A Night We'll Never Remember

Chapter 17

I drove back to Granny's and it was a lot slower than when Regina and I were here a few hours ago. I don't see Granny but Ruby is cleaning off some empty tables so I walked up to her. "Hey Rubes is Granny around?"   "Hey Em. Yeah. She's in the office. What's up?"   "Well I need a part time job. I've done this before so hopefully she'll consider me".  Ruby laughs a little. "Seriously Ems. Granny would fire me just to get you back working here. She loved it when you worked here".  I just smile and shake my head. "Thanks Ruby but I think I'll go ask Granny first".  I start walking into the back and turned around to say to Ruby. "Hey Rubes. Start packing, I really need this job". I laugh and she throws her towel in my direction.
I walk up to the office and see Granny sitting at her desk so I gently knock on the open door. She looks up and smiles at me. "Oh Emma dear, back so soon? Come in have a seat. What can I do for you?"   "Well Granny I need a job and I also need an affordable 2 bedroom apartment apartment if you know of any".   She closes the books she's working on and says. "Ok Emma tell me what's going on". I breathe in and let out a deep breath. "Well Granny I'm gonna be a mom and I need some income and a safe place for me and the baby".  "Emma your pregnant?"   I chuckle a bit. "Granny, I know it's been a long time but I'm pretty sure you know I'm not the one that can get pregnant in a relationship".  She sits back in her chair and lets out a hearty laugh. "Oh Emma I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, but this is good news I'm hoping".   "It's great Granny. I'm so excited. Here look at this".  I show her the ultrasound picture.  "Oh Emma this is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations sweetheart". She hands me back my phone and stands up. She walks around the desk and gives me a big hug. "So what do you need Emma?"   "Well my mom said I have 2 weeks to get my own place so I need a place just for me right now. The baby isn't due till December so I can get a small place till I find a better one for me and my kid. Plus I'm studying for the police academy test".  She goes to sit back behind her desk. "Gee Emma you have a lot going on these days".  I just nod.  "Honestly I only need a waitress for 2 shifts right now plus we can always use a fill in, but I was thinking. You have some book keeping education don't you?"   "Yes. I took business and marketing at the trade school all though high school, and I passed with flying colors if I may say".   "Yes you may. So now. How would you like those waitress shifts plus help me clean up the books?  I'm finding it harder and harder to run everything out there in the diner and the kitchen and in here in the office. Do you think you could help me out? Book keeping is definitely better pay thank most waitress shifts".   "Granny I would absolutely love the opportunity but what about Ruby?  We took the same classes".   "I asked her weeks ago and she's not interested in doing it. It's up to you Emma".  "I'll take it Granny but on a part time basis. Is that ok?"   "Of course sweetheart, and since you now work here you can stay at the B&B till you find the right place for you and our newest little duckling".   "Granny thank you but I don't know if I can pay to live in a B&B for a few months".  "Emma dear. There is no charge. This is a perk of being related to me". She smiles and we both let out a little laugh. "Thanks Auntie Granny. I can never thank you enough".   "Just promise me you'll study so hard and always take care of that baby".   "I can definitely promise that Granny. I want my child to be proud that I'm their parent".   "I don't think that you need to worry about that Emma. You are definitely one of the best people I have known and this child would be a fool if they can't tell that when they get older".   "Thanks Granny. I love you and I appreciate everything you are doing for me. I promise I won't let you down".   "I have no doubt Emma. So if your ready your shift can start tonight. I just had someone call in. Can you be back at 8 till close?"   "Yup". I say with a smile. She tosses me a new black "Granny's Diner"  t-shirt and an apron to tie around my waist.  "Thanks Granny I'll be in early".   "I'm sure you will. You always where when you worked here years ago".  