A Summer of Discovery

Chapter Four

"Emery you okay?" Sam repeated.

I found myself slowly focus back to his voice and smiled gently to reassure him I wasn't a lunatic.

"Sorry I got carried away by memories for a split second there, forgive me?" I asked with a nudge.

"Sure, listen the parties wrapping up so I'm going to get off home but we should meet tomorrow before the wedding rehearsals and get a little pre drink in at Charlies bar"

"Ooh sounds like a plan. I'll see you there" I replied.

"Awesome see you there at six thirty" He said getting up and kissing my cheek.

The neighbourhood was now fully immersed in darkness and the lights in the street were coming on one by one, flickering to life. I waved Sam goodbye as he got back into his truck and sped off down the road, before beeping his horn and disappearing onto Main Street.

I collected the empty beer bottle by my feet and walked back into the house saying my goodbyes to a crowd of Pops and Janes friends as they passed me. Jane was cleaning up the mess left by the guests and Pops was snoring away in front of the TV. Caroline, Marie and Sid came in from the yard. "Right we are heading out girlfriend that's all the guests gone" Caroline said pulling me into her huge chest. My ribs ached under her squeeze. "So good to see you all. Will you be at the wedding Sunday?"

"Of course. Not the kids though their dad is collecting Sid for the rest of the summer break and Marie is off on a girls vacation for her graduation present" She replied. I looked to Sid and Marie behind her. Marie's head was buried in her phone and Sid's expression said it all, he was not looking forward to summer at his dads. I let go of Caroline and reached out for Sid bringing him into a hug. "I hope you have a great summer kiddo. Don't worry summers never last long" I said with reassurance.

"Thanks Emery I hope for my sake you're right, summer in Georgia with dad's new family is always a win" I ruffled his hair and waved them off as they left.

"Can I help you Jane?" I asked quietly looking at Pops still snoring on the couch. "Oh no honey you get yourself up to bed I'll do this" she said happily.

"But it's your party so I should let you go and rest" I said waving her on to bed. "Sweetheart this wasn't my party or your Pops party it was your party" she confessed. "It was?" I asked confused. "Of course. These folk haven't seen you in eight years Emery. Your father set it up for you"

"I didn't know" I replied shocked and a little upset with myself for not spending more time actually in the party. She walked over and grabbed me gently by the shoulder. "We have missed you. He has missed you more than you would ever know sweetheart" she said with a sad expression on her face. I looked down at Pops with a feeling of guilt in the pit of my stomach.

"I sent you plane tickets to visit New York every year you never came" I said confused.

"You know your Pops can't leave that garage. Not to mention we have been helping with the grandkids for a couple years and trying to assist Lilly as she gets on the right path. I guess we thought you would come to us eventually" she shrugged.

"I couldn't do that before now" I said quietly trying not to wake Pops.

"I'll never understand what happened between you two Emery but I do know my daughter and I know she wants to be friends again. To be sisters. You were inseparable as teenagers."

That was the problem.

"I'm going to bed I'll see you tomorrow" I said squeezing her shoulder affectionately and walking back to the stairs.