Love Will Find a Way (15 page)

After all this time it still hurt to remember his wife. Emily wanted to chase that haunted look from his eyes. “And who is Kim like?"

A wry smile touched Dennis's lips. “Like me, I'm afraid. When I was her age, I was very much like Kim is now."

"Well, they're both adorable,” Emily said. “I think—” The ringing of the telephone made her stop and reach for the clanging instrument.

She hardly had a hello out of her mouth when Robert's strident voice sounded in her ear. “You sold the house two days ago. I thought you were going to call me. Why didn't you?"

"Why should I?” Emily shot back. She put her hand over the receiver and mouthed to Dennis. “Sorry."

"You said you'd let me have a look at the things in the attic. Have you already thrown them all away?"

She didn't want to quarrel with Robert with Dennis so near, hearing every word she said. “I have dinner guests. Call me tomorrow.” She dropped the receiver back into its cradle.

Dennis protested, “If that's an important call, feel free take care of business. The twins and I will be leaving soon anyway."

"It wasn't important.” Emily turned her full attention to Dennis. “As I was saying, I think raising twins must be quite a challenge."

"That it is,” Dennis agreed.

Dennis and his daughters left thirty minutes later with the promise that they would see Emily the night of the banquet.

"I look forward to it,” Emily said as she shut and bolted the front door.

Later, as she prepared for bed, Emily thought that her day with the twins had been an eye-opener. They stirred a maternal instinct that she thought had vanished with the passing years. And the evening had been most enjoyably, too. She hadn't realized until now, how much she missed being a part of a family.

With that thought came the realization of just how special the Morrison family was. The twins were such devoted and affectionate daughters. And even though in the beginning Dennis had seemed aloof and intimidating, Emily had to admit that tonight she had seen a completely different side of him. He was a wonderful father and obviously he had been a caring, loving husband also.

Switching off the light, Emily stretched out on the bed. The telephone rang. She didn't answer. Shortly after Robert had moved out of the house, she had received a series of crank calls that were almost obscene in nature. It was then that she had installed an answering machine and stopped answering her telephone after ten o'clock at night.

She listened now as the little machine ground out its mechanical message. “You have reached the Franklin residence. At the sound of the tone please leave you number or a message."

Robert's voice sounded on the other end of the wire. “I want to apologize for my earlier call. My only excuse is that I was already upset about Dad and then I learned you were in the process of selling your house and you and hadn't bothered letting me know. I should look over those papers and make sure everything is in proper order—"

Emily snatched the receiver from its resting place and pressed it to her ear. “What's wrong with George?"

"Emily?” Robert questioned. “Is that you? I called to say I was out of line when I phoned earlier."

"Forget that.” Emily brushed his apology aside. “What happened to George?"

"He had another heart attack this morning. Fortunately, Debra was at the house when it happened. She and Mom rushed him to Southwest General."

"How serious is it?” Emily asked.

"It's been pretty much touch and go. Debra and Mom haven't left the hospital since they brought him in.” Robert added matter-of-factly, “I thought about calling you, but I wasn't sure you'd want to be bothered."

Did he really think she was that unfeeling? Emily wanted to say so many things. Instead, she asked, “Do Kevin and Larry know?"

"I spoke with Larry. He's standing by.” Robert made an explosive little noise under his breath before adding; “I doubt that Kevin would talk to me if I called him."

Emily asked, “Do you want me to call Kevin?"

"Maybe you should."

Emily had known George Franklin all her life. She considered him more that a friend. He was like family. Because of her own stubborn pride, she had treated him abominably over the past several months. “Is George going to be all right?"

"We don't know yet. He's still in intensive care."

"When you know will you call me? Or is that too much to ask?"

"That's unfair, Emily.” Robert's voice was accusing. “You said you didn't want to visit Dad and Mom again."

She had said that and she was sorry now for those words. “That was because I thought it was easier for them if I stayed away."

"Well it wasn't,” Robert told her flatly.

"He's not going to...” Emily couldn't say the word ‘die'. “He is going to be all right, isn't he?"

"I don't know.” There was weariness in Robert's voice and a touch of fear. “The doctor says if he makes it through the night, he has a fifty-fifty chance."

