Thank you for taking the time to read my continued story. Your comments, suggestions, & recommendations are Very much appreciated!
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Author's Note: This is the continuation of 'Emily - Teaches Me,' and is a true part of my growing up. Emily changed my life! The conversations were many years ago now, so conversational story dialogue is the spirit of our talks and not the letter. A bit of poetic license... I've been as accurate as I'm able, and I hope you will enjoy it.
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"Are you looking forward to school starting? Emily and I had just started painting the weathered side of the barn.
"Yes, but no too." I answered, hesitant to say anything more. "I've enjoyed working with you so much, Emily, and... well... I've never known anyone like you... and uhh..." I was sputtering a bunch of stupid kid nonsense.
Emily put down her paintbrush and walked to me.
"Randy, my handsome young Randy... I love you too, and I always will." And then she kissed me so softly.
We painted for over an hour working our way toward each other from either corner of the barn. We hadn't said another word in that whole time. Her last words had danced through my thoughts over and over and settled finally in a warm place where lifelong treasures are kept.
We moved to the next wall and went back to work, silently.
"Oh good," Emily said, her face lighting up in a big smile.
A dark blue Ford Mustang was coming up the drive toward the house. Emily climbed down her ladder and started toward her house.
Turning back toward me, she said, "Randy, come on. I want you to meet my Uncle Rob." And then, she dashed toward the arriving Mustang. Uncle Rob was older than Emily, but not by a lot. Taller than me, fit, decent enough looking guy and judging by their matching smiles and hugs, Emily and Uncle Rob were glad to see each other.
"Randy, this is my Uncle Rob and Rob, this is Randy."
We shook hands, and Emily took her Uncle's arm and headed toward the house.
"Randy, would you take care of the paint and brushes and then come in to the house. Painting will have to wait. We'll have an early lunch together."
I headed for the barn and smiled to hear my sweet Emily giggling like a schoolgirl. It made me happy to hear her. 20 minutes later, Paint cans sealed, ladders put away, and brushes and rollers cleaned and hung to dry, I headed to the house.
Emily had pulled out the fixins for sandwiches and 3 beers and we had a fun conversation over early lunch. Rob had driven up from Sacto, CA as he did a couple of times each year, to see his Niece ever since her husband had been killed. They were good friends, it was clear, and family.
It was very warm in the house, so Emily suggested we go outside to the shade and catch a little of the breeze.
"So, Randy, Em tells me you're heading to school in a couple of weeks. Excited?" Rob had turned to me while Emily cleared the lunch stuff and brought 3 more beers out to us.
"Yes, but it's sure going to be different." I responded. "I've sure enjoyed helping out around here. I'm going to miss that."
