(Emily, I'm Sorry)
ACT ONE—CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

2021

Emily was starting to realize that she was in fact the foolish one.

Waiting by the phone for any response from Natalie, as though she was some teenage girl with a crush.

A soft sigh fell from her lips, as she finally shut off her phone, returning to the present problem at hand— a box full of books that needed to be unpacked onto shelves.

The shop was peaceful, Emily caught the sunrise through the big glass windows. The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, she smiled appreciating the beauty before her.

The bell above the door signaled the entry of Alison into the building, "Morning, Emily."

The girl's voice was sing-song-y for such an early hour. Emily arched an eyebrow, "You're awfully joyful this morning."

"Not any more than usual,"

Emily wasn't one to pry, but she knew with just one skeptical glance the younger woman would be telling her everything.

"Okay fine. I met someone." Alison beamed, and Emily laughed.

Alison looked really happy...Emily wondered if she had ever looked like that. Maybe in the very beginning of her relationship with Natalie, when she finally found someone who understood her.

"Young love, how beautiful."Emily joked, and Alison rolled her eyes, "You're ridiculous."

Emily's phone buzzed, and she reached for it almost immediately, hope tugging at her heartstrings.

"Did you meet someone?"

She glared at Alison for a moment, before glancing back at her phone. Emily couldn't help the slight disappointment that filled her when she realized it wasn't from Natalie.

"Hi Daisy," she answered her daughter's call,  unpacking the box of books.

"Hi, Mom, do you care if I go to Callie's? I know you're already at work, but I can just ride my bike there or something."

Emily sighed, "That's fine, but isn't that kind of a long way to ride your bike? Maybe just have Callie pick you up?"

"Yeah...yes I guess."

"Okay, is pizza good for dinner?" Emily pulled the last stack of books out, mentally going through the list of things she had to complete throughout the day.

"Perfect, love you, Mom! Bye."

Emily shook her head slightly at the abrupt ending of the call. Something was going on with Daisy.

"You never answered my question," Alison stated from behind the coffee counter, Emily glanced over towards her verifying she completing actual work.

"Not anyone new, no." She spoke carefully, tearing into the next box.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Emily shrugged, "Nothing."

"So there is someone," Alison smiled teasingly, and Emily rolled her eyes.

The feelings that she may or may not have towards Natalie were not exactly something she wanted to talk about.

"Not anyone who I should ever be involved with again." she sighed, tracing her finger over the very faded, poorly done star tattoo that lay on the inside of her wrist.

"If I've learned any lessons from my past I'll ignore whatever feelings that may be resurfacing."

Alison watched Emily carefully as she spoke, "People can change, you know?"

Emily tore her eyes away from her wrist, meeting Alison's gaze, "Yeah, people love to say that...but what proof is there? How could I possibly know she changed?"

Alison set a mug of coffee on the counter for her, "I guess you have to take a risk."

Emily walked over, taking the mug, "What if I'm not strong enough to take that risk?"

The younger girl shrugged, "You'll never know if you don't try."

In almost poetic timing, Emily's phone chimed, and it was Natalie...asking for her help. The blonde pressed her lips together in thought, "I guess there's no time like the present."

"So what exactly do you need my help with?" Emily shut her car door behind her, holding out a paper coffee cup to Natalie.

She accepted the cup, with a small grateful smile, "I'm selling my car."

Emily's eyes widened, and she studied Natalie waiting for some sort of explanation. When she accepted that it wasn't coming she spoke, "Why?"

"We need the money," Natalie shrugged, as though the whole situation was entirely simple.

"You truly are something, Natalie Scatorccio." Emily smiled, "But is selling your car really the best option?"

The brunette scoffed, "I don't see you coming up with anything better."

"Drugs." Emily deadpanned, and Natalie's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"I'm just messing with you," Emily nudged her shoulder, "but you're serious about selling your car?"

Natalie nodded, "We're not letting this fucker get away with this, so we need the money."

"Okay, let's do this thing." Emily agreed, opening the driver's side door on her own car, "Following you."

Natalie nodded, taking a sip of the coffee, and climbing into her own car. It didn't take long for the whole ordeal, Natalie sold her car and they were on their way.

"Where to now?" Emily asked as Natalie slid into the passenger seat.

The brunette woman shrugged, "I've got nothing else on my schedule."

"Okay, well me neither, not really anyway." Emily spoke, pushing the car into gear.

Natalie didn't ask where they were going, and Emily didn't tell her. Silence hung heavily in the air as they drove along the road.

"I know our conversation got interrupted the other day— but," Natalie started, glancing over at the tense blonde woman.

"But?" Emily asked when she didn't continue right away.

Natalie nervously tapped on her seat, "I—I never stopped loving you either."

Emily sucked in a breath not taking her eyes off the road, Natalie gave her a moment.

"I know that saying— that telling you that really isn't fair, but I guess I just thought you should know." Natalie continued.

Emily didn't respond, not right away. A minute or two passed, "You're right, that isn't fair."

Natalie pressed her lips together, tearing her eyes away from Emily.

"But I'm glad you told me."