"How is Clara?” Emily remembered how Clara had been her rock when she had lost her parents. Against her better judgment, she asked, “Do you want me to come to the hospital?"

"Would you?” Robert sounded surprised, but pleased. “I know that's a lot to ask, but Debra and Mom need someone now."

"I'll call Kevin and then I'll be over."

An hour later Emily hurried into the hospital waiting room to see Clara huddled in a chair near the far wall. She sped across the room. “I came as soon as I knew."

Clara stood and grabbed Emily in a bear hug. “Oh, Emily, I'm so scared.” Then holding the younger woman from her, she asked, “Did Robert call you?"

Emily helped Clara back into her chair and sat beside her. “Yes, about an hour ago. I called Kevin and then came right over."

"I'm so glad Robert got in touch with you.” Clara took a tissue from her sweater pocket and wiped her nose. “I was afraid he wouldn't."

Emily scolded, “You should have let me know sooner. Why didn't Debra call?"

Tears glistened in Clara's eyes. “Robert asked us not to.” She laced her cold fingers through Emily's warm ones. “Please don't be angry with him. He thought he was doing the right thing."

Clara had enough on her mind without worrying about what Robert had or hadn't done. “It's all right.” Emily glanced around the deserted room. “Where are Debra and Robert?"

Clara clung to Emily's hand. “They went to have a bite to eat."

"When did you eat last?” Emily studied Clara's lined face. She looked near the point of collapse. “Maybe you should have gone with them."

Clara tried to smile and failed miserably. “I couldn't leave George.” She squeezed Emily's hand. “Thanks for coming."

"I should have been here hours ago."

"You're here now and that's what's important.” Clara began to cry softly. “I'm so afraid George is going to die. For over fifty years he's been my world. What would I ever do without him?"

Emily put her arms around the Clara's shoulders. “Do you remember when Debra, Robert and I were children, how we loved to play scrub baseball?"

"Those were dear golden days.” Clara smiled through her tears. “George was always the umpire."

"And he always said, the worst thing you can do is give up, remember?"

"That's my George.” Clara gave Emily a wobbly, watery smile. “He wanted to instill in all of you the will to keep on trying regardless of the odds."

"Do you think George has given up now?"

Clara straightened her shoulders. “No. Not my George."

"And he wouldn't want you to either,” Emily declared.

Clara dried her tears. “And I won't.” Suddenly, impetuously, she grabbed Emily in a tight embrace. “I'm so glad you're here, Emily, so very glad!"

"Everything is going to be all right.” Emily returned Clara's hug and then held the older woman from her and pushed a strand of gray hair from her forehead. “Try to relax."

"Good advice,” Debra echoed as she appeared from the recesses of a dark hall with Robert following close behind. She hurried to sit beside her mother. Over Clara's head, her eyes met Emily's sad stare. “Thanks for coming."

Robert was in front of his mother now, offering her a sandwich and a cup of hot coffee. “You have to eat.” He acknowledged Emily's presence with a nod. “Did you call Kevin?"

"Yes.” Emily shook her head. “He wasn't home. I left a message on his machine."

Robert knelt before his mother and opened the food carton that he had put in her lap. “This is your favorite, grilled cheese.” He gave her the coffee before moving to sit in the chair beside Emily.

Emily had never seen Robert look so tired or so defeated. She felt a sudden urge to take him in her arms and smooth the tired lines of worry away. Was she out of her mind? This man was no longer her husband. The last thing he needed or wanted was her touching him. She folded her hands in her lap. “I asked Kevin to call me here as soon as he gets my message.” How cool and distant her voice sounded.

Through the long dark night four people kept an anxious vigil. There was some sporadic conversation about trivial incidents and familiar happenings, little things that strengthened the invisible bond that held them together. For Emily it was a time of reassessing. This grim occasion had forced her to realize that Robert and his family were intricately woven into the fabric of her existence. They had been a part of her life too long for her to cut them out now. Never again did she intend to reject George and Clara, or Debra because of the unhappy circumstance of her divorce. With that decision, came a feeling of peace and a resigned acceptance.

The first rays of a weak sun were bleaching the eastern sky before a tired physician delivered the news that George had survived the night and miraculously, taken a turn for the better.

