Free Joy Ride by Desiree Holt

this?”
    “No, Mom. But she came through town last week on her way to a business conference. And you know what?” Emma wanted to cry, thinking about it. Wishing Angela could understand what she was trying to tell her. “She had a sparkle in her eyes when she talked about her husband that I never get when I think of Andrew. And I want that sparkle. Is that so terrible?”
    The silence in the room was so loud they might have been shouting.
    Finally, Angela rose very slowly from the table, her face set in lines of disapproval. “I swear, Emma, I don’t know what to do here.”
    “Nothing, Mom,” she cried. “There’s nothing for you to do except tell me you want me to be happy.”
    “I thought you were. Apparently I was mistaken, and I don’t understand how.”
    “Can’t you just let me be? Maybe you haven’t noticed but I’m no longer a kid who needs monitoring, for heaven’s sake.”
    “We planned a good life for you, Emma, one that would give you security,” her mother pointed out. “You’ve been fine with it up to now. You should be smart enough to know that what make’s Jacie’s life good for her won’t necessarily work for you,”
    Emma had to curl her hands into fists to maintain her control. She wasn’t getting her message across at all. “Didn’t you ever just want to take a chance? Do something that was wild and different? Shake up your life?”
    “I have no idea what you mean, Emma.”
    That was certainly the truth. Emma felt as if they were conversing in two different languages. She huffed in frustration. “Mom.”
    “Why ever would I want to do that?” Puzzled, Angela shook her head. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good thing that Jacie came through and visited with you.”
    “Look, I appreciate all that you and Dad have done for me. Really. But maybe I’ve realized there might be more to life than what I know and I want a chance to find it. To explore what else is out there.”
    Angela studied her for a long moment then sighed. “Just be aware of the fact that when you’re through doing…whatever it is you’re doing, Andrew might not still be waiting.”
    “I know you won’t understand this, but I hope he won’t be. I hope he moves on. Finds someone who really appreciates him.”
    “Well.” Angela gathered up her purse and keys and headed for the door. “It’s obvious you don’t. Your father will have a fit. He really likes Andrew.”
    “Then maybe he should be the one to marry him,” Emma snapped, and instantly regretted the words.
    Her mother opened the door and never looked back, just walked out onto the porch and closed the door firmly.
    Emma wanted to cry, not because things were over with Andrew but because she realized how impossible it was for her parents to understand her after all these years. Of course, she was just beginning to understand herself. To realize the deep sensuality begging to be fully released. The awareness of self. The need to explore new opportunities. Maybe in every area of her existence. So how could she blame them for not sensing any of this?
    Two weeks ago, she had no idea she’d be reliving the thrill of a joy ride and loving it. That she’d discover a world of sensuality previously unknown to her. That the new feelings would crowd out the old ones. Now she didn’t know what to do with them or have any idea where to go from here.
    She dumped the remains of the tea in both glasses and stuck them in the dishwasher, then walked outside onto her back porch. Looking up at the sky, she wondered when the first stars would come out. And if wishing on one would help her get what she wanted.
    Guitar Man .

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “Could you possibly get your head out of your ass and pay attention?”
    “Huh?” Marc looked up to see Rick glaring at him.
    “Exactly. We’re all here. Where are you? Obviously not with the rest of us.”
    It was Monday and the band was rehearsing at Aftershock. Or at least three of them were. Marc couldn’t