conversation at some point; that night—nothing. He was miffed I couldn’t handle the boys fighting.
After dinner Emmet took the boys upstairs without helping clean up. He was definitely not in a good mood. He had the boys in bed at 8:30 sharp. I was in the library looking over the checklist for Saturday’s cocktail party when he came in and closed the door. I was right. He looked angry. In fact, he looked furious. I knew I had a lot to learn about kids, but if he was going to come unglued whenever I made a mistake…this would be a painful learning process for both of us.
“Why?” He asked.
“Emmet, they started fighting and you heard the worst part. I know I didn’t react quickly enough, but—”
“Shut up; just shut up. That’s not what I am talking about and you know it!”
I looked at him completely confused…what had I done to enrage him? I hadn’t missed any deadlines, all the details were in order for his dinner party Saturday, and dinner was actually good for a change.
“You’ve lost me,” I said. “Whatever it is, just tell me, I’ll fix it.”
“Really, how will you fix THIS?” He screamed with a deadly look in his eyes as he slammed my camera’s memory card down on the table. “Tell me, how? How are you going to fix it? You’re nothing but a money-hungry opportunistic thief. No better than the other pieces of trash I’ve thrown out of my house. You think you can invade my privacy like this…take pictures of my boys and me? Sell them to some rag-bag, gossip-ridden newspaper without me finding out it was you? What was your plan, Annie? Sell the pictures and then leave in the middle of the night before I could have you arrested?”
“Wait, Emmet, you’ve misunderstood. I never intended to sell any
pictures. I would never do such a thing.”
“Shut up! Do you take me for an absolute fool? Do you believe you are the first parasite that has leached on to my family? Do you? Do you?”
“No, that’s not it at all—”
“I should call the police right now and have you arrested. Who’s your client, Annie? Who are you selling them to?”
“Nobody. I don’t have a client…I just…”
“Liar…I could have you arrested just for intent; have you locked up like a common criminal. Not a smart criminal.” He said shaking the memory card at me. “Leaving the evidence in Josh’s room. You must have panicked when I sent you downstairs tonight wondering if I would find the proof of your greediness.”
“Emmet, you never gave me the privacy agreement to sign…but I will. You have to know I would never—”
“Here’s what I know. I know I can’t trust you. I know you are a parasite. I know you will sign the privacy agreement tomorrow morning. I know I have your computer, your cell phone, and your keys. I know if I find out you have sent these pictures to anyone, you will go to jail. I know Romulus is already out, so don’t try to leave or he’ll rip you apart. Don’t bother trying to fix this, Annie; you’re fired. Betrayal can’t be fixed. I hope it was worth it.”
Emmet picked up the memory card and stormed out of the room. I was initially shell shocked but anger was bubbling up as I thought of all the ugly things he called me… opportunistic thief…piece of trash… parasite…common criminal? I didn’t want to spoil the surprise the boys had planned for Sunday, but I felt like storming into his room and beating him about the head and shoulders with the album.
11
It was impossible to sleep last night exasperated by Emmet’s accusations. He wouldn’t find anything on my computer or phone, which would only add to his suspicion. Depending on his resources, he might have been able to find out who I was. Or worse, lead Lawrence to me. I had to do something.
Emmet was in Eli’s room getting him dressed.
“Yes,” he said curtly when he noticed me standing at the door.
“I need to speak with you.”
“Not now.”
“It’s important.”
“Not now,” he repeated and dismissed me with a wrist flicking hand gesture. It made my blood boil. Rather than retaliate in front of Eli, I put on my best happy face and went downstairs to make breakfast. I made oatmeal knowing Emmet hated it. I set the table backwards, drinks on the left instead of the right; gave Emmet a teaspoon to eat his oatmeal with; didn’t set any napkins out; and as a grand irritating finale, the coffee I served him was so strong I was surprised it didn’t disintegrate the spoon when I stirred in the cream and sugar. None of that was mature, but it made me feel better.
Emmet followed the boys into the kitchen. Josh and Eli both gave me a hug. Emmet essentially sneered at me. They all sat down. I could tell by Emmet’s stiffening posture all my irksome accents were irritating him. He did nothing to change any of it, trying to rob me of the satisfaction of knowing I was able to aggravate him. But I knew eating with a teaspoon and not having a napkin maddened him. If I hadn’t been so upset, I would have been laughing.
“Make it a great day boys,” I said leaving the room. I wanted to be on the other side of the wall when Emmet took a drink of coffee. Ahhh, there it was. The sound of him choking on his coffee; mission accomplished.
“Annie!” He bellowed. Oh this would be fun.
“Yes, Emmet?” I said, walking back into the kitchen. He obviously hadn’t thought this part through. “Yes?” I repeated, but he just stared. He wouldn’t yell in front of the boys.
“What are we doing after school today, Annie?” Josh asked, oblivious to the tension. “Susan said you would take us to the duck pond. She won’t take us to the duck pond. One of the geese chased her last time and she’ll never go back…” While Josh continued to tell the story of Susan and the geese I saw Emmet mouth the words, “Susan’s gone.”
“Did you forget Susan was on vacation?” I asked. His look of dread was answer enough. I could see him processing all the events in the upcoming days…tomorrow’s all day meeting with his number one client, dinner that night with their senior counsel and core executive team, Saturday’s dinner party.
“My office,” he ordered.
My self-responsibility and empathy kicked in, even though he was being obnoxious. He closed his door. “I’ll handle it Emmet,” I said holding my hands in surrender. He was silent as he must have realized he didn’t have options, short of flying Susan home.
“You don’t have any files on your computer.” His tone was accusatory. “It’s new.”
“And your old computer?”
“Crashed…ergo the need for a new computer.”
“I don’t believe you, Annie.”
“You can fire me again Monday then.” Emmet nodded. Apparently I had a job for a few more days.
Emmet brought my phone and keys into the kitchen while I was cleaning up and wordlessly set them on the counter. Picking them up, I left to run errands and work
