Helen
The Present…
“OH NO,” EMILY WHINES.
“What is it, dear?”
“Isabel is going to get pregnant and Heath’s going to fall in love with her. Ugh,” she groans. “I can’t take it. She’s not his lobster. I don’t want him to love her.”
I shake my head. “Heath never loved anyone but himself and Catrina. Don’t fret, my dear.” I let out a heavy sigh. “It’s almost as if you’re rooting for them. I already told you this wasn’t a happy story.”
Her phone buzzes and she picks it up. There are several missed texts from Finn and one from Porter.
Finn: We need to talk.
Finn: I’m tired of this bullshit, Emily.
Finn: He’s nothing but trash.
Porter: I’m not ignoring you. Some plans fell through. We can hang out later if you want.
Her fingers fly like the dickens as she types out a response to Finn.
Emily: Grow up, Finn Browning! You’re a bully when you don’t get your way.
Then, she taps out a reply to Porter.
Emily: Like we could go to dinner?
Her phone buzzes and buzzes and buzzes.
Finn: HE’S FUCKING USING YOU!
Porter: I could pick you up. We could take a drive and just park someplace quiet.
Finn: So help me, Emily, don’t make me drive my Maserati over there and strangle you. I will, angel, I so fucking will.
“Ugh, dick.”
“Language,” I huff. But I do tend to agree with her about Finn Browning’s attitude. While his intentions are good, he has a horrible way of going about it. “Ever think maybe he’s reacting that way because he cares?”
“I guess,” Emily admits reluctantly.
Porter: I was thinking about that picture you sent me. I’d like more like that.
Emily sighs. “He’s so romantic.”
I purse my lips in displeasure. “Not what I’d call it, young lady.”
Finn: That’s it. I’m done with this shit.
“Ughhhh,” she grumbles. “Get me out of this real-life drama. I want to go back to the love story. It’s clearly much more entertaining than mine.” Despite her words, she exits her texts and starts flipping through selfies she’s taken with Finn. I’m not sure what she has against the boy. Whenever they’re together, they laugh and flirt. He stares at her as though she’s his entire world. I’d like to intervene, but I don’t. Love has a way of getting through the thickest skulls and making them see sense eventually.
“Look at how cute you two are,” I say when she stops at a picture.
In the picture Finn is biting her jaw and you can tell she’s screaming. From an outsider looking in, they’re in love. Too bad Miss Emily hasn’t come to that conclusion.
“Perhaps we should stop,” I mutter. “This is where the story takes a turn for the worse. Are you sure you want to continue?”
“A turn for the worse? Why?” Emily exclaims. “I thought you said he didn’t love Isabel and he only loved Catrina. That’s all that matters!”
“Catrina got ill during her pregnancy. She was bed-ridden. I worried it was her heart poisoning her.” I frown. “I reached out to Mr. Heath and asked him to come home.”
“Awww,” Emily says, hugging me. “You did well, Nanny. She was heartsick and you wanted to heal her.”
If only it were that simple.
“Hold your tongue, darling. I simply stirred the pot and made things worse, I fear. On a dreadful, stormy night, Mr. Heath showed up. At the worst possible time, mind you. That was a part of his character, I think. Always showing up when nobody wanted him…”
“I think it’s romantic he always fought for her.”