Chapter 14 Challenges and Celebration
Chapter 14: Challenges and Celebration
Emma
Our little peace and quietness were ruined in the days that followed. My mom was always ready for a noisy chat when she wasn”t on the balcony with her husband, and Dad”s face remained a grim mask whenever he spoke to Jack. It was obvious that he hadn”t accepted him and I could feel the impact of this knowledge on Jack. He moved around his home with a tension that made his shoulders hang.
We’d had little time to visit the store and I hadn’t been able to get the concentration I needed to complete a single drawing in days. I could see that Jack was trying too hard to impress my parents and I wasn”t okay with it. I knew that in the end, I was always going to be with him, irrespective of their decision.
My mom was finding it very hard to settle into Serenity Spring, as, according to her, it lacked the glamour she was used to. Though she enjoyed the natural calmness, she would choose Florida any day of the week.
“Emma, it has been a while since I went to the spa; I”m due for a pedicure and manicure.” She stretched out her fingers to observe them.
“There”s no spa around here, Mom. You’ll have to wait until you get back to Florida,” I told her, facing the canvas in front of me.
“I could drive you to the small town nearby. They have a spa there and other things that might interest you,” Jack showed up, offering.
“Oh, that”s so sweet of you, Jack.” My mom smiled.
“Babe, can I talk to you for a second?” I stood up, drawing him behind me into the room.
“Jack, what’s wrong with you?”
“Hey, babe, relax. What”s wrong?”
“What”s wrong is you. Were you eavesdropping on us?” His silence told me that he was.
“You just show up at the balcony and offer to take her to the next town for her manicure? Seriously?”
“She”s your mom. You know I”m doing this for us; we need their approval to—”
“Just stop, Jack! Have you seen yourself? You”re acting desperate and that”s not you. At the end of the day, it will always be you and me. Just the two of us.” I rubbed his arm assuringly.
“Emma, I”m just worried, and I”m sorry if I”m messing things up. Your parents show up and live in our house, and they have their eyes on me like I”m some hawk that wants to steal their child. You would be messed up, too, if you were in my shoes. Your dad is not helping; the man has not smiled once at me since he stepped into Serenity Springs.” The strain was evident in his tone.
“You are not messing things up; actually, I love how you”ve been getting along with Mom. I”m just saying, you should drop the act and be you. I”m here, with you, and I”m not leaving for any reason. Approval or not.” I kissed him on his cheek.
“Thanks, babe.” He pushed a strand of hair away from my face.
“I don”t know what you were thinking, but you can”t take Mom to the next town. You have a meeting with the officials for the supply of more sculptures in the store. Which is very important,” I reminded him.
“Oh shiii… I totally forgot.” He scratched his hair.
“I would, too, if I was trying that hard to impress some couple.” I smiled at him.
“Er… do you think you can drive your mom to the—”
“No, babe. I need to finish that painting and it has to be today. By the time the building is finished, we should be ready with all of this for the exhibition. Mom will be returning to Florida soon enough and she can do whatever she wants when she gets there.”
“You don”t think that would upset her?” he asked with concern lingering over his forehead.
“No. I will handle her. Go take a shower and get ready for that meeting.” I stood on my toes to drop a brief kiss.
“Alright. How”s the painting coming along? Do you need my help with anything?”
I was already at the door. “No, thanks. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” I bounced out, returning to the balcony.
Jack was better at painting than I was, but he kept it a secret. I had come across some crumpled old canvases in a corner of the basement in one of my drawing sections. He had denied owning them and said they were some pieces he’d bought. But another time, I’d spied on him one night while he’d held my brush, filling in my painting with the necessary finishing touches.
It filled me with pride to discover his secret. I would have been even happier if he just admitted it openly. Who knows, together we could create a masterpiece. But seeing as he didn”t want it known, I kept my findings to myself, receiving all the glory he showered on me at the completion of each job.
I made efforts to learn from the little things he did with each painting behind my back. I added those details in every new painting, hoping that one day, when he came to steal my brush, there would be nothing for him to add and I could actually feel worthy of the praise I got from him.
“Jack isn”t bad after all,” my mom declared as I took my seat beside her.
“Would you still think that of him if I told you he isn”t taking you to the spa anymore?”
“Why?” she whined, her lips pushing forward in a childish pout. Sometimes I wondered how she’d actually given birth to a grown adult like me. Aside from being too young for her age, she acted like a teen at every opportunity.
“‘Cause I told him not to,” I blurted.
“Why would you do that to your mom, Emma?”
