Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
MILES
M iles steered the cart through the store’s eerily empty aisles, the overhead lights casting a cold, fluorescent glow over shelves picked clean. Only a few dented cans, sad-looking loaves of smashed bread, and scattered boxes of instant food remained. He glanced at Emmarie, who was scanning the bare shelves with a wry smile as she held up a can of vienna sausages.
“Guess if things get desperate, we could roast these over a candle,” she joked, her eyes sparkling with humor despite the bleakness of the situation.
He chuckled, tossing a couple of instant ramen packs into the cart. “Hey, whatever works. Might even be a new dorm cooking trend.”
They kept their spits up with little jokes as they gathered what they could find. Miles noticed Emmarie grabbing anything that could last, even if it wasn’t the most appetizing. By the time they checked out, the cart looked like a doomsday prep kit assembled by someone who had never set foot in a grocery store.
The drive back was slow, and Miles gripped the wheel, easing over icy patches as they rolled through the snow covered campus. Wind rattled the Jeep, snow whipped across the windshield, and he kept glancing at Emmarie, who was staring out at the swirling blizzard. When they finally pulled into the parking lot, he could see a figure approaching–a campus police officer bundled up in layers, with a full white beard and a round, jolly face that reminded Miles of Santa Claus.
“Afternoon,” the officer called, his voice muffled but warm.
Miles shifted his bags to free up one hand and waved. “Afternoon.”
The officer nodded toward the building. “Just trying to get a headcount of who’s left in the dorms. Do you two know how many people are still here?”
Miles glanced over at Emmarie, who shrugged and shook her head, then back to the officer. “Not sure exactly. Most left before the storm, I think. I got permission to stay through the break,” he gestured towards Emmarie, “and she’s here because…” He trailed off, looking towards the only snow-buried car in the lot. “Well, let’s just say her car and snow don’t mix.”
The officer’s eyes followed his gesture, and he gave a nod. “You two stay safe. And don’t hesitate to call if anything comes up.”
Adjusting the bags in his arms, Miles nodded before trudging through the thick snow and into the dorm. The warmth hit them immediately, making Miles fingers tingle as he carried the bags up to his room, Emmarie right behind him.
Inside, Miles set the bags on the bed, quickly pulling off his gloves.“You can put a movie on if you want,” he told Emmarie before he started unpacking their grocery haul. He grinned when a few minutes later he heard the familiar theme of an old Christmas comedy start up. Nova, his lanky calico, gave a loud, welcoming meow and padded over to Emmarie, nudging at her legs. She laughed, settling into his bean bag chair as Nova climbed straight onto her lap, curling up and purring loudly. He couldn’t help but smile and think he could get used to that, seeing Emmarie and Nova in his room.
He went back to the groceries, lining up cans on the shelf above his microwave, trying to make order of their chaotic selection. Just as he was placing the last can, Emmarie’s phone vibrated with a buzz loud enough to be heard over the movie. She made a face as she picked it up, her body visibly tensing.
“It’s my dad,” she muttered, her voice strained.
Mile busied himself with the clutter on his desk, trying to give her privacy, but he couldn’t help noticing the shift in her posture as she answered. “Hey dad.”
There was a pause. Miles heard her father’s voice on the other end, hard and sharp, though he couldn’t make out the words. Emmarie’s shoulders stiffened as she listened, her face paling. “I can’t exactly control the weather.” Her fingers tightened on the phone, and her eyes flicked toward the ceiling. Even from across the room he could see tears starting to well. “Yeah, well, I’m sure you’re having a better time with Kyle and his family anyways,” she said, her voice brittle. “I have to go. I need to conserve my battery. You know, in case the blizzard knocks the power out.”
Her words came out clipped, and Miles could feel the tension rolling off her. He forced himself to keep rearranging the pens, scantrons, and study guides, but his heart went out to her. She ended the call and tossed her phone to the floor, her face crumbling as she tried to hold back tears. Nova immediately nudged her hand and then climbed up to press her furry face against Emmarie’s, her purrs growing louder as she rubbed her head against Emmarie’s cheek. Emmarie gave a soft, broken laugh, burying her face in the cat’s soft fur as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Miles dropped the biology notes in his hand and walked over, crouching down next to her. He stayed quiet, not wanting to intrude on her moment but also wanting to be there if she needed him. He opened his arms slightly, a silent offer, and waited.
Without a word, she turned and leaned into him, her small frame folding in his, her tears quietly falling against his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and murmuring gently. “It’s going to be okay, Em.”
She shook her head against his chest, then nodded, sniffling as she took a shaky breath. “I know. It’s just…hard. I hate feeling like I don’t matter to him.”
He pulled her a little closer, his chin resting lightly on her head. “I’m sorry. And for what it's worth, you matter to me.”