LOOSE - a Bill Hader Novel

XXI

When Bill had texted Emerald his address in Glendale, she expected to pull up to a multimillion dollar mansion with five stories and a security guard on site. But the modest cottage she parked in front of was a whole different story. His home was a two-story craftsman with a red door and a brick patio, decorated with string lights. It was precious, just not what she expected.

She fiddled with her clothes after stepping out of the car, grabbing the bag of goodies she'd brought for the evening — an expensive bottle of red wine for her and Bill, and cupcakes for his two children.

"I really fucking hope they like chocolate," she thought.

On her way to the door, she noticed a small garden in the front yard, lush with growing basil, tomatoes, and rosemary. There were wooden sticks placed in the soil, decorated with rhinestones and glitter glue. They read Penelope & Sloane's Magic Garden. Emerald's heart swelled.

She remembered how badly she'd wanted a lemon tree when she was little, but growing up in rented apartments all around Los Angeles, she never had a backyard. For her ninth birthday, her mom bought a lemon tree sapling in a rust colored pot — promising her that someday soon, they'd plant it in the yard of the home they were saving up for.

That never happened. Instead the little tree withered away and died without being put in the ground. Emerald had worked tirelessly each day to accomplish her dreams, to make it, so that one day she'd be able to buy her family the house they'd always wished for. But by the time that money came around, her mother was ill, only getting to spend a few short months in the Beverly Hills home before taking her last breath at the hospital. It still sat empty at the top of the hill overlooking the city, Emerald and her father both too hesitant to do anything about it.

She pushed the memory away quickly, continuing to the front door and ringing the bell. Emerald took a deep breath as the sound of footsteps neared the entrance. Then Bill opened the door, wearing his glasses, a knit grey sweater and jeans. His smile glimmered.

"Hi." he said.

"Hi."

Emerald heard a small voice call out, "Is she here, Dad?"

Then the two kids ran up behind Bill, the small girl pushing in front to take a good look at Emerald. Penelope's brunette hair was braided with a glittery pink hair tie. The boy was younger and seemed shy, standing behind Bill's leg. He brought a hand down to rest on Sloane's little head.

"Hi Emerald, I'm Penelope. Would you like to come in?" Penelope beamed, perfectly mannered. Emerald couldn't help but laugh. Her eyes were bright blue, just like Bill's.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you! Yes, I'd love to."

Bill shot Emerald a knowing glance and chuckled as he led her inside. The foyer was dimly lit with a rack of tiny shoes and coats by the door.

"Sorry about the clutter," Bill apologized.

"No, this is lovely." Emerald assured him. The foyer led to a living room with a humongous TV and a cushy grey couch littered with throw blankets. The dining room and kitchen were next, copper pots and pans hanging against the stone backsplash. It was cozy and felt like home, scented like cinnamon and cedar.

"Is that for us?" Penelope gestured to the bag Emerald was holding.

"Yes! These are for you," she replied, handing her the small box of cupcakes.

"Ooh, yum! Thank you, chocolate is my favorite." Penelope smiled.

"Score," Emerald thought.

"And this," Emerald picked up the wine and handed it to Bill. "Is for you. And me."

"Hey, very nice, thank you! This'll go well with dinner. I made my specialty — spaghetti with store bought tomato sauce and frozen garlic bread." Bill gestured to the kitchen with raised eyebrows. A pot on the stove bubbled with boiled water.