El & Em: Two hearts, one band, a long slow ride

Chapter 26

Somehow, life in Seattle seemed harder after the visit to Philadelphia – for Laura as well as Luke.

"It was so good for the kids to see my sisters and my folks," Laura would say. "It's kinda sad not having any family around here at all. And...I miss the guys I used to work with in Philly."

In truth, Luke agreed. He missed his old life and old friends. Seattle had been fine as a hide-out, he guessed, but it wasn't offering him much in the way of long-term satisfaction. He knew Laura was struggling to fit in here as well, especially with the kids being a bit older; Julia had started kindergarten already and Jase would be soon.

So it wasn't a surprise when Laura raised the topic again, this time more explicitly. She wanted to move back to Philadelphia, and thought he might be happier there too – but she was willing to postpone it if he needed more time, or to choose somewhere else altogether if he thought he might never be ready.

Luke thought briefly about Austin, Texas or Athens, Georgia – places with thriving music scenes. But that hadn't worked out so well last time, had it? The best part of Seattle was Robbie, and that was only because Luke had talked him into staying. Laura was right – Philly was home. Was he never going to face his past?

Of course he knew what he was afraid of. Seeing Emmett that one night had convinced him – if he'd ever doubted it – that after six years, his feelings had not diminished and never would. Was that a reason to stay away from his home town forever? Sure, it had been necessary to physically distance himself at one point, but was it still? That night with Emmett's band had been painful but also exhilarating, rejuvenating – and wouldn't it only get easier over time? Some part of Emmett was lost to him either way – whether they saw each other every day or never again – but wasn't a world with Emmett in it better than one without?

He remembered how happy Emmett had been to see him at the club – there'd been no ambiguity in his face; no mix of joy with sadness, only joy. He hadn't even seemed angry, though Luke had never made an attempt at reconciliation the way he had with Gordie, Leo and Pete. Luke used to tell himself their old life broke because Emmett's love wasn't strong enough; now he wondered if they could rebuild because it came without conditions.

In the end he decided to man up, and he and Laura and the kids moved back to Philadelphia in the spring of 1992. Contrary to press reports, Luke had actually leased out the Pennsylvania property, not sold it, and with some negotiation they were able to break the lease and take it over again.

Luke found it a bit embarrassing to return home after his abrupt departure – he felt a little like a kid who quits a game in a huff only to slink back in again a few minutes later. When people asked, he told them, half-sheepishly, it had been a six-year experiment that ultimately failed. Most people didn't ask though. Everyone – all his old friends, family, colleagues, local fans and even former bandmates – seemed happy to have him back. The first few months were a whirlwind of welcome parties, get-togethers, catch-ups and jam sessions with musician friends. In the midst of it all, a package was delivered to the house, with a very nice bottle of scotch and a note: Welcome home. And thanks for bringing my son back with you. Love Em.

Luke had been especially abashed when he told Robbie they were leaving Seattle, and had promised to continue working with him whether he chose to remain or return with them. Robbie took the news good-naturedly and after a bit of consideration decided to follow Luke and Laura back to Philly, where he moved in with his father while he got settled.

Emmett's note made Luke smile, but he didn't make contact directly. He figured their paths would cross soon enough, and they did – they had so many friends and associates in common it was inevitable, and of course there was Robbie. Before long they were running into each other regularly, and Luke could almost keep his composure when they did. But they never saw each other alone, and by unspoken mutual agreement they always kept greetings to a quick handshake.