Taboo

Chapter 9

It was July 2nd. Em had one more week to think about the transfer. She hadn't told Sam about it. Em was on her lunch break. Her phone rang.

"Hello?" She said.

"Hi." Heather said.

"Hi."

"You're on your lunch break right?"

"Yeah."

"Are you working on the Fourth of July?"

"You should come out to Monica's for a barbecue."

"I don't know Heather."

"Come on." "Everyone hasn't seen you since you moved."

"Is Graham coming?"

"Do you think I would be inviting you if he was?"

"I'll think about it."

Later that night candles were lit and clothes were all over Em's bedroom floor. She and Sam were in bed together.

"Are you going anything for the fourth?" She asked.

"I'm just gonna go out with my friends." "What about you?"

"One of my friends from my old neighborhood wants me to go to a barbecue." "I'm not sure though." "The house is only two blocks away from Graham's house."

"Graham would be your ex-husband?"

"Yeah."

"Is he gonna be there?"

"No but I don't want to accidentally run into him either." "My friend Heather really wants me to come."

Em had decided to go to the barbecue. She'd just went into Monica's backyard. She felt very strange being back in the old neighborhood. She was saying hi to everyone. She and Heather were alone in the kitchen.

"Ok, who is he?" Heather asked.

"Who?"

"The guy you're seeing."

"What makes you think I'm seeing someone?"

"Come on, you're glowing."

"His name is Sam."

Other people came in, so they didn't finish the conversation.

As the day went on Em felt more and more out of place. She was thinking about leaving. Then her fear came true. Graham came into the backyard with his secretary Rachel. Heather went over to Em.

"I'm sorry, I don't know who invited them."

Graham spotted Em.

"I'm gotta here." Em said. She left.

After the over hour drive home Em called Sam.

"Hello?" He said. It was a little noisy due to fireworks.

"Oh right, you're with your friends, I forgot." Em said.

He could tell from her voice she was upset. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." "I just had a bad day." "Bye." She hung up.

"I gotta go guys." Sam said. "My girlfriend needs me."

"Since when do you have a girlfriend?" One of his friends asked.

"Since right now." He got on his skateboard and rode away.

Twenty minutes later Em's back door opened.

"It's me." He said. He went into the living room. She looked at him surprised. He hugged her and sat down next to her on the couch.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Tell me what's wrong?"

"Graham and his girlfriend showed up."

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah." "That's just the one thing didn't want."

"I know."

"Even before that I felt so out of place." "All these married couples talking about married couple things." "That's not me anymore." "I never should've gone." "You didn't have to come."

"Yes I did." "I could tell you were upset."

"Thanks." "It means so much to me." They kissed. "Come on." They went upstairs.

They'd just finished having sex. He was still on top of her. He kissed her.

"I love you Emmaline." He said. She didn't say anything. "It's ok, you don't have to say it back." She made a decision about the transfer right then and there. She kissed him.