KATE
"I would have thought that you would know mine, too," the girl says with a sad but accepting look on her face. Silence falls between us as I wait for her to elaborate, but she does not.
"Look, I'm sorry, I just... I don't really...." I don't know her, but my suspicions are growing.
"It's fine, Kate," she waves her hand, dismissing my apologies. "Don't worry about it."
"You're Emily, aren't you?" I half-whisper.
She nods, with another small laugh. "I take it that you got my message, then?"
"Yeah, I did, I just... it's a long story. I'm sorry I didn't call back."
"It's okay," she shrugs. "We're talking now, so..." She's avoiding my gaze and I am suddenly uneasy.
"So... why did you call?" I finally up and ask her.
She takes a moment to consider her answer. "I called because... because there were things that I wanted to talk to you about. Michael hasn't been with anyone since... since high school, I guess, and I just kind of wondered what you had that... that made you different, and I was hoping to get some insight into how... how Michael's doing."
"I-oh." I literally cannot think of anything else to say.
"He told you not to call me, didn't he?" She asks suddenly.
"He, um. Yeah." I say lamely.
"I shouldn't have come here," she mutters. Her hands go to the wheels of her chair, and she rocks them back and forth in a nervous motion.
"No, Emily, please. I'm glad that you did, I think I need to know whatever you're going to say."
"Michael will tell you," she cuts me off.
"I-I don't think he will." My voice is shaking. "I'm sorry if this... stings a little, but I don't think he wants to talk about you. He's told me about high school... about Luke." She flinches when I mention that, but I press on. "But I'm clearly missing a lot of the story, and I think you-"
"I can't," she cuts me off again. "Kate, I'm so sorry, but it's up to Michael. It's just as much his story as it is mine. I've-I've done enough damage to his life, I think. I'll surrender this one."
"What do you mean-"
"Please tell Luke I came by. I really need to see him," she says over her shoulder as she wheels towards the door.
"Emily, wait-"
"Kate, please just don't put me in this position," she sighs. "When I called you, I thought... well I thought Michael must have told you... a lot more. And I'm sorry for that, it was my mistake. Please don't take it out on him," she says as she reaches for the door handle.
Oh, you can bet your ass I'll be taking it out on him, I think to myself.
Emily struggles to open the door and hold it open, so I walk over and hold it for her. She erupts into laughter, hiding her face in her hands. "This damn thing can really hinder a dramatic exit," she laughs, wheeling out as I hold the door. And I crack a smile too. "Bye, Kate," she says quietly. "It really was nice to meet you, you must be an extraordinary woman."
Without another word, she is gone. I let the door close and then lean against the wood, resting my head against the wall.
What the hell?
I'm nauseous. I have a sick, twisted feeling in my stomach about Emily Allen and Michael Clifford's past.
MICHAEL
