EMMA

From over stylish reading glasses, Cora says, “Good morning.”

Guilt spreads into my body as our eyes lock. I hate lying. Why am I playing this game with Tanner? What is wrong with me?

“Good morning, Cora. Sleep well?”

“Mmm,” she hums with disdain, going back to the screen. “Are you excited about the event the Woman’s Group has coming up? Will we see you there this time?”

I confess, “I don’t know what it’s for. Haven’t spoken to Mom in a few days I guess.”

Tapping away at the keyboard and leaning in to check what she wrote, Cora distractedly mumbles, “I’m sure Drew is busy with arrangements. She loves that sort of thing.”

“What kind of event, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“A fundraiser. Their roof is leaking. Hasn’t been changed since before you were born. It’s going to cost a lot of money, and your mother and father have generously offered their company to do the construction. Even with the forfeiting of their usual fees they need to cover supplies and labor. Plus the solar paneling they’re planning to install will be pricey, but it will finally bring them into the modern world for chrissakes.” Her voice trails off as she focuses all her attention on her computer.

Taking my seat I lay my purse down and mull over this news. Tanner will be there as a potential donor, which means this isn’t a ladies-only event. Mom will drag Dad there. The three of them in a room together—I can’t miss that. Even if my showing up is the same as lighting a match to dynamite.

I don’t want Tanner Hamilton alone in a room filled with women. I’m still suspicious he sat in the audience with a sexy and sophisticated date last night while I wiped tears and scarfed snickerdoodles.

I must go to this event.

“Emma, are you just going to stare off? Do something productive! Make me coffee!”

Eyeing her I exhale pride and rise up.

Her voice is tempered with a warning. “Is there a problem?”

“Sure I make a great cup of coffee, but in case you haven’t noticed, I can do so much more,” I grumble.

My hand sprints to my mouth, shocked. It’s the first time I’ve talked back to her. Cora’s almost like family. She and Rachel have been tight since I was a child. They went to grade school together! In the South you do not disrespect your elders.

Colder than ever, her lip curls. “I bet you could.”

Surprised by her tone and insinuation, I stutter, “Excuse me? What do you mean…?”

“You know what it means,” she sneers, eyeing me up and down.

“No, I don’t!”

I walk right up to her desk.

She drops her reading glasses.

“Have something to say?” she sneers.

“Yes! I’m tried of you treating me this badly. I don’t know what your problem is but I work hard for you. Always have. Five days a week I’m here, learning and staying up to date, bringing in new clients, closing deals you don’t want to close anymore because you hate your job. It’s not my fault you’re miserable here!” Cora’s lips part, eyes hard. “Tell me what I’ve done to make you treat me this way! Tell me!”

She shouts so loudly my hair practically blows back. “You’re young! You’re at your peak, Emma! The world is open for you!”

Shocked and confused I sputter, “You’re angry I was born later than you were? I can’t control that!”

A bitter laugh rocks her chest and she stands up to face me and her demons. “Once I was, yes. And what good did it do me? I married a man who turned out to be gay and wasted the baby-making years of my life trying to get him to make love to me, like a fool! By the time I woke up I was in my fifties and it was too late! All my friends had children and I wanted one of my own. The rare man like Tanner Hamilton wanted to be with an older woman like me, but that fizzled out and he will never get married, much less have children, not like I could anymore! This town is like a damn desert if you want someone attractive who is my age and who isn’t scared. They all want women like you!”

Struggling to keep up with the raw confession—things I never knew, like her and Tanner!—I hold my temples and blink like crazy. “But you had that boyfriend just last Christmas. You were with Ian over a year! He even came to all the family BBQs we had! Nobody comes to those unless they’re special. You guys sat with me and we laughed all night that one time, remember? He was a good man, wasn’t he?!”

Her voice is hoarse as she leans in. “Oh I remember. Ian and I got home and he said, ‘I can’t do this anymore, Cora, I’m in love with Emma.’”

My jaw drops and I step back. “That can’t be true!”

“Can’t it?!”

“I never talked to him other than when I was with you!”

“As if that matters.” Cora shoots me a look that could kill plants. “All you have to do is smile and they fall at your feet.”

“I had no idea, Cora. I’m so sorry. He never approached me! If he had I would have told you, I promise. And I didn’t know you dated Tanner…” I trail off, realizing what a horrible dilemma I’m in.

She takes her seat with a flourish, neck held high with pride. “I told Ian if he made a move on you I would ruin him in this city. He knew better than to doubt I would. But you’ve made a good point. I’m not happy with my job anymore, but not for the reason you think. It’s because every time I look at your face I see him loosening his tie and dropping that bomb.” She leans back, volume thick as she motions around with bitterness. “This morning when you weren’t here I was happy. I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to hear you tapping on my keyboards! I don’t want to read your cute little notes in my calendar anymore! I want you gone, Emma, gone!”

Tears stream down my face as we stare at each other. Having nothing to fight back with, and no reason to do so, I whisper, “I guess this is it then.”

It feels terrible in every way to clear out my desk with her tapping off some email or whatever she’s doing over there, as if I’m already invisible.

When I’ve gathered all I can carry, I walk to the door. My voice is quiet as I turn. “Cora, I loved this job. I really did. For all the years I’ve been here, I loved every minute. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and experience.”

She swallows hard, but doesn’t stop me. I walk into the sunshine feeling nothing but pain.