The Road Home Page 7

  “Okay.”

  “Okay.” Gabe pushes off the wall and steps back, giving me room to pull open the door. “Emmy?”

  Turning back to face him, I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “Yes?”

  “You’re no Titanic. You’ve got this.”

  It takes me the ride in the car into the bridal boutique to get what Gabe meant by my not being Titanic. My mother scowled at me as I burst with laughter. “The Titanic was sunk by an iceberg, I’m not the Titanic.”

  “No dear, you most certainly are not.” I could see that she’d thought I’d lost my mind. I was sure she’d be checking out mental institutions when we returned home. Emailing and faxing recommendations off to a wide variety of doctors. “Do pull yourself together, we don’t want to concern your sister with your hysteria.”

  Amelia was already waiting at the boutique when we arrived. As soon as the door was swung open she was squealing with her own version of hysteria and jumping into my arms.

  “Oh Emmy, you’re home. You’re finally here.”

  “Come on girls, we don’t have time to waste with catching up right now.”

  After a parade of dresses, a bunch of ladies swanning around with measuring tapes and pins, I was finally fitted for my maid of honour dress. I knew my sister would do me right with the colour and style. Silently I begged for the seamstress not to pin me whilst I blessed my sister for being so amazing and knowing me so damn well.

  “Come on girls, I have high tea booked for us and we don’t want to keep Mrs. Grayson waiting.” Mark’s mother was waiting to have afternoon tea with us? Amelia and I exchanged bewildered looks. Suddenly my pulse had begun to race and my palms grew sweaty. I hadn’t seen Mark’s mother since the weekend before I had left, surely my own mother knew how awkward this meeting was going to be. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if this had also been arranged by her.

  Leaning over, Amelia whispered in my ear. “What the hell? Did you know about this?”

  “No, do you really think I would’ve agreed to be here had I known?”

  My mother thanked the ladies, apologizing to them on my behalf for being so last minute with the alterations. They had assured her it was no issue but that did little to appease her.

  I was surprised when my mother had insisted we walk the two blocks to meet Mrs. Grayson at the Conservatory. I had always admired the old building with its intermitted lead lighting and arched windows. I had always thought the place reminded me of something out of ‘The Secret Garden’, as if one day you would find fairies dancing amongst the foliage in the gardens. I felt like I should only talk in whispers as if it would help to keep the secret and magical essence of the grounds and building.

  Mrs. Grayson was already seated inside when we arrived. Her face lit up when she saw us approaching and rushed to stand up.

  “Amelia, you are positively glowing. Being a bride definitely agrees with you.” She pulled my sister in to a hug before kissing both of her cheeks. Next was my mother’s turn, and lastly Mrs. Grayson turned to me. I braced myself for the imminent fallout.

  “Emerson, how delightful to see you home.” Going through the motions, she air kissed both of my cheeks before releasing me and we all sat. I got the feeling Mrs. Grayson was as surprised by my attendance as I was of hers.

  “Yes, I got back this morning.”

  “You look well rested, dear. Does Mark know you are home?”

  “No, I haven’t yet spoken to him.”

  “Oh, I see. Well I am sure he’ll be excited to know his girl is home and he’ll rush right over.”

  My confused expression was mirrored on Amelia’s face. Had Mark not told his parents we had ended our engagement or that we had broken up? Amelia shrugs. I doubted he would be rushing anywhere to see me.

  “The big day isn’t far away now, Amelia. You must be getting excited.”

  “Yes, we definitely are. Also looking forward to a week in Fiji afterward.”

  A round of light-hearted laughing circulates our table. Getting the attention of the waiter who promptly appears to take our order.

  A good portion of the conversation around our table is focused on Amelia and the wedding. I was actually relieved so when it came time to say our goodbyes, I felt like I had escaped relatively unscathed, until we got to the door and Mrs. Grayson turned to me, speaking in hushed tones.