“Mom, he is supposed to be handling a meeting that concerns our business and it”s very important. He has been under so much pressure for days now and it”s because of you and Dad.” I pointed my brush at her.
“That wasn”t our intention, trust me. He is not a bad person, like I said. And I’ll tell you what, I”m glad that he listens to you like that. Nothing can be sweeter,” she admitted.
“So, you are not mad that he is skipping the drive to the spa?” I inquired, looking straight at her.
“No. I”m happier that my daughter has a man that listens to her.” She shrugged, wrapping the robe she wore more firmly around herself. “But that would mean you are taking me to the spa, right?”
“No, Mom. No. I need to deal with this,” I protested.
“But we can go when you are done,” she pleaded, reaching for my hand.
“No, Mom, stop. I will tell Zain to take you. I”m sure she would be happy to go with you.” I wrapped my canvas carefully and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“To the basement, where I can concentrate, Mom. I love you.” I blew her a kiss.
“I don”t understand why I get to spend more time with Zain than with my daughter. Emma, you”re becoming just like your dad: too serious with work!” she called after me.
“I love you, Mom,” I called back.
I had introduced Zain and Flora to my mom and Sandy on the day we’d gone shopping. It was amazing to see them all click as though they had known each other for years. Zain particularly had a very easygoing nature; she vibed with practically anyone and everyone. She gifted Sandy a colorful winter muff from her clothes collection and promised to pay her a visit sometime in Florida.
She was a good listener and it made her my mom”s best friend in no time. They went for coffee in the morning and had visited the lake at the guest house a few times. I wondered what I would have done without her help now.
Jack
Maybe Emma was right. I was acting too desperate before her parents. I had almost missed the most important meeting for the restructuring of the antique store after we’d worked so hard for it.
I searched through the closet, picking corporate wear for the occasion. Dressing had become easy since Emma came into my life. She separated my casual wear from the corporate wear, with each having its own drawers. Ties and socks were kept separate as well. She was indeed my backbone.
Mr. Smith was bent over the open hood of his car when I exited the house. I could sense he was having difficulties.
“Do you need some help?” He turned to look at me, then returned to what he was doing. “I was about to step out, so I can give you a lift if you want,” I offered again.
I knew I was supposed to be on my way to the venue for the meeting like I and Emma had agreed, but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to create a bond with her dad.
I stood patiently waiting for his response. I eagerly hoped he”d take the offer. After much thought from his side, he walked over to my car, muttering the word “Airport” as he slid into the passenger seat.
Airport? Was he leaving already? And did Emma know about this? I started the car and drove out of the yard. It was at the tip of my tongue to ask him why he was headed to the airport, but I decided against it. The ride was smooth and quiet, as we both sat still, not saying a word. I was going to be late for the meeting but at the moment, I cared little about it.
“I was wondering why you dislike me so much?” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I mean, it”s not like I have done anything wrong, have I?” I went on. And just like he had waited all his life for this moment to say his mind, he sat up on his seat and leaned forward so that his breath brushed past my arm that rested on the handbrake.
“You want to know why I dislike you?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Yes, if you wouldn”t mind telling me, sir.” I had no idea where the confidence to speak had come from.
“It is because you”re a failure!” he dropped.
“How do you mean?” I looked at his face through the review mirror.
“Weren’t you in the Marines? Then you got forced to retire ‘cause you had bad legs, and then you failed in your marriage, killing your wife and daughter in a car crash. Am I right?”
His words went straight to my heart like arrows piercing open the wounds that were supposed to be healed.
“Now that makes you a widower. You live in an old building and have that nonsense you call an antique store as the only source of income. Is that how you intend to care for my daughter? I spent years spending everything I have to make Emma become the best medical practitioner in the world, and you appear out of the blue, inflicting her with your failure. Now she has abandoned the clinic; she has abandoned everything to come stay with you and help you grow. And now I have to sneak out on my wife to go to the clinic and handle things while Emma is supposed to be there!” he barked in frustration.
“Emma is happy doing what she”s doing now, Mr. Smith. I believe she”s an adult and knows what she wants.”
“No, she doesn”t. She doesn”t know what she wants. She is blinded by infatuation, and if you truly love her, you”d advise her to return to the clinic, Mr. Jack.” He slammed his hands angrily on his seat as his nose flared with anger.
The rest of the ride was in absolute silence. I had heard enough from him to last me for the remaining drive and my insides boiled with anger. I was sure that one more word from him, and I would to lose it.
“You must not mention to my wife or daughter that I went to Florida. I will be back before they notice,” he added after a while in a rather calm voice.
