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Discovering Emily

By Carlene Havel, Billie Houston

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Chapter One
Emily Franklin closed her household ledger. "That takes care of my accounts for this month."
"Couldn't you have done it tomorrow?" Her husband Robert laid his book aside.
"I do volunteer work at the library tomorrow, and I have to take Boo to the vet." Emily used her fingers to enumerate. "There’s Bible study, and I promised your mother I'd go by the nursing home to visit Aunt Beth. Then the Historical Society has a meeting tomorrow evening." She leaned back in her chair, and sighed. "So, I really needed to finish this tonight."
Robert's voice held a note of weariness. "I run a distant last behind a volunteer job, Bible study, a dog, an old maid aunt, and your civic obligations?"
"That's tomorrow. Tonight, you have my undivided attention."
"Really?" Robert lifted one dark eyebrow.
"After Larry's graduation I will have more free time."
"I am sure you will find new projects to take up the slack." At forty-seven Robert Franklin was still a handsome man--tall, with a well-proportioned body and aquiline, almost patrician features. His hair, once black as ebony, was now feathered with silver and beginning to recede. "Maybe I should have called earlier for an appointment."
"That's not necessary." Emily held back a sigh. "Neither is your sarcasm."
She paused, hoping for an apology. When she realized none was forthcoming, she picked up the conversation, hoping to turn it in a more positive direction. “Debra and I have been making plans for your parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary.” Robert had said more than once he wanted this to be an elaborate celebration.
"I'm sure you and my sister have the situation well in hand." Robert was on his feet and prowling across the room.
"We are thinking of renting the hall at the Civic Center, and hiring a band. Then--"
"I thought I had your undivided attention." Robert stood with his back to her, and his hands behind him, staring out the window at a pale winter sunset.
Emily's felt an explained uneasiness take hold of her. "Have I done something to displease you?"
Robert's shoulders slumped. "I'm a little edgy tonight." Turning, he faced her. "It's nothing."
"It must be something if you think it's more important than plans for your parents' golden wedding anniversary celebration."
"What do you think is important, Emily?" Robert asked with a grimace. "Where are your priorities?"
"You seem terribly unstrung tonight." She shifted in her chair. "Is this about one of the boys?"
"Our sons are eighteen and twenty-three years old," Robert's eyes clouded with something Emily thought might be akin to sorrow. "We no longer have any ‘boys’."
"It was merely a figure of speech." Emily’s words came out sharper than she intended. Making an effort to be gentler, she asked, "Are there problems at the office?"
"I don't want to talk about work."
There was a time she knew her husband so well. Over the past few years he had become more and more a stranger, someone she couldn’t seem to reach no matter how hard she tried. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I've reserved a room for us at the Rustic Inn in Cedar Creek. I thought we might go there for the weekend. That is, if you can spare the time."
Emily caught her breath. They went to the Rustic Inn often during the early years of their marriage. Recalling those bygone days evoked sweet, romantic memories. Her uneasiness gave way to enthusiasm. "I'd love to. I'm surprised you can spare the time."
"I'll make time." Robert sat down.
"Do you know how long it's been since we went away together for a weekend?"
"Not really," Robert picked up his paper. "I need some time with you and we have absolutely no privacy here."
Emily looked around the elegantly appointed living room. "We're alone now, except for Boo." She nodded toward the sleek black Labrador retriever lying stretched out, sound asleep in front of the fireplace.
"For how long?" Robert asked. "Until Larry comes charging through the door with half a dozen friends? Or Kevin calls to tell you about his new apartment or his new job, or an odd assortment of relatives or friends decides to drop by unannounced, or you get yet another urgent telephone call from one of your many charities or projects?"
Emily loved having a welcoming home where her boys and their friends liked to gather. "We have children and friends, you have family, and I'm involved in church and school activities. It goes with the territory."
"I'm not complaining, exactly." Robert straightened his shoulders. "At least I don't mean to be."
"You've been working too hard." Emily narrowed her eyes in her husband's direction. He looked tired, almost haggard. "A weekend away will do you good. I'll call Berta tomorrow. I can explain to Mrs. Perez on Thursday at the executive meeting--"
"Spare me the details and get it done," Robert interrupted.
The annoyance in his tone irritated her, but she spoke softly. "When would you like to leave?"
He stood and put his hands in his pockets. "Would Friday evening around seven be all right?"
"Friday at seven would be fine." Emily stretched and yawned. "Let's go to bed. I can begin to tie up all these loose ends tomorrow."
She was almost to the door when Robert said, "I have to go back to the office."
"Tonight?" Emily asked Her husband of twenty-five years had asked her to go away with him for a romantic weekend. She reminded herself to make allowances if he had to work late in order to keep that date. She couldn't help asking, "Can’t it wait until tomorrow?"
"I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Over the past six months you've spent more and more time at that office." Something told her to stop talking, but she couldn't. "Sometimes I wonder what the attraction there is."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Robert bristled.
"It means that I never see you anymore. You work late three or four nights each week. When you are home, you're too tired to do anything but fall into bed and sleep." Emily tried to smile. "I miss you when you're not here at night."
Robert reached for his jacket. "We'll talk over the weekend."

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