Part 6 (2/2)

her. But guidance didn't come along with acceptance.

He rose and turned to Pete. ”Weld better get to rehearsal.”

”You're leaving?” Jane dashed forward to block his path. ”Just like

that? You only have to look at her to see.”

”I know what I see.” He felt a pang of guilt as Emma inched back toward

the cupboard. ”I need time to think.”

”No, no! You'll walk out like before. You're only thinking of

yourself, like always. What's best for Brian, what's best for Brian's

career. I won't be left back anymore.” He had nearly reached the door

when she s.n.a.t.c.hed up Emma and raced after him. ”If you go, I'll kill

myself!”

He paused long enough to look back. It was a familiar refrain. He

could have set it to music. ”That stopped working a long time ago.”

”And her.” Desperate, she flung out the threat, then let it hang as they

both considered it. The arm she had banded around Emma's waist

tightened until the girl began to scream.

He felt a bubble of panic as the child's, his child's screams bounced

off the walls. ”Let her go, Jane. You're hurting her.”

”What do you care?” Jane was sobbing now, her voice rising higher and

higher to drown out her daughter's. ”You're walking out.”

”No I'm not. I need a little time to think this through.”

”Time so your fancy manager can make up a story, you mean.” She was

breathing fast, gripping the struggling Emma with both arms. ”You're

going to do right by me, Brian.”

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