got your back.” Helen assured.
“Thank you,” Emily decided not to cry, they were in public and it was a beautiful day, she was spending time with her sister.
*************************
By the end of the week, David was afraid. He had to tell his dad of what he had done, but Emily is right, she needs experience on the field to be a great reporter, and he wasn’t going to cut her wings.
It was days away for Emily to come back and he couldn’t bring himself to tell his dad that she was gonna be included in the story, because he wanted to let her spread her wings. David looked worried because he knew he couldn’t keep it from him, he was going to tell his father.
Jimmy was in the office, “this week’s newspaper came out and it looks like a hit! Congrats, you did it. I guess you should always be in charge. Your dad wants you in his office. Hey, why aren’t you happy? Didn’t you hear me? You did —”
“I heard you Jimmy, I have to tell my father that Emily is going to be working on her story. She wants to succeed, I should let her spread her wings. I’m not helping her by being as she says, ‘over protective’ of her” David said looking towards his father’s office.
Jimmy hadn’t listened to David, “you are over protective, you can’t stand to let her do her story, I know what happened the other day. I shouldn’t have told you, if I was telling you it wasn’t for you to stop her, it was for you to help her. She needed you, but you let her down. Don’t worry I’m sure she’s forgiving.”
“I don’t think you heard me, I’m letting her back on the story,” David was serious.
“Seriously? What made you decide that?” Jimmy said in disbelief.
“I am going to let her spread her wings, I won’t stop her. But, when I look at her I remember the lonely girl who lost her parents. She seems strong, but she’s no hero. I have to protect her and she doesn’t care.” David sighed heavily.
Jimmy looked at him thoughtful, “David I know it’s not my place to say, but have you tried telling her? I have a feeling she might just feel the same way about you. And, who knows maybe she will understand where you’re coming from,” I know since her sister told me.
“No she doesn’t, I know you might find it surprising, but I’m just an ‘over protective brother’ to her.” David said sternly.
“How do you know that? Have you actually tried asking her?” Jimmy asked.
Mr. Emerson, came out of the office, “David, can I have a word with you?”
“Sorry, looks like I have to go, dad’s calling.” David said turning to leave. Saved!
“Alright, you will have to tell me sooner or later.” Damn! Jimmy looked disappointed.
As soon as David closed the door behind him, everyone ran to it to hear what was going on. David walked from one side to the other, Mr. Emerson sat on his chair smiling, tapping his fingers together staring at him.
David looked nervous, he didn’t know how to begin. “Father I didn’t know how to tell you this but- enough is enough, I have to come out and say it. I’m letting Emily keep her story I only worked on it for the week, she is a grown woman and we have to let her spread her wings.”
What came out of the office at that moment was a very angry scream, “what have you done?!” Mr. Emerson said his smile disappearing.
“I am going to be with her all the way, nothing’s going to happen to her, I promise,” David said with a firm voice.
Then some whispers and finally, “son I am very proud of you. You’ve made us number one, I don’t know how we could have done it without you and for a moment I thought you’d quit on me. About Emily, we need to talk about it-but it’s ok I’ll allow it if you think you can keep her from getting in trouble with that thief.”
“I could never quit, you know that,” David said his smile returning. They smiled at each other. Everybody who was behind the door scattered to their desks when they heard them getting closer to the door.
“Listen up everybody, my son and Emily will be working together on the story, we will keep coming out with more information before anyone else does. Everyone will work together to make that happen, and by this I mean everybody’s getting a raise.” Mr. Emerson said.
Everyone applauded and shook hands, “Peter go to the football game tonight and interview the players. Jimmy take pictures of them, I want to read my newspaper and not just know about the game scores, but I want to learn of the players they have a life too, and people should know that, kids should look up to them.”
David headed out he needed to call Emily and tell her the news, she was almost heading home, he needed to talk to her before she headed back he looked for her contact.
“Hello, this is Emily…” Emily’s voice said at the other end of the line.
