Emmy And Me

"I like Vivian quite a bit," Emmy said in the car ride home. "And Amy! She is precious!"

"Yeah, she's a little handful, alright," I agreed. "I'm not surprised she's already making friends at her new school."

"Do you think that Vivian and Michael will marry?" Emmy asked.

"Honestly? I hope so," I replied, thinking about it. "They seem to be in love, and he treats her really well. Michael and Jassie seem super fond of Amy, too. You know what?" I said, suddenly thinking of something. "That private school they have Amy in- Michael can get her tuition paid by the company if he submits the paperwork. I wonder if he's done that?"

"Even though Amy is not a Night Child?" Emmy asked.

"The policy is company-wide," I assured her. "We cover educational costs for our employees and family members. In fact, I know of several employees who actually- I guess you could say 'earn'- more in educational reimbursement than in their actual paycheck."

Emmy frowned. "How does that make sense? And how can Amy's tuition be paid if Vivian and Michael are not married?"

"Well, the benefit applies to live-in partnerships as well as married couples," I explained. "We are a California-based company, after all. And as for how it happens that some people collect more in tuition reimbursement than in salary, that's basically limited to a handful of our people going through college right now, and is predicated on them staying employed with us for a period of time after graduation. We look at it as an investment in the company's future."

Emmy sat back and thought for a while. "If Michael is claiming two dependents who are drawing education reimbursement, would he not fall into that category?"

"Somebody in his position might, but not him. I pay him quite well- there's no way Jassie's college tuition and little Amy's private school could ever equal his salary. But yeah, it could happen, if, say, an employee had a bunch of kids in private school."

"That seems as if it might be an opportunity for…" Emmy said, trying to think of a way to phrase it.

"Honestly, it's a giant sword we have hanging over the necks of our people in those sorts of situations," I said. "They absolutely can't quit without losing that benefit and incurring a giant chunk of overhead and potentially debt, right? This means they are super motivated to keep their managers and department heads happy."

"I see…" Emmy said. "There is a stick as well as a carrot."

"For sure," I confirmed. "It's a two-way street. Yes, it's a huge benefit available, but accepting it means committing to Royal for the long term. We have phenomenal employee retention, and this is just one of the reasons why. Hey, Wally, the company pays your daughter's school costs at City Tech, right?" I asked, loud enough to make it clear I was talking to our driver.

"Yes, Miss Leah," Wally replied over his shoulder.

"That's, what, ten grand a year all in?" I asked.

"A little less than that, but close," Wally admitted.

"This must cost the company quite a bit," Emmy said.

"Yeah, it does," I agreed. "Our payroll costs are well above the industry average."

"This must mean less profit," Emmy said.

"Oh, absolutely," I concurred. "But the company still does really well, so I can't complain. I'd rather have a bit less money in my pocket if it means I can hire and keep the best."

"That is very admirable," Emmy replied.

"Maybe, but it's also good for business at the same time. Don't forget, this whole thing is about improving the lives of our people."

"It gives me a little thrill inside every time I hear you call them 'our people'," Emmy said.

"Em, they are our people. And not just the Night Children in our shadow, but all of Royal's employees, too. Hey, Wally," I said, lifting my voice a bit again to get his attention. "Would you say you are one of our people?"

"My whole family consider ourselves to be your people," Wally said. "We are very, very much your people."

I reached forward and rested a hand on his shoulder. "And I'm very, very glad for that," I told him.

"It is Saturday," Emmy grumbled when I slid out of bed the next morning. "Come stay here with me," she said, holding the covers open invitingly. I'd been thinking I'd go for a run first thing, but a quick glance out the window showed dark, dreary skies that threatened rain or worse.

Making a show of sighing loudly, I slid back into bed. "If I must," I said.

"You must," Emmy confirmed, burrowing herself up under my arm so she could use my shoulder as a pillow. "Today is my day, and I say that we start it off by not starting it yet."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that, since it was so, so very Emmy.

