Emily Clark

Emily had been pretty nondescript when she asked to meet with him so he knew something had to be up. He opened the door and was happy to see a pizza box and cake in her hands. His stomach made a noise in response, but before he could say anything Emily was telling him that these were apology gifts. “Good? Can’t let a good pizza go to waste on bad news.” He was a bit confused, but he took the pizza box from her hands and pushed the door open with his back to let her in before closing it. “So what’s up? Does this have to do with Noah? I thought you two were doing great.”

Even if Emily had nothing to apologize for, she would have brought the treats. It had been too long since she and Niko had caught up. She knew that he had something going on with Cass, but other than that, life had gotten in the way. “Good news is that you get to tease me for the rest of our lives. Bad news is that I broke the bro code.” It could be a myth that the men in her life teased her about, but Em believed that there indeed was a bro code. She snorted, shaking her head. “No. Noah and I are...” She paused, searching for the right word. “Friends. It has to do with the hot friend of yours with the really blue eyes and cute accent.” 

“Exactly, no. I want her to still live like a kid and have friends her age. Can you believe a ten-year-old girl in high school? It’s hard enough for teenagers.” Noah firmly believed it was the best option to keep her put there, he just worried she’d blame him ten years down the road for making a choice that delayed her success. “I’ve told her teacher I’m going to ask her, I’ve just been delaying it. But I think I’m gonna tell her what I think and let her choose if she wants to go up a few grades or stay put.” It seemed the best women in Noah’s life were always the smartest. One could think it’d make him feel dumb down, but it all only made him admire them even more.

He didn’t notice until the how their hands kept held until that extra longer moment, but he didn’t pull back immediately when he noticed. “No green smoothie, no. This isn’t exactly the healthy home, to be honest.” He laughed lightly at that and carried on. “We got bacon, pancakes, and egg toast. It’s no biscuits and gravy but it’s pretty yum.”

“I’m sure she has the brain for it, but high school is a time for maturing.” There was no need to mention all that Emily and Noah had discovered together in high school. It certainly wouldn’t be proper for ten year old, and that was not even mentioning the teasing that happened. Ultimately it would be Noah’s choice. Autumn was his daughter. He was the only one who could decide her fate. He didn’t need Emily sticking her nose in his business. “She probably will respect your opinion, but she knows what is best for her.” 

“Thank God.” She smiled, stretching a bit now that she was upright again. Emily still tottered a bit, but Noah was there to steady her should she sway a bit too much. “Gravy is not a breakfast food.” Most mornings she grabbed a breakfast bar or canned drink on her way into work. Making a meal just for herself didn’t seem worth it. It would be a rare treat. “Anything I need to be aware of? No more kids hiding that are going to jump out? No horse that thinks its a dog?” 

“Certainly leaves it open,” he commented.  Tilting his head back, he tried to think of a story that was not too off putting or embarrassing on his side.  “Not even sure what story to tell you, most of them are just drunken stories of a few buddies and me making fools of ourselves.  I will say one time I had to show up for drill and I had something on my forehead that took a few days to come off and needless to say I had to run extra laps to the point where I got sick then I had to run some more.” Spencer chuckled missing his time in the service.  “Only difference, you are an ageless beauty.  Me, I got old.  See look at this silver streak in my hair,” he pointed to his hair.  “Nah, I was no hero.  School council was the real VIPs.”  He nodded at her question, “actually yes, both of them play soccer.  Although I am trying to get my boy into football, but he has time.”

Em merely shrugged, not minding in the least if Spencer would take advantage of her offer. She had after all prepared for a date this evening. “I believe all those stories fall under the territory of young and foolish.” She chuckled, having had far more than a crude image drawn on her head. “That is mostly harmless. Hell, I got a tattoo while drunk.” One that her sober self had actually liked, but nothing that she would have done were she not eight shots in. “Stop that. You are flattering me. You look even better than you did back then. You had a bit of a baby face, but now you look refined. As for that silver streak, I might have one myself if I didn’t make a good friend at the salon.” The idea of the little ones getting into sports had her melting. Children were so cute, especially when they tried to seem tougher than their age group. 

