Chapter 26 – Loved And Lost

They left together, arm in arm on their way to Emerson’s apartment. It had all the makings of a romantic night in. As Emerson reached for the front door, he smiled and said, “Before we go in, what do you feel like eating?”

“Hmm, are we getting food delivered or making it in-house?” Duncan smirked. “I am not opposed to making food, but I doubt you have the fixings for sushi.” 

“Ha. Okay case and point. We can order in.”

It was the first time in a long time that Emerson had company over. He kept to himself to reduce the chance of collateral damage. And yet he was about to let this man into his place of residence and more importantly… his world. 

Duncan was surprised by how minimal Emerson kept his place. It was spotless, neat, and the ideal minimalism for a person. 

“So are you going to give me a tour?”

“Of course, but let’s first get a bottle of wine and pick out some food, especially for you. I don’t want you to get all hangry on me.” Emerson laughed as he said it. 

“Okayyyy… Fine,” Duncan took off his shoes at the front door and made his way to the couch. “But you are buying.” 

“Yes I got it. Get whatever you want,” Emerson yelled as he made his way into the kitchen. He reached toward the upper cabinet to find the wine glasses. As he pulled the glasses from the shelf, they uncovered a glass he hadn’t used in a while. It was a glass that held value to him. 

Stopped in his tracks, Emerson set the pair of wine glasses down to pick up the uncovered glass. It was inscribed with “E+J”.  It was part of a matching set that he’d given to his first love. It was quite traumatic.  He stared at the glass for a minute. His eyes started to glaze off and he started to recount the moments that were embodied in it. Before he knew it, there was a set of tears beginning to form. It wasn’t until he heard Duncan asking from the other room that he snapped out of this trip down memory lane. Emerson composed himself, grabbed the wine glasses, grabbed the wine opener, and a bottle off his wine rack. 

He was no exception to the human emotions. He had loved and lost. There were times to retreat into one’s self and times where “the show must go on.” Emerson sat himself down next to Duncan and uncorked the wine bottle. 

“Here you go,” Duncan said as he slid the phone over to Emerson. “I found a place with a 4-star rating and offers 30-40 minute delivery time. “You choose what you want.” 

For a second, he felt comfortable with this interaction. It was comfortable and simple. There were times for theatricality and other times to just spend time with the people in your life. This was Emerson’s second chance at finding a true connection. 

“Why thank you, let see…” He was happy to see another person to talk to in his usually vacant flat. The walls he had built so high were finally beginning to recede as he made his choice and placed the order. “Okay, order is in and should be here in 30 minutes. Shall I give you a tour now?” 

They slowly got off the couch and proceeded to walk about Emerson’s place. 

Hours later and on the other side of town was a sleeping Avery. She only awoke when she heard her phone buzz off the nightstand. It was her mother, who had alarmingly called 10 times and left 2 voicemails. 

Avery lugged her body upright against the headboard and rubbed her sleepy eyes. A yawn escaped her as she started listening to the first voicemail. 

“Avery, please pick up. It’s about your father. Avery…” There was a quiver in Mrs. Aquitaine’s voice had her worried. “He’s dead. I don’t know what happened but…” 

She dropped the phone. It was something she was unprepared for. Avery reflected for a second and inquired, “Was it his time to go?” Absolutely not, there was so much more to be done before this moment. She propped herself out of bed, in a state of shock, and quickly packed her overnight bag and called her mother back. 

Avery made her way to the house to console her mother. On her way to the house, she had made arrangements for the next couple of days. She sent various emails, apologizing to her clients for rescheduling their appointments. Family came first. As she riffled through her bag, concealed in the front flap was a note from an unknown recipient.
Encased in the envelope was transcribe, “Dear Mrs. Avery, I am sorry for your loss but things had to be done in order to protect you.” The note was accompanied with another piece of paper, folded, the contents had a list of names. She was baffled by the names on the list, as her name was among the names.