Emyln

As soon as I hear the downstairs door close, I throw my arms on the table and bury my face in them, trying to ignore how much my skin smells like him. "Why, Mom?" I moan in embarrassment. "Why did you have to come into my bedroom? You don't just walk in! Hains is never going to want to come over here ever again after today."

"I said I was sorry, Emyln!" she exclaims. "If you didn't want me to come in, then why didn't you say something?"

"Because you didn't give me a chance to! And I was busy! I was also shocked. You said late afternoon - not early afternoon - when you told me what time you'd be home."

"I know," she says, looking down at her cup of coffee. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin things."

I sigh and rub my temples. "You didn't ruin anything, Mom. I just wish you wouldn't have walked in and made things awkward for Hains. You know him - he's not going to be able to look you in the eye for weeks now. Hell, he's probably going to hide from you whenever you show up at work. Ugh. Sometimes he acts too much like a gentleman."

Mom laughs and sets her coffee down. "I've always loved that boy, Emyln, for that specific reason. If it had been any other boy in your bed, I would be upset with you. And, even though I know you'll find it hard to believe after what I've done, I know what love is. You two are in love and if both of you wanted that to happen, then so be it. Just assure me, one more time, that you're both being safe."

"I-I..." I stutter. I can't seem to get my stupid tongue to work. My mom actually approves of this? I can't believe it. "Yes. Ever since Rosa visited, I've been on the pill - thank her for that, by the way, because big sisters seem to know best - and we used a condom. We may be young, but we're not stupid."

Mom looks at me for a good two minutes, and I begin to think I have a chocolate moustache from the doughnut I've been picking at.

"Is there something on my face?" I finally ask.

"No," Mom says softly. "I just can't believe how much you've grown up since the last time I saw you, Emlyn."

I feel a punch of guilt that I know I shouldn't feel. It's her own fault that she didn't get to see me grow up, but I still feel like I should have done something more. It's like Hains with his mom - if I'd been more persistent with my wants then maybe I'd have been here sooner.

"That's what time does," I shrug.

Silence fills the kitchen for several seconds before she gets up and pats me on the arm. "You and Hainsey can take the day off today - I'll cover the shifts today. If I do recall correctly, it's hard to be away from your partner after the first time. In fact, I remember with your father - "

"Okay!" I exclaim, standing up. "I don't need to know about your sex life with Dad - too much information, Mom, too much information."

She smiles at me, a familiar look of mischief in her eyes. "You're right, honey, I'm sorry. Just let me say one more thing: if you want someone to talk to, call your sister."

"Okay," I nod, actually taking her words into consideration. It might be a good idea. There's all this excitement in my veins from just knowing I gave my virginity to Hains. "Yeah. Maybe I'll do that. Thanks, Mom."

I basically jog out of the room before she can say another word to me. This morning has been beyond embarrassing. My own mother walked into my bedroom, where Hains and I were naked under the covers. It couldn't be worse. But embarrassment aside, it still brings a smile to my face. I got him back - and more. And the way he made me feel? My God. No wonder I get lost in him so easily. He's perfect and I don't regret what we did to each other.

Stuck in a daze of happiness, I shut my bedroom door and flop down on my bed. The sheets still smell faintly of him. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. Laying here all day wouldn't be a bad idea.

Reaching for my phone that's sitting beside the now-open box, I dial Rosa's number. My first instinct was to talk to Val about this, but Rosa is the one who kept bugging me about when it was going to finally happen. And she's my sister.

She answers on the second ring.

"What's up, Emmy?"

I bite my bottom lip, trying to hold back a big smile. "So it finally happened," I say, feeling my cheek heat up. "Me and Hains..." I trail off, not knowing what else to say. Maybe I should have called Val. It is a little weird that I've called my sister.

On the other end of the line, I hear a gasp. "Oh my God!" she exclaims. "You and Hainsey finally had sex?"

"Uh-huh," I nod excitedly.

"Oh, Emmy! I'm so happy for you guys! So, little sis, now you have to give me the details. Is he just as amazing in bed as Val and I guessed?"

I laugh, partly because of Val and Rosa's crush on Hains, and partly because I can picture them sitting down and talking about him. "It was amazing, Rosie. He was gentle and sweet and, oh my God, hearing him moan my name was indescribable. And the fact that it was our first time made it even better, y'know?"

"Swoon," my sister gushes. "I always knew the two of you would end up together. I'm so happy for you, Emmy. For both of you. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you and Hainsey."

"It was amazing," I sigh, thinking about how last night's events played out. My heart thumps wickedly against my chest. I wish he could be sitting beside me right now. Damn it. Mom was right - it is hard to be away from him. This new connection between us keeps tugging at my heart. I want him so much.

And then the news about his mom comes crashing down on me. I wonder if he'd be okay with me telling Rosa. She's my sister, after all. And he's known her as long as he's known me - they act like siblings. I take a deep breath. "Rosie?" I ask.

"What's wrong? You didn't forget to use a condom, did you?"

Her concern brings a smile to my face. "No. I just...well...I need to tell you something, but you can't say a word to Hains about it, okay? I don't know if he wants me to tell you."

"Go for it. My lips are sealed."