“Hi, Emily I was calling to let you know…” David sounded happy.
“Is not available, please record your message after the tone,” the machine said.
He dialed Helen’s number hoping to get in touch with her, he remembered they went out. Helen told him, ‘they wouldn’t take their phones, because they didn’t want disturbances,’ he would try later first he had to get ready for next week’s paper.
*********
Emily like Helen, were in their needed relaxation. Helen and Emily were getting ready, they both decided to go to a spa. “What better than to get our hair and nails done as well.” Helen looked at Emily.
“Helen? Are you having ideas about me and David?” Emily looked knowingly. Helen wouldn’t do something like this without a purpose.
“Emily, not at all I think…why not? It’s your last day here enjoy it to the fullest, you wouldn‘t want to disappoint your little sister, would you?” Helen did the little puppy face like she always did when she wanted to convince her.
“Helen don’t do that! Yes, I will go with you but—” Emily looked nervous.
“But, nothing I’ll choose your hairstyle and makeup. I have a friend who’ll do it free. She wants to be a hairstylist and needs a hair model. She has experience just needs to get her license,” Helen assured her.
“I want to feel comfortable in my hair, I want to be able to have a style that I can style it however I want every time, and I want to keep it long!” Emily said still feeling nervous about going to a student to get it done.
Emily was looking through a magazine, her thoughts took her to her conversation with David, she couldn’t help but wonder. Was Mr. Emerson going to let her back on her story? “No worries, it'll be fine. She’s ready. We’re here and what are you doing?” Helen broke her thoughts.
“Me nothing, nothing at all…I was wondering how the story was going, do you think Mr. Emerson was convinced? I sure hope so.” Emily said hopeful.
“Me too, come on, you are stopping the line!” Helen said hurriedly.
Emily turned and noticed the long line of people that wanted to get a look at the newspaper too, “I didn’t notice.” The clerk kept staring at her in silence, as if that would make me know I was holding the line! Emily caught up to Helen.
“This is her, my sister Emily. Emily this is Jackie, don’t worry I will come back in an hour,” Helen said leaving hurriedly.
“What?! I thought we were spending time together! Hey! Where are you going?” Helen I can’t believe you are doing this to me! Helen left with a wave of her hand, leaving Emily to fend to herself with the student hairstylist.
But Helen came back as if forgetting something, “I got your car keys, I’m off! Take care of her Jackie, be back in an hour, ok bye,” and she left.
“Emily, don’t worry, you can trust me. You’ll look beautiful,” Jackie got two slices of cucumbers and placed them over her eyes. I trust my sister, I don’t know about Jackie.
“I’m sorry, do you have any experience with cutting hair?” Emily said nervously.
“I thought Helen told you I worked at my mother’s beauty salon and I used to cut hair all the time. I have experience, I’ve done highlights, haircuts and perms. I just need to get my license to keep doing so.” Jackie explained.
Hesitantly, Emily sat back down on the chair, relaxed since she knew that Jackie told the truth about her experience. And she was ready to get her hair and nails done.
When they were done her curls fell to her face making her face pop, and down her shoulders, I love it! “Wow! thanks Jackie, this is going to be my new look. I never thought short could go with my face.”
“Well, your face is good with short or long hair, I put more make up on your eyes, and they still look natural, I wanted to make your eyes the focus point of your face so their color looks brighter.” Jackie was explaining.
“Emily, is that you! Look at you?!” Helen said shocked and coming into view.
Emily turned to her sister’s voice angrily, “Helen where did you go? I can’t believe you left me,” then, “you really think it looks nice?”
“First of all I went to the university, I signed up for another class I had my hair and nails done. Second, I had to leave you and take your car keys I know you, it was the only way. Third, yes, it’s you, plus it’s summer you should have it short.” Helen said.
“Good. Where are we going now?” Emily followed Helen.