“What makes you think I would want to keep that a secret? I’m a failure, remember?” I swerved the car to a halt. “Get out,” I ordered him.
“What? This is not the airport.”
“Nice observation. The airport is about six miles away from here; look for a cab or something, but get out from my car now,” I repeated.
At the end of the day, it will always be you and me… approval or not. Emma”s words flashed in my head.
“You can”t do this,” he bragged.
I turned off the car, opened the door, and stepped out. Walking to the passenger seat, I held the door open for him.
“Out, Mr. Smith.” I enjoyed the look of disbelief on his face. I was fed up with trying to please him.
“You had to add arrogance to the list of bad attitudes you possess.” He stepped out.
“Safe trip, Mr. Smith.” I waved him off as I settled back into the driver seat. I then took a deep breath before starting the car and drove away.
It was hard to concentrate at the meeting. I had allowed Mr. Smith”s words into my head. But what if he was right? What if this was simple infatuation for Emma? And she woke up one day and hated me for bringing her here? What if she saw me as a failure one day?
I was stressed by the time I got back. I found Emma in the basement, fast asleep with her head resting on the table where her canvas stood. She wouldn”t have to go through all of this stress if she’d just stayed back in Florida. But what would have happened to me?
“Emma?” I shook her gently.
“Hmm, what?” she mumbled in a sleepy tone.
“Babe, let”s go upstairs.” I pulled her into my arms.
“I”m not done yet.”
“You can come back for it later, okay?” I climbed the stairs with her in my arms.
Mrs. Smith met us halfway through the stairway. She seemed to be going down in quite a hurry.
“Jack, is she okay?”
“Yeah. I need to put her to bed. Where are you rushing to?” I asked in return.
“I haven”t seen Smith and I can”t seem to reach him on the phone.”
“So, where are you headed now?”
“I need to check on him at the guest house; he probably needed some quiet and has went there.”
“It will be evening soon; I’ll go check for him myself. Why not stay with Emma?” I told her.
“Oh, thank you so much, Jack.” She turned and followed behind me climbing the stairs, but stopping at the living room while I took Emma into our room.
I laid her on the bed, but she stirred and sat up.
“You should go back to sleep; you look really exhausted.” I turned to the closet to change into a fresh set of clothes.
“Where are you going? You just got back.”
“I need to check on your dad. Your mom is worried about him.”
“My dad is a grown-ass man; you don”t have to look out for him.”
In a different circumstance, I might have listened to her, but I couldn”t now. It had been over seven hours since I’d dropped him off and he had promised to get back before anyone noticed. I couldn”t tell his family he had gone to Florida if he didn”t want them to know. That left me with the responsibility of ensuring his safety.
“Emma, go back to sleep.” My tone had slightly raised.
“What”s wrong?” She climbed out of bed, rounding the corner to join me.
“Nothing, Emma, I”m just a little stressed,” I lied.
“Was it the meeting? How did it go? Are we getting the supplies before the exhibition?” Her hands worked on the collar of my sleeved top.
“Emma, you know what I think?”
“No, tell me.” She smiled, probably expecting a great idea relating to the antique store.
“I think you should go back with your parents to Florida and handle the clinic.”
“What!” Her hands fell from my neck as her eyes lightened with anger.
“Yeah. This whole thing might just be infatuation and very soon, you will realize it and hate me for it.”
“Where is this coming from? Jack, you don”t mean this, do you?”
“I do. Get ready and return to Florida with your parents.” I brushed past her as I headed out of the room.
“Jack!” she screamed.
“What”s wrong, Jack?” Her mom stumbled on me in the corridor.
“I need to check on your husband. I will be back.” I slammed the door behind me as the evening air cooled off the beads of sweat that had appeared on my forehead.
He did say that if I loved her, I would tell her the right thing to do, and I just did. This could be a mistake, but if it was going to prove my love for Emma, then I didn”t mind.
I drove like a possessed man through the highway leading to the airport. I knew better than to hold a grudge against Mr. Smith; I understood he was just looking out for his daughter. Every father would do the same. He might have been right about his narration of the awful events that had taken turns in my life, but he was wrong about calling me a failure and assuming that I needed Emma to grow, and I was certainly going to prove that.
I hadn”t been to the airport many times, but the few times I had, it’d never been this calm. There was usually a rush of people trooping in and out in taxis, with sounds of planes descending or ascending, and families waiting for their loved ones. But tonight, it seemed too calm. This could only mean there was something wrong.
I slowed to a stop, winding up the glass and locking the doors. I sat in the car for a while observing the environment. There was not a single person going in or out.