“Is there something wrong with that?” He was genuinely curious. What was harder for him to believe than someone standing her up was her thinking that someone would ever dare to. “Eh.” Owen shrugged. “Hasn’t really grown that much, only the people and a few of the businesses downtown.” He informed her even though she probably wanted to believe that things had changed. He couldn’t blame her for that, he wanted things to change too. “Why are you back? Where did you go?”

“Nothing at all.” She envied the ability for a person to always see the bright side. Em attempted to remain positive most of the time, but ever so often reality would creep in and remind her to be realistic. “I don’t know about that. You might not even have been a toddler when I left.” He did look terribly young, but he was clearly old enough to be in the bar. “I’m back to be with my niece and the rest of my family. It would probably be easier for me to list where I haven’t been.” 

“I’m like a working clock. I’m right every hour of the day.” He gave her another wide smile. He was practically always smiling. He felt like it won people over quicker, brought their guards down. He preferred the light-hearted side of life. “Ha! You fell into my trap.” He swiftly reached for his phone, showing Emily his lock screen that proudly displayed his golden retriever, tongue out and practically smiling. “That’s Lucky. He’s my favorite person in the world.”

“Now that sounds like a dull life.” She teased, wondering if he was actually right often or if it were his ego speaking. “It’s more fun when there is at least some mystery as to how anything will turn out.” Emily eagerly leaned closer, cooing over the dog in the photograph. “He is absolutely darling!” She loved dogs, but she was particular towards the sweet pups with goofy expressions. “Is there a story behind the name?” 

“Are they theater people?” Roman asked curiously. He couldn’t imagine any other kind of person ordering such a drink. “I don’t know why but the mermaid algae smoothie doesn’t sound that bad. The goth drink could be better if it didn’t have turmeric in it. Maybe he’s worried about his health.” A light laugh escaped from him. “Do you go to the college near by?” 

“Worse.’ She shook her head. “Literature. They see the symbolism in everything, although I have a hunch that some of it might be for health.” Just the fact that they were putting in items that were not naturally occurring colors worried her. “I graduated years ago. These are for the ancient society professor and his assistant. I take it that you are though.” 

A smirk wasn’t a facial expression Vasya tended to use, but for this instance, she wore one. In many ways she understood why Emily hadn’t revealed where the site was, and she respected her. Often, Vasya operated more solo or with an independent team to track down artefacts she felt may be a danger. “I believe this could belong to The Tuscarora from before they migrated north. It would be a really fantastic find fo this area… although we would need to be careful with disturbing such a burial site… that’s something I don’t want to mess with.” She paused for a moment before glancing at the door to make sure no one else is around, “I came to you first before informing the Town Council because I believe they may just want to excavate it regardless of the tribe’s wishes. I’ve already put the feelers out to some of the Tribe Elders for them to come and help me look over it.”

Emily made note of the tribe’s name. She trusted Vasilisa completely, but she still wished o do her own research to find out more about the newest possible exhibit to the museum. The ethics of the institution were equally as important to Emily as the items that they displayed. It would only be done in a tasteful manner with the approval of all those involved ensuring the respect of the culture. “Has there been a delineation between the site of the former civilization where their artifacts lay versus where they honored their dead?” It could be difficult to find the line, but she’d much rather disturb things than remains. “Thank you for that.” She knew that if there was money, the council would be tempted to go with the highest profit no matter what that might entail. “See if we could have a skype call with the Elders or have them come in. I think your gut reaction was the best.” 

“Nice?!” Morana’s eyes widened at the prospect of being introduced to someone who was considered nice, “I’d rather be single forever than be set up with someone who was nice.” She wrinkled her nose as though she had just heard the worse curse word ever. “Well happy to help mi lady,” she chuckled. 

Emily solemnly nodded her head. Nice had to be the worst word to describe a person. It meant that there was absolutely nothing more interesting about the person than the fact that they were nice. “I’m starting to feel that single forever might be my fate.” She chuckled, toasting Morana. 

Autumn beamed at Emily’s offer, nodding promptly. “I don’t but now I’ll tell them that.” She smiles smartly. “The Museum is so nice! I went on a school tour last year. I want daddy to take me, but he never does. Maybe he will now that he knows that you’re there.” Autumn had said before Noah stepped in, with a cheeky smile.