“We are going shopping for a party outfit, we are going to my friend’s party, it starts at four it ends at eight, we’ll leave at the end. That way we’ll rest for tomorrow, you said tomorrow is your flight back home.”
“Yes.” She wondered how David was doing “you know? I want to make the best of it while I’m here.” I just hope he was able to convince Mr. Emerson.
“I know you, what are you talking about?” Helen asked stopping in her tracks.
“I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing… I mean, if he could convince his father and all,” Emily kept thinking.
“Sure! Well, here’s what you can do, you can call him while we change for the party. We deserve to rest a bit we’re pretty much ready.”
When they got home they checked their phones, five missed calls and all David, “I think you should call him, he must want to talk to you. He called my cell phone too.”
“Alright, I’ll just see what he wants and then we’ll leave.” Emily took her phone.
“Ok, hurry I’m ready, I’ll get the car started.” Helen said from the living room.
“Kay!” Emily returned his call.
“Emily! God I was waiting for your call, anyways just wanted to tell you that I convinced my father, it took some convincing, I hope you won’t mind having a partner. It’s your story it’s just that I think I might just have to explain to you some ideas I have for the story.” David explained.
“Really? I can’t take jokes right now. I need this,” Emily said sitting up straight.
“No joke, but with the condition that I am checking your work, and taking care of my little sister.” David teased.
Obviously! Emily thought to herself. “Thank you, David you have no idea what this means to me.”
“Yeah, we’ll see you Monday. I have to talk to you, there’s been a few changes to our business you have to know, looks like you’ll be our new anchorwoman, since we are starting to grow and we are…” David stopped himself, “I’ll explain when you get back.”
“Alright I’ll have to leave I will be there tomorrow actually, so we can talk and you can tell me what’s going on.” Emily said full of joy.
“Tomorrow?” David said getting happier.
“Yes, I want to be there before because I know you’ll need my help, you won’t get rid of me that easily.” Emily mocked.
“Ha! Ha! Very funny, Emily, I’ll pick you up tomorrow then.” David said.
“Alright, see you.” Emily hung up and went to tell Helen the good news.
“Actually I know, I just heard it on the message, I want to tell you, be careful being a reporter can be dangerous. I know I’m your little sister but I can worry about you. I want you to know that I’m proud.”
“Hey I’m fine with you worrying, sometimes I worry for you too, you know I miss you, we always did everything together, we’re ‘The Three Musketeers’ remember?”
“I know, I miss you guys too, that’s why I’m working to gain experience at the doctor’s office, I’m learning he is teaching me, but I haven’t worked with patients, I practiced on dummies.” Helen said.
“I’m so happy for you too, Helen I know you will become a great doctor someday.” Emily said.
“Thanks, we’re here!” Helen drove up the driveway. They had fun, Helen danced, they took pictures and Emily got to meet Helen’s friends, but the party lasted longer than they expected.
The next day, Emily got ready she returned the rented car, as soon as they opened. She checked out of the hotel and called her sister to meet her, they were open when she arrived there.
They went to a donut shop, “it’s near the airport I can’t believe you missed it,” they went inside and got coffee and donuts.
As they sat, they agreed to video chat weekly and send each other pictures, suddenly across the street Emily caught eye of a man who seemed familiar. I can’t remember where I met him. The man observed them she didn’t know what to think.
The man wore a baseball cap and sun glasses, he had a beard, where was he from? Can’t remember. “Emily? Emily? Are you listening? What are you looking at?” Helen suddenly broke her thoughts.
“Oh! Sorry Helen I was looking at this guy he seems familiar.” Emily turned back to look again, Helen did the same.
“What guy? I know him I think he use to go to school with you, he’s looking at you too,” Helen looked at him.
“What?! No Helen I don’t think so, what time is it?” Emily looked for her watch.
“You have time! Emily, I wanted to ask you if you could come I’ll be graduating on June next year, I want to see you there, please.”
“That’s wonderful, of course I‘ll be there. June what?” Emily looked surprised. She just started.
