Page 22 of Moonlight Feels Right
"You're a survivor, Emmalyn. You should be proud of that, not embarrassed."
"My aunt was the one who rescued me. I didn't escape on my own. There's not really anything to be proud of," she said pragmatically.
"That's not true. You had the courage to leave with your aunt. And look at you now. You're a beloved teacher, and you have great friends. Your past is way behind you. I'm sorry I asked you to go back to that painful place. I shouldn't have done that."
"You didn't know. And I didn't have to tell you. To be honest, I'm not completely sure why I did. But it's probably because my mom has recently resurfaced, so she's been on my mind."
"What do you mean?"
"The call I was trying to avoid yesterday was from my aunt. She has tried to stay in somewhat sporadic touch with my mother over the years. She said my mom is sick, and that she's going to attempt another rescue on Sunday. She wants me to go with her, to talk my mom into leaving so she can get medical care."
"That’s…" He didn't even know how to finish that statement. Finally, he said, "That's a lot to ask of you."
"I said no at first."
"At first?" he echoed.
"I don't owe my mom anything, but I do owe my aunt, and her desperation made me agree to give it a shot."
"Have you seen your mom since you were twelve?"
"Once, seven years ago, on my twenty-first birthday. That was another surprise meeting arranged by my aunt. Another opportunity for my mother to leave, but she didn't. After that, I told my aunt I was done. She said she would respect my wishes, and she didn't ask me to see her again until yesterday."
"Where are you going to meet her?"
"My mom still works at farmers' markets on Sundays. They rotate around to different locations, and there's a chance she might not even be there. But if she is, we'll try to get her to leave."
"Are you ready to see her again?"
"No," she said candidly. "I have very mixed feelings about it."
"I'll bet."
"Anyway, that's my story." She paused, giving him a pointed look. "You owe me now, Hunter."
"Owe you what?" he asked warily.
"Your story," she said, meeting his gaze. "Or at least part of it. Not right now," she added hastily. "But one day, I would like to know more about you."
He'd known there would be consequences to asking her personal questions, but hopefully, one day wouldn't come for a long time.
"I'm going to get a water," she said, getting to her feet. "Do you want one?"
"No, thanks."
As she left, he sat back in his seat, mindlessly watching Olivia and Zoe playing with the puppy as he thought about the incredible story he'd just heard. He could not believe everything Emmalyn had gone through, and he was incredibly happy her aunt had saved her from that life. She'd gone above and beyond for her niece, making him think that might be where Emmalyn got some of her selfless generosity from, because she, too, was willing to step up and help someone, even someone like him, who hadn't been very nice to her in the past.
She returned a moment later with a cup of water and gave him a nervous smile. "By the way, I'd appreciate it if you kept that story to yourself."
"Of course. You know I don't talk to many people anyway, so you really shouldn't worry about that."
She gave him a small smile. "I have a feeling that's going to change because your little chatterbox over there will drag you right into the middle of things, and maybe that's not bad."
"Well, I'm hoping her mother will be back before that happens." He paused as Zoe and her family got up to leave and Olivia rejoined them.
As Olivia launched into a new story about Zoe and her puppy, he saw Liam walking down the path. When Liam saw them, he came over.
"It's a perfect day for ice cream," he said. "How was it?"
