Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 272

The moment her grandmother appeared on screen, she was all smiles. But as soon as she recognized who was on the call, her surprise turned to delight. “Oh my, you two have met already?”

“Yes, Grandma. Aunt Alfven came all this way just to see me.” With her grandmother and aunt by her side, Emma suddenly felt like she could finally let herself be a kid again.

“Alfven, take a good look at her! Has she lost weight? She keeps telling me she’s fine, but I have a feeling she’s just trying to put my mind at ease!” Grandma’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she spoke.

Alfven Bennett had already taken a good look. Sure, Emma was thinner than she should be, and her mobility was limited, but there was a lively spark about her that couldn’t be missed. Smiling into the camera, Alfven reported back, “Don’t worry, Mom. She’s doing just fine. But if you’re still worried she’s too skinny, just wait another month. When she comes here for school, you should come too. We’ll both make sure she eats well and puts on some weight.”

That had Grandma laughing so hard she could barely speak. “If I leave it up to you, I’m afraid I’ll have two little piggies on my hands instead of one!”

Alfven laughed too. “Come on, Mom! I’m well into my fifties and you’re still calling me a pig?”

“What, you think you’re ever too old to be my child?”

Emma grinned and chimed in, “Exactly! Aunt Alfven, when you turn eighty, you’ll still be Grandma’s precious baby!”

That sent Grandma into another fit of laughter. “You’re all giving me quite the challenge! I guess I’ll just have to live to a hundred and twenty to keep up with you!”

“You will, Grandma! You’ll make it to a hundred and twenty for sure!” Emma and her aunt said in unison, making Grandma laugh even harder.

The three of them—grandmother, aunt, and granddaughter—talked happily for a long time, sharing their hopes for the coming month, when Emma would start school in Alfven’s city and the family could finally be together again. Even Grandma, who’d been anxious about traveling abroad at her age, was now full of excitement at the thought.

The touring company had three days of performances in this city, and Emma was scheduled to stay for four. Aunt Alfven stayed by her side the entire time.

But all good things come to an end. On the final night, after the last show, Emma was set to leave for the next city, and Alfven would head home.

That evening, Emma asked Ms. Brown for the night off and went to stay in her aunt’s room. What she didn’t expect was to find a man there—Larson Bennett.

Her aunt’s son. Her older brother.

He couldn’t have been more different from Jonathan Bennett.

No one had ever said anything like that to her in her entire life.

“If anyone gives you trouble, tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”

It felt like something out of a movie, or a storybook. Completely unreal.

But she was an adult now, used to taking care of herself—and even, at times, protecting those around her. Still, she managed to stammer out a thank you to this brother she’d only just met.

Larson had come to take Alfven home. He’d booked a separate room in the same hotel, while Emma stayed with her aunt.

That night, in their shared hotel room, Emma and Aunt Alfven lay side by side, talking late into the night. They spoke about home, about why Grandma was staying in the capital for now. Maybe because it was her aunt she was talking to, Emma found herself unable to keep the emotion from her voice when she mentioned her parents and Jonathan.

“It’s all right, don’t worry. You’re not alone,” Alfven soothed, pulling Emma into a hug. “When are you heading back? I’m planning to have Larson go with you this time, to help get Grandma’s paperwork sorted out. There’s no way I’m letting you handle all of that on your own. From now on, you’ve got your aunt looking out for you. No more being afraid, okay?”