Emma XX *Discontinued*

Chapter 10

Margret’s POV

Having Emma in my arms was the best feeling in the world. When she called me mom, I broke down. That moment we had made me feel like she was daughter and nobody could take her away from me. Now I’m in my husband’s office watching him fix up our neighbors computer. “Hey.” He said. “I can’t believe I offered to fix their computer. Their hard drive is fried and their family photos are on it. I think Tim’s mug scared it.” Joey chuckled. I rubbed his shoulders and kissed his cheek. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.” The main thing on my mind was Emma. I promised I would take care of her and I intend on keeping that promise.

“Joey.”

“Yeah?” He said smiling at me.

“I can’t do it.” I took a step back and stared at him. “I can’t send Emma away.” Joey looked at me and sighed. I crossed my arms. “I can’t send her back.” I repeated. “Now the way she is now.”

Joey straightened up and looked at me and said, “Margret, we talked about this. We agreed.” I ran my hand through my hair. “She is just so vulnerable, and even the best facilities can’t give her enough individual care and attention she needs.” I argued back.  He gave me a hard look. “What are you gonna do, drop all your other cases? You’re already consumed by your work, and now you want to treat your patients at home? Are you kidding?” He walked to the other side of the room furious and threw a glass cup at the wall making it shatter.

“I just want her.” I continued and walked to him avoiding the glass. “There is something remarkable about her.” Joey walked closer to me and looked into my eyes. “Look. I feel for the kid. You know I do. But we have enough going on with our kids. Our family.” 

“I understand that but it’s just until we figure out who she is and where she belongs.” He shrugged. “But we may never know.” I put my hand on his back. “I know its asking a lot.” He nodded his head and moved away from me. “Yeah. Too much.” He said and went back to the computer. I breathed out heavily and walked out the door. I heard him say, “Check with Lou. Maybe Social Services has something good her.” I rolled my eyes and slammed the door behind me. I guess I could ask Lou.

“I can’t seem to find her file.” Lou said scrambling through hundreds of pieces paper. “I have nothing for her, Margret.” I could feel my eyes clouding up with tears but I quickly blinked them away. I thanked Lou and drove home in complete silence.

{??? POV}

I was sitting in my truck outside the Detention Center watching Margret Jones. I have to keep a close eye on this family. If the company finds out about Emma, they will all die. I grabbed the folder and started scanning through Emma’s file. Let’s hope they don’t find her.

Joseph’s POV

I’ve been trying to fix this damn computer for the past 3 months. I got all the pieces back together but I just cant seem to get all the data and information to come up. I looked up and saw Emma looking around and exploring. I wouldn’t mind if she stayed with us but we are having our own problems and we don’t need another one on our hands. She grabbed the wire roll and then dropped it in front of the mouse traps. I knew what she was thinking. She stretched her hand out to touch it but didn’t get the chance too because I spoke. “Don’t touch that.” I think I scared her because she jumped. “Those are to kill rats.” Emma looked at me curious. She said, “Rats...are your enemy?”

I shook my head. “No, but when they start paying rent, they are more than welcome.” She gave me a shocked look and put her hair behind her ear. “We don’t want them in the house, Emma.”

“So...you kill them?” She asked worried.

“Yes.” I said sighing. I went back to the computer. I pushed the ‘F12’ key 5 times and a picture of my neighbor, Nancy, and her daughter, Tiffany, came up. I laughed and clapped my hands. It works. It really works. I grabbed my coffee mug and accidentally dropped it on the keyboard. “Shit!” I shouted when a spark hit my hand. Emma walked over to the computer and just stared at the screen.

Emma’s POV

Whereas verbal communication was so random and contradictory, this language on the computer was logical math-based shorthand that made perfect—I was snapped out of my thoughts and focus when the computer made more sparks and scared me! Joseph hurried over and wiped the liquid off the computer. I looked to my right and saw a mini computer. Everything I saw from the big computer and started typing everything really fast.

I heard the sound of feet approaching me. I knew Joseph but when he stopped an image came up. He laughed and hugged me tight. “That’s the one!” He hugged me tighter. He suddenly pulled away and gave me a confused look. “How did you--“ He was speechless and just thanked me.

Derrick’s POV

All day, I have been hanging out with my friends. I walked into my room to find Emma’s bed missing.  My eyes grew wide. My eyes flew to my bed and my magazine was under my pillow. It made me smile a little but it didn’t make me really happy. Emma’s gone. The person that only really listened to me even though she didn’t really understand what I say. Its better than nothing right? She was like another sister to me. A less annoying sister.

I walked outside in the backyard only to see Emma with my basketball. I thought mom and dad sent her back. I ignored it and walked to her. I took the Playboy out of my pocket and asked, “Did you find this?” She simply smiled. “Why did you do that?”

“You said you missed her.” That’s why I like her. She’s so nice, innocent, and caring. I smiled and pointed toward the hoop. “Take a shot.” She looked at the hoop and gave me a confused. “Shoot some hoops?” I said, raising my eyebrow. “I don’t understand.” She confessed. I smiled and grabbed the ball from her. I said, “Let me show you.”

I dribbled the ball and took the shot missing the basket. I ran and got the ball and gave it to her signaling it was her turn. She looked at the ball for a second then threw it and made the shot. “Nice!” I gave her a high-face. This went on for another hour. Then it was dinner time.

Margret’s POV

When dinner was ready and everything but Emma was seated, I spoke first. “Emma will be down in a second. I have a favor to ask of you all and before you all jump down my throat, I want you to think about it.” I cleared my throat and looked at my family. “I was thinking or I was hoping that you wouldn’t mind if Emma stayed with us a while longer.” I said, looking at everyone really careful. I really hope they yes.

Derrick’s POV

Emma did give me back my magazine and is a great person to talk too. She makes me a better person.

Sophie’s POV

Emma did save from getting arrested at the party.

Joseph’s POV

She has an amazing memory and I got those pictures off that computer sooner than expected. She’s very helpful.

Emma’s POV

When I came into the room everyone was quiet and looked like they were thinking. I sat down and looked at everyone. Derrick suddenly reached over and grabbed my glass and filled it with tea. I smiled and thanked him. Then Sophie reached over and started putting food on my plate. I felt my smile grow bigger and I thanked her also. This feeling that I was feeling was more than warm. It was reassuring, protective, and wonderful. The feeling that anyone would call love. But I call it family.