Marion Ekholm - Just Like Em

“Can’t I come, too?”

Roger’s jaw dropped. Samantha had always avoided her brothers every chance she got. Now she asked to be included in something that couldn’t interest her at all. It had to be Em. What spell had she cast over his daughter?

“Sure,” he said, “but I wasn’t planning to stay. The boys are going to swim and then watch a video.” Something that would probably make your skin crawl, he almost added.

“That’s okay. I’ll help. Watching three boys is a handful. I’ll get my suit.”

Still agape, Roger watched her rush up the stairs. What had happened to her? This daughter, who put up a stink if he asked her to watch her brothers while he showered, was volunteering to babysit? No way. Whatever she had going with Em was going to stop right now. Even if he had to stay around and supervise.

“Sounds like a good idea,” he said as he followed Samantha up the stairs and passed her in the hall. “I think I’ll take my suit along, too.”

Samantha paused by her door and regarded him. “Dad, I thought you wanted the time alone to get some paperwork done.”

“All work and no play makes fathers very dull. Besides, I can bring the work with me.” She shot him a look of disbelief before disappearing into her room.

What had he gotten himself into? He had yet to make all the schedules for the transfer to Seattle. A half dozen people had posted for other jobs; now, who would do their work? He had to review the remaining personnel and determine what jobs required immediate attention. And here he was blowing a chance at a peaceful day alone. Crazy. How could he accomplish these tasks at a noisy apartment complex while he baked in the hot sun?

But he had to go. He’d never be able to concentrate on his work knowing what he did about Em. He reminded himself again that in one summer she’d annihilated his sister’s good family upbringing. Who knew what she was capable of doing now?

While he changed in his room, Roger talked to the picture of his wife, which held a prominent place on the white-washed oak dresser. “You wouldn’t recognize Em,” he said as he pulled on his gray plaid swim trunks. “She’s grown up into quite a woman. Not that I’m interested, mind you. It’s just that Samantha seems to like her.

“Remember what a pill Em was? Well, your daughter’s another Em.” Roger slipped on his loafers and a shirt, and walked over to the picture. Picking up the gold frame, he said, “I sure could use your help raising Samantha.” He kissed the glass surface and whispered, “I miss you so much.” With a heavy heart he returned the picture to the dresser and headed out the door.

Roger met Samantha in the front hall. “Dad, you’re not wearing that!” When did she start talking like her mother?

He glanced in the hall mirror at his gray-plaid trunks. His white ones probably would look better, but he’d tossed them in the laundry last night. The colorful Hawaiian shirt had faded a little since Karen bought it for him on their delayed honeymoon to Oahu. Okay, so it looked a little weird, especially with the briefcase, but he was going for comfort, not to make a fashion statement.

“What will Em think? That I’m related to some geek?”

Roger dismissed the remark and opened the door. “This is me. You coming or not?” He had no intention of dressing to impress Em. This shirt reminded him of happy times with Karen. Furthermore, if Samantha found his clothes so despicable, she might decide to stay home and eliminate his need to stay at Em’s. After yesterday’s encounter with the cigarettes, he planned to keep his family’s exposure to Em at a minimum.

* * *

THE BOYS FOUND Sammy and hit the pool the moment they arrived at the apartment complex. Samantha took off for Em, who was sitting under a ramada, a wooden roof that shaded a picnic table within easy access of the pool. She got up and headed toward him as he secured the safety gate. He stopped short and stared along with every other male in the area.

Her white suit was conservative, covered by a sheer, colorful blouse in blues that hugged her every time a breeze passed by. “Hello, Roger. Samantha says you’re planning to work here.” Her puzzled expression showed a concern he hadn’t expected. “Maybe you’d prefer the apartment, where it’s quieter.”

“No, this will do fine.” He placed his briefcase on the table. “I just have a few things to catch up on for the office.” Not that he’d get anything done with so much distraction, but he didn’t want to leave his children alone with her. Her attention was already back on the boys horsing around in the pool. It gave him a chance to observe her.

Several strands of blond hair had come loose from her ponytail. When had she decided to grow her hair long? It certainly was an improvement over the short spikes he remembered. He looked back at his sons, intending to keep an eye on them. They had a tendency to get rowdy if they thought they could get away with it.

At least he didn’t have to worry about Samantha. She was sloshing in the pool with some kids her own age. Four years in high school followed by four more in college. How was he going to pay for that without a job?

Suddenly, the task before him took on enormous proportions. He had a presentation to make the next day. Roger sat down and began making a list of what he had to accomplish over the next six months.

* * *

“WOULD YOU CARE for some iced tea?” Em stood before him holding two glasses.

Roger accepted the offered glass. He hadn’t even realized he was thirsty. After a long swallow, he forced himself to look away. The boys had disappeared. He half stood, searching the pool for any sign of them.

“They’re taking a break, playing in the sandbox with some trucks and action figures. Mind if I sit here? It’s the only shade left in the area.”

“Go ahead,” he said as he pushed papers to one side.

“I’ll try not to disturb you.”

“That’s okay. It’s time for me to take a break.” Usually, when his children were around, one part of him was always tuned in to them. For some reason he had lost himself in his work, and left the supervision to Em. Was it instinct or something else that had trusted Em to watch out for them? The realization struck him as odd, considering how he felt about her potential influence. He looked around for his daughter.

“Samantha’s playing cards with her friends in the other ramada.” Em nodded to the other side of the pool.

“How did you know...?”

“It’s the look you get. Sort of a fatherly, worried expression. I noticed it yesterday when you thought I was enticing her to smoke.”

“Déjà vu. I remembered how you turned my sister into a smoker.”

“I did what?” Her strident tone morphed into a long sigh. “Jodie Holden introduced me to every vice I ever had, including smoking.”

“My sister?” Roger started to laugh at the absurdity. “She was a milquetoast until you came along and ruined her.”

“You haven’t a clue what she was really into.” Em started to tap her fingers on the table. He glanced down to the movement and noticed that her nails, although polished in light pink, were short and practical, not the fake extensions in vivid colors Samantha often tried.

“Oh, no? When you showed up that summer, she started to drink, swear, smoke and carry on with the opposite sex.”

Em pierced him with her blue eyes. “Just like you were doing?”

Roger paused. Just like him? “That’s different,” he said. “I was attending college at the time.”

“No. What’s different is you’re male and we’re female.” Em sat straighter. Roger gave her his complete attention and doubted if anything other than a comet’s entry into the atmosphere could distract him. “And according to you, we’re supposed to abide by a stricter standard. Jodie chose not to, and I went along for the ride.”