Page 45 of Engulfing Emma

“You’re wrong, Brett. It’s a very big deal.”

I stand and offer her my hand. “What do you say, Emma Lockhart. Want to go kill this bitch?”

She laughs briefly, but then her face turns serious as she looks in the direction of the school. She puts her hand in mine and I pull her to her feet. She looks at our hands. Does she feel the same spark I do?

“Yes,” she says. “I do.”

For a second I wonder if she’s answering my spoken question or my silent one.

Our hands part as we stroll to the school. I tell her about Jay, but I’m not sure she’s listening. A bead of sweat trickles down her temple, despite the morning’s coolness. When the school comes into view, she slows considerably. Her breathing accelerates, but she crosses the street. When we get to the same spot as the other day, between the school and the grocery, she stops.

I don’t say anything, I simply stand by her side and wait.

“I just need a minute,” she says.

“I know.”

She turns. “You do, don’t you?”

I nod, and we share a moment of clarity about the unfortunate bond we share. “You’ve got this, Emma.”

“You really think so?”

“I do.”

She shuffles her feet slowly until she’s standing in front of the school. She looks at the steps, and I know she’s thinking about the moment she was taken hostage.

I’m positive she’s about to turn and leave, so I trot up the steps and try the door. It’s locked, so I press the call button. I keep my eye on Emma to see if she’s going to bolt. She doesn’t. She just watches me.

A minute later someone comes to the door. The woman takes in my FDNY shirt and then notices Emma on the sidewalk. Her expression becomes compassionate. She obviously knows who Emma is and unlocks the door.

“Thanks,” I say. “Can you give us a minute?”

The woman backs away. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be in the office if you need anything.”

I stand in the doorway, holding one of the heavy glass doors open as I wait patiently to see what Emma will do. “It’s only a few more steps. I’ll wait here all day if that’s what it takes.”

“I’m being ridiculous,” she finally says.

“You’re being human.”

Her feet inch forward, and she climbs the first step.

“Look at me,” I tell her. “You’re just going to work, same thing you’ve done for years. Think of all the students you’ve taught here. You are shaping the lives of those who will run the country one day. I can’t think of a more important job than the one you do.”

“I can,” she says, looking at my T-shirt.

“Eyes on me,” I say.

She locks eyes with me and ascends the last few steps. I nod encouragingly and my smile grows bigger as the gap between us closes. She makes it all the way to the doorway.

I step aside. “All you have to do is walk through.”

She holds my stare as she steps across the threshold. She’s done it. She’s conquered her fear. I’m about to throw a fist pump when Emma starts to panic.

Her eyes glaze over and she starts shaking. I consider rushing her outside the door, but that will only make it twice as hard for her to come back next time.

Think, Brett.

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