Page 68 of For Emery

“Wayne,” she whispered. “I keep expecting him to appear.”

I released her hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side as we continued to walk. “I’m here. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I know Wayne. And I know what a coward he is. He doesn’t fight men. He fights women because he’s stronger than they are. That’s the sign of a coward.”

“He’s stronger than me,” she admitted.

“It’s not gonna come to that,” I assured her. But could I really be sure? I wouldn’t be with her twenty-four hours a day. Maybe I could convince her to train in the gym with me. “I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.”

She balked.

“I’m serious. We’ll make sure that coward never lays a finger on you or anyone else for that matter ever again.”

She said nothing the rest of the way up to her mother’s room. I wondered if she believed me or if she just thought I was trying to make her feel better.

Emery’s somber mood changed once we stepped into her mother’s room. And despite the patient on the other side of the curtain in the center of the room, Em’s mom still had the privacy she needed to heal. “Hi, Mama,” Emery said.

Her mother was sitting up in bed watching television and she gave us a small smile. “You’re back.”

Emery sat in the chair beside the bed. “You look so much better.”

“I feel better. The doctor said I could be released in a few days.”

Emery’s eyes expanded and instead of shining with excitement, they were filled with fear. “A few days? You can’t go back home.”

“She’s not,” I announced as I placed my hand on Emery’s shoulder. “She’s going to my parent’s house.”

Emery and her mother looked to me confused. “What?”

“I spoke to them this morning.” I glanced to Emery. “You heard what my dad said. My mom needs something to do. And there’s nothing she loves more than taking care of people.”

“I couldn’t,” Emery’s mother said.

“Why not?” I asked. “She’s excited to have you. But she knows it’s only until you get back on your feet and find a place of your own that’s safe.”

“This is your idea?” Emery asked, almost unable to believe it.

I nodded. “Your mom will be taken care of and close to you.” I squeezed her shoulder. “You won’t have to leave school. It’s a win for everyone.”

Appreciation shone in Emery’s eyes. And something about that look made me want to do more things to get her to look at me that way. She looked to her mother. “Would it be something you’d be willing to consider?”

Indecision flashed in her mom’s eyes.

I wanted to say whatever I could to convince her it was the right decision. I couldn’t lose Em again.

“The Gradys are wonderful people,” Em continued. “You know that Mama. They love me and care about you too.”

She sat silent for several seconds. “Can I think about it?”

Emery nodded. “Whatever you need, Mama.”

“Would it be okay if I spoke to your mom?” she asked me.

“Yeah. Of course. But let me warn you. She’s gonna try tempting you with promises of fresh dumplings. They’re her specialty.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had southern cooking,” she said with a smile.

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