Noah helped her up when she held her hands out. It was funny how familiar her touch felt against his. Known and yet so different. “She is. Way smarter for a ten-year-old… Her teacher has been bugging me to let her skip a few grades.” He didn’t know what that would do to her socially. He thought she was still a kid and needed to live life like one. But he didn’t want to stop her from excelling. “School really bores her sometimes, she says it’s real easy. Hard to keep her entertained sometimes.” For Noah especially. He did his best to not feel like he was failing his daughter, but Noah wasn’t a well-traveled and full of knowledge man. “Well, you did have some drinks. I made all the good hungover food though, that should help.” He smiles. “Good, I just wanted to make sure you knew.” Noah wondered if she recalled all of last night and if she was still mad at him. “So, want to go eat?”

The next woman that Noah brought home would without a doubt be in for an earful, but Emily believed them to deserve such a fate for being condescending to his daughter. “You are more than welcome to visit it as often as you like, but I doubt that me being there makes much of a difference.” Emily watched the girl hurry out of the room. She was already fond of the kid. She’d love the chance to show her around the museum and hear what she thought. 

She kept her hands on him a moment longer than needed as she steadied herself on her feet. She probably should go wash-up before breakfast, but that would take more effort than she had at the moment. “Don’t you dare. There are plenty of extracurricular that will challenge her. Let her stay with her peer group socially.” There were after all plenty of of ways to cure Autumn’s boredom with her school.  “Not the green smoothie I hope.” 

Ethan nodded vigorously. “Right? But it’s hard not to pick me out. A face like this? I’m always grand prize.” He winked at the end of his statement. He couldn’t help an opportunity to be conceited and flirty. It came as natural to him as breathing. “I don’t remember the last time I did small talk. When shit gets boring, I usually just bring the conversation back to me and that does the trick.” Even he thought he was pushing it now. “Seriously? I think all dogs are lowkey cute. Though, my puppy is the cutest of them all.”

Emily studied Ethan’s face, pretending to search for a flaw in it. “I suppose that you do have a point.” She didn’t mind stroking an ego every now and then. Vanity hardly counted as the worst sin. It was only when wielded against others that Emily felt the need to preform a reality check. “Small talk is necessary as tedious as it may be, although I find it is interesting to play devil’s advocate from time to time.” She smiled, shaking her head. ‘You cannot say something like that and not show me a photo of your dog.” 

“Depends, what is the girl offering?”  There was a list of stories that would be embarrassing to say the least and many that would be unsavory.  Since his discharge, he has been finding his way into trouble in town.  “Now you are making me feel old.”  Nodding at her response, “yeah she was a cheerleader. Guess we were that cliché couple.” Spencer brightly smiled; talking about his children was one of his favorite topics besides himself.  “I am, sadly I wasn’t around much in their younger years.  Was overseas a lot and did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, but Kayla did an amazing job with them.”  Horror spread across his features as he shook his head.  “No, I don’t even want to think of them as teens.  I want them to go back to being four and me being their favorite person in the world.”

“And if the girl were to say anything?” Not that Emily needed to hear the stories. Of course he’d piqued her curiosity, but she was more interested to hear what he would wish for as his boon for sharing. “Please, you are younger than I.” She chuckled. It might only be two years, but if he were old that meant that she was as well. Emily hardly felt out of her teens most days. “Nothing wrong with that if it works. She was sweet and you were a school hero. It only made sense that you’d find each other.” She did wonder if they were still together. They clearly had kids, but that didn’t mean that they were still an item. A quick glance at his hand showed the lack of a ring. “They are so great at four. Even the nonstop questioning why is cute at that age. Are they following in your footsteps when it comes to being sport prodigies?” 

“There have been a few occasions I am sad to say where I would have thrown myself out,” he chuckled. Usually Spencer was never the bashful type, but at the mention of his title on the team his face turned red.  “Oh, I haven’t been called that in years.  Wow that was another life time ago.”  It really took him back thinking of his high school years.  “And of course I should have known it was you.  Just as beautiful now as you were then, I must say.”  Again with the compliment causing him to shake his head, “yeah, not sure if you remember my girlfriend Kayla from back then but we had a small fling when I was on leave and well it resulted in two kiddos.  They’re my whole world although they’re nine and are mastering the whole talking back thing.”