Just as I was about to step out, I heard a gunshot. It came from inside the airport, and loud screams followed.
Hijack. The word rang in my head. I searched underneath my seat, retrieving my pistol. It had been years since I’d held the weapon, and it felt heavier. I reached for my phone and called an old colleague, Jeff.
“Hello?” his thick voice answered.
“Hey, Jeff, it”s me, Jack.” I was glad the line went through and that he’d picked up. He was one of the few colleagues who had still called in from time to time to check on me after the accident, until two years later when I hadn’t been responding positively to my social life.
“Jack? What a pleasant surprise! You decided to hold a phone again,” he mocked.
“Jeff, I”d really love to share in your pleasantries but there”s an issue on the ground. I think the airport at the outskirts of Serenity Springs is under a hijacking. I need you to put a call through to headquarters to send in their men,” I reported.
“You think? Jack, you know that”s not an official report.”
“I”m sitting right outside the airport, and the place is terribly quiet, then I hear a gunshot and screams coming from inside. Does that sound like a report now?”
“Jack, you”d have to go in and confirm that it is really a hijacking.”
“And what if I can”t make it out to tell you that it really is?”
He went silent for a while. I could tell that he was thinking.
“Okay, go in, see what’s happening, and do not end this call. I will be attentive; let me get a signal, and if it”s really a hijacking, I will put in a call as soon as possible.”
“Cool.”
“Do you have a weapon with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, hang in there.”
I sauntered carefully out of the vehicle, pushing the pistol into the waist of my pants and covering it with my shirt. I took cautious steps towards the iron rail that formed the short fence. There were a few bodies sprawled on the ground. From where I stood, it was difficult to tell if they were dead or alive. I reported that to Jeff.
Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I squeezed through the gap between the iron rails to let myself into the vicinity. The bright evening had turned into night and shadows loomed around. A particular shadow crossed the long yard with a gun hanging down his shoulder.
I shifted behind a car, concealing my own shadow as I reported this to Jeff.
“I just called in SWAT; they should be there in the next ten to fifteen minutes. In the meantime, Jack, you need to remain low. You do not have a badge,” Jeff reported from the other side.
“I do not have plans of engaging myself—” A heavy weight landed behind my head and pushed me to the ground.
“Your head to the floor,” a muffled voice ordered.
I raised my hands above my head slowly, watching from the corner of my eyes. “To the floor, I said.” He pointed the gun to my head. I went down sluggishly, calculating my plans.
The man stalked a little distance away as he communicated through the speaker connected to his ear. I stood up, taking wary steps towards the criminal. Removing the pistol from behind my pants, I struck the butt on his head with all the strength in my arm. He groaned, collapsing to the floor.
The man”s thud attracted his partner. He came rushing at me, his gun pointed at my head and his finger on to the trigger.
“Get down!” he commanded.
I pulled the trigger on my pistol, sending a bullet into the man”s leg. He fell on his knee. I sent a second bullet into his arm, making his weapon drop to the floor. It pleased me to know that I could still aim for accurate shots.
The gunshot had finally announced my presence, as evidenced by the booted footsteps that hurried towards my direction at the same time as a siren started going off.
I had sneaked myself safely underneath the car that had been parked closest to me. The siren blew closer, filling the surroundings and announcing the presence of the police.
“Jack, are you still there?” Jeff”s voice called from the phone.
“Yes. I think your men just arrived. Thanks for the save, man.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for calling in. So, what are you doing at the airport? Leaving the state?”
“Nah. Came to pick up my father-in-law.”
“You mean Meg”s dad? You getting in touch with him?”
“No. Jeff, I”m speaking from beneath a car right now. How about we link up and talk soon?” I suggested.
“Wow! You want to link up. Great, send me an address and tell me when you’ll be free.” I heard the surprise in his voice at my suggestion.
“I need to go now. I will call you.” I ended the call and crawled out from underneath the vehicle. By now, the place was buzzing with uniformed men who were leading the passengers out from the terminal. The only casualties looked to be the security guards around the building.
The press gathered around in no time to interview the victims.
“They seemed to be a new robbery gang; they weren”t really experienced, and it was clear that they operated with fear,” one of the interviewees was saying as I passed by.
“They took all of our phones. We don”t know how the police were contacted. They said a man had called from the airport, but we don”t know who,” a second interviewee said.
It was hard locating Mr. Smith in the midst of the crowd. I had no idea if he was even at the airport. I phoned Sandy. She said he had left Florida about two hours ago and should be at Serenity Springs by now. I instructed her to call him, find out if he was still at the airport, and tell him I”d be waiting for him outside in front of my car.