It's Never Too Late

Chapter 12

            David remembered Emily mentioning that he’d hate her because she was hiding something from him. She had to have known. He stood with fury, he noticed people staring and he sat, drank the rest of his coffee, paid and left. Mr. Emerson followed, David’s silence was uncomfortable. Ms. Wesley got her purse and headed out, she looked at her watch, and called the hospital saying, “something came up I won’t be able to go.”

            David was arguing with his father, “I don’t want to talk to you.”

            “Son, I didn’t know how to tell you. I never wanted you to find out this way.”

            “Were you even planning on telling me?” David turned to him angrily.

            They both turned to look at Ms. Wesley who came to meet them, “It’s ok you guys. I’ll walk from here-I live nearby.”

            “No! I need to talk to you, and you’re not leaving!” David told her angrily.

            “You’re so much like your father, when he gets mad I’ll leave until you calm down, I’ll come by tomorrow.” Ms. Wesley explained.

            “Fine! Just answer me this, how long have you been here?” David asked her.

            “I was your substitute teacher for your English class once when you were in high school, I saw you every time I had a chance.” She explained.

            David’s expression was perplexed, “what? So you’ve been close to me but you never told me?”

            “David!” Mr. Emerson was breathing hard, no! Not now! Not now!

            “WHAT?!” David noticed his father was breathing hard and turning pale, his knees were weakening. “Dad? Are you ok?” David looked worried now.

            “His blood pressure! Hurry lay him down, put something to hold his head up.” Ms. Wesley said.

            Mr. Emerson could barely hear them he felt heavy suddenly as he fainted. David caught him before he hit the floor, “Dad! Is he going to be ok?”

            “I’m a nurse,” Ms. Wesley got her emergency kit, “stand back, I need space.”

            David stood back, this can’t be happening, I just found out… Ms. Wesley woke him from his thoughts. “Good now breath slowly.”

            “Since when did you have this problem?” David asked his father.

            “He’s had it, we never told you, we never thought it would get this bad. You had to take your father to the hospital yesterday.” Ms. Wesley said.

            Mr. Emerson glared, “Irene I thought I told you not to—”

            “So you’re still keeping secrets from me?!” David looked maddened.

            “He has to know, you won’t go to a hospital if I paid you, you are going and that’s that!” Ms. Wesley said angrily.

            Mr. Emerson was bothered, “you can’t disappear on me and reappear years later just to tell me what to—”

            “I can and I plan to! Call the ambulance. You can have it either way, the easy or the hard way, I work at the hospital.” Irene reminded. Mr. Emerson glared at her and she glared back, “you know, I’m right.”

            “Dad I am taking you to the hospital no excuses, mo-Ms. Wesley is right I’ll take you.” Ms. Wesley smiled at the thought, he almost called me mom. “Do you want a ride?” David asked Ms. Wesley.

            “Yes, this will be good for me.” Ms. Wesley agreed. “David I love you, don’t ever think I felt differently.”

            “I don’t know what to feel, I’m very angry. I can’t trust you, you knew for years who I was. Why now? Why did you decide to come forth now?” David asked.

            “I wanted to tell you before when I first saw you. When I found out about the cancer I didn’t if I'd survive. I thought I was going to die! I told your father that I was leaving him, I didn’t want him to know. I cried that day, I saw your father with my cousin I didn’t know she had feelings for him. I ran to the coffee shop, when he came to pick me up, I said I was leaving him—”

            “I thought you weren’t coming back, you didn’t tell me.” Mr. Emerson said.

            “I thought it’d be better for you to stay with him, I told him I couldn’t take you with me.” She explained looking at David now.

            “I’ll never forgive you for that! You still lied to me, I could have helped you! We shouldn’t have-” Mr. Emerson was getting mad again and started to breathe hard again.

            “William relax, drink the water.” Ms. Wesley handed him a bottle of water.

            “I DON’T WANT IT!” Mr. Emerson screamed.

            “DRINK IT!” Ms. Wesley ordered. He took it angrily, “slowly, you don’t want to get worse.” She turned back to David and continued the story, “your dad thought I left willingly. Growing up with a sick mom won’t do a child any good. I lived with my parents, when I came back you moved, the business moved. I found you when I took a job at your school. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I went to see your records, I got your address, I didn’t know what to say. I got a nursing job here at the hospital. One day, I saw the newspaper my patient was reading, that’s how I knew where you were.”

