Emily Calls It (The Emily Series) (8 page)

He knelt down to my level. “You can talk to me.” I looked at him, realizing maybe I could, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have one more friend. Colin glanced at all the people walking around the table. “Come on,” he said taking my hands to stand me up. He led me to a less congested area of the room.

“I knew something was wrong before school ended, and I see it here, too. Maybe I can help,” he suggested.

I didn’t know if that was possible, but I felt comfortable with him and I felt myself start to open up. “Remember Graham? You met him at the movies a few months ago.” He nodded and continued to look at me, ready for me to go on.

“Well, basically.” I wanted to keep it short. “I was in a relationship with him, but it turned out he was just biding his time with me until his ex-girlfriend returned.” I shrugged my shoulders trying to keep it as light as I could. I don’t think I was fooling anyone; not even me. “Oh, and that,” I looked back in the direction of the table. “That was his mother.”

I saw the look on Colin’s face then. He cared, and that surprised me. It was nice. Maybe he
was
my friend. “You know Emily, you won’t be sad forever. You’ll get through this.” The softness in his eyes was so comforting. I wondered if it had always been there; I couldn’t remember. “Guys your age.” He stopped and looked down at his feet. “He didn’t know what he had.” He looked up at me again and touched the outside of my hand with his fingers.

We were both in a slight trance, then I remembered something. “What were you wondering?”

“What was I?” He
paused, still keeping his eyes
on me
. “Oh, I wondered if you wanted to dance.”

“I’d love to.” And I really did.

We danced a far more appropriate dance than the kind you see at clubs. It was civilized and quite nice actually. With one hand on my waist and the other clasping mine, we moved onto the dance floor. We talked, and Colin kept the topics light; which I appreciated. It was a really nice evening from that point on, and I was glad he was sharing it with me.

NINE

The Third Wheel

After that night I began to see things a little differently. I went home wondering if maybe there was more to life than Graham-longing and sadness. I felt something with Colin. Something I didn’t expect. Maybe there was a chance for me, and maybe it was OK to let Colin in. Part of me wanted to, but there was still a part that couldn’t let Graham go.

I woke up bright and early that Sunday. The benefit ended after midnight, so I didn’t expect to be up at seven the next morning. I felt great and decided to go with it. I slipped on my last pair of clean socks, noting that laundry was a necessity today. I smiled, remembering Kyle’s comment about our laundry date. Silly really, but cute. I pulled on my running shoes and tied my hair back in a ponytail. Since I started running again, there was a certain rhythm returning to my life. I was definitely feeling that rhythm today
.

My run was awesome. There were days when I felt like I should’ve just stayed home. Or days when I was long on my run and felt tired…but for some reason, not today. I did my usual five mile loop, and did it in record time. I felt great. It was going to be another hot day, and I could feel the temperature going up. I was drenched in sweat when I got back to the apartment. I stood in the kitchen trying to control my breathing
long enough to gulp some water and great, the phone’s ringing.
P
erfect, I can barely brea
the let alone answer the phone
.

“Hey Allison,” I said recognizing her voice immediately.

“What were you doing? Jumping Jacks or something?”

“No, I just came in from a run.” I finally caught my breath.

“So how was it?”

“My run? Oh fine.”

“No silly, the benefit.”

“Oh, you know what? I had a great time. It was more fun than I thought it would be.” I heard her sigh with relief. Then part of me didn’t want to tell her that I ran into Graham’s mother, but I felt like I should. “The only bummer was that I saw Graham’s mom.”

“What? What was she doing there?” Allison asked, surprise in her voice.

“I told you she’s the curator where the event was held. Remember? I hoped she wouldn’t be there, but there’s nothing like being wrong.” I tried to joke.

“You seem OK, Emily. Are you
…OK?” she asked, concerned.

“Yes, I think I am.” I paused for a second thinking and wondering to myself if I was telling the truth.

“We had a great time,” I said. “The museum was the coolest. The paintings and sculptures along with the delicious food.”

“Wait.” She stopped me. “We? Who’s we?”

“Oh, you know, the other people I work with.” I don’t know why, but I wasn’t ready to tell her about Colin. Then again, maybe there was nothing to tell.

“Oh. Well. I’m glad you had a good time. You needed it.”

When I thought about it, she was right. It was exactly what I needed.

“Hey, there’s a party tonight at the beach. Want to go?” she asked, and I could hear her take a drink of coffee or something.

“Yeah. That sounds like fun. Should I meet you and Ethan there?” I figured I’d be the third wheel, but that was OK, I guess.

“We can pick you up. Say, around seven?”

“Sure.” I found it interesting that there would be some kind of rager on a Sunday night, but it was summer, and most college kids didn’t have to get up early for work the next day. I figured they probably wouldn’t keep me out too late. “I’ll see you then.” We hung up and I went straight for the shower. I had a list of things to do, and there was no time like the present to get started.

After a nice, hot shower I stripped my bed and loaded everything into the laundry basket. I braided my wet hair and threw on my favorite pair of jean shorts, faded and frayed at the hem, and my last clean tank top. With my basket under my arm and against my hip, I made my way to a quiet, empty laundry room. I could commandeer most of the machines and finish quickly. I filled one machine with whites, another with darks, and the third with sheets and towels. With the push of a button all three began to fill, and I leaned back against the built-in table, taking a book from the bottom of my basket. I resumed my usual laundry position, cross-legged on the counter. I was barely two pages in when I heard the door open.

“Hey Emily, I thought I might find you here.” Kyle kicked the door shut with his foot.

“Oh, yeah. I really was down to my last pair of socks.”

