“And?” Emmalyn pressed.
“I suggest you don’t bring a date.”
“Or at least not anybody you particularly want to stay alive,” Analise added.
Chapter 1
Emmalyn opened the door to her parents’ house and stepped inside.
“Who’s that? Emmalyn?” Everly asked, hurrying around the corner of the foyer to see for herself.
“Yeah, it’s me, Mom.”
“You were out early this morning, it’s not even 7:30 yet.”
Emmalyn nodded. “I was at Analise and Havoc’s.”
Everly grinned. “Bet Havoc was so happy to be up and moving this early.”
Emmalyn smiled, too. “Donuts helped.”
“Ah, yes. The ever present sweet tooth. Come with me. Want some coffee?” Everly asked as she walked away from Emmalyn, leaving her to follow or not.
“Been up since 3:00 A. M., already had at least a pot, what’s another cup right?” Emmalyn asked as she accepted a steaming cup from her mother and followed her into the living room to relax on the sofa for a while.
“Why in the world are you up before dawn?”
“Had to be over at Analise’s early to discuss wedding plans,” Emmalyn said evasively, not quite looking her mother in the eye.
“Seriously? You think I believe that line of crap,” Everly asked.
Emmalyn couldn’t help her chuckle. “Figured it was worth a shot.”
“Not even halfway worth a shot.”
Emmalyn sighed. “I don’t know. Just couldn’t sleep.”
“So you went to Analise because she calms you.”
“Yeah.” Emmalyn met her mother’s gaze. “I’ve been on edge lately, like I’m waiting for something to happen, but I don’treally know what. I just can’t seem to let my guard down. I’m on the verge of flight or fight at every moment.”
“We all know you don’t know the definition of flight, so it’s gonna be a fight every time.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Emmalyn said. “Lord help the person who jumps out and yells ‘boo’ at me anytime soon.”
Everly watched her youngest, and boldest daughter. She’d known for some time that Emmalyn wasn’t quite herself, but this was the first time she’d actually been willing to discuss it. “Maybe it’s because you’re so accustomed to living in a high-paced environment. Always on the go, everything always so intense, and now all of a sudden you’re home, wandering around looking for something to do. Maybe what you're feeling is the norm but it usually gets channeled into work and is a positive thing because it drives you to do your job as well as you do. And with nowhere to channel it, it’s just spilling over into your everyday thoughts and putting you on edge.”
Emmalyn thought about what her mother said, and while she knew realistically it was so far off base, it did sound like a feasible explanation. “You’re probably right. Thanks, Mom.” Emmalyn gulped down the rest of the coffee in her cup and stood up. “At least it’s better than having some deranged human stalking you because you dared to piss them off by profiling them,” she said, laughing as she leaned over and pecked her mother’s cheek.
“Hold on!” Everly said, looking at her daughter with an alarmed expression.
“Mom! I’m just kidding!” Emmalyn said, shaking her head and smirking as she walked out of the living room. “I’m going to get dressed. I told Daisy I’d go into town with her today.”
“Oh, is she going to start her art school?” she asked excitedly.
“She’s thinking about it. I think she should.”
“Me, too. Y’all be careful,” Everly said.