I thanked her and and I ran out and went back to the apartment. Luckily my mom was still at work so I didn't have to see her. I tried to take a little nap but my head was still going crazy. Regina is still mad at me and I need to fix that. I did end up getting about 2 hours of sleep. I woke up and took a refreshing shower. Then I got dressed and packed a bag. Sometimes working till closing at Granny's ends up being till after 2am so hopefully I can get a room and not have to drive home. I drove to Granny's and parked in the employee area. I still had more than a half hour to be there so I sat and called Regina. I had a feeling she wouldn't answer my call and it went to voicemail. "Hey Gina it's me. Emma. I talked to Granny this afternoon and she wants me help with bookkeeping and also filling in a few shifts. I'm working till close tonight. Someone called in sick. I'd really love to see you if you are up to it and I really wanted to apologize again if I upset you earlier. You seemed to really shut down after lunch. I do love you Regina. Very much and all I'm trying to do is what's best. I need a job and I got a great one with Granny and a place to stay if I need it so I can save money for you and our child. My settlement with the city of Boston won't last forever so I need to do this.  Please let me know you at least understand and please tell me you don't hate me. I don't want you and our child thinking I'm ok with just laying back and doing nothing. I love you Regina. I do. Please. Please just call or text me if you still care for the future we could possibly have". Tears are just like a waterfall from my eyes right now. I can't imagine only seeing her when I come to pick up our baby for a visitation, only if she still lets me.  I clear my throat and say. "I love you. Please don't give up on us".  And that is were I ended the voicemail. I take a moment or 2 to gather myself. I clean off my tear stained face and go inside Granny's to start my shift.
The late dinner rush was busy but Ruby and I made a lot of tips and all the customers seemed happy. "10 more minutes and we can lock the doors Em. I can't wait. Wanna go have a drink after?"   "I'll have 1 or 2 here with you Rubes but I really need to get studying".  "Oh no. Responsible Emma is gonna so boring aren't you?"  "Just for a little while. I really need to do this now Ruby".  "I know".  5 minutes before we where able to lock up we heard the door open and Ruby and I both looked at who was coming in at almost midnight. "Regina. Why are you here so late is everything ok?"  I rush right over to her. "I'm ok. I heard your voicemail so I was hoping to talk to you after your shift".   "Yeah of course. We're almost done. Have a seat. Can I get you anything?"  "No dear. Thank you".  Ruby locks the door and says. "Em you can take off if you'd like. We're all locked up now and all I need to do is take the register reports and lock them and the money up in Granny's safe then I'm going out for a drink. So go do what you gotta do".  "You sure?"  "Yes go".  I thank her and Regina and I go up to my room at the B&B. We sit at the little table I have in there and she begins to speak. "I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier. I guess I was a little upset. I was listening to you tell me everything that you needed to do and I couldn't help but think that this was all my fault. Your life is basically upside down right now because I'm pregnant".  She was about to say more but I stopped her. "Regina I know this isn't the proper way things are usually done but things are they way are and we need to do everything we can to make the best life for our child, and right now it starts with me getting a job and a place to live. I wasn't saying all those things earlier because I don't want to do them. It's just what needs to be done. What I'm doing right now is definitely not your fault. We made this baby together and if that was the push I needed to grow up then so be it. I couldn't spend my whole life living with my parents. So please don't be upset. I'm doing this for us and I don't mind it at all".   "So you don't blame me for???"  "I stopped her before she could finish the question. I leaned in to kiss her.  "I don't blame for for anything. You have made my life better Regina. I love you".  She gets up and comes over to sit on my lap. "I love you too Emma". She kisses me and hugs me tight. After a few minutes we both yawn and Regina sits up and stretches. I can see she is tired. "I suppose I should get going home".  She starts to stand and I stop her. "Babe wait. You seem exhausted let me drive you home".  "Oh no dear. I'll be fine".  "Regina please I'll feel better knowing that you made it there safe".  "Sweetheart you worked all night on your feet. You should get some sleep".  "Then will you stay with me Regina? I know it's not a 4 star hotel but the bed is somewhat comfortable".  She gives me a kiss and says. "I don't care where we are Emma. Yes I would love to stay here and have you hold me tight all night again".  We kiss again and we both stand up. I go in a take a quick shower. I gave Regina a t-shirt and some shorts to wear and when I came out of the bathroom to go to bed she already seemed to be asleep. I carefully get in bed next to her and we snuggled together and I instantly fell asleep.