Page 53 of Breaking Emily's Rules
“I could never forget you.” I hiccupped through my tears.
“Maybe, but I might never get to know your children. Not that I want you to rush out and get married. You take your time and do it right.” She reached over and rubbed my back.
“I thought I’d be married by now, maybe with a baby on the way.”
“Things work out in their own time and not before,” Grammy said as she stirred the milk.
“But at this rate, I might not have my first baby before I’m thirty.” That used to be my marker, but I might have to move it back now.
Rachel was one person who didn’t think a person’s life could be planned out like a schedule of events in a day timer, and maybe she was right. The most important thing was to get it right, and if nothing else, the fiasco with Greg had taught me that.
“It’s not a race.”
“I know. What I need to do is take my mind off it. That’s what I’m trying to do.” So far it wasn’t working too well.
I got up to mix the cocoa and sugar because that part had always been my job. I had the precise measurements memorized by now, given the ritual of homemade hot chocolate was nearly as old as I was. I’d sat at this very table on many a night when missing Mama had driven me out of a sound sleep. Grammy always thought chocolate made everything better, and she was right most of the time.
I topped our mugs of hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream. It was confession time. “I haven’t quit my flying lessons. I just thought you should know.”
Grammy didn’t look surprised and nodded. The woman knew everything, it would seem. “Ah, chocolate. It makes everything go down a little bit smoother.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I was afraid Dad would find out.”
Grammy scowled and waved her hand dismissively. “Your father is an idiot. The way he treats Molly like a small child makes me want to hurl.”
Hurl?
“And he’s never supported all your efforts the way he should have. I’m sure it’s because he worries so. After he lost Jessie, he didn’t want to let you girls out of his sight for a time. Even I worry about you flying, so it’s not illogical for him to be concerned. But I do wish he would support you more. Give better attention to all you’re trying to accomplish. It’s something, Emily.”
“I don’t need his attention. I just need him to stay out of my way.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you? Is it the flying you want to do, or do you just want to upset your father? I mean, I wouldn’t blame you.”
“I want to do this.” Why was it so hard to believe that I wanted to do this for myself? I’d always done what was expected of me, and that hadn’t gotten me anywhere.
Not with my father, and not with Greg.
“I have some news, Emily. And you shouldn’t let it upset you.” Grammy took a big gulp of her hot chocolate. “Hmm, that’s good.”
“I shouldn’t let it upset me?” Did anything good begin with that kind of an introduction?
“Mistakes are made, even by experts.”
Dear God. “But you said you aren’t dying.”
“Oh, not that expert. I completely trust Dr. Lewis.” She smoothed the tablecloth.
“Then which expert?”
Grammy made a face. “Julia.”
“Your friend Julia?” The Pink Ladies’ resident genealogy expert, Daughter of the American Revolution Julia. “What happened?”
“Think about how common a last name Parker is.”
“Yeah?”
“And then you add in Emily.” Grammy shot me a significant look. Significant because her eyes were bulging a little bit. “I’m not surprised it happened.”