            “Why did you wait all these years? How could you make me believe my mother died? I can’t trust you anymore. I thought the secret was that you were dating. Once you started stuttering I knew there was something wrong. Was Emily aware of this?” David looked at his father.

            “No,” Mr. Emerson shook his head.

            “Don’t lie to me! Don’t start again it’s why we have this problem, you don’t trust me,” David looked disappointed.

            Mr. Emerson looked saddened, “I never said that,” they arrived at the hospital, “I have to go, my son has to get back to record today’s afternoon news.”

            David looked maddened, “dad! That’s enough, you’re staying I’ll wake Emily, we’ll have a long conversation. I know she was aware, she never told me. And don’t worry we’ll meet today’s deadlines!”

            “I have to be-” Mr. Emerson was insisting.

            “I’m the nurse and I say you can’t work for a week.” Ms. Wesley said.

            “What kind of joke is this? Who do you think you’re talking to?” Mr. Emerson glared at her.

            “A patient! David, I’ll call, if I find out what’s going on.” Ms. Wesley said.

            David picked Emily up, she went in the car, and noticed the silence until they got to work. “Are you ok?” Emily asked.

            “We have to start recording now.” David said sternly.

            Emily got down and grabbed her purse, David was leaving, “hey! Wait up!” She reached up to him before the elevator closed. “What’s wrong with you? I understand if you’re mad at me, but you can’t be rude!”

            David pushed the button to go to the next level where everyone was waiting. “Hello everyone, I have an announcement to make. We are recording without my father. He was submitted into the hospital. He’ll be fine, he asked us start recording, everyone can go home after that.” David announced.

            Emily, turned pale at the news, she never expected Mr. Emerson to be in the hospital. David looked like something else was bothering him. “Ok you guys are up!”

            After the recording Emily left to get her keys and her purse from her desk. Jimmy went to ask David what was wrong. “That woman is my long lost mother. My father lied about many things, what’s worse Emily knew who she was and never told me.”

            “Are you sure?” Jimmy asked surprised.

            Emily overheard and understood why he was in a bad mood. She quietly walked away but, unfortunately the door creaked. He went to see who it was. “Emily?”

            “I knew you’d hate me, I deserve it, if she were my mother and you were hiding it from me-” she lowered her head to hide the threatening tears.

            “I don’t hate you, I can’t understand why,” David said.

            “You don’t need to lie it’s worse when you feel sorry for me. I get it! I’m an orphan but, that doesn’t mean I don’t have my dignity! I finally understand, what Terry meant to say. David stop protecting me!” Emily glared.

            “What did Terry say to you? I know something happened,” David asked.

            “Never mind! I think she made me see clearly. I don’t want her to see something that’s not there. It’s not fair!” He was shocked, what did Terry tell her? When Terry came she seemed desperate to leave and separate them.

            Emily went to her computer and started checking her e-mail, her sister answered, she watched the news and knew about Sam. She was arriving in a few hours. Emily would pick her up.

***********

            Helen looked radiant when she arrived and saw Jimmy again after a month. Emily wondered how it would be after she had to go back for five months. “I missed you guys!” Helen said excitedly.

            “So did I-we.” Jimmy corrected quickly looking towards David and Emily. They laughed and left to their cars, Helen went with Emily and Jimmy went with David.

            “Helen there is some bad news and some good news…the bad news is that Mr. Emerson is in the hospital. I think it’s something about his blood pressure. The good news is David’s mother is alive, she was just missing.” Emily said.

            “Wait, what?” Helen’s eyes widened, “first of all, when did Mr. Emerson go to the hospital? What happened?”

            “I don’t have all the details, he went out with David, and Ms. Wesley (David’s mother). I think it was the emotion, of telling David the truth, he fainted and he was taken to the hospital.”

            “Is he alright?” Helen asked.

            “Yes, they are saying that he will go home tomorrow. He’s been stressed about everything! I fear it’s my fault, I knew about his mother and kept the secret. I didn’t tell him, he’s right to hate me right now.” Emily looked saddened.

