Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105

He finished speaking and brushed past her, stirring the air with the fresh, boyish scent

of youth.

The next day, she brought a math problem over to him. “I can’t solve this. Can you show me how?”

He glanced at her, silent for a long moment.

She assumed he’d refuse, so she kept her head down, barely able to look up.

At last, he grabbed her scratch paper and started drawing and explaining, working through the problem for the entire break. Only when he finished did he ask, “Got it

now?”

She nodded eagerly. “I got it!”

Then she dropped five dollars on the desk and bolted.

That was five dollars she’d scraped together from her own allowance.

After all, she was another kid whose parents didn’t want to be bothered. She couldn’t bear to let her grandma shoulder everything for her, so ever since she turned sixteen, she’d quietly arranged with a little diner just outside school to help out in the kitchen during the busy lunch and dinner rushes, washing dishes.

She earned her own money.

Back then, she ran off after tossing him the five dollars, never seeing the look on

Theodore’s face as she left.

Later that afternoon, Theodore cornered her on the steps leading up to the girls‘

dorm.

He stood beneath a sycamore tree, sunlight streaming through the leaves and painting dappled shadows across his shoulders.

She couldn’t even lift her head, shuffling slowly up the steps.

His voice sounded above her. “Why won’t you look at me now?”

The setting sun was blazing that day, burning her cheeks bright red. Standing in front of him, she was so flustered that she couldn’t get a word out.

He snorted, “You sure had guts when you tried to buy me off!”

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She ducked her head even lower. “I–I wasn’t-

A five–dollar bill appeared right under her nose. “Didn’t you? Thought you could get me for five bucks?”

Well, technically, he wasn’t wrong…

“I just wanted to pay you to-‘

“What’s the difference?”

She hadn’t even finished stammering “tutor me,” when he cut her off.

Then he stuffed the five dollars back into her pocket, brushed past her like the wind, and tossed a line over his shoulder, “I haven’t sunk that low yet, you know!”

That, apparently, was the “asking him for help with a problem” she’d mentioned.

He probably only vaguely remembered that something like this had happened, having forgotten all the details.

Only she remembered how, in those muddled yet determined years, they’d caught glimpses of each other’s rough edges.

But maybe that was for the best–those memories were a shadowy footnote in her youth, better left forgotten.

“Emma…” Grandma’s voice cut into her thoughts, gentle and quiet. “Does he… does he

know?”

Emma glanced at Theodore’s back in the kitchen, shook her head, and whispered, “Not yet, Grandma. I’ll tell him when I’m ready.”

Grandma smiled, stroking Emma’s hair. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. As long as you’re happy,”

“Grandma…” Emma’s eyes stung. She leaned against Grandma’s shoulder.

When Theodore brought out the noodles, Emma was still nestled in Grandma’s arms.

He set the tray on the table, his gaze soft. “Lunch is ready.”

The hot bowl of noodles gave off a delicious aroma.

Emma had only had a cup of coffee all day–she’d bought it when she got pastries for Grandma that morning. After a long morning of house–hunting, she was starving. She helped Grandma over to the table.

She had to admit, the noodles were fantastic.

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Theodore even mixed up a homemade chili oil, tossing the noodles as he asked, “Grandma, how do they taste?”

Grandma’s eyes crinkled as she smiled. “Delicious, of course.”

Then Theodore looked at Emma, clearly waiting for her verdict.

Emma took a sip of the broth, her forehead beading with sweat. “Not bad. If your company ever goes bust, you could open a noodle shop.”

Grandma: …

Theodore just shook his head, turning to Grandma. “You have no idea, Grandma–Emma’s always wishing my company would go under.”

Was he tattling now?

“Theodore!” Emma glared at him.

“See, Grandma?” he said. “Emma acts so fierce. I was fooled–I thought she was a

sweet little bunny.”

All Grandma could do was laugh. “All I want is for you two to be happy.”

“Don’t worry, Grandma, we’re doing great!” Theodore glanced at Emma. “We even looked at new houses today. You’ll move in with us when we get the place.”

Grandma looked at Emma, as if realizing Theodore truly had no clue what Emma was

thinking.

Lunch was over in less than ten minutes. Theodore gathered the dishes.

Grandma tried to stop him, but he suddenly said, “You know, Grandma, if I could help my own grandma cook and wash dishes again, I’d be the happiest guy in the world.”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

He, too, had once been loved deeply by his grandma. But while the boy who’d sworn to take care of her had grown up, his grandmother was gone.

“Sometimes I really envy Emma,” he said softly to Grandma in the kitchen, while Emma sat outside, listening to the summer cicadas buzzing in the trees. “She’s lucky to have such a wonderful grandma who loves her.”

His words, carried on the hum of cicadas, were unexpectedly clear and achingly cold.

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