A Different Kind of Forever(82)

“I don’t know why you think you can treat me this way, Emily, but you can’t. I’m sure you’ve imagined that I’ve committed some hideous crime against you, but all I did was stay in the company of a man who came to mean a great deal to me. I never once let it touch you. It never interfered with my being a mother to you. You keep telling me how grown-up you are. Well, here’s your opportunity to prove it. You will stay in this room until you apologize. If that is unacceptable to you, call your father now and have him come and get you.”

Diane left the room, closing the door behind her. She stood in the tiny hallway, gulping air, hands to cheeks.

“God,” she whispered. “Oh, my God.”

She went quickly downstairs and into the kitchen, reaching with an unsteady hand for the vodka in the upper cabinet. She poured quickly into a juice glass and gulped it down. The panic in her stomach eased, but she was still shaking. She looked up. Megan had come into the kitchen and was standing quietly, her hands thrust into the pockets of her sweatshirt.

“Are you okay, Mom?” She asked shakily.

Diane nodded, and Megan crossed over to her, putting her arms around Diane and holding tightly. Diane stroked her head.

“You know Em,” Megan said, her voice muffled, “she’s just hard sometimes.”

“Yes, honey, I know. Emily is very hard.” Diane stared over Megan’s head.

The front door opened, and Diane ran from the kitchen, thinking that Emily may have run out. Instead, there stood Sue Griffen, her face pale.

“Meg, let me talk to your Mom, okay?” Sue asked quickly. Megan nodded and ran upstairs. Sue came over to Diane and gave her a quick hug around the shoulders.

“Becca told me. Are you okay?” Diane nodded. “Drink something,” Sue urged. Diane managed a weak smile.

“You give the best advice of anyone I know. I did have a drink. Now at least I don’t want to throw up. But I still want to hit something.”

Sue was looking at Diane anxiously. “What did you say to her?”

Diane said unsteadily, “I told her she had to apologize, and if she didn’t she could call her father.” And at that moment, the phone rang.

Diane let out a deep breath and answered. It was Kevin.

“Are you going to tell me what this is about?” he asked, concerned. “She’s hysterical. I’m supposed to come and get her because you’ve disowned her.”

“I have not. Oh, shit. Come and get her. I think she needs to be out of here for a few days, okay?”

Kevin sighed. “Okay. I’m on my way.”

Diane hung up and looked at Sue. Tears filled her eyes. “She’s going to stay at Kevin’s.”

Sue nodded and rubbed Diane’s back. “Yeah, kiddo, maybe it’s best for now. Emily just needs time, you know her. She’ll be back.”

Diane was nodding. “Yes, I know.”

Megan came running back down the stairs, sobbing. “Em says she’s leaving, Mom, stop her.”

Diane caught her daughter in her arms and held her, rocking her back and forth. “Just for a day or two, honey, don’t worry.” She kissed the top of her head

Sue rubbed the back of her neck. “Why don’t I make coffee?” She whispered. Diane nodded, and Sue went into the kitchen. Diane led Megan to the couch, and they sat together. Diane could hear a rattle of pans. Sue was cleaning.

“Megan, is it time for your brownies to come out?” Megan nodded. “Okay, honey, why don’t you go on in the kitchen, okay? Sue will help you.”

Megan stood up as headlights flashed into the driveway. She looked at her mother, and tears started in her eyes again. Sue came out, took Megan’s arm, and led her into the kitchen. Diane stood, waiting for Kevin.

He came through the front door, took one look at Diane, and put his arms around her gently. He patted her shoulders, then pushed her down onto a chair and sat on the coffee table across from her.

“Okay, tell me quick,” he said in a low voice.

“I was seeing somebody. I didn’t tell her, because she was with you all summer, and then he left, but she just found out. It’s complicated, Kevin. I’ll explain tomorrow. Just get her, okay?”

He looked at Diane sadly. “For a woman who’s tough enough to take on Tyson, why do you let her get to you so much? You know she pushes buttons. You know she’s out for blood.” He stood up. “Where’s Megan?”