            “Hate you? Why would he hate you?!” Helen looked shocked. I missed a lot!

            Emily sighed, “I’m an i***t! I promised I’d help him. I broke that promise when I decided to keep it a secret from him. I knew his mother was alive and he was expecting me to help him find out who she was. I thought he could get hurt if he knew.”

            “Why would he get hurt?” Helen asked.

            “I don’t know the details, I just woke up from a very needed nap.” Emily said.

            “Why would you need a nap?” Helen looked suspiciously.

            “I have a lot to talk to you about. What if we get home first? Then we can get ready and get the details with Mr. Emerson.” Emily said.

            “I really missed a lot.” Helen thought aloud.

            “You have no idea.” Emily sighed.

            When they arrived, David was ignoring Emily. “Jimmy, what’s going on?” Helen whispered.

            “David is mad because Emily didn’t sleep at home last night. As he put it, ‘she put herself in danger.’ Sam wanted to kill Emily, she became bait and made him think that he got her. Sam, thinks he killed her they are keeping him in a maximum security prison. Which means no type of outside communication.”

            Helen’s eyes widened, “how could she do that? Now I’m mad at her.”

            “From what I heard it wasn’t his first attempt to kill her, he murdered a young girl confusing her for your sister. Emily thought the only way was that he had to be caught and he was. But she was bait.”

            Helen sighed, that’s like her alright! “Why does she have to do this? I wish she wouldn’t.”

            “She’s stubborn and once she has something in her mind there’s no way to stop her, that’s when she gets into trouble,” Jimmy said.

            “I worry for her,” Helen said.

            “Don’t worry for me sis, you should live life to the fullest,” Emily came out of nowhere reminding Helen of her own words. “Live life to the fullest day by day, and adventure per adventure. I added the adventure part. I’m a reporter, my job is dangerous, so is being a doctor.”

            Jimmy and Helen were startled by Emily’s voice, “you frightened me!” They said at the same time.

            “Mr. Emerson will be back home tomorrow for Christmas Day,” Emily hoped.

            Helen looked happy, “You won’t believe where I’ve been to, India and China, we studied different medicine techniques. I brought different jewelry and memorandums, I bought you a watch Jimmy, hope you like it.”

            “I like anything you get me.” Jimmy said smiling at her.

            Emily couldn’t help but smile, Jimmy really went gaga when Helen showed up. Emily grabbed her camera and took a picture, “I think we can cherish this moment.”

            “We cherish every moment, that’s the point of life.” Jimmy said looking at Helen.

            Emily, looked down thinking about David, she walked away they followed talking behind her. “Emily? We need to talk!” David said angrily.

            Emily sighed, “David, I don’t want to—”

            “I’m not here to fight!” David sighed, “I want to know, why go through that? Trust me, my head is still twisting with all this. The worst part was finding out you knew all along about Ms. Wesley and you never told me!”

            Emily turned angrily to him, “I couldn’t, he must have known it would hurt you and if you’re talking about Sam, I’m a reporter. I knew it was dangerous, I meet deadlines, that’s what matters, right?”

            “I don’t know what happened between you and Terry in the office, because after that you’ve been acting weird. About Sam I don’t want to see you hurt.” David looked deep into her eyes.

            For a moment they stood gazing at each other she looked angry remembering what Terry told her. “We were on our way to see your father,” he’s the one who said I was an orphan, “I got my car ready, do you want a ride?” She tried not to sound bitter.

            David glared at her, what’s wrong with her? “What the hell is wrong with you?”

            “Fine! I’ll go come if you want. I want you to let me do my job from now on, I’m tired of explaining myself. I’m a reporter, damn it! What did you expect?” Emily said.

            David glared at her, “fine! I won’t ask I’m going to see my father to the hospital, you guys coming?”

            Jimmy and Helen heard the whole conversation, “can I go with Jimmy? Sis, can I take your car?” Helen asked going through her purse. Maybe they’ll fix things then.

            “I would rather drive myself,” Emily said wide eyed.

            Helen took the keys, “thanks- I’ll be good to it,” they left before Emily was able to say something else.

