More Than Rubies

(Emma's P.O.V).

"Who was that?" Henry asks.

"No idea," I lie," someone must have left the door open downstairs. Come on let's eat."

Who on earth was that man and what did he want? What does he mean my family is in danger? Why did he call me Swan? How did he know my last name? These questions run through my head as I sit down with Henry to eat breakfast.

"I'm done," he says,"I'll go get ready for school."

"Okay, I'll make your lunch," I reply.

I go to the fridge to grab the ingredients for Henry's peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I slap it together quickly and hand it to Henry as he walks in.

" Uh, Mom?" he says.

" What?"

"You uh, you forgot the bread. This is just peanut butter and jelly on a plastic bag," he says.

"Oh," I say," You can just buy lunch today."

I write him a check for five dollars and stuff it in my backpack.

"You okay Mom?" Henry asks.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I say putting on my best poker face.

"Because this check is for $500 instead of five," he replies.

"Ugh," I say," just use that for the rest of the year. You gotta go to school."

"Aren't you gonna walk me?" Henry asks.

"How about you walk yourself today," I say.

He rushes out of the door, clearly happy with his freedom. All I can think about is that man at the door. I don't recognize him, but it feels like I've met him before. I decide to pull out my old yearbooks, but I can't find any pictures of him. Well of course I can't, because we are ten years older now. I decide I need to call someone. I go through my contacts on my phone when I see someone who I can always count on. I dial his number and he picks up after it rings.

" What's up?" he says.

"Hi, can I ask you something?" I ask.

" Of course,"

"Have you seen anyone new around town lately?" I ask.

"Describe," he asks.

" He has brown hair, blue eyes, some facial hair, and he wears the strangest leather outfit," I say.

"No, sorry. Hey, wanna come to my house for lunch?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'll be right over, see you soon!"

"Love you," he says.

I hang up and smile at those words. After a life of abandonment, I wasn't alone anymore. I had my boyfriend Luke.