Chapter 29-2
1167 Words
The next few weeks left Emily dizzy. She found a small house close to town. Actually, Fred found the small, old, fixer-upper that belonged to one of his buddies. Fred recruited a few friends to move Emily and Katy. Bob had shown no concern over her plight. He picked Katy up every other weekend for his obligatory visit, but Emily wondered if that was only to hurt her since he showed no interest in Katy. But in the next breath, the man offered to take Katy on his “off” weekend to help her out. She was done trying to figure him out.
Emily was down on all fours digging in the front garden when Bob pulled up to the small two-bedroom bungalow. Katy was in the backseat of a shiny red brand new mustang. Emily dropped her trowel in the dirt and wiped her hands on her faded blue jeans. She strode toward Bob as he lifted Katy out of her car seat. Laughing, he lifted Katy high in the air as she giggled and squealed.
Katy snatched her blue blanket from her dad and raced to Emily, demanding to be lifted—an attitude she’d not seen before.
Bob zipped up his dark blue windbreaker and lingered for a minute in front of Emily. “You seem to have done pretty well for yourself, Emily.”
Emily firmed her lips and leaned around Bob. “Nice wheels. Are those gold-spoked? That must have set you back a lot of money.” He just shrugged.
“Well, after all, I’m the one that has to commute to pick up Katy. I need a decent vehicle.”
“A sports car—which I’m guessing is fully loaded. So, is that where all the money you say you can’t pay full child support is going?” Katy grabbed Emily’s shirt by the collar and twisted. She kissed the top of her head, and plunked her on the ground.
He popped on his sunglasses so Emily couldn’t see his eyes, then shrugged and walked away.
“Katy, go and grab your wheelbarrow on the front step.” Katy toddled to the step, dropping her blanket, and grabbed her green plastic wheelbarrow and started filling it with dirt.
“You know Bob, I let you off easy. You don’t even pay the minimum child support set by the state. I’ve asked nothing for me, and you go out and buy some fancy new sports car and try and bullshit me with this crap of it being necessary transportation. Let me guess; you took out another car loan, financing this whole thing?” He didn’t stop, but picked up his pace, pausing only to open the driver’s door. He swallowed hard, climbed in, and squealed his tires as he left.
“Asshole.” When Emily turned around, her elderly neighbor, Jim, waved from where he watered his flowerbed in front. Emily’s cheeks burned, she waved, ducked her head and hurried inside. “Great show, Emily.”
The phone rang just as Emily closed the door. Katy turned on the TV and dragged out her dolls. Emily grabbed the kitchen phone. “Hello.”
“I’m looking for Emily Nelson.”
“Speaking.” She didn’t recognize the male voice on the other end.
“This is Taylor at Banters Farm and Feed. You applied for a part time job in our gardening department?”
“Oh, yes.” The day after she landed on Gina’s doorstep; Gina suggested she apply.
“Well, if you’re interested; I have a part-time opening, two days a week.”
She grabbed the back of an envelope and scribbled the details, part time and average pay—enough to keep from blowing through Brad’s nest egg. With the tiny amount Bob paid each month, she’d have enough if she was careful. She’d need to find a sitter for Katy.
Two days later, Emily started her new job; a menial job with her hands in the dirt, but it was one she enjoyed. It helped take her mind off Brad, instead of thinking of him a hundred times a day.
Emily set a tray of starter plants outside the front door.
“Whoo hoo, Emily.”
She stumbled and nearly dropped the tray. In disbelief, she watched Crystal climb out of a fancy, brand new Cadillac SUV. What was with all these new vehicles? The woman made a beeline right for her, wearing designer jeans and matching jean jacket, her bright red toenails sticking out the end of her open toe high-heeled shoes. Her lips were painted a bright red; not a blonde hair out of place. She tucked her Gucci purse under her arm and waved her fingers high in the air as if they were long lost kin.
Emily looked right and then left. Hide. But the woman cornered her as a cat did a mouse. “Oh, Emily, how are you? It’s so good to see you.” She reached over and touched Emily’s arm.
Emily stepped back and bumped the rack of starter plants behind her. “I’m fine.” She tried to slip around Crystal. But the woman stepped forward, boxing her in.
“Oh, Emily, I’ve got to tell you, Brad and I are doing so good now. It was a little rocky at first, but just the other day he was telling me how glad he is I’m home.”
Emily’s throat became so dry she thought she’d choke. Crystal smiled brightly; all white gleaming teeth—one of the cover girl photos. “You know, Brad has this wonderful idea of renewing our wedding vows. How romantic is that? He’s everything I ever wanted in a husband. He’s so attentive to my needs. Why, he just bought me this brand new Cadillac. He wanted to make sure I was safe and had something decent to drive. So, have you talked to Brad lately?”
What the hell? “Ah, no.” Emily jammed her hands in her apron pocket.
“Excuse me. I really have to get back to work.”
Crystal stepped back enough that Emily could squeak past. “Oh, yes, of course. I’m done here anyway. This store doesn’t really carry the quality or variety of perennials the more established stores do.” She tossed Emily a high quick wave, as if they’d been friends for years. With her Gucci tucked under her arm, she strode back to her fancy SUV.
“How’s Trevor?” Emily stepped closer to the curb.
Crystal’s hand froze on the door handle. Maybe two seconds passed before she faced Emily; the smile long gone. “Who?”
Emily crossed her bare arms over her blue T-shirt. Was it plausible that the name truly didn’t register? “Your son, Brad’s son, Trevor. How is he?”
“I know he’s my son. And he’s not your concern. He’s fine—better than fine, now.” Crystal climbed in and slammed her door. She backed out in such a way that if someone had been behind her, she’d have knocked them over. Emily blinked back tears, stung beyond belief at how Brad could be so fickle. To allow this woman into his life, his bed, and lavish her with expensive gifts...and how could he turn his son, who she believed was the most important thing in his life, over to that woman? She’d been played. So, of course, she questioned all her choices. After all, how sound could her judgment be?
- Writer