“Sixteenth, in eight months. I’ll be work on my bachelor’s in a college near home, I wanted to tell you!” Helen sounded excited.
“Really? I hope to see you there then.” Emily was happy again.
“I will start classes in San Francisco on August I think I can start working as an assistant and after I get my bachelor’s I’ll be a doctor. What do you think?” Helen said.
“I think it makes me very happy. When would you be going?”
“I think about a week after graduation.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I‘ll help you move back,” Emily said.
“Emily, I think it’s time.” Helen said looking at her watch.
“Will you visit for Thanksgiving, and Christmas?” Emily asked when they were walking to the airport.
“Of course.” Helen said.
Helen took the last pictures together, they were going to miss each other, “I’ll send you some pics through e-mail, don’t forget to chat with me.”
“I won’t!” Helen said.
Emily left for home, I can’t wait. She wanted to know what David had to tell her, he agreed to pick her up at the airport.
She wondered about the man from the coffee shop, he seemed familiar yet she couldn’t place him. Well, she’d wait to check her old high school year book, if her sister thinks he’s a friend from high school she wanted to be sure.
Well, for now I’ll stop worrying and enjoy the flight, she sat back to rest.
The jet arrived and she went inside where Jimmy was waiting for her, “Emily, David told me to pick you up he was busy. I never seen you in short hair, looks good.”
“It’s alright Jimmy, David told you what he wanted to talk to me about? I want to know what’s been going on.” Emily said.
“Hey don’t worry I only came to pick you up he will be home to meet you there, I should drop you off, I need to ask, did you convince David to let you back in your story?” Jimmy looked like he knew somehow.
“Well, of course if I didn’t do something how would I ever-”
“Ha, ha, ha I knew it.” Jimmy said humorously.
“Why? What happened? Is Mr. Emerson, angry?” Emily asked.
“No, not really, David got convinced easily, when he told me sternly that he ‘wanted you out of the story and he was talking to his dad.” Jimmy, saw her reaction.
“David was the one that decided I wasn’t working for the story?” Emily asked.
“Well, after I called you and left the message about the story, I called him thinking I would be able to find you, I told him about it, and he told me the situation that you’d be in if you did the story, I guess he worries.” Jimmy said. Did I say too much?
“Of course he does,” Emily sounded disappointed, after all he saw her as a sister.
“Were you expecting something else? He worries.” Jimmy tried to say.
“I know, I’m happy to be back on the story though, I wish he’d stop worrying, is there anything I can do without worrying him?” Emily sighed.
“Well, considering everything if I was him I’d worry about you too,” Jimmy said.
“Now, changing the conversation, what changes have been made to the company? And tell me, how did he convince Mr. Emerson? I know it must have been hard.”
“I guess, I can tell you what I know, David actually looked nervous that day I had never seen him like that. Mr. E was happy because his newspaper was a hit this week.”
“Really?” Emily said.
“Yeah, and changes should make the newspaper grow, we’re going to be different from the rest. For example, we are interviewing the sports teams members and writing about them, the behind the scenes stuff. Anyways, David went to his office we heard argument and a minute later, Mr. E announcing you were back in the story.”
“I’m happy, you don’t know how important this is to me.” Emily said.
“Oh trust me, David wouldn’t stop talking about you and your dream, about becoming a TV reporter. He felt bad about taking your story, he wanted to protect you,” Jimmy explained.
“Doesn’t he trust me? I wouldn’t mind if he helped me, I just wish he could trust me enough to stand up for me and say he can let me do it! Jimmy you’re a guy you can be honest with me, right?”
“Right,” Jimmy said.
“I mean why does he protect me so much? I know he wouldn’t tell me anything if I asked, I know you’re honest.” Emily said.
“He sees you like family, he always has.”
“He sees me like a sister, right?” Emily said.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” Jimmy said finally arriving to their destination and parking the car in the driveway.
- Writer
