FATHER ALWAYS SMILING

Chapter 45 ~~~~~

"You weren't there," Iesha said. "You don't know shit of what happened or any of the tiny details you might find not important. So quit with your bullshit."

Emma scoffed then her phone buzzed before she could respond. As she looked at it ignoring the three others. "Well, whatever, not any of my business, and really, it isn't any of yours. But if you want to keep thinking she's a hero, go ahead. I'm not going to believe any of that crap. Later." And walked away.

"God, I hate her..." Vic said when she was gone.

"Yeah," Iesha said as she folded her arms across her chest. "But she makes a point."

Vic cast a glare at Iesha. "What?"

Robin looked at her with a slight questioning stare. "How so?"

"We don't know why Elain decided to take Mr. Hilmarsson's daughter back to the school at night, we may never know even, but Elain shouldn't have done that. In the heat of the moment a person can do some really stupid decisions, we've all done it, but with this, I'm sure she regrets even letting the girl back to the school. Things like that isn't ever going to change once it's set, no matter how many "what ifs" keep going through a person's mind. So, for now we should just be there for her and, for now, just act like it didn't happen, that could help." Iesha then paused noticing the stare of amazement from Vic. "What?"

"Are you, like, some reincarnation of a wise philosopher from ancient Greece?"

"Dude, no," Iesha said rather flatly with an equally flat look but then added after three seconds. "Though if I was Cleopatra the Alchemist, I'd be down with that."

"Pharoh Cleopatra was an Alchemist?" Vic asked with interest.

"That's Cleopatra VII Philopator," Iesha said then noticed Alastor walking, clearly deep in thought with a hand over his mouth. "Is something wrong Mr. Hilmarsson?"

He looked at them as though he hadn't been aware of them. "Hmmm? Oh, well, actually perhaps one of you might be able to help. I'm a little indisposed at the moment, and with Miss Ortiz recovering, I need to find someone who would be willing to watch my daughter for an evening. I'm more than willing to pay double for it at least tonight. Would either of you?"

"Oh," Vic said as she stood up. "Shoot,"

"We can't," Robin clarified. "Vic and I promised my parents that we'd help with an ice-skating event for the kids tonight."

"And I'm watching my little brothers," Iesha said when Alastor looked at her. But then added. "If you wanted though, I could watch her at my house with my brothers?"

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Four."

Alastor was silent before shaking his head. "I don't want to add a fifth to that, you all have yourselves busy, I apologize for even asking. I suppose I'm a little desperate."

"Is what you need to do really important?" Vic asked. "I mean, it can't be pushed for another night?"

"Sadly, it can't, if I could I would, but this... this is something I need to take care of as quickly as possible."

Vic and Robin looked at each other before Vic spoke. "Then I'll—"

"I'll do it!"

Alastor turned to see Emma looking at them with a confident grin. "And you are?"

"Emma Terach, I go to the same school as Elain, the girl who was hurt trying to protect your daughter."

That's not what you said originally. Robin thought.

"Are you good with children?" Alastor asked.

"I've watched my little sister before."

Alastor was silent again, before finally sighing and saying. "Alright then, I'll contact you later today." He hands her a card. "Text me and I'll respond with what you need to do. It's only for one night. And I'll be paying—"

"Double," Emma interrupted him. "I know, I kind of overheard."

Alastor just looked at her before with a tight smile as if he were annoyed. "Anyhow I'll contact you later Miss. Terach." He then looked to the other three. "Thank you again, stay in good health." And then left with Emma waving as he walked briskly away.

Emma then caught the other three just staring at her. "What?" she asked. "He said he's paying double whatever he paid Elain, no way in hell am I going to be missing out on some easy cash to watch some a spoiled brat. Besides, a job like that is easy, if anything I can do what I want while she's asleep."

"Emma!" a woman called out. "What's taking so long?"

"Coming!" she snapped with annoyance. "Geeze, harping all the time... Anyway, later losers. I'll let you know how much money I get from this."

When Emma was gone Vic said. "Is it wrong to say that I hope she gets hit by a bus?"

"If she did then she might end up in some other world," Robin replied flatly.

"Good, then she'd be that other world's problem." Vic paused. "Why do I get the feeling we should have just said yes...?"