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And the next.
And the next.
Nothing.
Now I’m the one being ghosted, and I don’t like it one bit.
I have two options in front of me: call dad and ask him to intervene for me again or fly all the way to Chicago from North Carolina. I’d be cutting it close, but I think I can make it where I wouldn’t miss the game against the Frostblades.
Mixing your old man into your love life is the work of a boy, and I am a man. I won’t do that anymore.
I better arrange for a jet and go see her in person.
I arrive in Chicago at eleven in the morning, with eight hours before the game tonight.
I book a luxury car through my executive transport service app. It’s Friday, traffic can be congested, but with the premium service, I’m expecting a quick arrival.
I’m just hoping I will find Emily where I believe she is right now.
The driver arrives promptly and takes me over to where Emily works. Dan’s store is big and attractive, all decorated in bold colors and varied sports gear. An employee is cleaning the windows outside.
“Hi, do you know if Emily is working today?” I ask her, and her eyes widen when she recognizes me.
“Oh my God, is the boss really your friend?” she covers her mouth, laughing nervously. “We all thought he was full of bull.”
“Yeah, I’m friends with that asshole. Is Dan a nice boss?” I ask.
“He is. His sister, the manager, is far more bossy,” she confesses, turning red.
“Manager, huh? Is she here?” I ask one more time.
“Of course, let me take you to her.” She picks up her cleaning supplies and starts to walk in. “My name is Danielle, by the way.”
“I’m Andrew, but you already know that.”
The store looks and smells clean. Emily is doing an incredible job keeping it organized.
Two other salesgirls greet me on my way in, those less interested in me than Danielle, but still friendly enough.
Behind a display of baseball bats, there’s the register counter, and behind it, Dan and Emily stand together, looking at a laptop.
When they see me, they both turn red. Dan out of anger, Emily out of embarrassment.
Dan speaks first, coming from behind the counter and stomping his feet.
“What are you doing here?” he bellows, one step away from grabbing me by the collar. “Leave my sister alone!”
“Daniel, I can fend for myself, thank you,” Emily says firmly but doesn’t leave the area behind the counter.
“But you’ve been acting all weird since he’s been back,” Dan retorts, looking over his shoulder.
“I’m twenty-four, Dan, not sixteen.” Emily raises her voice. “Can you please let me live my life and talk to him on my own?”
She walks out from behind the counter and grabs my arm and proceeds to drag me out of the store and onto the street.
And we walk. She doesn’t look at me, and we continue walking. At a certain point, I decide to simply take that damn note out of my pocket and hold it in front of her eyes.
“What does this mean, Emily?” I ask, serious.
