Chapter 20 – Sibling Rivalry
The next morning, I managed to scrape myself off of the floor long enough to call in sick to work. I showered and gathered myself as best I could, unsure of anything in the world at that moment. I dressed in silence and made as little noise as possible, not sure why. When I was ready, I grabbed the envelope with the papers and headed out the door.
I reached Emma's office, not sure of how I actually got there. The haze I was operating in was consuming me. I entered the office suite and headed right for her office when a voice stopped me.
"Hey," Penny said from her desk.
I slowed myself and walked over to her to see what she wanted, anger now filling me inside.
"I just found out what happened this morning," Penny revealed. "Don't say or do anything you will regret, the game isn't over."
"I don't think I have any concern left for the game," I advised her.
"Please," Penny begged, "Please think before you speak. I was very down on myself and the nature of the game before this weekend. You changed that and me. See it through."
I saw the pleading in her eyes and was again confused. I could not bring myself to be angry or cold with her in that moment. I turned and headed into Emma's office. I entered unannounced and walked right up to her desk, where she was on a call. I dropped the envelope with the papers on the desk in front of her. She promptly completed the call and turned her attention to me. I stood and stared at her.
"So, we have a small situation to deal with," she said.
"Small, really," I said coldly. "And since when is it we?"
"First of all, don't be cold or angry with me," she commanded. "Secondly, when you are in my game, it is always we when it comes to important matters."
"How did you know about this," I asked.
"Know about it," she repeated, "I told her to do it."
I was infuriated.
"What the fuck are you talking about," I yelled.
"Ok, don't yell at me and watch your mouth," she ordered. "Now sit and I will explain."
I took a seat, my eyes burning a hole through her.
"Your marriage was a nuisance to my game," she started. "So, I took it upon myself to rid us of it."
"With no thought of what I wanted," I replied.
"I told you to watch your tone with me, I won't tell you again," she informed me. "You can't have your cake and eat it too."
I was steaming. I had not noticed Penny come in but she was now sitting next to me and the office door was closed. Just seeing her subsided my anger somewhat.
"Now, the game can progress without this issue," Emma continued.
"What if I drop out of the game," I inquired sternly.
"Well, here's the deal," she informed me, "You drop out of the game without permission and I represent your wife in the divorce. You lose. You stay in the game, I represent you, it goes away quickly and quietly and the game continues flawlessly."
"It's that simple, huh," I wondered aloud.
"It really is," she stated flatly. "Don't think you have nothing else to lose. You do. I will prove it if you make me. Don't make me."
"I guess you are making me an offer I can't refuse then," I suggested.
"In my game, those are the only offers that I make," she informed me. "Treat my game and the players with respect and you won't have a problem. You have only made one mistake so far, consider this the real penalty."
I was settled down but still felt wounded. I looked at Penny and she smiled at me. It made no sense to leave the game now, especially when I felt a strong loyalty to her. She needed me and right now she was about the only person on earth who did, I was not going to lose that feeling.
"I am on board with you then," I submitted.
"Of course you are," Emma chuckled, as if no other answer was possible. "You were not about to let Penny go it alone."
I was amazed how transparent I was to her. She could see through me entirely. It was time to get serious.
"What now," I asked.
"Well, I will handle these papers and you will have lunch with Vivian and me," Emma announced.
"Okay," I agreed.
"Don't worry," she reassured me. "I will handle everything. It's a done deal. Now, it's time for you to get back into the game for real. Vivian's at noon."