I take another deep breath. God, it hurts so much to think about his mom and what's been going on all this time. "Hainsey's mom is addicted to heroin."

Rosa's silent on the other end for a long period of time before she speaks. "No," she whispers.

"Hains told me all about it last night. What his dad did really hurt his mom and she turned to drugs. He's been enabling her this whole time, which is why he has no money left for college or university and why I've never actually been invited to go over. He told Val because, well, she was all he had, and didn't say anything to me because he was scared of what I'd think. While I hate that he's been doing that, I can see why. You know what addicts will do for their fix. It may have been a bad decision on his part, but his heart was in the right place."

"Oh, Emmy, that's awful," she says.

"I know," I reply sadly, picking at a loose thread in the sheets. "It's terrible to hear. First of all, I hurt him, and then his mom does. I feel like shit."

"So what did you say when he told you?"

I exhale deeply. "I told him I'd contact Dad and that we'd all figure out a way to fix this mess."

"Good," my sister says, clearly approving of my decision. "Dad gets back on Monday - he went camping with some of his work buddies. I'll tell him to call you when he gets back, okay?" She pauses for a moment. "If it comes down to Dad needing to be there for a face-to-face conversation, do you think Hainsey would mind if I came? He's my friend, too, Emmy."

"Of course you can come!" I say, sitting up. "Christ, Rosa. Just because we're dating doesn't mean I'm going to stop you and Val from seeing him. I have his heart, but he's not my property. Besides, he needs the support. I don't think he knows how many people are here for him. It would be good for him to see everyone who cares. Do you think Dad will help?"

Rosa laughs. "Dad would fly out there to help him, and you know that. He's always treated Hainsey like the son he never had. And you know what else I think?"

"What?" I ask, pulling the pillow he was sleeping on onto my lap. I close my eyes for a moment and think about last night, allowing my body to remember where and how he touched me. I shiver at the thought.

"I think he's going to be happier than me about the two of you finally getting together. Actually, there was this time after we moved to Abbottsford - maybe about three weeks after we settled, that you were upstairs crying and I wanted to comfort you somehow. Dad stopped me before I could go upstairs, though."

I blink. This is the first time I'm hearing about this. "Why?" I ask.

"He stopped me because there was nothing I could do to help you with the pain you were feeling. Dad sat me down on the couch and told me you were suffering from a broken heart and that I couldn't do anything to fix it. He said that even though you were way too young, you were in love and missed Hainsey."

"Jeez," I mutter. "Was it that obvious that I loved him even back then?"

"Definitely," my sister laughs. "Anyway, getting on with the story, Dad told me if there was one thing he could do it would include somehow reuniting you two. He felt awful for pulling you away from your best friend."

My heart breaks a little. Dad shouldn't blame himself for that. "It wasn't his fault," I say softly.

"Oh, we all know that. But you know Dad - he hates seeing us upset. He hated that you and Hainsey were separated because that boy always seemed to be able to bring out the best in you and he made you happy. And, of course, you did the same for him. It hurt Dad to know Hainsey was no longer in your life. He wished he could change things, but I don't think our mother gave him much of a choice in the matter."

I smile to myself because it's true. "Thanks for telling me, Rosa."

"You're my sister, Emyln. I'll tell you everything - even the cold, hard, brutal truth."

"Yeah," I laugh, "you certainly will."

"So," she says, her voice turning serious. "How are we going to help him?"

I fall back on my bed. "I don't know. It sounds like his mom needs an intervention - you know, like the TV show we used to watch together. She needs help as soon as possible because it's not just affecting her, it's also affecting Hains." I frown in thought, remembering the file I sent to the university. "Hey, can you watch out for some mail at the house?"

"Sure," she replies. "What are you expecting?"

I hesitate, unsure of whether or not I should tell her - I have this feeling it might jinx the results. But then again, my mom knows, so what the hell? "Well, when Hains told me he used the money for the divorce, I was upset for him. He's always wanted to go to Ontario, right? So when I went and watched him play hockey, I took a video of him playing and put together a portfolio about why he deserves to attend the university so I could send something there. I'm starting to worry, though. It's been a while and I haven't heard anything. And I used our address instead of the one here because I'm worried that Mom might open it and ruin everything."

"Wow, Emmy," Rosa says. "That's awesome. I'm so proud of you for doing something like that. I'll cross my fingers and hope it works."

"Thanks, sis." I exhale loudly and glance at the time. "Well, I should get going. Hains texted me earlier and told me to come over whenever. Now that I know, there's no point in keeping me away."

"Okay," she says. "I'll keep an eye out for that letter of acceptance and make sure Dad calls you the moment he drops his bags in the hallway."

"Talk to you later, Rosie," I smile.

"Bye, Emmy. Keep holding your head up high, girl - everything is going to be okay. And take care of your man. He's definitely a keeper."

"I know," I whisper.

After my sister has hung up, I head to my closet to grab a towel. On my way there, I see a familiar sweater lying on the floor. Picking the navy blue fabric up, I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply. Maybe I'm being a little creepy, but I'm not the one to blame here. It's not my fault he smells so good. Besides, it's not like anyone can see me right now.

With his sweater, a towel, and some fresh clothes for myself, I head to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Now that my mom has taken the shifts for the afternoon, we're free to do whatever we want.