Our day got going quite a bit later with some very good soapy time in the enormous shower. Sure, the slippy-slidey action was great, but to be honest, my favorite part was just Emmy washing my hair for me. The feel of her fingers on my scalp as she worked the shampoo into a lather, then doing the opposite and helping make sure the shampoo was rinsed out completely, was a heavenly experience.

"Do you remember the first time we bathed together?" Emmy asked.

"The first time we soaked in a tub, or the first time we showered?" I asked her back. "Because I remember both perfectly."

"The night we first made love, we soaked in the bathtub in my house in Fallbrook," Emmy said dreamily, remembering back. "It was special, the way you held me. I felt so very loved."

"It isn't special now? I can promise you you're just as loved," I said, wrapping her slender frame in my arms.

"It is still special," Emmy admitted. "But the first time…"

"The first time we showered together was during that Christmas break, when you stayed at our apartment," I said. "That little bit of living with you then convinced me that it was exactly what I wanted out of life."

"I loved that," Emmy said, resting her cheek against my chest. "Living with you and Tiffany and your mother. It was so peaceful," she said, her voice wistful.

"This shower has a lot more elbow room," I said, trying to break the slight melancholy that was developing. "And we've got the whole 'living together' thing nailed down."

"Yes, we do," Emmy agreed, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

Luisa made us a nice early lunch of chopped chicken shawarma salad, which really hit the spot.

When she asked what our plans were for the day, I pointed at Emmy. "It's her day to choose what we do. I'm just along for the ride."

"Yes. It is my day today," Emmy declared. "Today we will not do any work and we will not answer any emails. We will not go to the compound or any other property you might be thinking of buying, either. Nothing like that. Today we will only do fun things."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Like fun things, that is what," Emmy said.

"Well, O.K. then," I said, amused.

"At noon we are going to a concert."

"A concert? At noon?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. It is at the YMCA on 92nd Street," Emmy said.

"That's an easy half an hour to get there," Luisa commented. "Go straight down to Lexington and take the Six Line uptown. Get off at 96th, walk back four blocks and there you are. Can't miss it."

"Or have Wally drive us," I said.

"Or have me drive you," Wally agreed as he sipped his coffee.

"Yeah, that works, too," Luisa conceded.

"I do not hate the idea of taking the subway," Emmy said, "but the weather is terrible and walking in the rain holds very little appeal."

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"Have you ever even taken the subway here in New York? It's not nearly as nice as Paris' Metro," I cautioned her.

"Yes, when Angela and I brought her family here. We took the subway quite a bit," Emmy said. "Yes, it is old and not very clean, but it is quick and quite convenient for the things we wanted to see."

"Huh," I said, surprised.

"Winter is the best time of year for the subway," Luisa said. "It doesn't smell nearly so bad in the cold weather. Then again, I guess you could say that about New York in general," she said with a little laugh.

"Very true," Wally agreed.

"So, if you guys are going to a concert at the 92nd Street Y in the middle of the day, I'm gonna guess it's the children's choir?" Luisa hazarded. "If you were going for chamber music or jazz or something it'd be at night."

"Yes! That is correct. I have heard so many amazing things about the children's choir that I knew we had to see them when we had the opportunity," Emmy said, excitement in her voice.

"I've only ever seen them on TV- I really should see them in person some day," Luisa admitted.

"I think that's the thing about living in any given place," I said. "People rarely ever take advantage of the amazing things to see or do where they live. 'I can go do that any time,' they think, so they never actually do."

"That's so true!" Luisa agreed with a laugh. "You know, I've never been up to the top of the Empire State Building? The Eiffel Tower and The Shard, sure but New York's own? Not once!"

"Come with us to see the choir!" Emmy urged, laughing. "This is the perfect time to check it off your list of things to see in New York!"

In the end there were six of us attending the choir concert. Besides Luisa, Emmy talked Wally and Mia into coming, and of course, Jeremy went wherever we did.

We caused a bit of a stir when we entered the concert hall and a number of people came over to talk to Emmy, most notably the choir's musical director and also the venue's artistic director. With all the crowd noise of people filling up the auditorium I couldn't hear what the artistic director said to Emmy, but I did hear her invite the choir's musical director to dinner at our house.