  “Mark has been seeing that Timmin’s girl but I’m sure if you apologised to him, he would come back to you. A heartfelt apology could go a long way, Emerson, for all of us.”

  I watched as she sashayed back toward her sleek black convertible parked on the opposite side of the road. I hoped she wasn’t going to hold her breath waiting for that apology as I fear I would be held responsible and charged with manslaughter or culpable homicide.

  Amelia linked her arm through mine, smiling meekly. “You did the right thing, Em and it took a lot of guts. I’m proud of you,” She leans in to kiss my temple. “Now, when do I get to meet this handsome traveler you have hooked yourself up with?”

  Involuntarily my skin flushes, “He’s coming to dinner tomorrow night, so you can wait to meet him then.”

  “Oh boo, Emerson.”

  Not a word is spoken in the car on the way home. I was beyond angry with my mother for the stunt she had pulled. It was beyond me as to the reason she thought it would be a good idea to invite Mrs. Grayson along for afternoon tea.

  I find Gabe in my room, resting against the pillows on my bed working on his computer with ‘Pulp Fiction’ playing quietly on the television. On hearing me enter he looks up from the screen.

  “Hey, you survived. How was it?”

  “There are a few alterations that need to be done but other than that, I need to go back to collect the dress tomorrow.”

  “Maybe I could come with you, get a new shirt and pants.”

  “Gabe, I told you my dad would lend you one, you don’t need to buy anything new.”

  I sit down on the edge of the bed to kick off my shoes.

  “Em, it’s fine. I got an advance for an article I’m doing at the moment so it really is fine.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you but you could save that money for something more important.”

  Gabe rests the computer on the mattress beside him before scooting over to where I am sitting. Framing my face with both of his hands he holds me still, unable to look away even if I had wanted to. “This is important, Em.”

  All the tension I had weighing down my shoulders since we had walked in the front door only a few hours ago had begun to dissipate just from the one steadying focus from Gabe.

  “Okay. You can come with me tomorrow but the shirt thing is not off the table of discussion.”

  He lets my face go but continues to study me, intently searching for something in my eyes.

  “Something else bothering you?”

  “Just my mother. She invited Mark’s mother to afternoon tea with us after the fitting.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea. I gave up trying to work my mother out a long time ago.” Scanning the room my eyes settle on the TV still playing the action movie. “I see you found my secret stash of Tarantino movies.”

  “Yes, I do love me some Tarantino. I don’t remember the last time I watched a movie either. You’re full of surprises, Em. I thought I would’ve found nothing more than chick flicks in your collection.”

  “Oh, but Gabe, I have those too.”

  “I know, I found the ‘Notebook’, I thought I was going to have to sit through that for two hours.”

  I scoff at him, “Well, we still can and there would be nothing wrong with a grown man crying over a movie. I wouldn’t judge you.”

  “I have a better idea.”

  “Oh, yeah? What is this idea?”

  Gabe leans back in as if he is about to kiss me again but pulls away before our lips touch. “Swimming. Let’s go swimming.”

  I meet Gabe in the hall, after getting dressed in a
bathing suit and getting us towels. I appreciate the look on his face when he turns to see me dressed in my bikini and denim shorts.

  “Mr. Carter, you should pick up your jaw before you trip over it.”

  I give my hip a little extra swing as I head toward the pool, hearing him clear his throat before following after me, his reaction causes my lips to turn into a smile.

  After dropping our towels onto the lounge chairs I pop the button on my shorts, I feel Gabe’s eyes on me as I shimmy them down my legs before stepping out of them.

  “Is there a problem?” I dive into the water before he has a chance to answer. Feeling the cool liquid glide over my skin as I stroke to the opposite end of the pool. Gabe is still standing on the edge of the pool when I turn to him.

  “I thought you said you weren’t the best swimmer. From where I was watching you looked pretty damn good.”

  “I lied, I just didn’t want to go surfing.”

  “You lied to me?”

  Giggling, I nod.

