Page 97 of You Found Me
We pull into the parking lot of Edie’s Eats shortly after. Once inside, I see my parents at our usual table in the back but before we head over to them. I pull Spencer towards Colette, Piper, and their parents, Patrick and Annie.
“Emmaline, it’s so good to see you back here this year,” Mr. Holt says, not knowing the guilt I feel for missing the last couple of years because of Chance.
“It’s good to see you both too. Mr. and Mrs. Holt, this is my boyfriend, Spencer Hale. He’s Theo’s best friend and colleague. Spence, this is Colette and Cori’s dad, Patrick, and Piper’s mom, Annie.”
He reaches out shaking their hands. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
I look at the people at their table and realize someone is missing. “Where’s Cori?”
Colette sighs. “She couldn’t make it today. She’s stuck in the city because of some case her firm is working on. And unlike the other people who took the day off, Cori couldn’t be bothered to do the same.”
“Lettie, you know she’s got a lot going on right now with the change in the firm’s ownership. She’s trying to prove to them that she’s a valuable asset,” Piper tells her.
“I know, I know. I miss her, that’s all.”
“My mom said she RSVP’d to her annual cookie decorating night. So at least there’s that,” I say, trying to give Colette something to look forward to. “We better go sit down, that way Edie will let the dinner begin.”
Once we sit down, my parents and Spencer exchange hellos while Edie and her longtime cook, Ralph, set out trays of food along the counter. “Alright folks, come fix a plate,” she says and everyone gets up, forming a line.
“How are things going for you at work, Emmaline?” Edie asks after we’re seated.
“They’re good. I’ve been trying to pick up more shifts to make sure all of my expenses are covered for grad school.”
“I’m proud of you,” she tells me, and I can see pride shining in her eyes.
Before dessert, we’re all chatting when my dad asks if I looked up Richard.
“I did. I noticed I have his hair, and I don’t know how to feel about having any similarities with him, but whatever. I thoughta lot about it and part of me wants to reach out to him or meet him. What do you think, Mom?”
“That might not be a good idea. I mean, we don’t want to hurt your dad’s feelings.”
“I’m completely okay with this, Susie,” he quickly tells her before looking over to me. “I understand why you want to do this, and you have my support. As long as you know it won’t change our relationship. You’re always going to bemydaughter. I say go for it.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Suddenly, Mom jumps out of her seat and heads outside.
“What’s her deal with this?” I ask aloud. “She’s the one who told me when I was younger that if I ever wanted to, I could reach out to him.”
“Emmaline,” Edie says with a quiet voice. “You should give your mom a bit of grace over this topic.”
I don’t respond, and instead, back out of my seat to run after her—only to find her crying outside by the bench.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was a big deal. When I found out about not being Dad’s biological kid, you told me I could ask anytime about him. I’ve had a lot going on in my life lately and it’s become something that I want to know. I figured after telling you I was going to look him up that you knew this would happen. You know how I can be.”
“You’re right, I do know how you can be. But I’d hoped you’d let it go.”
“Well, I didn’t. If you’re upset because of how things ended with you two, I get that. But I need you to tell me so that I can suck it up and force myself to move on. I guess I thought from our conversations before that you were over it . . . I mean you have Dad. You’ve been with him pretty much my whole life.”
She starts crying harder. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
It feels like ages pass before she finally answers and when she does, it’s so low that I miss it altogether and ask her to repeat herself.
She clears her throat before saying it again, “He doesn’t know you exist, Emmaline.”
“What do you mean?”