“What’s a girl need to do to hear those stories?” She grinned, wondering just how bad it must have been. Everyone had a moment or two of weakness that would be embarrassing in hindsight. More important was the ability to learn from past mistakes to never repeat them. “I know. It’s crazy to think how long ago that was.” Picturing him back in high school, Emily attempted to remember his girlfriend. “Was she the cheerleader?” She vaguely recalled a woman with an infectious smile, but that might have been a different Kayla. “You have to be so proud. But nine isn’t that bad. Just wait until fourteen. Fourteen is the scariest age on the planet.” 

“I don’t have an email yet, my dad says that’s for grown-ups,” Autumn said with a little sigh because it made all the research saving harder. But the real reason was that Noah tried to keep her away from internet spam and creeps. As wise as the girl was she still was that—a young girl. “Ohhh. You were daddy’s high school girlfriend?” All of a sudden Autumn sounded way too curious about it all. “They just comment on my hair and how pretty I am, they never talk anything interesting.” Autumn shrugged, maybe because she was being raised by a man—who did do his best to give his daughter the girly stuff, it wasn’t too much on Autumn’s interest. She was more of a book kind of girl. “Do you work?”

Just in queue, Noah came into the room to announce breakfast. “Autumn, go change and brush your teeth before breakfast, you two can catch up after.” The girl nods and hops off the bed to run off to do her chores. “She’s really something” He sits on the edge of the bed. “Are you feeling alright? Look, you couldn’t remember where you were staying that’s why I brought you here. Nothing happened.” He never would with how drunk and mad at him she was. “But can we just put a blank canvas up. I care about you and I want to be your friend.” The things they needed to talk would come, in due time.

“I’ll make you one later as long as you don’t brag about it or tell Noah.” She felt for the kid who had the entire world at her fingertips, yet probably had the world’s worst parental filter on her stuff knowing Noah. Whatever it was that he worried about, Em doubted that giving Autumn an email address on the museum’s domain would hurt. There were filters for whatever it was that he worried about her getting into. “Also you might want to use google translate as a work around to any blocked sites.” Probably shouldn’t be telling her that, but Noah was already mad at her. Rather than answer, Emily merely nodded. Whatever Noah wanted Autumn to know about their relationship, she was sure that he was more than capable of telling her. “Have you told them that pretty is a societal construct that relies heavily upon what is considered superior at any given time?” She snorted. “No, I’m a layabout. Of course I work. I’m the director of the History Museum.” 

Emily groaned as Noah entered the room, realizing that she would need to get out of bed. Even if they hadn’t been a couple in ages, there was something comforting in being in Noah’s bed. “She’s a smart one. You got lucky.” Em stretched, holding her hands above her to entreat him to help her up. “I feel like I was run over by a train and fell off somewhere in the dessert. Other than that just peachy.” She turned to him, feeling even more confused than when his daughter woke her. “I know nothing happened.” At least she trusted him. What might have happened before her memory left her is another story. 

“I have been known to have that quality on occasion.  I guess it is better than people wanting to throw me out.”  Hearing she was from around here, he lit up trying to think if he may have ever met the woman previously.  “Oh man, I didn’t graduate until ’06.  I don’t think I was even in the high school when you were president.” It was hard not to laugh at the woman’s description as he nodded his head.  “Yep, good ole Butch though my heart goes out to him with that voice of him. It has to be hard to be intimidating with it.”  The response surprised him a bit and he smiled just at how innocent she answered. “No, I get that.  I enjoy taking my kids out and teaching them stuff.  A little different, but I think the same sentiment.”

“Handsome gent like you, who would ever dare to throw you out?” She furrowed her brow, trying to recall if they might have ever passed each other. He was two years younger than her. She chewed her lip, eyes brightening when she realized who it was. “Spencer, you are hiding a secret. You didn’t tell me that you were Captain Blackwood: wiz kid of the courts and fields.” She remembered having watched him in wonder and envy through all the games she’d attended.  “Never would have pegged you for a DILF. But I totally know what you mean. I’m only auntie, but I love each and every one of the munchkins no matter what they do. When you teach them something good or bad, it’s like putting a bit of promise in the world.” 

“You seem to be on safe ground so far,” Ana replied to her with a chuckle. Ana wrinkled her nose in distaste when she heard the comment about the potential date helping out at a church bbq, “Well he definitely sounds like he likes his steak well-done… bland in other words,” she shook her head as she chuckled, “I don’t know who set you up with someone like that but they need to check themselves.”

