Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 54

There's kind of, a lot of  court hearings here.

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The door opened, and Donna found Emily sitting with Lucas at the table, counting on her fingers. She placed the food down beside them.

"Yay, food!" Lucas exclaimed excitedly, diverting his attention from what his mother had been teaching him.

"Lucas," Emily called softly, and he turned to her.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Now, solve these," Emily said, pushing the book toward him, where she had written some math equations. "Move over to the bed and finish them before you eat, okay?"

Lucas grumbled.

"Lucas," she repeated sternly.

"I'm sorry, Mommy!" he said, getting up and leaving Emily and Donna alone.

"Did they get Lucas's order?" Emily asked Donna immediately.

Donna nodded and pointed at his plate.

"Alright, let me have it. He likes to eat it a certain way," Emily said, taking the plate, opening it, and reaching for the jar of mayonnaise. "And these sausages are too long," she added, grabbing a table knife from the cutlery pile.

Donna watched as Emily carefully arranged the food the way Lucas preferred.

"And you say I'd be a better mother," Donna said, causing Emily to pause. She stared at the food, avoiding Donna's gaze, before finally continuing.

"I got a call last night," Emily began, placing a plate over Lucas's food to keep it warm.

"Oh really?" Donna feigned ignorance. "Who was it?"

Emily sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "It was Brittany, Mark's new wife."

"What in the world was she calling you for?" Donna asked, leaning against the wall.

"She warned me to stay away from her husband," Emily said. "That's all."

Donna remained silent, staring at her. She had heard everything and knew Emily was trying to downplay the situation.

Donna giggled. "Isn't that what you're doing?" she teased. "She should warn her husband to stay away from you since he's the one acting like you're his entire world—the irony."

Emily smiled but nervously played with her fingers.

"I mean, look at you," Donna continued. "After everything he's put you through, he still wants you like oxygen. I'd be mad too if I was married to a man who couldn't stop thinking about his ex." She lowered her voice with a laugh. "I saw him in court the other day, and he looked like he wanted to eat you up. Did you record the conversation?"

"Yes, but I started recording late since I didn't know who it was at first. Still, I think it's enough evidence," Emily replied.

"Good. Everything's evidence when you have business in court," Donna said, unwrapping her food. "We'll present it to Ms. Rachel later. Let's eat."

"Isn't it hot?" Emily asked. "I can't eat hot food because of my condition."

"It's not that hot," Donna replied. "But if you insist, I'll go sit over there and eat."

"I'll feed Lucas until my food cools down," Emily said. "Lucas, are you done yet?" she called out.

"One more!" Lucas replied before picking up his book and running over to her. "Done!" he said, handing it to her.

Emily carefully reviewed his answers, marking them. "Nine out of ten. This answer should be 56," she said, pecking him on the cheek. "Good boy. Now sit down, let's eat."