Kyle began to unload detergent and sort laundry next to me. I slid over to give him more room. “You’re fine. No need to move,” he said. “So how was your, um,
event last night?
Where was it again?”

I didn’t remember telling him the details, but whatever. “It was at the
Pacific
Center
for the Arts,” I explained. “A benefit for cerebral palsy.”

“Wow, that’s cool,” he said as he s
hook out one of his tee
shirts before placing it in the machine. “So did you have a nice time?”

I thought to myself for a second looking down at my hands as they toyed with the frayed edges of my shorts. “Yeah, I did.” And I smiled. A relaxed and genuine smile remembering my evening.

“You know…
Emily?”

“Huh, oh sorry.” I said embarrassed I wasn’t paying attention.

“I was thinking maybe we should do something sometime. You know, other than laundry.” Was he a
sking me out? I had a flash of
I don’t know
,
but then decided why not?

“Sure, OK.”

We didn’t make plans, but instead resumed a relaxing, easy conversation that I wouldn’t have thought possible for two people who barely knew each other. It was natural with him, and really nice.

After I put away the laundry, I ironed everything that needed it, then cleaned my little apartment from top to bottom; which didn’t take long. I loved that about having a small place. Getting ready for a beach party was pretty simple. I washed up, then let my hair out
of my braids, leaving it wavy.
I put on probably way too much sunscreen for an
evening party, my bathing suit,
and a sundress over the top. I never wore much makeup anyway, and it seemed ridiculous to put much on for an evening at the beach. By the time Ethan and Allison picked me up, I’d finished a very productive day.

My brother let himself in using the key I gave Allison. I had to smile when I saw them
come through the door together.
It was the first time I‘d seen Ethan in more than a month. I couldn’t believe how tan he was. I felt a sudden urge to lecture him about wearing sunscreen, but I refrained. Then I noticed something else. It was the first time I’d seen him and Allison together as a couple, and they appeared to really suit each other. I watched his face light up as Allison talked, and it made me happy to see how crazy he was about her. She deserved that kind of attention, and frankly, so did he.

“What
,
Em?” Ethan caught me staring.

“Oh, nothing. You two ready?” I asked, looking from Ethan to Allison then back to Ethan.

“Yeah.” He turned toward the door and placed his hand on the small of Allison’s back, guiding her in front of him. Just the sight of such an intimate touch made my heart hurt a little. I closed my eyes and centered myself, trying to shake momentary thoughts of Graham and his touch. Ethan turned back to me and cleared his throat, lifting me out of my little setback.

“I’m coming,” I said. He turned back to Allison, and we filed out. I dipped into the back seat feeling even more like a third wheel. I sighed to myself when I saw Ethan rest his hand on Allison’s knee. This was going to be a long night if I was going to feel this lurch in my stomach every time I witnessed an act of affection. I made a mental
note
to get over it, and jumped into their conversation, which took an immediate turn.

“So when were you planning to tell me that you’re dating someone at your office?” Ethan asked unexpectedly.

“What? Where did you hear
that
?” I was perplexed to say the least. Then Allison turned around and faced me.

“Come on Emily, it’s not like I had to make a huge leap.”

Damn!
I was cornered. “I’m not dating anyone. No one at my office, or anywhere else for that matter.”

Allison smiled at me. A mischievous smile: this conversation wasn’t over yet. “Then who did you have fun with at the benefit the other night? And don’t say just a bunch of friends. I know you, Emily.” Allison had me there.

I paused and looked down at my hands for a second. “I don’t think there’s anything to tell you, guys. I made a
friend
,
but that’s as far as it’s gone.
Really.” Allison turned around to face forward and Ethan gave me a smug look in the rearview mirror.

“A friend, huh?

“Yeah, really.” They were content with my an
swer
for the time being
,
anyway.

When we got there the sun had set and the sky was fading from orange to purple where it was darkest. I decided I didn’t need to bring anything with me, and pushed my purse under the passenger’s seat. I watched Ethan help Allison out of the car, draping his arm around her as I struggled out of the back seat with no help. How do you like that? I thought to myself. I shut the door, and moved behind t
hem as we walked to the beach.
The breeze was starting to kick up. I rubbed my hands along my upper arms and regretted not bringing a sweater.

I slipped off my sandals and trudged along, sinking into the still mildly warm sand with every ste
p.
I heard a low rumble of voices blend with rolling waves before I c
ould actually see the bonfire.
When it came into view, I sighed again. But this time, at the scene. There was a car pulled onto the sand with all the windows down giving a gift of music. I say “gift” generously. The music was loud, and with every boom the tiny car vibrated. The bonfire blazed in a concrete pit, and groups of guys
in tee
shirts and shorts and girls in ‘way too revealing’ sundresses surrounded it. It crackled and shot tiny sparks into the darkening sky above. I looked at each of the faces glowing orange from the light of the fire. I didn’t recognize anyone and felt my shoulders slump with disappointment. I rubbed my eyes, irritated from the smoke as it drifted my way. It passed by me as quickly as it came and I could see again. A girl let out a high pitched squ
eak when a
guy dropped an ice cube down her back. She hopped and reached to fish it out, laughing and cursing at him the whole time. Back to her group of girls she went. Then I noticed something notable. In each person’s hand was a signature red cup, indicating there must be a keg somewhere, and that little observation perked me right up.

Just as I was resigned to be a third wheel, I saw him. He looked over his shoulder and in mid-conversation lifted his head in my direction with a broad smile. I smiled back, a confident smile. He looked back toward the guy he was talking to, ended his conversation and walked over.