Forever Love by Melissa Johns

about an hour? I would love to stop by the gallery and talk with Henry.”
    “That’s not a problem but I need to leave for work in a couple of hours.”
    “That’s fine, I will definitely be home. How’s Emma?”
    “She’s fine. Just coloring and watching some cartoons.”
    “I will hurry home.” Emily hung up and walked to her car. She took the Parkway towards Lake Erie and pulled into Henry’s parking lot. Henry offered her a chance to display her art work in his gallery. He owned the gallery with his wife, Barbara and it was perfect for Emily. It was small, intimate and beautiful. She opened the door and walked in.
    “Emily Stone! Is that you?” Henry called out from across the room.
    “Hi Henry, how are you?”
    “You look beautiful. Please tell me that you didn’t get all dressed up for our little gallery.”
    Emily smiled. “I had a job interview this morning at the museum.”
    “Wonderful! My wife and I wondered when you would stop by to see us again.”
    “I apologize for that, Henry. After I graduated, things were slightly crazy around my house. But, I’m ready to start our discussions. When would be a good time for you?”
    “Let’s head upstairs and talk to Barbara.” Emily followed him upstairs and into their small office.
    “Emily! I’m so happy to see you again, Honey.” Barbara spun around in her chair and smiled up at her.
    “Good Morning, how are you?” Emily asked.
    “I’m wonderful. Are you finally ready for your display?”
    “I think so, I would love to sit down and discuss all of the details with you.”
    “Of course, let’s put you in the book. How’s Alex?”
    Emily smiled. “He’s great. I just saw him at the museum. I was telling Henry that I will be starting a career there on Monday.”
    “What a wonderful place to work, plus you get to stare at Alex all day long.”
    Henry rolled his eyes. “Would you stop that, Barbara? He’s a close friend of ours. You make him feel uncomfortable and now you will make Emily feel uncomfortable.”
    “Oh, I do not! Emily knows he is attractive, don’t you?”
    Emily nodded. “Yes, he definitely is attractive.”
    Henry sighed. “I know you are friends with him, Emily. Please don’t mention my crazy wife’s attraction to him.”
    Emily laughed. “It will be our little secret.”
    They set up an appointment for the following Monday and said their goodbyes. She made it home just in time for Paul to leave for work and make Emma lunch. They sat together eating their sandwiches. They discussed Emily’s new job and she pretended that Emma was listening and knew what she was saying. She wiped Emma’s face and gave her a big kiss. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
    She nodded. “Can we go see Grandma?”
    Emily tried to smile. “Sure, we can go see if she is home.”
    Emma jumped off her chair and ran to put on her shoes. Emily started out the front door when her phone rang. “Hey Alex.”
    “Hey, what’s up?” Alex asked.
    “Emma and I are going for a walk. She wants to see Eric’s Mom.”
    “That should be fun.”
    Sensing the humor in his voice, Emily responded. “Oh yes, I can’t wait for the awkwardness to begin.”
    Alex laughed. “Well, I have something that I really would like to show you tonight, do you think you could get a babysitter?”
    Emily knew she needed to step back from having her parents babysit all the time but she also knew she was moving out soon and she wouldn’t have that luxury anymore. “I’m sure my mother would watch her. What’s going on?”
    “It’s just something I would like to show you, pick you up at eight?”
    Emily replied. “Sure, see you then.”
    They hung up as Emma chased a squirrel down the sidewalk. Emily laughed and grabbed her phone to take some pictures to send to Eric. They arrived at Eric’s parents’ house and knocked on the door.
    “Hello Emma!” Mrs. Mason opened the door and hugged her grandchild. She looked up at Emily. “My darling Emily, how are