Hi.
It's me, Emma.
I continue to be surprised...
Remember Louisa?
Well, she's been hanging around, apparently. Seeming like she's wanting to worm her way back into my life. I caught her skulking about when I went out to the drive to get in the car to go to work, and that actually really scared me.
I asked, "How long have you been there?," when I really should've asked, "How many times do you come here?"
Her answer was, "Emma, please? I want to talk to you about us. I just didn't know whether you want to see me, or how your Mom would react to me being around, but I really just want to be heard out. Please?"
I told her, "I have to go to work, at my new place since I lost my last job because of you, and, please, don't follow me. I don't need another scene involving you."
As I got into the driver's seat, she pressed, "Please?"
I huffed, "Fine... Come back tonight; and I mean come back. Don't be hanging around for Mom to catch you. Fuck knows what she would do, but this isn't a good look."
Louisa nodded, slumping off to where she came from...
I spent my time at work with Louisa on my mind, wondering what she wants. Can I trust anything she says? She really hurt me back then. I've moved on. I thought she would. Why is she creeping around? It isn't long ago she matched with Mom ready to date her, then when they found out who each other were, Louisa was made to go. I'm getting to the bottom of this, one way or another; even if a restraining order needs to be involved.
After work, I told Mom about my little visit as I left earlier, and informed her that I invited Louisa around to chat; that she has something she wants to say. Mom understood, promising to allow us our time together, but said she'd be looking out for me instead of leaving me alone with her. With the nerves I had, I was thankful for that.
Louisa arrived with a tentative knock on the door, and she came in, taking a seat with us in the lounge. Her posture was so closed and shrivelled compared to her usual boastful confidence, and her first words shocked me, "Thank you."
I really didn't expect her to be so polite. I urged her, "Say what you have to say."
Louisa took a few breaths, looking like she would speak, but not, like she's searching for how to say whatever it is, "When I saw you, when I came to date your Mom, Emma... I found it a funny coincidence... Your Mom was right to get me to go, I have to admit... I... It all sat with me for days after, and, I feel guilty about what happened with us... I feel truly sorry, and wanted to express that... 'Sorry,' won't be enough, but, I am sorry, Emma, for everything that happened between us."
I had to ask, "What is this?"
Louisa looked so defeated, "Please? I know I deserve fuck all from you, but, I want to be better. Sex has been a dominating force in my life, since I barely started puberty, getting pregnant with my son, who is fuck knows where in the foster system, far away from me, living his life somewhere...
"Using sex as a kind of weapon over all this time with various partners, and even making money off it, made me feel so powerful, like I was taking power back from having my son, but, I now realise I wasn't helping him, and just helping myself. I feel lost, and don't know what to do with myself, and don't have anyone to turn to... I'm all alone..."
I expected Louisa to cry, but she didn't, but she looked genuinely upset. I asked, "You mentioned your son before. What's his name?"
Louisa convulsed like she would cry, telling me, "I don't even know... I didn't get to name him... He came out, then he was gone with social services..."
I couldn't imagine what that would do to someone.
Louisa did say, "I only knew sex as this way of manipulating people, like how I felt manipulated all the way back when. It was all I could do to use my body to my advantage, because I didn't have anything else. I already fucked over lots of guys before I even met Luke, and, my time with you was me exploring how to dominate a woman for the first time. I wanted to feel like I'm in control, and strong enough to not allow what originally happened to happen again. I'd do anything to not go through that again.
"I asked myself, 'What am I even doing this for?' I mean, I'm doing it for a boy who has no idea who I am, and I don't know where he is, or even who he is. He's a perfect stranger to me; his own mother. I've made a small fortune doing what I do, but it's all worthless. I have nothing of value I actually want, and the only thing I do is forever out of reach. I guess that's my punishment, right? My own personal Hell?"
I really felt for Louisa, but I was reluctant to forgive, "I don't know what to say."
Louisa nodded, "I expected that. It's not like it's your problem; it's mine." She stood up, ready to leave, "I am sorry, Emma. You're the only one I am sorry about what I did; just wanted you to know."
I couldn't not ask, "What did happen to get you pregnant?"
Louisa stopped as she walked around the couch towards to the, turning back slightly as she said, "Two dumb young fucks who watched too many teen comedies and thought it was funny. Joke's on me, huh?"
I whispered, "I forgive you."
I'm not sure if Louisa heard me, but she left.
I chased after her, out onto the road where she was walking along the path, and I hugged her from behind. She instinctually tried to fight me off, but I told her, "It's me, Louisa. You don't have to be alone."
Louisa was so close to crying that she was choking as she said, reaching out in front of her as I continued to hug her back, "Emma, please? I don't want to do this anymore. I just want it to be over."
I let go of her, and she stumbled forward. She turned around, and shook as she said, "I just wanted to say goodbye, Emma."