It's Never Too Late

Chapter 1

            Emily wanted to be an anchorwoman and in order to do that, she needed this story because it would get her closer to her dream she needed more experience on the field.

            Again Emily looked at the desk across from hers and still the chair was empty. Her frustration was obvious. Oh! Where was he? He’s always there when she needed a friend to talk to. I mean true she was always expecting a lot from him, but she couldn’t help it. He had always been there for her.

            Emily couldn’t concentrate, she wished she knew where he was. Emily thought of Jimmy’s call and couldn’t help but think of David, maybe he was running late.

            Emily sighed, the only way to do that was to go to that address and interview the detective herself, maybe she could interview the correction officers who guarded his cell. Well, the sooner the better.

            David arrived, he looked worried, does he know? No, if he knew he wouldn’t stop her this time, he wasn’t going to.

            “David, Emily I need to talk to you, please come to my office,” said Mr. Emerson. David looked at Emily not knowing what was going on. Emily shrugged her shoulders while they followed him into the office.

            Mr. Emerson turned to Emily, “Jim called, I don’t want you to feel left out, you’re a great journalist. You know that thief will remember. David, do the story.”

            Emily couldn’t believe it, her expression was blank she was furious, how could they? This was her big chance!

            Mr. Emerson turned to David, “David, go to the police station and interview the correction officers and the detective. I want to get the story first,” then, “I’m sorry Emily, but he will remember you, think about your safety. David, will you take over please?”

            Why? This was her chance! She looked over at David hoping he’d stand up for her. She had nothing against him but she'd never get a chance if she kept going like this.

            Emily felt crushed she had to get her story back. How? All she could think of was her dream, being lost. She couldn’t think about the dangers, her dream was bigger.

            Emily found her voice before Mr. Emerson told them to leave, “give me a chance. I can do this! All I’m asking for is a chance, Please trust me I can do this!”

            David had always protected her, she hated to be treated like if she couldn’t do anything. Since they were children they played together, they went to school together, they were best buds and he couldn’t help but be protective of her.

            “Boss, count on me, I will ...” David looked baffled when he saw her scowl.

            Emily’s hazel eyes turned gray. As she was giving him an icy look. Man, oh man! What could a guy do? “Sorry Em, I’m sure you will have other opportunities,” he felt bad but it was all for her. Why can’t she see it?

            “Boss, I can come in handy I know this guy, this was my story,” Emily insisted.

            “Emily how long have you worked for us?” Mr. Emerson looked at Emily.

            “Five years.” Emily said calmly.

            “Emily take time off you haven’t since you started, it is for your own safety. I think you deserve to have paid vacations,” Mr. Emerson said.

            Emily felt crushed and a sudden loss of words, they’re taking her story and to think it took a moment of a miracle for her to get this story. I mean she was the one who caught him on tape, the one with this story-not David.

            “Thank you for understanding Emily. David, begin at once.” Mr. Emerson said.

            “Alright I’ll be on my way out.” David said looking at Emily.

            I need a coffee. She turned to the door, opened it, walked out and David followed, he couldn’t help but feel bad, he knew what this meant to her. “Why David?! Do you have something against me? Why didn’t you do anything?” Emily turned angrily to him.

            “I’m sorry Emily I had to. You don’t seem to care what happens, all you care about is your precious dream. Well, I got news for you I got you this job and as your friend so help me God, I’ll protect you if it’s the last thing I do. It’s a promise I made to your mom on her death bed and I won’t break it!” David responded just as angrily.

            Complete and awkward silence reigned in the office, no one moved.  Everybody was listening to them with interest. She was embarrassed. How could he?

            She grabbed her suitcase, and she heard some of her coworkers saying, “I’m sorry Emily I didn’t know you were an orphan,” “How did it happen?” “Did it just happen?” “I’m sorry for your loss.”

            It happened on the day of her high school graduation, she lost both of her parents at once and it still hurt her, her little sister and her had been suddenly orphaned. A drunk driver crossed the red light crashing into her parents’ car.

            The driver, like her father died instantly, her mother died three days later it must have been too much for her. David was the last one she spoke to, he saw the sadness in her eyes and regretted not choosing his words wisely.

            “What is going on? Everyone back to work! Nothing to see here,” David was ashamed, how could he have done that? Now everyone in the office knew.

            “It happened a long time ago and I’m sure they’re in a better place,” Emily said with a wave of hand trying to hide her real emotions. But David knew better, she was pretending, but he could see that deep inside her she still remembered and felt dishearten.

            Emily never cried at her parent’s funeral, she had promised her mother to take care of Helen. She became a strong person because she had suddenly become a mother to her sister, who was twelve at the time.

            “Boss I’m going to take my vacation. I need to get paid before I leave, I think I’m going to visit Helen,” Emily explained.

            “I’ll write your check come to my office, everyone back to work.” Mr. Emerson said noticing everyone who kept looking sadly at Emily.

