After Dinner

With the delicious meal done Emma felt stuffed. Aunt Maude and Jenny cleared the table while the men and Emma sat and digested. Emma made a move to help clear the table but Maude had promptly stopped her with a hand on the shoulder, "You're a guest. Sit."

Dishes and leftovers were removed from the table, then James stood up and made towards the stairs. "It's nice having you here, Emma." He took a step then added, "even if you and Jen are brats."

Emma smiled and said, "Thanks, Cuz."

Edward removed himself from the table saying, "I'll be in my study if you need me, Em. Otherwise make yourself at home."

Emma was alone at the table for only a moment before Jenny ran up to her, putting her hands on Emma's shoulders from behind and giving her a sisterly kiss on the cheek. "I'm headed upstairs, but we should totally hang out before bed."

As jenny bounced up the stairs Maude yelled after her, "Company or not it's a school night!"

Jen's reply was a halfhearted "Whatever," from the top of the stairs.

"Teenagers," Maude sighed, "I'm going to go take care of these dishes. You can do as you like, just please, don't let Jenny stay up half the night." Almost as an afterthought, she added, "I hope you're doing OK, Emma."

"I'm OK," Emma said, feeling fairly certain that she was being honest.

As her family left her Emma pondered what to do.