“So far.” She grinned, resisting the urge to push her luck. So far she did enjoy spending time at this bar and with the owner. Her normal place was certainly nice, but the amount of watered down alcohol they slung was horrid compared to what Morana served. “They also decided to describe him as nice. I should have taken that as a warning sign. You are my hero for rescuing me.” 

Vasya let out a chuckle at Emily’s comment and shook her head, “I could always just try to bribe you into showing me next time,” she teased her, mentioning one of their first encounters. At her question, she took out the file and walked across the office, “Something very very exciting actually. As you know I was called in to do an excavation on what people thought was an Native American settlement from around 200 years ago. But it’s so much more than that; it seems we have a burial site on out hands… not only that but these bones I’ve found are closer to 400 years old.”

Emily groaned, rubbing her face. The one time that she had attempted to bribe Vasya to keep her secrets, it had backfired spectacularly. She should have known that Vasya was nothing like some of the other vultures in their field. Her punishment would be forever to be teased. Served her right Em supposed. “I love exciting.” Her demeanor quickly turned professional as she walked across the office to take the file from Vasya. She nodded, listening to everything that her friend had to say while flipping through the documents. “Do we have any idea what tribe it was? We should talk to those still around to get a full idea of the historical context as well as the proper channels to ensure that we don’t infringe on their rights.” 

“I don’t think so, lady.” The ten-year-old was a bit snappy, the mom subject was complicated among the McDowell. Autumn had lost her mother three years ago so obviously, it was still a touchy matter, but then again she didn’t hold grudges. Noah took note of how Emily was rubbing her temples and picked out a pill he had in the nightstand drawer, handing it over to her. “This will get you better. And I wouldn’t just dump you, don’t talk nonsense.” Oh, that carried so much meaning in between the lines… Their breakup still haunted and hurt him in many ways, even after almost twenty years, but he meant it. He couldn’t see a scenario where he’d dump her somewhere that it wasn’t safe for her to stay. He tried to explain so it didn’t feel too heavy, “I’m a father to a girl if you didn’t notice. I don’t think I could find it in me to leave any woman just out in a hotel with no direction.” He said it like that not to rat her out for being drunk, not in front of his daughter.

Autumn on the other hand found herself sitting on the edge of the bed to listen to Emily. “That is so remarkable! Was he the one leaving the notes near the gas leak area and not remembering that he wrote them in the first place? Interesting!” Noah chuckled watching with amusement how his daughter got excited and shook off his head with Emily commented on his smell. A comment that made Autumn laugh. “I did shower yeah. Well, while you ladies talk I’m gonna get on with breakfast, huh? Emily, there’s a towel in the bathroom if you want to shower and I got one of my sister’s clothes there too if you wanna change. Autumn, don’t bug her too much, please. She just woke up.”

Noah was off and Autumn didn’t quite care for his request as her head tilted to gaze Emily. “You seem pretty smart. Why are you dating my dad? He never dates the smart ones.” She rolls her eyes slightly, ignoring completely how Noah had specifically said they were friends.

Emily’s shoulders sagged in relief that at least she was still in her own dimension. The only thing to worry about was that she couldn’t recall anything about last night nor how she ended up in Noah’s bed. He’d always been a gentleman, thus she knew that nothing happened between the two of them. He’d even been kind enough to leave her pain reliever and water without a second thought. “I’m an adult. I can handle myself.” Still she took the meds that he handed her, trying to avoid the skeptical look that came from Noah having to bring Emily into his home for whatever reason that it was. “I don’t need to bother you and Autumn.” At least she remembered the daughter’s name. Em knew that the kid would never have forgiven her if she’d forgotten it. 

Rather than getting up, Emily laid back down, right arm draped over her eyes with her left patting the spot next to her for Autumn to settle into. The sooner that the bed stilled the less nauseous Em was certain to feel. “She’s fine, Noah. I’ll shower when I don’t feel so dizzy. You go do what you need to.” She smiled at the girl. “Yes, he did. The problem arose from the fact that the poisoning from the gas had him functioning at a different cognitive level, so the handwriting looked foreign to him despite it being by his own hand. I can email you the podcast later if you want to listen to it.” At her question, Emily peaked over to look at her. “We used to date when we were in school. Now we are just friends. He’s not dating me. Nice to know you think so highly of the women he goes with though.”