Emily and her friend were strolling through the park when they suddenly spotted a man and a woman. They were embracing, and he was whispering something into her ear. The woman smiled happily. Emily stared at them with wide eyes, unable to look away. “Emily, whats wrong? Emily!” her friend exclaimed in surprise. “Oh, nothing. Lets go,” Emily suddenly said. The girls said their goodbyes. As Emily walked home, she couldnt believe what shed just seen. “Dad, how could you? How could you do this to Mum?” she thought, her heart sinking.
Earlier, Emily and her friend Lizzie had finished their classes. Not wanting to go home just yet, Emily suggested, “Lizzie, lets take a walk in the park!” “Alright, while its still light out,” Lizzie agreed. The park wasnt exactly on their way, but why not enjoy a little detour?
They wandered down the tree-lined paths, enviously watching happy couples lost in each others company. No one paid them any mind. Turning onto a quieter path, they suddenly came across the embracing pair. Though the mans back was turned, his greying hair gave away his age. Lizzie barely glanced at them, but then she noticed Emily frozen, staring.
“Emily, whats the matter? Emily!”
“Oh, its nothing. Lets keep going,” Emily muttered, quickly walking ahead.
They left the park, Emily lost in thought. The girls parted ways, and Emily trudged home, her head bowed. She couldnt shake the imageher father whispering to another woman. How could he? Hed always seemed so perfect.
When she got home, her mother snapped, “Sit down and eat! Waiting for you and your father is like waiting for a train that never comes.”
“Just a minute, Ill wash my hands,” Emily replied awkwardly. She lingered in the bathroom, avoiding the dining room. Her father still wasnt home. After supper, she retreated to her room, staring blankly at her laptop. That scene in the park haunted her.
“Is this what adults do? Lie and cheat? Doesnt he have enough with us?” A bitter thought struck her. “That woman probably doesnt even know I exist.”
The front door creaked open. “Sorry, love, rough day at work,” her father called.
“Used to be just at months end,” her mother shot back. “Now its every day.”
“Jane, not now,” he sighed.
He knocked on Emilys door, but she pushed him away. “Go eat before it gets cold.”
“Emily, whats wrong?”
“Nothing. But what about you?”
Her father studied her, then left without another word. Emily stayed up late, plotting how to win him back.
The next morning, she heard her parents arguing again. “James, where are you off to?”
“Work. Its urgent.”
“Its Saturday! Spend time with your family.”
“Ill be back by lunch. Well do something then.”
Emily pretended to yawn as she stepped out. “Where are you going?” her mother demanded.
“Lessons, Mum. Im late.”
“Honestly, youre both always busy,” her mother grumbled, but Emily was already in the bathroom.
Her father waited in the hall. “Let me walk you to your lessons,” he offered.
“Emily, at least have some tea!” her mother called.
“Go on, Ill wait,” her father said, unusually cheerful.
Emily gulped her tea and hurried out. As they walked, her father broke the silence. “Are you upset with me?”
“No, Dad. Just teenage stuff, I guess,” she paused. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
“More than anything?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “More than anything.”
They smiled, but neither could meet the others eyes.
“Drop me here. See you at lunchyou promised wed spend the day together.”
Emily ducked behind a hedge, watching as her father walked offnot toward work, but in the opposite direction.
She followed him to an unfamiliar neighbourhood. He stopped under a tree, made a call, and soon a beautiful woman emerged. Emilys chest tightened. “Is she really worth more than us?”
The woman kissed her father, and they strolled arm in arm to a bench in a secluded square. Emily watched from a distance, her anger swelling as they kissed.
When they parted, Emily lurked near the womans flat. Her chance came when the woman stepped out to toss rubbish.
“Hey!” Emily blocked her path.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked, confused.
“If you see James again, youll regret it.”
“Who are you?”
“His daughter. Call him. Now.”
The woman dialled. Emily heard her fathers voice. “Diana, whats wrong?”
“James, we cant see each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“You have a family. Im leaving for uni soon.”
“Diana, if thats what you” He almost sounded relieved.
“Goodbye, James.”
When Emily returned home, her parents were chatting amiably over lunch.
“Why so cheerful?” her mother asked.
“Dad, do you love me?” Emily countered.
“Of course.”
“And Mum?”
A pause. Then, firmly: “Yes. I love your mother.”
“I do love you both!” he repeated, smiling.
Emily exhaled. Mission accomplished.