The actual concert was a lot of fun. Seeing the kids in the various age groups, even the really young ones in the four to six year-old group, sing with such confidence and enthusiasm was heartwarming. Since it was December, the concert was holiday-themed. Interestingly, none of the songs were overtly religious- no Little Drummer Boy, no Silent Night. Instead we got Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, and All I want For Christmas Is You. Classics, sure, but non-denominational.

The most adorable, of course, were the little peewees singing It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. I have no ear for pitch or anything like that, but I was completely impressed by how that group of maybe thirty tiny little kids sang in perfect harmony and right on the money with their timing.

"O.K, that was freaking cute as fuck," Mia said in her inimitable fashion as we made our way outside.

"Not how I would have said it," Luisa laughed, "but you're absolutely right. That was just about the cutest thing ever."

"Miss Leah?" Wally asked as we walked back to where he'd parked the big BMW sedan. "There's another concert tomorrow. Would you mind if I took the time off to bring my family to see it?"

"No, that's perfectly fine by me," I told him. "In fact, let me buy you guys your tickets." As we walked, I pulled out my phone and brought up the site. "How many will you need?"

"That is very generous of you," Wally said when I told him the tickets would be at will-call.

"Wally," I said, "I want you to be happy working with us. You've certainly done everything we've asked of you."

"I am," he answered as he held the passenger door open for Emmy. "Very happy."

After dropping Mia and Luisa off back at the house, Emmy had Wally take us to the same lingerie boutique that Emmy and Angela had shopped at way back when. When I made a (very) mild protest, Emmy shut it down.

"You are a very beautiful woman, Leah, and you need beautiful lingerie. Think of it as a treat for me, rather than a treat for you."

Visions of Emmy in lingerie were enough to keep me from complaining any further. I would never tire of the way that her charcoal skin made some of her favorite pieces of sexy underthings (well, O.K., my favorite pieces) seem to glow in contrast.

I think Emmy saw weakness on my part, because she took full advantage of my lack of resistance to drag me around to several other clothing boutiques before we finally headed back to the house with all our expensive clothes in tow.

"The day is not over yet," Emmy announced as we ate an early dinner, thanks to the combined efforts of Jeremy and Luisa. "We need to be going soon."

"Going where?" I asked.

"You will see," Emmy teased.

The surprise was ruined a bit when Jeremy carried Emmy's guitar case out to the car after dinner, but I still pretended to have no clue.

Luisa didn't come with us this time, so it was just Mia and Jeremy keeping Emmy and I company at the absurdly incongruous tiki bar down in Greenwich Village. We had a few too-sweet drinks served in sculpted ceramic mugs until it was time for the open mic session to start. To my surprise they didn't lead off with Emmy, even though the staff had all posed for selfies with her, as had what seemed like twice the capacity of the bar itself.

Emmy was actually third in order, so it was just a little before nine when she took the stage. The place was utterly packed by that time- I had no idea if it was always like that on cold Saturday nights in December, or whether word had gone out that Emmy De Lascaux was going to play a set. When I commented on it, Mia said that there was a huge crowd outside that the bouncer was keeping from entering, which we both agreed was probably Emmy's star power at work.

Once Emmy had done her amp and mic check, she smiled at the crowd, which had gone perfectly silent for the first time all night.

"It is a pleasure to play for you all here tonight, here in this small bar in the East Village," Emmy said. "Unfortunately, I will only get to play just a few songs, so that others may have their turns as well." Pausing to look around the room, she continued. "My very first public performance was at my high school's winter festival with some friends of mine. You might have heard of them- they are a band called The Prodigal Sons."

This got some cheering and applause, making Emmy smile wider. "Yes, I have appeared onstage with them here in New York, as a matter of fact." This got a few loud cheers from one table in particular. "Yes? Were you there for that show? It was so much fun, making music with my old friends. My second public performance ever was an open mic night very much like this, back in San Diego. I took second place in the voting that night! I was paid fifty dollars!" Emmy said with a laugh.

The audience loved the anecdote, cheering and laughing along with Emmy.

"I thought, in honor of that night- and hoping for a repeat of my earnings- I thought I'd play the very same set list," Emmy said, causing more laughter as she strummed her electric acoustic Yamaha guitar.