            Helen was in college, she got a full ride scholarship to any college of her choice, she had always been a smart kid. A woman! She couldn’t help but think of her as a child.

            She remembered her mother’s last words, her little sister stood next to her inconsolably after finding out she wouldn’t live long. The doctor told them she might not resist the day.

            Emily didn’t cry, she had to be strong for Helen, she was seventeen then and didn’t know how to care for a child. She knew that it wouldn’t help her sister to see her cry. David waited in the lobby, their mother was vulnerable, she tried to smile and even that was hard to do, as she looked at Helen:

            “Helen, be strong I know you are a smart girl. Promise me you’ll listen to your sister, and that you’ll be the best of your class, and remember I’m always going to be with you. When you feel sad go to my drawer and read the poem I wrote for you. And don‘t stop smiling!”

            “I promise mom. But… dad died, you can’t die (she sniffed) we’ll be alone.”

Her eyes began to fill with tears, and she ran out of the room.

            Her mother‘s eyes filled and she turned to Emily, “Emily, I wanted to be there for your graduation, I love you and your sister so much, (tears started rolling down) please take care of her, and try to be strong. I want to talk to you and David, can you get him?”

            She went to get David in the lobby, “my mom said she wants to speak to us both.”

            David was eighteen and was working for his father’s newspaper and taking college courses. David followed Emily into the room.

            “David dear, I know you love my daughters as if they were your sisters, I knew your parents before you were born. I know your father is busy but can you promise me you can help my daughters. Please give this to your father.”

            She handed him a letter, “and promise me you’ll take good care of my girls, I know Emily’s strong, but even the strongest can fall.”

            “I promise. I’ll ask my father and he can take them in, they will have a good life, he won’t let them go into an orphanage.” David cleared his throat.

            “I’m not going to be weak, I promise,” Emily had her pride and she didn’t want to show weakness especially now. “Mom I know you’ll get better. We can take that cruise you always talked about,” she tried to cheer her up.

            Her mother looked at her, how peaceful she had looked then, “oh honey! You really are strong. I love you I always will…”

            “No please mother!” Everything had gone quiet and dark she fainted. When she woke up the doctors were waking her with alcohol. Her mother’s and father’s ashes were placed in a vase she and her sister kept. They couldn’t bring themselves to bury them.

            Everyone’s eyes were on her and it felt uncomfortable, David was worried. She went to Mr. Emerson’s office to get her check. She didn’t want to be here for at least a week. “You ok? I’m not your father, but if you need anything you can count on me. You know that don’t you?” Mr. Emerson said looking at her tenderly.

            “I’m fine really. I think, I’ll visit my sister for a week, she got a summer part time job. It will be nice to surprise her after all this time,” Emily said.

            It had been months since she’d seen her, Emily had her address. I’ll get back and get my story done. Somehow, I just have to! I won’t let David take credit.

            “Great I’ll write you a check!” Mr. Emerson handed her the check. Emily looked shocked. “I want you and your sister to be happy, have some fun, enjoy! You deserve it.”

            Emily didn’t know what to say, “thank you, sir.”

            “You’ve worked hard I owed you. I’ll see when you get back,” Mr. Emerson said.

            She put the check in her suit case, and left she was still mad at David I’ll find a way. She left without looking back, David wanted to say something but she left.

            She put on her sunglasses, and drove home. She cried alone in her room as she always did. She never wanted to cry in front of anyone. She was strong, but sensitive when it came to her sister, or her parents.

            Seems like he did see her as a sister, maybe because both of their mothers died they had something in common. All she wanted was to belong, she was aimless and couldn’t tell him how she felt. It’d destroy their friendship. He was like a big brother to her, he would never look at her the same way as she saw him but she needed him more than ever.

            Damn! The bank will be closing! She got ready, grabbed her portfolio and got into her car. She arrived, deposited her check and withdrew some money. I’ll need it.

            She went home and packed and called the airport to have the private jet ready for her. They would pick her up, she wanted to feel rested when she arrived. Five minutes later, she heard the door bell, “come in the suit cases are ready. I'll be out in a bit.”

            David walked in through the door and saw her suit cases ready, he wanted to talk to her although he didn’t know what to say. “David?”

            David was at a loss of words for the moment gazing at her, “I’m sorry Emily I came to apologize, it’s just that you're like a sister to me and…father sees what’s best for you,” suddenly he looked angry again, “why can’t you understand? I did you a favor!”

            “You jerk! How could you?” Emily slapped him without thinking. Oh no, what have I done? “I’m so—”

            David lift a hand to stop her from saying it, “I deserved that. I’ll take you to the airport.” He could not believe it, she slapped me. Man she’s strong!

            “I’m having someone from the airport pick me up, I thought it would be better. I‘m sorry I shouldn’t have slapped you, there is no excuse,” Emily said embarrassed.

            David kept rubbing his cheek, “oh, it’s ok I said I deserved it, I really am sorry about what I said.” The doorbell rang. “I think that’s them, want me to let them in?”

