Vacant Chapter 6 Surprises

After four months, I continue to be astonished by what Emily can do with a dented, often label-less, can. She says its all the Julia Child reruns on PBS, yet I dont care whos to credit. dinner party is on the table all(prenominal) night with mismatched pleats and silverware, and our economy paper towels are always f one- beat(a)ed into ornamental shapes. It hasnt escaped my notice at how much I enjoy eyesight our laundry mingled to let downher, either. The bottom line for me is that she makes even this place take onm wish scale.After Emily agreed to move in with me which was no small elbow grease it took a month until she stopped knocking, and then cracking the door and yelling, Ethan? onward she would enter through the front door. It was as if she thought I would get mad if she didnt practice her self- imposed ritual. While her discomfort with calling this her home stock-still lingers, its fairish the tip of the iceberg concerning our issues.Initially, shed been particu larly insistent to a greater extent or less getting a job and wanting to help financially. I hadnt argued, intellection she was just about done, if not completely finished, with school. I hadnt bother to ask what her spot was, figuring she was old enough to make that decision herself. So, it was with eagerness that I helped her look for a job.One roadblock was her lack of identification. Employers want an ID, exactly of course, Emily didnt have any. We spent an entire day at City third house getting the required documentation and social security card, so we could then go to the DMV. That was the day I found out she was barely old enough for a drivers permit let alone a drivers license. Emily insisted she was nearly eighteen when we met, besides I found out she wasnt even close. stripe didnt even begin to explain what I felt at the manifestation of her real age. She hadnt lied about when her birthday was it was a month aft(prenominal)ward she moved in, as shed prototypic al said. However, she was turning sixteen, not eighteen. While I was monumentally upset by her deception, I got it. She was living with the fear of being herded into a state system that could feel standardized you were being fed to the wolves. I couldnt really blame her.After I got over my initial enkindle about her lie and the additional guilt of some of the inappropriate things I may have fantasized about her, I realized Emily missed the milestone of sweet sixteen. I remembered a co-worker talking about her sisters ordinal birthday and the excitement that went along with the heartbeatous occasion. Emily insisted she didnt want anything special and well-kept that by finding me, shed already received more than she ever hoped for after her mothers passing. The celebratory sad-assed cookie I had on my twenty-first birthday came to mind. I instantly knew it wasnt good enough for Emily, so I went into work and staged the most extravagant and girly cake our bakery had regardless o f the fact it was close forty bucks, my usual weekly food budget. Her reaction to the cake was worry a kick to the stomach. When I brought it home, Emily cried, explaining that even her mother had never gotten her a cake since cake wasnt something you buy on a strict budget.That was the moment I decided Emily would never go without again. Knowing that cake was so special made it all the more enjoyable when I ate it every meal the week that followed.Ethan, go lap up your hands please. Dinner is ready.It never fails. The girl can literally watch me walk from the bathroom, erudite Ive just scrubbed up, but she will still tell me to wash again, and I will. I know that shes tied to the routine, not really the cleanliness factor. more who have been in a homeless situation will sting to routines for the comfort and solace they bring.We sit and eat in silence for the first few minutes of the meal. Its always balanced, particularly since shes taking a health class this semester and pr eaches the benefits of healthy eating habits and exercise. Some dates it makes me laugh because she sounds just like one of those infomercials she occasionally watches in the middle of the night after shes had a bad dream. There are times I think its more than just nightmares, though, when she wakes at night. She carries a lot of guilt nearly with her granted our situation. Emily feels like she should contribute to the household with money. I feel like she require to be in school, getting an education. Even though legally she could flake out out, Im constantly reiterating that school is her job, and there will be plenty of time for her to contribute in the future when shes a replete-fledged taxpayer.Hey, Ethan? Emily asks cautiously, while pushing her cube steak around on the plate. Im a bit nervous since she says it with hesitance. She precisely asks for anything, and when she does, she makes it seem like shes about to ask for a million dollars, but its usually something smal l and relatively insignificant. This time, though, the accompanying look on her brass instrument indicates this isnt simple. I put my fork down and look up, giving her my full attention.So, Christmas is coming.I inwardly groan, not because shes brought it up, but because I participate in as little of the Holiday Cheer as possible. Its been awhile since Ive historied the birth of Christ, mainly because I dont believe in God. Realistically, I see the holiday as an opportunity to earn extra money as I work all the shifts so everyone else can spend time with their families. I try to dislodge my anxiety about the topic but it doesnt work. The holidays are about commercialism and consumerism. Plus, I cant afford to buy gifts.Yeah, I usually work Christmas. I get double time. My dinner still sits heavy in the pit of my stomach. I know I should hold back her a special day.Oh.Now I feel like a jerk whos robbed her of the magic of Christmas. Like all day or just part?The store is open from seven until two, then closing early. I know why shes asking, but it doesnt keep me from playing stupid. Why? Whats up?Emily finally stops pushing her battered piece of meat around on the plate and looks up. I was thinkingand you dont have toits just something thatI mean, you can, but if it makes you uncomfortable I finally stop her rambling by touching her hand. My hope is that she will refocus her thoughts with my unexpected gesture.Im successful. Emily sits up a little straighter, squares her shoulders, and wipes her mouth with her paper towel-slash-napkin.I want to spend Christmas at the shelter. You knowits the last place I was with my mom.