  Gabe dives in and within three strokes he’s within touching distance. Grabbing me around the waist he pulls me into him. His arousal as obvious through his swimming shorts as it was from looking in his eyes.

  I wrap my arms around his neck to stay above the water. “I’m sorry.” My voice comes out husky, with the giggles long since died down.

  “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?” He is serious now, a look of concern etching his brow.

  “I have no idea.” Being so close to him is causing my words to muddle and my brain to feel like it’s enclosed in fog. I can’t think straight.

  “Emerson?” My mother’s high pitched voice carries to us, Gabe and I break away before she comes completely into the pool area.

  “We’re in here.” I call back to her.

  She comes to the tiled edge of the pool, looking down at me without even lifting her oversized sunglasses. “Mark is here. He’s waiting for you in the sitting room.”

  Letting out an extended sigh before I pull myself up onto the side of the pool. “Excuse me, Gabe. It appears I have a visitor.”

  Wrapping the towel under my arms before securing it, I leave Gabe to swim alone to seek out Mark. I should’ve known he won’t be too far away.

  Squaring my shoulders I walk in to the sitting room, seeing Mark causes my breath to hitch, there was no denying he was gorgeous, dressed casually in a polo shirt and cargo shorts, wearing boat shoes with his sunglasses resting on top of his dirty blonde hair.

  “Mark, what are you doing here?” Upon hearing my voice he turns away from the windows. I get the impression he had been watching Gabe and I in the pool below.

  “Emerson. My mother told me you were home. You look just as the last time I saw you.”

  “What do you want, Mark?”

  “Do I need a reason to come and see my fiancée after her little adventures?”

  “Your fiancée? No, no!” I step back as he steps toward me. “How’s Katie Timmins?”

  “Oh, you’re not jealous are you, kitten?”

  “Why would I be jealous, you and I are no longer together.”

  “We were hoping you’d come to your senses now that you’re home.”

  “Emmy, there you are.” Gabe wraps his arm around my shoulder before kissing my temple. “Oh. Sorry, man, I didn’t see you there. I’m Gabe. And you are?” Gabe extends his hand toward Mark, who takes it with a vigorous shake.

  “Mark Grayson, Emerson’s fiancée.”

  “Ex-fiancee.” Gabe and I correct Mark in unison before smiling at each other.

  “Emerson, we need to talk. Maybe we can do that alone?” Mark’s glare is trained directly on Gabe who still has his arm around my shoulder.

  “No, I don’t think so, we have nothing to say to each other.”

  “Emerson, please.” It was the first time I had ever heard Mark beg, for anything and to say it didn’t bother me would be a lie. After all this time of knowing one another, he chooses now to show any sort of vulnerability.

  Taking a deep breath, I turn to Gabe. “Give me a minute?”

  “Sure, I’ll be upstairs.” Before he leaves, Gabe plants a possessive kiss on my lips and smacks my butt gently. Pausing at the door, he turns to speak to Mark, “Don’t call her kitten, it’s degrading and she hates it.” Gabe winks and then disappears. I do my best to contain the smile playing on my lips. Lifting my fingers to them as if that is all I needed to do to hide it.

  “Well?” I cross my arms in front of my chest, focused on having Mark say his piece and then getting him out of my house as quickly as possible.

  “You left.”

  “I know.”

  “What we had was good. I don’t understand why you left.”

  My laugh is humourless, boarding on bitter. “You still don’t know? I told you why I had to break off our engagement, Mark. I couldn’t marry you with the way things were. I was suffocating in our relationship. I couldn’t be that person anymore. I couldn’t pretend anymore.”

  “It can be different, I can be different.”

  “No. You are who you are and I am who I am. We can’t change that, Mark. I just don’t love you like that. Before I left I barely loved me. I’m sorry.”

  “Throwing away everything we had together is not the smartest choice for our future, Emerson. Are you honestly telling me, that you are going to let the best thing that will ever happen to you just walk out your front door? You’re acting like a spoilt brat. Are you too stupid to realise what a mistake you are making?”

