Such a Fun Age(82)

“So I take it that this wasn’t your typical babysitting outfit,” Laney responded with a small laugh.

“Oh, yeah no,” Emira said. She grinned at both Laney and Alix as she added, “I usually have, like, a babysitting uniform.”

Alix inhaled quick and doubly. She looked into Laney’s green eyes to ground her in the space, and she told herself, Calm down. She means that figuratively. She means jeans or leggings. Alix tightened her ankles against each other. She chose you. Emira and Kelley are no longer together. Stay with it, Alix. You’re almost there.

“So this interrogation begins, they refuse to let you leave.” Laney recounted the night’s events. “What’s going through your mind?”

Alix turned her head to face Emira straight on as Emira tried to find her words. She had already touched her once; she couldn’t do it again. But she tried to give her space and positivity, thinking, Come on Mira, you can do this. Emira picked up Briar from under her armpits and readjusted her on her lap.

“Ummm, I felt pretty confused and upset?” Emira upspoke. “We weren’t being loud or anything, so it was weird that they came over. And then I was just really afraid that they would take her away from me.”

From Tamra’s arms, Catherine let out a very cute yawn that was slightly audible. Tamra tiptoed over to where Zara leaned against the living room entrance in case the yawning continued and she needed to relocate. As Emira finished speaking, Briar looked at one of the cameramen and said, “I’m not a baby, okay?”

“Looking back on the accusations placed against you . . .” Laney said to regain the room, “Emira, do you feel that justice needs to be served in terminating the security guard’s position?”

This was not a question they had rehearsed. Was that purposeful on Laney’s end? Alix couldn’t tell. She held her breath as she watched Emira secretly react to the surprise, recover, and deliver.

“Oh. No no.” Emira shook her head casually as if she were refusing dessert after a large meal. “I was pretty upset, but now I’m more mad that this video got out without my permission. I didn’t want that at all, and . . . umm, whoever released it obviously doesn’t really care about consent. And I think that is . . . a pretty sad thing.”

Alix’s closed-mouthed and listening smile became taut and tired against her face. There’s no way, she thought. There’s no way that anyone could know. But even more important than this video and the way in which it found its way to the Internet was the fact that even if Kelley hadn’t betrayed Emira’s trust by now, it would only be a matter of time. Briar touched her toes and looked up at Emira. With a piqued interest she asked, “Somebody crying?”

“And Alix.” Laney turned. Her voice had a slightly joyful lilt in it and Alix could tell she was preparing to conclude. “You’re no stranger to women sticking up for themselves. Coincidentally, you’ve made a career out of it!”

“I have.” Alix turned toward Laney as she spoke. Alix realized that this might be the one circumstance where she could freely admit that Emira meant the world to her, and she could say this without a cloud of reticence, or a concern that Emira was on the clock. “Emira embodies much of the spirit in my business LetHer Speak,” she said. “Not only did she stick up for herself, but she listens to herself, and this is exactly the kind of person Peter and I want around our girls, especially at this important time of their lives.”

“And I hear that Emira will be around a lot more often in the New Year?” Laney looked for confirmation from both Emira and Alix. “As you continue to write your first book?”

Alix chuckled. So Laney’s plug wasn’t as subtle as Alix had hoped for, but it made her feel more like a small-business owner than she had in months. “That’s right,” Alix said. “As I finish my book and go back to work, Emira will be joining us full-time. And honestly . . .” Alix looked at her daughter and said, “We couldn’t be happier.” Out of the corner of her eye, Alix watched Emira bite the side of her cheek.

“And lastly, Emira.” Laney sighed. “Is there anything you’d like to add? Do you have any advice for other caretakers who might run into a similar situation?”

Emira’s rehearsed answer included phrases such as, to stick up for themselves, to hold their ground, and to always have their phones charged no matter what. But when Emira began to nod very slowly and say, “Ummm, so the thing is . . .” Alix couldn’t figure out how she planned on transitioning into a closing line.

“Well . . . no. I don’t really have any advice because umm . . .” Emira exhaled upward and several strands of her bangs fluttered in her breath. “I will actually not be joining the Chamberlains full-time? Or like . . . at all.”

Alix straightened her posture and inhaled through her nose. Her first thought was, Oh no. She’s confused.

With sweet and encouraging eyes, Laney said, “Can you say more on that, Emira? Is there anything you’ve gathered from this that you’ll bring into your new role?”

“Yeah, ummm.” Emira dropped her head to the side, and this was when Alix recognized the Emira who had been coming to her home for months. The bored tilt in her voice. The cool air of annoyance. Alix’s pulse began to tap her neck harder.

“So yeah, it’s been fun?” Emira said to Laney. “But this video being released has definitely put some things in perspective and . . . due to some creative differences, I will no longer be working here. But you can find me at the front desk at the Green Party Philadelphia office because . . . yeah. That, that’s where I’ll be.”