Chapter 35
EMERSON
On the way back from lunch with Aunt Nat, she stopped to pick up the mail. After parking her car, she grabbed the envelopes and made her way inside.
“J where is everyone?” she asked the AI as she made her way to the kitchen, placing the stack on the counter top.
“Your younger brother is at school, Miss, while your parents are currently having lunch with some investors for the September Foundation.”
“Okay, thanks J,” she said as she got a bottle of hard cider out of the fridge. She took a swig as she made her way back to the counter, rifling through the mail. Most of it was for her Dad, a few art magazines for her Pop. A small envelope caught her attention, as it was the only hand-written one.
And it was addressed to her.
The return address was a name she hadn’t thought of in at least ten years.
Kimberly Johnson.
Her birth mother.
“Holy shit,” she said to no one, hand slightly shaking from shock. She shook her head and put the drink down, using both hands to peel the envelope open. It was a single page that she flattened out, not even recognizing the handwriting since she’d never even seen Kimberly write anything. Emerson thought offhandedly that it was pretty before she began reading.
Dear Emerson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was so happy to hear you’d married, and to a princess no less! And now you’re a business tycoon with connections across the universe. Your life is nothing that I had imagined for you, and I am so happy for that.
You’re probably wondering why I’m even bothering writing to you now, Lord knows I don’t deserve any kind of response, but I wanted to extend an offer:
I’m getting married on Saturday the 23rd. His name is Allen Bernard, he’s a computer programmer for Intel and a total dork. We met ten years ago at an NA meeting and he changed my life forever. Helped me sober up and pushed me to achieve my dream job since I was little - a nurse. I would love it if you could come and meet Allen...as well as your little sister. We have a seven year old daughter, Lucy. Your half-sister. She is beautiful, like you, and smart and curious just like her big sister.
She doesn’t know who you are, just that you exist. She also doesn’t know I’m writing this letter, in case my past actions keep you from wanting to meet her. And if that is the case, I understand completely.
Though you should know that without any prompting - Black Panthress is her favorite superhero.
I’ve included the details on the back of this letter, should you want to attend a pretty great party.
All my love,
Kimberly
She read and reread the page several times, flipping it over to check out the address and time of the venue before flipping back to reread it. Her initial reaction had been panic, but after a moment she realized she felt...kind of numb.
Lucy could never replace Samantha.
She did not owe the woman who whored her out for drugs a goddamn thing.
She crumbled the paper in her hands and tossed it in the trash - the ringing in her ears too loud to notice she had missed the shot. The crumbled paper lay next to the bin.
Emerson made her way to her room, changing into a one piece before making her way to the indoor pool. She didn’t use it often for exercise, but she could be alone the longest there. The other option is going for a run around the property and though it was beautiful - she still hated running. And walking wasn’t rigorous enough.
After putting her hair in a cap and goggles on her face, she climbed the steps into the pool. It was cool without being cold and she kicked her legs a little before lining up on the side of the wall. Taking a deep breath she kicked off the wall and began freestyling to the other side.
And when she reached the other side, she simply turned around and kept going. There were times she felt like she couldn’t breathe, but she kept her breaks short before persevering. She wasn’t sure how many laps she had made, losing track of time when she realized she was no longer alone. And she learned that from the feet dangling in front of her underwater. Pulling up out of the water and taking her goggles off, she saw her Pop sitting on the edge in front of her, smiling down at her.
“Hey Thumper,” the blonde said, wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt. What was he doing back so soon?
“Pops,” she greeted back, taking deep breaths and kicking her legs in the water. He kept staring at her with a stupid smile, making her quickly lose her patience and snap, “what?”
“I thought I would offer something...that takes anger out in a more satisfying way.” The statement confused her for a moment before realization fueled the flame in her chest.
“You read my mail?” she asked angrily and in shock, distancing herself a little from her father. “That’s illegal!” He at least had the audacity to turn pink in shame.
“It’s illegal to open someone’s mail - not read it,” the blonde amended in a quiet voice, which only infuriated Emerson further at the lack of denial. She immediately began swimming to the other side with the steps, not listening to his defense.
“I can’t believe you guys,” she snapped at the man suddenly at her side and handing her a towel. She snatched it from him and began angrily wiping the water off her body.
“Sweetheart JARVIS told us you’ve been down here for hours-”
“-so after invading my privacy you decided to dictate my workout?” she snaps in disbelief, a small voice in her head saying her anger shouldn’t be directed at him.
“Emerson, you know that’s not what's happening. Miles actually found the letter, which was beside the trashcan - for the record. And I figured I’d offer either an ear to listen or a boxing partner to blow off some steam.” She wrapped the towel around herself and took a deep breath. He is literally trying to help, none of this is his fault.
“Sorry,” she muttered in apology, using her free hands to scrub her face in exhaustion. Strong arms wrapped around her pulling her into a solid chest.
“It’s okay, Em. My offer still stands. And with that ear, an argument could be made for making cookies and eating most of the dough.” She couldn’t help but laugh against her father’s chest, feeling thankful for the ten thousandth time that this was her family.
“I don’t know if I’m up for talking,” she said with a sigh as she pulled back, smiling to herself at knowing this man too well. “But we could make cookies and you can tell me about what’s happening at the foundation.” It was a cheap trick to get cookie dough, but she didn’t care. She pulled out the bottom lip when his brows furrowed, smiling brightly when the man instantly caved.
She loved cookie dough and he loved gushing about the foundation, so really it was a win-win.