            “Wait! You guys can’t take my car, how will I get there?” Emily said following but they drove off.

            “Come on, let’s go.” David grabbed her purse and placed it over her shoulder. Hesitantly, she followed. They didn’t speak the whole ride, he turned to Emily, she was looking out the window. “What are you thinking about?” David wondered.

            “I’ve been thinking about these secrets, that you’ve been keeping from me. Start talking,” Emily turned to him.

            “What are you talking about?” David glanced nervously at her.

            “We’re here, let’s go,” what? No apology? Nothing! She got out and practically jogged into the hospital, “it’s cold,” Emily said walking away from him.

            “Emily don’t think you can get away from me,” David said going after her.

            “Oh really? Why can’t I? I thought we were friends,” she opened the door for him and he went inside, “no need to thank me.”

            Mr. Emerson was happy to see Helen, she was telling him of her trip and the new places she’d gone to. She told him about India, the pictures of the city. Jimmy, was amazed of all the places she had gone for two weeks. David and Emily were listening as she lit up the room with her stories.

            There were tense moments between David and Emily, Mr. Emerson noticed and ask if they were fine, they said they were and he was coming out the next day. “It’s a waste of time, doctors want to take my time by saying I need to stay. She lied it never happened before don’t worry.” Mr. Emerson said.

            “Dad I know you’re lying, remember you can’t lie to me,” David said.

            Mr. Emerson turned to David, “how did you two do on your report? I couldn’t see, she can’t help but control me- it’s stressful. I said I’d be stressed if I didn’t see it.”

            David glanced at him, “dad you can trust me, we did great! We always do.”

            “I wanted to watch it, I can’t believe-” Mr. Emerson was getting angry again.

            “Mr. Emerson, it’s for your own good, my job is like that. I’m not always liked, at the end my patients see it’s all for the best.” Ms. Wesley walked in.

            “Ms. Wesley, this is Helen. Helen, Ms. Wesley.” Mr. Emerson presented them.

            “Helen the future doctor, your father is very proud,” Ms. Wesley smiled.

            David’s mother? “Thank you, Ms. Wesley.” Helen smiled back.

            “I can tell you and your sister look like your mother.” Ms. Wesley was surprised.

            “People say that- I’d like to believe I’m like her.” Helen said.

            They left the room to talk in private, “I want to tell you, without him knowing. He's too proud and it’s hard to talk with him. He acts like he’s strong, but when he worries, his blood pressure worsens. If it happens again he might be back. Try not to worry him, any problem between you, talk to me. I know it’s not my place. It’s the least I can do.”

            Later Helen turned to Emily “we need to talk, what’s up with you and David? You haven’t spoken to each other.”

            “Nothing, I’m seeing Stanley now. I want to give myself a chance.” Emily said.

            “Do you love him? Does he love you?” Helen looked surprised.

            “He loves me,” she didn’t see David coming around the corner and listening. “I’m starting to fall for him, this was the best decision.” David went back, he didn’t want to hear it. Emily sighed “who am I kidding? I still love—”

            “Hi, could you sign these release forms? You guys can take him home. Merry Christmas.” Ms. Wesley smiled and left. Emily and Helen smiled back.

            Emily turned to Helen. “I still love David, he has no idea! I can’t take it anymore! I made up my mind, I’m moving to Nashville temporarily, that’ll take my mind off him.”

            “Emily! Have you told anybody?” Helen looked surprised.

            Emily sighed, “Mr. Emerson knows, he’ll hire a temp to replace me for that time. I got a temp job over there too.”

            “You sound like you’re moving, have you told David?” Helen asked.

            “I don’t want to, he won’t let me do anything. I can’t work with someone who’s always protecting me. I can’t trust him anymore,” Emily said.

            “Why?” Helen looked surprised.

            “David told his girlfriend that I’m an orphan. She was bothering me last night saying I would die an orphan.” Emily said angrily remembering her words.

            “That was low,” Helen said angrily.

            “There’s nothing I can do, he’s in love. I will respect him and his decision, which brings me back to Stanley, he treats me well, he’s a great guy,” Emily said.

            “I think you’re confused, you love David. It would’ve been good if he loved you. Maybe it’s time to open your heart to someone else.” Helen said.

