Free Zero Visibility by Georgia Beers

full attention.
    “I went to Wheels. I hope that’s the place you were talking about because it’s the only bike shop I could find, and Mindy knew you.”
    Cassie smiled. “That’s the place. Mindy’s awesome.”
    “She was. She fit me for a bike, let me rent it on a day-to-day basis. I hopped on and rode for more than ten miles. It felt great.”
    “I’m so glad.” And she was. Something about Emerson’s demeanor was a bit different, and she said so. “You seem much more relaxed. Not that I know you well,” Cassie rushed to add, laying a hand on Emerson’s thigh. Realizing it, she snatched it way as if she’d been burned and rushed to keep talking. “But, you just seem…I don’t know. Easier.”
    Emerson looked at her for a long time, until Cassie began to worry that she’d gone too far, was too touchy, had gotten too personal. “Biking helped a lot.”
    “Are you making any progress on your mom’s stuff?”
    Emerson rolled her lips in, grimaced. “Do you think we can talk about something else?”
    Cassie blinked. “Oh. Sure. Of course.” Interrupting her apology, a girl’s voice called out.
    “Cassie!”
    Before she could say a word, ten-year-old Grace Turner flew at Cassie and wrapped her arms around her. Cassie swallowed down her shock and hugged the girl back. “Hey there, Gracie.”
    “I saw you from way over there,” Grace said, helping herself to a seat on Cassie’s lap, despite being a bit too big to do so, as she pointed at a faraway entrance. Her face was wide with a smile, showing overlapping teeth that were going to cost her parents several thousand in braces soon.
    She no sooner thought of Grace’s parents then her mother, Vanessa, appeared, looking just as uncomfortable as she usually did lately, and even more so when her eyes stopped on Emerson. “Hi,” she said and forced a smile that came and went in a blink.
    “Hey.” There was an awkward beat, then Cassie continued, asking about Vanessa’s nephew. “Here to watch Kyle?”
    Vanessa nodded.
    “He looks good so far.”
    Clearing her throat, Emerson stood up and held out a hand to Vanessa. “Hi there. I’m Emerson Rosberg.”
    “I know who you are,” Vanessa said, before quickly catching herself, forcing another smile and taking Emerson’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
    “God.” Cassie shook her head. “I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? Emerson, this is my…friend, Vanessa Turner. And this,” she tickled Grace’s ribcage and was rewarded with giggles, “Is Grace-face.”
    Emerson gave a nod and a smile.
    The crowd cheered suddenly, and the four of them looked toward the rink to see what had transpired. A near-goal, apparently. After a moment, Vanessa held her hand out to her daughter. Cassie stared at it, at the pale skin, the neatly manicured nails, the wedding ring. She swallowed hard.
    “Come on, Grace. Daddy’s waiting for us.”
    “Aww. I want to sit with Cassie.” Grace wiggled her bony butt on Cassie’s lap as if digging in.
    Cassie bounced her knees a couple times and said quietly to Grace, “Be a good girl, and do what Mommy says. Okay?”
    Grace sighed dramatically and took her time sliding to the ground. “Fine.” She held out her hand, and Vanessa grasped it.
    “It was nice to meet you, Emerson,” Vanessa said.
    “Same here,” Emerson replied as they watched the two walk away. After a moment, Emerson said, “Wow. That wasn’t awkward at all.”
    Cassie sighed, shook her head with a grimace.
    “What was that about?”
    Cassie looked down at her hands in her lap and tried not to let the nausea take over. She inhaled slowly, swallowed, let it out. When she looked up at Emerson, she hoped the wetness in her eyes wasn’t glaringly obvious as she tossed Emerson’s words back at her. “Do you think we can talk about something else?”
    Emerson held her gaze, and her expression softened. “Sure.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Vanessa Turner was overwhelmed . Overwhelmed and irritated and fed up.