  Uncrossing my arms I drop them, my fists clenching at my side, my blood boiling in my veins. I could no longer tolerate his insults and put downs. Things had changed and I had changed. I was stronger now. “I think it is time for you to go.”

  Mark storms past me, hearing the front door close I slump down into the overstuffed armchair my dad was so fond of. The one he called his newspaper reading chair. I had always supposed it was due to the high arm rests but I’d never asked. I’d never questioned a lot of things.

  “You okay?” His brow was furrowed and voice was filled with concern.

  “Were you listening?”

  Gabe rests his hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t want to leave you alone with him so I hid in the hall. So, are you?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. Thank you.”

  Dad is already sitting at the dinner table when Gabe and I come back downstairs.

  “Sweetheart, you’re home.”

  “Hi, daddy.” Seeing my father again was wonderful. I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss to his temple. I had missed him so much over the past few months. “This is my friend Gabe, Gabe, this is my dad.”

  Gabe makes a beeline for where he is sitting at the head of the table. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Holding out a hand, my dad takes the offering of a customary handshake.

  “Nice to meet you too, son.” He turns to me after releasing Gabe’s hand. “Your mother says she has a headache and has gone to bed. I hope this headache doesn’t have anything to do with you, Emmy?”

  He already knew the answer to the question, her headache was more than likely manifested by my presence and the fact I wasn’t yielding to her at every turn. I shrug in reply to his question, his face relaxes and both Gabe and I take a seat at the table with him.

  “So, Gabe, what do you do for a living?”

  “Well sir, I write a travel blog and recently I have started some freelance articles for the Sydney Gazette.”

  “A travel blog? Sounds interesting. What is it?”

  “Basically I am paid to travel and write reviews.”

  “People pay for your opinions?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I can see my dad processing what Gabe has just told him, a spark of understanding lights his face. “Well, that does sound like a good job to have. See the world while getting paid for it.”

  Gabe and Dad engage animatedly in conversation about parts of the world they had both seen, I hadn’t known this
side of him before. I didn’t realise he had explored the world further beyond my home state or that he had travelled with a mercenary troop aiding relief to some of the world’s poorest countries when he was still in school. The two men laughed together, recounting tales of their own experience.

  Unable to stifle a yawn any further I excused myself and went to get ready for bed. Being home in my own room had its advantages. I was looking forward to climbing under my doona and laying my head on my own plump pillows. There were no sounds beyond the familiar noises of our old house to keep me from falling asleep, no cars honking or people chattering outside a cheap hotel room, no drunken antics of foreign backpackers crashing into hallway walls or rattling on my door by mistake. I could hear the crickets in the garden outside, a light rap on the door brought me back to reality.

  I expected to see my dad when the door was pushed open, cascading a spray of light across the plush carpet of my bedroom, instead the silhouette of Gabe stood there.

  “Emmy, are you still awake?” His voice was a whisper.

  “Hey. Yeah, I am.”

  The light spread wider as Gabe pushed the door open further before coming in to the room. Closing it behind him I heard him curse as he bumped into the edge of the bed. A bubble of laughter rolled out across my lips.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I had come to say goodnight but I hadn’t thought about how dark it would be. It’s so dark out here.”

  Finally, he reaches the bed and sits down on the edge. Rolling over onto my side I flick the bedside lamp.

  “Oh well, that would have been helpful a minute ago.” He’s rubbing his shin, a grimace of pain flashing across his face.

  “Sorry.” I can’t stop the giggle again.

  Shuffling back on the bed, he positions himself to be resting against the pillows stacked up next to me.

  “So you’re home?” It was a question more than a statement.

  Looking around my room, I take in the features I had loved about it as a kid, the heavy oak desk in the corner, the reading nook, the fairy lights strung along the bed posts and even the doll house I had played relentlessly with as a girl. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”