            “You’re right! I should give Stanley a chance, I had to love David to find my true love, right?” Emily said not quite believing her own words.

            “Right!” Helen assured.

            They stood quietly when they saw David, coming out with Ms. Wesley, “he’s ready to come out,” David seemed excited.

             “Doesn’t it make you happy, to see him so excited.” Helen looked surprised, “doesn’t it?” Emily looked longingly at David.

            Helen turned to look at her and whispered. “You still love him, don’t you?”

            “I was just happy for him.” Emily said nervously.

            “For who?” Jimmy heard them talking.

            “She still loves David! But he did something terrible,” Helen said.

            “What was so terrible? What did he do?” Jimmy looked at Emily.

            “When his girlfriend told me I was an orphan who was going to die as one-” Emily stopped herself, I didn’t want to tell him that. “Well maybe he-”

            “No! What reason did he have?” Jimmy asked.

            “She called me a martyr, I want a real apology and a reason from him. He has to be honest!” Emily said. “I want him to do this on his own, not because we know.”

            Mr. Emerson was coming into the waiting room he seemed happy, “I knew I was healthy.” Ms. Wesley was pushing the wheelchair.

            “William take care of yourself, you convinced the doctors to let you go, try to relax, have fun. You should take a vacation, sometime.” Ms. Wesley said.

            “I’m no good with vacations, I’d be thinking of work and I wouldn’t enjoy it. Monday is back to work for me.” Mr. Emerson said.

            “I swear William, all the time I tried to help, you found a way to do the opposite. Don’t be stubborn or you’ll be back in here.” Ms. Wesley warned.

            “Irene, That’s enough! I told you I don’t want your sympathy! I had enough pity.” Mr. Emerson glared.

            David listened to his parents fight and it reminded him of Emily and himself. “Stop! Dad, you can’t work Monday, doctor’s orders!”

            Everyone including his mother looked shocked, they couldn’t believe someone finally told him what was best for him. He regretted doing that when he saw his father’s scowl. “William, he cares about you.” I wish he cared about me.

            Mr. Emerson softened his eyes towards his son and sighed, he hated to admit he was wrong. “Fine! Are we gonna leave?”

            David brought the car around, Ms. Wesley pushed the wheelchair. Jimmy left with David and Mr. Emerson, and Helen rode with Emily.

            Jimmy wanted to tell David, but Emily told him not to, it's not fair, he’s wrongly accused. It can’t be right, he wouldn’t do that! “I’m sorry Emily.” Jimmy thought aloud, remembering his promise, “David, I need to talk to you. I know why Emily’s acting weird, it’s because of Terry. She said something, I promised I wouldn’t, but I can't keep quiet.”

            “What is it?” David asked.

            Jimmy looked at him warningly. “You have to promise not to tell Emily, I’m breaking a promise. I don’t want Helen to get mad at me.”

            David sighed, nothing could be worse than putting herself as bait. “Jimmy, spit it out, what’s going on?”

            “Terry spoke with her she told her that she would die an orphan. Now how did she find out Emily is an orphan? Tell me it wasn’t you.” Jimmy said.

            “I told her, I wanted to get Emily jealous and I had to explain she wasn’t really my sister, I’ll fix this.” David said.

            “How could you?! I taught you better.” Mr. Emerson was mad at David.

            “Dad, remember what the doctor said. I wanted to make her jealous.”

            “I think she wants you to say it, she can forgive you if she knows you did it out of love.” Jimmy explained.

            “I heard she’s in love with Stanley, she’s right, whoever that co-worker was he’s losing her.” David said angrily.

            “You never told her, how can you be so sure?” Mr. Emerson said.

            “Dad, I heard her say it, it’s probably for the best that she’s going out with that man anyways.” David sounded jealous.

            “David can I give you some advice as a friend?” Jimmy didn’t wait for an answer, “you’re an i***t! You should have told her long ago. I feel guilty since I set you up in this weird date, I never expected it to go this far. I’ll talk to her.”

            “This is my responsibility, I am the one who had the power to stop this date as well, but I am an i***t, I kept it going and I’ll take care of it!” David said angrily.