“Okay, now that we are seated and eating,” Michael begins as we all start digging into the delicious food, “I have got to ask some questions. Christina filled me in on everything you told her over the phone, so I understand the back story, but there is so much. It seems so unreal.”
Christopher lifts his eyes from his food to me with a look of concern. And though I appreciate it, I’m also comfortable with these people and don’t have the feeling of wanting to flee. Even though I just met them, there is something about them that make me feel safe.
“Ask whatever you want,” I say, giving a warm smile as reassurance that I mean every word. “I’m sure you are both happy to see your friend return and shocked to see him bring someone back with him.”
“What happens now?” Michael asks, and Christina stops chewing to await the answer as well.
“Good question,” Christopher says. “Ember and I don’t really know. Obviously, I have to start working again, and luckily Rolling Stone is interested in having me back. I need to find us a place to live, since my mother sold my apartment, and all of us living under the same roof is something that can only last temporarily. If I don’t kill my mother, Ember may,” Christopher teases with a wink to me.
“What about you?” Christina asks me. “How is all this for you? It must be a lot to take in, since you’ve never experienced anything beyond that schoolhouse and town, right?”
“It feels like I’m in a thunderstorm. It’s loud. It’s windy. It’s full of electricity, excitement, but also fear.” I lift my wine glass and take another swallow before adding, “I’m happy to have Christopher by my side in all this. I’m also happy to have met the both of you. Your kindness has made a pretty bad day end on a good note.”
“So, are you guys really married?” Michael asks.
Christina kicks him under the table not so subtly. “I told you they are.”
Christopher nods, reaches over the table, and takes my hand in his. “We are. Far from normal circumstances, but Ember and I have a bond that no one can understand.”
Michael chuckles, and he pours himself more wine. “I never thought I’d see you married, bro. Never thought the old ball-and-chain was your style.” The minute he said the last sentence, his mouth opened wide, and Christina once again kicks him under the table. “Ah shit, man. Sorry. Poor choice of words.”
Christopher laughs… and then continues to laugh so loud and for so long that tears form in the corners of his eyes. “That’s fucking funny.” He looks at me, and although I didn’t catch the joke right at the beginning, I do now. I join in on the laughter until we are all hysterical.
Once the table settles and we’re back to eating and drinking, Christina asks, “This might be a sensitive topic, but I’m going to ask anyway. What about Marissa? How is she handling all of it?”
Without even making eye contact with Christopher, I know the question has him tense. I know he’s worried how I will respond, so I answer first to try to ease the tension. “She was waiting for us when we arrived yesterday. I know it was really hard for her to see me. To see that Christopher now has a wife. I feel bad for her and wish no one else has to feel pain over actions caused by my father.”
“Yeah, it was awkward. Not exactly the homecoming I was expecting,” Christopher chimes in. “But a lot has changed since I was last here—one being Marissa. She’s a great woman and deserves someone just as great. But… I’m with Ember now. It’s not like I planned this or asked for it, but it is the way it is. The past is the past, and we have to move on.”
“And your mother?” Michael asks with a smirk. “I’m sure she’s loving the attention just as much as she loves having her son back.”
Christopher sighs as he takes a large swallow from his drink. “You know my mother well.”
Christina pats my hand and says, “You don’t let that woman intimidate you. I know she can come across as a cold-hearted bitch, but she’s harmless. She can’t hurt you.”
I feel relief in knowing that others find Louisa Davenport… unlikeable.
“She’s trying,” Christopher defends. “But she is going insane with the idea of me staying married to Ember.”
“What does she want you to do? Throw her out on the street?” Michaels asks, shaking his head. “Wait, don’t answer that. I already know the answer.”
Christina looks at me and asks, “What about you, Ember? What dreams and hopes do you have? Christopher has his career, but what about you?”
For a minute, I wait for the thunderstorm to return. I wait for the rush of electricity and fear to come, but I’m still at ease and realize Christina isn’t judging me or asking out of morbid curiosity. She genuinely seems to care.
I shrug and look around the room as if the answer is waiting for me here within these walls. “I don’t know. I never really dreamed of anything before. It wasn’t my life. And when Christopher came and we got married, my dream was to be a good wife. It’s still my dream. But beyond that, I don’t know.”
“Do you have any passions? Hobbies?” Michael asks.
“I like to read,” I answer. “I also liked to cook, but I could never cook as good as you.” I point at the food on my plate. I pause for a moment and add, “But I never dreamed of being anything career wise. I never thought I’d leave Hallelujah Junction. I didn’t give myself permission to have hope for anything more than what I already had.”
“It’s time you start dreaming,” Christina says softly as she pats my hand with hers. “The world is yours now. You can have anything you want.”
“I think it’s going to take Ember awhile to believe that,” Christopher says as he leans back in his chair with the wine glass in his hand. He’s looking at me with love in his eyes, and heat prickles the back of my neck as his leg brushes mine, and I feel his security and connection flood through me. “Richard messed with her head. He sure as fuck messed with mine. It’s going to take us both a bit to get going, but we will.”
“Well, if you ever want a job, Ember,” Christina chimes in, “the boutique will hire you in a second. I could use the extra help.”
“The restaurant too,” Michael adds. “If you want to work in the kitchen and around food, I’d love to have you.”
“Hey!” Christina teasingly slaps Michael’s arms. “Stop trying to steal my employee.”
I’ve never seen this kind of playful banter before, but I like it. I like it a lot.
Friendship.
I know I missed out on a lot of things growing up. I know Papa Rich shielded me from all the world had to offer. I believe that part of him meant well. He was protecting me from all the evil and all the modern society he believed corrupt. But he also kept me from something so very important.
Friendship.
And though I may be wearing shoes for the first time in my life—and yes, I’ve never drank wine before tonight—the thing that is really standing out to me that I’ve missed out so much on is that I’ve never had others care about me simply because.
I sit at a table with three people who I don’t fear. I don’t worry about what they will say or do to me. I don’t feel I have to act a certain way or be submissive in every act I do.