Chapter 2

Emery

Jasper was staring at me from his spot at the door.

“Are you playing another trick? Is that what this is?” He asked me, dumbfounded by my previous statement.

“I never played a trick the first time Jasper. Either you are way too paranoid and untrusting or you did it yourself and arranged for your dad to walk in on us. I don’t know why you would though .. since you never wanted to marry me anyway.” I told him.

Jasper frowned. “What’s going on with you??” He asked.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I said.

“Well you gotta give me something because your acting crazy!” He demanded.

Okay.. I thought… let’s just see how he likes it.

“You really wanna know??” I asked him. “Okay then. We’ve already lived through this moment. We were married for years and you ignored me and treated me awful even though I loved you……” I began.

He scoffed.

“Your going to project what you think will happen and that’s why your saying all this??” He interrupted.

At that he turned and walked out of the room and out of my house.

Well I tried to tell him. Even though what I was saying was the truth.. but I knew he would never listen.

~~~~~~~~~

It took me several days to come to terms with what had happened. I stayed holed up in my house.. refusing to speak to anyone on the phone or take any visitors. I had to wrap my head around what was going on.

Finally after about a week I had talked myself into accepting what had happened, and looked at it as a gift.

It was then that I noticed the date. And I had an idea.

I was going to start living for myself now. Things I wouldn’t have done in the past.. I knew I would do them this time around. I’d been given a second chance at my life and I wasn’t going to waste it. I knew there was a reason this happened .. some deeper meaning. I just didn’t know what it was yet.

I knew Uncle Vincent was wanting to hear from me. He was the current Don and not my actual uncle. He was my dad’s closest friend and successor. When my parents died when I was sixteen from a car wreck.. Uncle Vincent took me in and cared for me. He had been good to me and treated me well.

I had never wanted to be a part of this world. At least from the time I was aware of exactly what this world entailed. My dad always supported that, and made sure the rest of the group understood and supported my decision as well.

Sure there were things I could do … it wasn’t like I had to take part in the illegal stuff. There were plenty of jobs within the gang that put you more into the background. There were accounting positions and clerical work. Many of our people had their own businesses as well. I could’ve easily worked at one of those.

But I had always had a huge need to separate myself from it. That’s why when I turned eighteen I didn’t get the flaming rose emblem tattooed on my skin like everyone else did. Instead I went to college and got a degree.

I still lived in the community and was treated with respect. I was still protected, and I knew how to protect myself… which is why I had the knife under my pillow. My father had taught me well, and after he died, Uncle Vincent continued to teach me.

But along with the perks there was also the downfalls. Like the marriage contract that was still in place. However I would not be going down that road again.

I’d always loved nature and the outdoors. I loved the forests and the mountains and the wildlife. And I also loved taking pictures of them. Something about having the camera in my hand made me feel at peace. Capturing moments on film then seeing them later was like reliving them… much like what was happening to me right now.

I had majored in photography at school and gotten a two year degree. When I got out I mostly took pictures of friends and family … birthday parties and weddings or other big events. But I wanted to go bigger. And my true passion was being in the outdoors with nature.

So when an opening came up at a very well known, high end travel magazine.. I jumped. And shockingly .. I got the job. It wasn’t shocking because I wasn’t good enough.. I knew I was. But because I didn’t have that much experience.

I loved my job .. I loved the work and I loved the freedom. I loved getting that perfect shot and then seeing it inside the magazine. I got to travel a lot with the company and that was probably the best thing about it. I loved getting to visit different places. The outdoor shoots were my favorite. Being in nature was healing for my soul. When I had gotten married Jasper made me quit. He didn’t want me going away so often.

Now I don’t have to do that.

In fact …

I picked up the phone and called Joanne, my boss.

“Hi Joanne. I was just wondering if the Arctic position was still available?” I said.

“Why yes! I was actually holding off hiring anyone else hoping you’d change your mind…” she said. “Did you? Change your mind?”

“Yes.. I did. I’d love to take you up on the offer.. if you’ll still have me.” I told her.

“Of course Emery. You don’t even need to ask that you’re our best photographer.” She told me.

I’d forgotten how much I loved Joanne. She always felt like family to me. And when you didn’t have much family.. and came across these special people you hung on to them.

 

“Thank you so much I’m excited!” I told her.

 

“Now are you completely sure? You know this is a scientific research cooperation project, which means that you cannot leave the Arctic for at least half a year." She reminded me.

 

"Yes, I am sure."

 

“Okay wonderful! I will get all the paperwork prepared for you and send it. We will be leaving in about a week. And Emery? Take this time to say goodbye to everyone you need to. It may not seem like much now… but six months turns out to be a long time when your away from loved ones.”

But what she didn’t realize was, I couldn’t wait to get away from the people I thought I loved.