Clara began to cry. “Thank God!"

Debra and Robert, in unison, breathed a sigh of relief.

As the doctor made his way back down the deserted corridor, Emily glanced at the clock on the waiting room wall. “It's almost six o'clock. Clara should go home and try to rest."

Debra slipped her arm around her mother's shoulder. “That's where I'm taking her, that is, if I can impose on you one more time, Emily."

Emily stood, and smoothed her wrinkled skirt, “Of course—anything."

"We came here in the ambulance with Dad. If I take Robert's car, will you see that he gets home?"

Before Emily could answer, Robert protested. “That's asking too much of Emily. I can take you and Mother home."

Debra sighed. “I know that, but it seems so foolish. That drive would take you miles out of the way and your apartment is on Emily's way home.” She patted Robert's hand. “Mike and I can bring your car to you later."

Emily thought Debra was right and she said so and then added, “Unless Robert doesn't want me to take him home."

"You know better than that,” Robert said. He gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek. “I'll call later.” Turning to Emily he snapped, “Let's go."

As she turned the key in the ignition and the car sputtered to life, Emily realized that she had never driven with Robert as a passenger before. She was a little nervous, expecting him to give instructions, or offer advice. He did neither.

Emily was pulling from the hospital parking lot before Robert uttered a sound. “Kevin didn't call. Do you think he got your message?"

"Maybe he didn't turn on his answering machine when he got home."

Robert fastened his seat belt. “And maybe he didn't come home."

"That, too,” Emily agreed. As she pulled onto the deserted street, it occurred to her that she had no idea where Robert lived. “You'll have to give me directions to your apartment."

"Turn left on Ridgemont Avenue.” Anxiously, Robert asked, “Where do you suppose Kevin was last night?"

Emily shrugged. “I have no idea."

"I do hope he has the good sense not to do something foolish."

Who was Robert to find fault with Kevin's behavior? “What exactly, are you accusing Kevin of doing?"

"I'm not accusing him of anything. But I do worry about him."

Emily retorted, “Are you afraid he may be following in his father's footsteps?” She was sorry before the words were out of her mouth. “I'm tired and hungry and I could use a cup of coffee. Forgive me, all right?” She negotiated the turn onto Ridgemont Avenue, “Where to now?"

Robert pointed. “Two blocks down on the right. Turn under the sign that says Armsted Apartments.” Ignoring Emily's snide remark he asked, “Do you think Kevin was with Stacy?"

Emily didn't think that was likely. “I doubt it. Dennis wouldn't allow Stacy to stay out all night."

Robert speculated, “Maybe he didn't call or come to the hospital because he didn't want to chance seeing me."

Emily made a right turn under the sign. “Try not to worry about Kevin. Eventually, he'll forgive and forget."

"Not if he's like his mother.” Robert unfastened his seat belt. “If you'd like to come in, I'll make some coffee and cook breakfast.” He pointed toward a slot at the far end of the drive. “You can park there."

"I wouldn't want to intrude.” If someone else was living with Robert, Emily didn't want to know about it.

He seemed to read her thoughts. “There's no one else in the apartment. There never has been. I live alone."

Emily pulled into the parking space and stopped her car. “I didn't know you could cook."

"I'm not good at it, but I can make an omelet and put bread in the toaster.” He opened his car door. “Let's go inside."

The apartment was small and surprisingly neat. Emily followed Robert into the tiny kitchenette. “Do you need help?"

"I can manage.” He measured coffee into a coffee maker. “Would you like some orange juice?"

"No thanks.” Something Robert had said in the car was still nagging at Emily. “I have forgiven you.” Even as she spoke those words, she knew they weren't entirely true. “And I'm trying to forget.” A need for self-justification made her add, “When your world's been torn asunder, forgiving isn't easy and forgetting seems to take a long, long, time."

Robert took a bowl from the cabinet and set it on the counter. “I did a fair job of destroying my own universe, too. I deserved it. You didn't.” He set a skillet on the stove and took eggs from the refrigerator. “I didn't mean what I said about Kevin as a criticism. I don't want him to do something foolish. My conscience troubles me because I'm not there to advise and counsel him."