Chapter 26

-Emory-

I had to call out of work again today. I didn’t realize heartache could be so debilitating, but I could barely force myself out of bed this morning. Maybe the lingering hangover had something to do with it? I definitely can’t party as hard as I used to in college. I’m still laying where I was last night, staring at the ceiling. I should probably eat something. I try to think back to what I last had to eat… ice cream? That was almost 48 hours ago, now. Something with some nutritional value is called for, then.

I look back at my phone by the bed. I have three text messages from Cora, and an hour and a half have passed while I was wondering what to feed myself. I pick up my phone to look up what kind of semi-healthy food I can order to my door, and get lost scrolling the options. I suppose I could get a salad from somewhere. Maybe a lettuce wrap would be easier to eat. I could just get comfort foods- it’s not like I’m worried about my figure right now. I settle on the Chinese place nearby because they already know my order when they see my number on their phones.

Ordering in means I have to walk to the door and open it for them, so I sit up and start moving that direction as soon as I get the order put in. Once I stand up, I realize I have to put pants on or risk traumatizing the poor delivery kid. I found a pair of sweats on the floor and walk back to my living room. It’s really a living room and kitchen put together, with a small hallway holding my bedroom and bathroom on either side. I once enjoyed how the decorative mirrors I had found added light and space, but now they just show me how sallow my skin has gotten, how my hair is already duller and damaged-looking, how I’ve left a huge red spot around my neck and shoulder from scratching at the bite wound. Maybe putting on pants would be the least of the kid’s worries.

Once Jimmy shows up, I open the door the very minimum amount to give him his tip and grab my food. He still saw enough of me that he went pale. Normally, I would talk to him for a few minutes, share a smile and a joke, but today I just want to give my body some kind of sustenance and sit down in front of the tv. Poor Mike probably thinks he needs to get checked for some horrific infectious disease, now, but I can only worry about it for a minute. I’ve had such trouble focusing the last few days. I have to find a way to get stronger and move on with my life. I can’t let him cost me my job and my figure just because he wasn’t the one like I thought he was.

I only make it through half of my broccoli beef order before I set the rest of my takeout in the refrigerator. I could still taste it, of course, but there was no point in it. There was no comfort. I think a call home is long overdue. My mom has always been there for me and I got so caught up in trying to be a real adult that I haven’t talked to her since the ball dropped for the new year. After another few minutes of just staring at my phone, I decide that it’s now or never. At least she’s not as bad about I told you so’s as Cora can be. I touch the icon and close my eyes to wait for her to pick up.

“Hey sweetie! It’s been weeks since I heard from you! Life in the big city gettin’ too exciting? Don’t forget your momma in all the hustle n’ bustle, now. What have you been up to? Did you start that diet?” I think about the takeout in the fridge. Not quite, Mom.

“Uh, kinda. I actually just need to vent a little, Mom. I miss you.” I try to hold back my sniffle, but I know she hears it in my voice, anyway. She makes the same “Mom noise” she made when I was a kid running a fever.

“Oh, no, honey. What happened? Did your boss say somethin’ to you?” She pulls the phone away to yell, probably from the kitchen to Dad’s man cave. “Bill! Fire up the computer, we need to get plane tickets!” I can’t stop the panic as she comes back to talk to me again. “Tell me all about it, Emmy-Jo. We’ll get ‘em.”

“No, no Mom! Nothing happened at work. Well, not really. I just… I met someone. I really liked him, but it fell through and it turns out he owns the company I work at. I just don’t know what to do, mama. I really liked him. I don’t know how it all fell apart in one day.” I got another hum from her end, along with Dad’s faint yell in the background for more information. Sounds like she even got him up out of his chair to investigate.

“Oh. Hmm. I’m not super sure what to tell ya about that one, Emory. You know I met your daddy in high school and he just swept me right off my feet. I don’t have any experience with dating, let alone in a city like that. Did he… hurt you? How did it fall apart?” I have to tread carefully here. If I tell her the truth, I’ll be overrun with brothers in a skinny instant, but she’ll be able to hear any blatant lies.

“He just wasn’t who he presented himself as leading up to our date. He seemed so funny, and kind, but he played a mean prank on me and it really hurt my feelings. I don’t think I could be with someone who thought that was okay, you know? I think I’m just disappointed that all the chemistry I was feeling turned out to be a lie. Plus I didn’t technically know he was my boss until after our first date. Looking back, he didn’t technically lie to me about it but it was a crappy thing to find out so late.”

“I’m so sorry, Emory. I don’t know the whole story, of course,” I can practically hear the disbelieving face she’s making. She knows I left some big things out, but she’s letting me get away with it because I feel so bad. I quietly sigh in relief as she goes on, “but I know disappointment can be tough. Did that Cora put him up to it? I never understood her. Another thing to think about- maybe the prank he played on you was an effort to lighten you up before telling you who he was to you? I’m sure I’d be just mortified to tell somebody that I had a whole lotta money if I didn’t know ‘em well enough first. Shoot, you remember your great Aunt Blanche? I wouldn’t tell her I had three dimes in one day. She’d be after us for sure. Maybe, if you really did get along well with him, see about talkin’ it out? But again, I don’t have all the information. I could be way wrong. Why don’t you eat some chicken and dumplings and take to the bed for a few days, baby? That’ll make you feel better. I’ll call you back in just a little while and make sure you’re doing better. You pick up when I call, you hear me? Don’t make me send your brothers after you. I love you” I roll my eyes at the tone shift.

“Thanks, Mom. I do feel tired. I love you too.” Talk it out, my ass. The man thinks he’s a werewolf. There’s no talking out crazy.