Emma was nervous. For the past thirty minutes, she had been touching up her makeup and fixing her hair in the visor mirror.
“Em, you look fine.”
“My hair is a mess, I just can’t get it to do what I want.”
“Bad hair day huh?” Kevin joked.
“Well, what do you think…look at it!” She swung her head around and glared at Kevin, waiting for his reply.
“Uh…it looks fine, look at mine.”
“I have and you’re definitely having a bad hair day too.”
“Gee…thanks a lot!” Kevin smiled and continued, “Really Emma, just relax, it’s only my family.”
“Only your family? I’ve only met your mother. I haven’t met anyone else yet and I’m sorry but I’m nervous, okay?” Emma continued on, not letting Kevin speak. “You know…this isn’t the normal realm of things here. Usually people date and get to know each other first…we didn’t do that. Then, they meet the families…we didn’t do that. Then, they get engaged…we didn’t do that. Then, they get married…we DID do that but without any of the other things that should’ve come first.”
“So, what’s your point?”
“My point is that I’m nervous, OKAY?” she yelled.
“Okay…okay…calm down. I realize that this is somewhat of an awkward situation for you…”
“Somewhat?”
Kevin ignored her interruption and continued on, “But you gotta chill Emma…or else their gonna know something’s up.”
“You’re right,” she sighed while placing her hands in her lap. “I’m chilled now.”
Kevin laughed at her last remark while pulling into his mothers’ driveway. “Well, looks like we’re the first ones here.” He looked over at Emma and rolled his eyes, “Relax and breathe...and above all, act natural.”
Kevin got out of the car and walked over to her side. Opening her door, he offered his hand and helped her out. “Remember…relax and breathe.”
He grabbed the bags from the trunk when he noticed his mother running out of the front door, “Hi kids.”
“Hi mom.”
“Hi Mrs. Richardson.”
“Please Emma, call me Anne. How was your trip?” She hugged Emma tightly while whispering, “Relax dear, I’ve told the boys all about you, so they kinda know what to expect.”
“Thanks.” Emma whispered back.
“Hey, what about me?” Kevin put the bags down and waited for his mother to come to him. After giving her a big hug, he kissed her cheek. “I’m hoping there’s some food in there.”
“Of course dear, tons of it.”
“Where are the rest of the troops?”
“They’ll be here in the morning. Tonight, it’s just us…we can stay up and chat all night about your release tour. I do hope you brought pictures.”
“I got pictures but their not developed yet.” He started to walk towards the house, “Let’s unpack a little and then I’ll run out and get them done in an hour.”
“Sounds good, come on Emma…I’ll give you the tour.” Anne grabbed her daughter-in-laws arm and took her into the house.
**********
Settling into Kevin’s old room, she was finally beginning to relax. The walls were papered with burgundy and cream stripes and the only evidence of Kevin ever living in this room were the trophies displayed on the dresser. The room had been made over into a guest room now and Emma was somewhat disappointed. She was hoping to get a little glimpse into Kevin’s childhood while staying here, but wasn’t so sure she was going to get that chance now.
Emma looked over the room carefully and noticed the bed immediately. The full-size bed looked rather small to her…she wondered how on earth they would both sleep in there without touching.
Walking over to the dresser, she picked up the trophies and studied them carefully. Football trophies…all of them. Placing them back down on the dresser, she noticed a shoebox on the floor in the corner. Opening the box, she realized she had come across a gold mine.
Inside the box were dozens upon dozens of photos all containing Kevin. They dated back to his baby years and even included some photos that looked like they were taken just recently. Glancing closer, she read the date…11/99.
Thanksgiving last year, she thought.
Kevin and Kristin. She recognized the girl right away as the same girl in the photo on Kevin’s dresser. Kevin looked so handsome standing there and for a fleeting moment, Emma felt her heart skip a beat.
She stared at the picture...really stared. Kristin was absolutely beautiful - there just wasn't any other word to describe her. Emma glanced down at her body and tried hard not to compare herself to Kristin, but it was hard not to. Her 5'7" 150 pound frame just didn't measure up to Kristin's.
Glancing at Kristin, she felt sick. She had single-handedly ruined their relationship and she felt terrible. Well, it wasn’t really her fault, but she played a hand in it too. She felt even sicker when she realized that she wasn’t so sure that she wanted to give Kevin up…
In her heart though, she knew this wouldn’t be forever. It was only for two years…and then Kevin would be free to do what he wanted.
Feeling someone’s presence in the room, she immediately turned around to see Anne standing there. She quickly put the picture back into the box and shut the lid.
“I’m sorry, I had no right to go through the box, please don’t tell Kevin.”
“Honey, what’re you sorry for? I’m the one that should be sorry, I completely forgot about leaving that box there when I was cleaning. I was actually just coming up to retrieve it.”
Emma handed her the box.
“Do you want me to leave it here with you? You’re welcome to go through it. There are a lot of old photos in there.” Anne offered.
“Would you mind?”
“Absolutely not. If you want, I can sit down with you for a little while and explain them to you…that is, if I can remember that far back.” Anne laughed.
“I would love that…thanks.” Emma pulled the picture out that she had been staring at earlier, “Can we start with this one?”
Anne nodded. “That’s Kristin.”
“I know. I’ve seen her picture at the house.”
Anne was appalled; “Kevin still has pictures of her there? Where are his manners…?”
“It wasn’t out,” she lied, “I happened to stumble across it.”
“Well, they shouldn’t be there period. He has a new life now and a new wife for that matter, he should be a little more sensitive. I thought I taught him better than that.” Anne winked.
“Can you tell me about her?”
“Sure, what do you want to know?”
