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Just as Sheila was pouring the hot, black liquid, Sean exploded. “Maybe you can fool my dad, but you can’t fool me!”
Sheila was startled and sloshed some of the coffee on her wrist. The scalding brew burned her skin, but she remained calm. As Sean watched her reaction, she set the cup down and put her hand under cold water from the tap. Her voice was even when she addressed him. “I have no intention of trying to fool you, Sean.”
“Sure,” he sneered.
Sheila turned to face the tall boy, and she leveled her cool gray eyes on his face. “Look, Sean, I’m not trying to deceive anyone, and I expect the same in return. I don’t really care if you like me or not. You have the right to your own opinions. just as I have the right to mine. . . .”
“Don’t give me any of your psychiatric lines! I know you’re a school counselor, and I’ll just bet Dad dragged me up here so you could do a number on me; you know, analyze me—try and straighten me out.” He threw up one of his hands in disgust. “I just want you to know that it won’t work on me. Save your breath!”
Sheila managed a smile. “Do you really think that I would bother wasting my time or expertise on someone who didn’t want it?”
“It’s your job.”
“No. I’m sorry, Sean, but you’re wrong. I’m not going to beat my head against the wall for someone who doesn’t want my help, and that includes you. As for what your father expects from me, it has nothing to do with you. We’re business partners.”
“Sure.”
“I think I will take your advice,” Sheila agreed. Sean tensed. The last thing he had expected was for this woman to concur with him. “I’m going to save my breath. I would like to try and convince you to relax and enjoy the weekend—”
“Fat chance,” Sean interrupted under his breath.
“Pardon me?”
“This isn’t my scene,” he spat out, and turned to glare out the window.
“That’s too bad, because it looks like you’re stuck here for the duration of the weekend.” Sean rolled his eyes heavenward, and Sheila poured the coffee into the second cup. When she picked up the tray, she cast a final glance in Sean’s direction. “Why don’t you come out to the patio and join the rest of us? Emily already took out the cookies.”
Sean whirled angrily to face Sheila. “I’m here, okay? That’s the end of it. I’m not going to sit with the rest of you and eat milk and cookies. That might be all right for Emily, but not for me. I’m not wasting my time baby-sitting your kid!” he shouted.
The screen door slammed shut and Emily came into the room. From the expression on her face it was evident she had heard Sean’s final words. Tears sprung to her soft brown eyes as she stared at Sean.
“Damn!” Sean muttered, and slammed his fist onto the counter. His face burned in his embarrassment as he strode angrily from the room.
“Why doesn’t he like me?” Emily asked Sheila. The little girl tried vainly to swallow her tears. Sheila set the tray down.
“It’s not that he doesn’t like you, Em,” Sheila replied, hugging her child. “He’s just not sure of himself here. He doesn’t know you or me, and he’s not really sure how to act.”
“He’s mean!” Emily sniffed.
“He’s not trying to be. Maybe he’s jealous of you,” Sheila whispered into her daughter’s thick, dark curls.
“Why?”
“Sean doesn’t have a mother.”
Emily was puzzled. She pulled out of her mother’s embrace and with a childish imitation of adult concern, looked deeply into Sheila’s eyes. “I thought everybody had a mommy.”
“You’re right, sweetheart. Everybody does have a mother, including Sean. But, I think he’s unhappy because he doesn’t see her very much.”
“Why not?” Emily was clearly perplexed, and Sheila wondered if she had broached a topic she couldn’t fully explain. After all, what did she know of Sean’s mother? If she had interpreted Noah’s story correctly, Sean may never have met his mother. No wonder the kid had a chip the size of a boulder on his young shoulders. Sheila felt her heart go out for the stubborn boy with the facade of bravado. Emily was still staring at Sheila, and she knew she had to find a suitable answer for her daughter. “Sean’s parents don’t live together,” she whispered.
Emily’s sober expression changed to one of understanding. . . Oh, they’re divorced. Like you and Daddy.”
Sheila’s expression clouded. “Sort of,” she replied vaguely. Emily seemed satisfied for the moment, and Sheila changed the subject quickly. “Let’s go out on the patio and see Noah before this coffee gets cold.”
“He’s not there.”
“He’s not?”
