Second Chances

Four

On the side is Anna Speckhart as Paige Emmens! 

       A wave of nausea quickly fled into my stomach and through my veins, making me want to run as fast as my legs could carry me. I bit my lip in concentration as I watched the back of Adam's shoes, counting each second. Before we had left our house for dinner at the Emmens, whose house was on the other side of town, I had felt confident and secure but now I was unsure as we crept along their driveway and up the front steps.

        All four of us stood casually as the front door swung open, a woman with blonde hair greeted us with a cheery smile; taking all of us by surprise. From what I could remember, Mrs. Emmens had brown hair and pale face with a light blanket of freckles, casting a natural look of beauty. Not bright blonde hair and tan skin with high cheek bones. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion as Adam slightly turned his head to return the expression. But our surprise quickly recovered by my mom presenting a bottle of wine.

"You folks must be the Elrics now am I right?" Blonde lady asked in a tone way too cheery that I felt like cringing as she ushered us in.

 "Yes we are and you are?" My father said, trying to cover his surprise.

 "Oh I'm Scarlett Emmens. Dennys wife," she introduced herself. I held in a small gasp as I stared at the skinny figure who was legally Mrs. Emmens. What happened to Cecilia, his ex wife?

        Images of Cecilia and Denny popped up in my head. When I was eleven and Adam was thirteen, our family and I were over at their place for Canada Day. Cecilas face lit up when the vibrant colors of fireworks sprung in the air and Denny wasn't looking at the fireworks, he was looking at Cecilia, in awe. Just then Paige nudged my side and whispered in my ear. "The fireworks are beautiful, but to Dad, mom is the only beautiful thing to him." She sighs and when I look back at Denny, he lightly dips Cecilia back and kisses her. She bursts into a fit of giggles and when she's upright again, she kisses him.

        So as I watch Scarlett take our coats, it's hard for me to imagine Denny without Cecilia. They were quite the happily married couple and there was to0 many times to count when they often loved Adam and I as their own. I held back a smile as I remembered Cecilias voice telling me that they didn't need any other kids, Paige, Adam and I were good enough for them. That even through my sad days, her words of encouragment was good enough to make me feel better.

        Denny walks into the room with a delighted expression on his face. He slides an arm over her shoulders. I force myself to let out a laugh even though this whole thing feels wrong.  "Isn't she the most wonderful thing?" He says and walks across the room and greets us.

       "Wow, well whattya know? You've grown Adam! I remember when you were this big," Denny says with surprise and makes a gesture indicating a short height. Adam laughed, "I'm afraid I'm not getting any taller so this is it for me."

 Denny laughed at his response. "It's so good to see you again."

        "Well come in, come in, take a seat," he gestures towards the dining room where plates and dishes are set. I wander over on the other side and take a seat next to my mom.

         "Oh hunny, Paige is that you?" My mom suddenly says while standing up from her seat. My stomach tightens and panic suddenly erupts in me. I look up and see Paige enter the room. She smiles and this time her smile meets her eyes, a sign of true happiness. She comes over and hugs my mom tightly.

         I suddenly feel an ache for Paige as I watch her ease into my moms embrace. She closes her eyes and I can't help but wonder how it must of been like for Paige, to lose her mother that she shared a tight bond with.  She must miss Cecilia and to have a women replace her, probably hurts twice as much. I am thankful that my mom still holds that place for Paige. A second mom to Paige. Probably the only other person she'll let come close to Cecilia.