Page 2 of Engulfing Emma

On our way to the park, we duck into the corner market for a few bottles of water. While I’m paying, I hear sirens and then a fire truck goes past us. Leo bounces in my arms. “Daddy truck. Daddy truck.”

“That’s just like Daddy’s truck, isn’t it?”

I like to think he’s proud of me, or at least that he will be someday. It took a lot of training to get where I am, the lieutenant of Squad 13. I’ve taken every single course and gotten every certification, being both a trained paramedic and a hazmat responder. I made the decision years ago, on the fateful day I lost my mother, that I would become someone who would make a difference, just as she did.

“He’s soooooo cute,” someone says behind us.

I turn around and see a young girl staring at Leo. “Thanks. I think so too.”

The girl places a bottle of iced cappuccino and a Pop-Tart on the counter. I raise my eyebrows at her. “Aren’t you a little young to be drinking coffee?”

“I’m twelve,” she says, like that explains everything.

I laugh. “Okay then. Have a nice day, uh…” I wait for her to offer her name.

“Evie.” She extends her hand confidently, like we’re in a business meeting.

“Evie—that’s an unusual name. But it’s great.”

“I have an unusual but great mom.”

“Well, Evie, I’m Brett, and this is Leo, and it’s been nice meeting you.”

“You too,” she says, swiping a debit card through the machine like she’s done it a thousand times.

I look at her as we leave the store. This twelve-year-old acts more like she’s twenty-five. I glance around, hoping she’s not alone. Although I’ve always considered our neighborhood safe, we are in Brooklyn, and unfortunately, I’ve seen more than once what can happen to kids who are left unattended.

When I look back through the window, I see a woman join her, an older sister perhaps, and feel a sense of relief. Evie hands the lady the cappuccino and then she takes a big bite of her Pop-Tart. I chuckle at my thought that the coffee was for her.

The lady with Evie gazes out the window and looks at the passersby, her eyes stopping on Leo as she smiles at him. Then her attention returns to Evie and she gestures toward the door.

“Come on, buddy, let’s go find those swings.” I put Leo down and grab his hand as we turn the corner and go to his favorite place.

Chapter Two

Emma

“I’m going to miss you.” Lisa pulls me in for a hug.

I laugh as she squeezes me hard. “It’s not like we’re never going to see each other. We’re still doing Taco Tuesday’s this summer.”

“I know. But not seeing you every day will take the wind out of my sails.”

“You’re crazy,” I tell her. “Go enjoy your ten weeks off. Stay out late. Sleep in. Rejuvenate.”

She gives me a sideways look. “Oh, like you won’t long to be back here in a matter of weeks. I’ll bet you’ve already cried because you’re missing your students.”

I shrug. I don’t need her to know I’ve shed tears more than once. I miss every single one of them. Even little Bobby Riggs, who was a thorn in my side all year.

I love my job more than anything. A lot of teachers can’t wait for the last day of school. In fact, they are worse than the students, counting down those last few weeks before summer. Not me. I wish we had year-round school. I dread the last days of school, and I look forward to the first day like an excited kid on Christmas Eve.

Lisa picks up the rest of her bags and looks around my classroom. “As usual you’re dragging this out. How come you’re always one of the last to leave?”

I take a moment to admire the drawings made by my students that are still pinned on the wall. I can’t bear to get rid of them. I swear I’ll soon need to rent a storage unit large enough to hold everything I take home.

I unpin some of the drawings and start a pile. “I’ll bet Becca and Kelly are still here.”

“You’re probably right. Maybe I’ll stop by the fifth-grade hallway and say goodbye.”

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