Page 7 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

“Like Bakersfield?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No, I have a lake house.”

Lightning fast, I clock her, checking my ring finger. Putting together some story in her mind. Instead of waiting for her to ask, unprompted, I supply, “Not married. Though I was once, but she, uh, died in a car accident with our daughter. Long time ago. More recently, I was engaged, but…it didn’t work out.”

Emma slowly lowers the coffee cup away from her lips.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” I assume she means Amy and Tally.

“Me, too.”I’m so fucking sorry.I have to look away, deflecting by sipping on my coffee.

This time, she offers up information without prompting. “Well, it’s just me. No boyfriend, no husband, present, or ex. My family is dead…at least to me. And I have one friend, who I’m not quite sure would even call me a friend.” I nod, and surprisingly, she continues. “My stepdad was an adrenaline junkie, and my mom is just a junkie. They were both more concerned about where or how they’d get their next fix than they ever were about their kids.”Christ.“I’ve bounced around since then and ended up, I guess…stuck.”

There’s clearly more to the story, but it seems pointless to push. Instead, I make a trade. “I grew up mostly with my dad. He was a mean drunk who couldn’t hold a job, an addict that wound up in prison.” I sigh, “I vowed I’d never end up like him.”

“A-and you think you have?” There she goes again, coming up with a story.

“No. Never,” my voice is stern. Emma looks stung for a moment, so I soften my tone, “But he broke me, and I’ve neverreally been able to put myself back together again. I don’t know that I can…”

She gives me a sympathetic smile before saying, “I know exactly what you mean, Alexander.”

I know she knows. She didn’t need to tell me her story before I knew it. “You probably think I’m crazy…”

She immediately starts shaking her head. “No, no. I really don’t.” She doesn’t…yet.

Setting my cup on the table, I wring out my hands. “I’m gonna make you an offer, Emma.”

She straightens in her seat. “Um, what kind of offer?”

“The mutually beneficial kind.”

Emma

The mutually beneficial kind.

“He what???” Roni screeches into the phone.

“Yeah…” I trail off, placing the phone on speaker and dropping it on the bed so I can fold clothes while we chat. I can hear the faintest sound of “Twist and Shout” playing in the background at the diner.

“So what does this mean???” She’s still screeching. I had no clue Roni’s voice even went that high.

“It means I’m getting married…today.”Married.

“Okay, but don’t you get like rich, human-slave-trade vibes from this guy?” Oddly, no.

“I should, but I don’t. Honestly, it sort of feels like he’s someone I’ve known for a long time.” The sigh and invisible eye roll are palpable through the phone.

“Are you just trying to convince yourself this is a good idea? I mean,Emma, come on…” I can’t tell if she’s really looking out for me, like a friend? Or if maybe, she’s a little jealous?

“Good idea or not, I-I’m doing it.” It’s pointless trying to explain this situation to her. I guess the bonus of not having anyone who truly cares about you in your life is that there aren’t any judgmental or harsh opinions to worry about. Just your own. And if — more likelywhen— this all goes to shit, I will absolutely be my own harshest critic about it. No one else needed.

“Wow. So when are you gonna quit? Dina’s gonna flip her shit.” I want to wince about leaving them hanging out to dry the week before Christmas, but again, I’m a decent person, not thebestperson. And I can’t bring myself to give a fuck about it.

“Sorry about that.” Roni scoffs at my lackluster response. “Listen, I wanna give you something before I leave. Can you come by when you get off?”

“Uh, sure,” she says, sounding anything but.

“K, I’ll see you around noon.” I can barely finish before she hangs up. If she doesn’t come, that’s fine. If she does, I plan on giving her a chunk of the money Alexander left with me.