            “Yes, tell them I’ll be ready in a minute, and the suitcases are at the door way. I‘ll get something quick.” She went to the room where she kept her mother’s ashes. “Hi mom I miss you. I’m going to see Helen, she’s grown and will be a great doctor, you’ll see. Oh mom, I miss you more than ever.”

            She came down stairs with a simple smile. She was finally going to see her sister. She was wearing a dress simple but elegant. Her curls were up in a ponytail, and her eyes turned bluish greenish. David couldn’t stop gawking at her.

            “Ms. McAllister everything is in the car, is there anything else?” The driver asked.

            “No, that’ll be all,” Emily said walking downstairs.

            She sat in the back seat, can’t wait! “Ms. McAllister the jet will be ready for you.”

            The next several hours David had to work, he had to make sure to have everything ready by Friday. There was no exception, if I’ll be the boss someday, I have to. I can’t afford any negative reports if this newspaper was going to be known.

            He went to the police station, took Jimmy with him so he could take pictures, if needed and a recorder. He spoke to the detective. He had his laptop on him, and he started writing the story.

            He was wondering how Emily was doing. Is she with her sister? What could she be doing now? He didn’t notice he kept writing her name on his laptop over and over.

            “Mm-hmm, come on David tell me. You know you can talk to me, don’t you? I know when something’s up.” Jimmy had known him since they were in high school, they always told each other their problems.

            “Me, nothing’s wrong, why?”  He scratched his head. “There shouldn’t be.”

            “I don’t know but—” Jimmy looked at him suspiciously.

            “Was I too hard on her at the office? She is still hurting over her parents’ death I know it! But, she has this shell over her, I think the vacation will do her good. I wasn’t doing anything wrong I‘m trying to protect her from the thief who has something against her.” David said as if explaining.

            “Well, first of all, wow, I can’t believe you had all that in your mind. To be honest with you, I think you were hard on her. You have to understand her motives and you need to explain your motives. She’s like a little sister to you, right? I’d definitely do the same for my sister I’d protect her, but without embarrassing her.”

            David seemed mad, he hated that Jim was bluntly honest with his opinions, he was right. He checked the story he was writing. “Damn! Jimmy I’m going to stay in the office late, I need to finish this story.”

            “But, you have been writing since you got here! You’ve…”Jimmy stood behind him. David pressed the delete button as fast as he could. “I knew it! You like her!”

            “Of course she is my friend, my sister, I know she’s not really my sister. I can still worry about her, there’s nothing wrong with that!” David retorted, embarrassed.

            “Hmm, if you ask me I think you more than like her, you love her which is why you keep deleting her name from your laptop’s screen. I got your back if you don’t want me to say anything, but you’ll have to tell her.” Jimmy said.

            “What?! No, you don’t have to—” David said nervously.

            “Say no more I’m going to help you. As a friend, I want to.” Jimmy interrupted.

**********

            Emily loved the city. How could she not do this before? Now she needed to catch a taxi, and go to a hotel. I need to freshen up before seeing Helen.

            Helen did not know that she was in town just yet and liked it that way. Element of surprise and they could go out, talk, not that she didn’t talk to her sister every now and then, but despite the age difference they always got along.

            She needed to rent a car she hated having to catch public transportation, or a taxi all the time. So after renting the car she drove to her sister’s apartment. She was nervous, but knew her sister would be happy to see her. After all, why wouldn’t she be? We missed each other.

            Helen answered the door, “Emily, when did you get here? Why didn’t you call? I could’ve picked you up, we could’ve gone out, oh well, come on! Secret hands shake.”

            They lock right arms together, hit the back of their hands, snapped their fingers, and shook hands. And they looked at each other and started to laugh. They hugged, and Helen welcomed her in.

            Helen’s apartment was beautiful, spacious, nice. She had a small garden, and a little porch where she had a table for two.

            “Oh I see, do you have a boyfriend?” Emily asked looking at the table for two.

            “Roommate, works in the same place I do. I needed a place, she needed a roommate, it worked out well for us. How’s it going with David?” Helen was not only her sister but her confidential friend.

            She could always count on her. Looking at her now, she reminded her when they were with their parents, together.

            They started talking about their parents.“Em, why didn’t you cry at the funeral?”

            “Huh?” The question caught Emily by surprise. She never expected her sister to bring that up. “Why do you ask?”

            “I know you wanted to be strong for me. I want you to let it out and know that it’s okay, you had my back then and I have your back now,” Helen said.

            “Oh Helen I can’t cry. I promised mom I would be strong, I am ok, I know they’re in a better place now” she felt her tears starting to come, “oh Helen I don’t want to,” Emily swallowed the lump in her throat and it didn’t go unnoticed by Helen.

            Their tears started flowing and for the first time Emily showed her sister how she felt about their parents’ death. It had been years she was finally able to cry, they were hugging and crying.