Emmy played that classical-sounding song she'd said was from Algeria, singing in French. Of course, I could understand the lyrics this time, and appreciated it more than I had all those years ago on the night we first made love.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't what the crowd had expected, but they gave her one heck of a round of applause when she finished. Once everybody settled down she explained that it was a song in the style called Malouf, which derived from the music of Andalusia in Southern Spain.

"This next song is another traditional piece- I hope you enjoy this one as well," Emmy said, before starting in on the plucked guitar melody. It didn't take long before some in the crowd started laughing in recognition, realizing that she was playing a Guns N Roses tune.

Emmy's voice was filled with emotion as she sang, and the audience quieted down from the initial shock. By the time she sang the final line about not crying tonight the place was utterly silent except for Emmy's voice and guitar. Of course, almost everybody in the audience had their phones out, recording the performance, but that was just the way it was.

As her voice faded away the crowd went totally wild with applause. They knew they were seeing something special, something they were going to tell their grandkids about.

Emmy's third and final song was that Sarah McLachlan tune she used to sing for me, but hadn't in years by that point. Her voice was clear and strong, but the yearning was almost physical when she sang the lines about finding some peace tonight in the arms of an angel. Looking around, I saw plenty of others were wiping tears from their eyes as well, so I definitely wasn't alone.

Accepting the applause, Emmy stood and took a little bow. "Thank you all very much for this time together," she said, getting plenty of laughter.

A lanky dark-haired guy with a big nose and too much facial hair stood up and approached the little stage, holding his own guitar. I could see Jeremy tense, but the guy just turned to face the crowd.

"Hey!" He yelled to get everyone's attention. "I was supposed to be up next, but I'll gladly give up my time on stage if Emmy Lascaux can have it to play some more! What do you all think?"

Pretty much everybody seemed in agreement with this idea, but Emmy reached forward and grabbed the guy's shoulder. When he turned around, she leaned in and the two spoke for a minute or so.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Emmy announced, returning to the microphone. "It seems I have a new musical partner for the next twenty minutes! Please give a round of applause for Timothy Greene!"

After a minute or two of getting Timothy set up, the two conferred.

"Timothy had planned on playing some original songs, but I do not have time to learn them before we go onstage," Emmy said, getting the laughter she was fishing for. "So we are going to do some songs that we both know and love. Please, feel free to sing along if you know them."

After a little bit of quiet discussion, Timothy started out, strumming softly. This quieted everybody down so when Emmy leaned into the mic and sang, "Long afloat, on shipless oceans," everybody stayed as quiet as possible, despite a murmur of recognition going through the room. "Did I dream you dreamed about me? Now my foolish boat lies lovelorn on your rocks," she sang with so much yearning it was heartbreaking.

Timothy played well, and Emmy let him take the lead on the guitar. She only played soft, gentle fills here and there, giving the melody a little bit more depth.

"Here I am, waiting to hold you," Emmy breathed more than she sang at the end of the song and you could absolutely have heard a pin drop in that bar at that moment.

Timothy used his sleeves to wipe the tears flowing freely down his cheeks as soon as he'd played his last note, and that seemed to break the spell. The applause was almost deafening in contrast to how quiet it had been moments before.

"I have never had a chance to perform that song before, even though I love it dearly," Emmy said, wiping her own eyes. "There are some songs that are just too much, you know?"

"Jesus Christ," Mia said, next to me. "She's not wrong. That song makes me want to kill myself."

The two onstage switched roles for the next song, with Emmy playing lead guitar while Timothy sang that Velvet Underground song about scoring heroin in Harlem. The guy's voice was at least as good as Lou Reed's, but that really isn't all that high a bar, now is it? Emmy chimed in with soft backing vocals, adding a little something to the song that I never heard in the original.

The crowd ate it up, and Timothy looked very, very pleased when the song was over.

"Thanks, guys," he said, smiling so wide I thought his head might fall off. "You can't believe what a treat this is to play with Emmy here. This is a dream I don't want to wake up from."

Laughing, Emmy plucked some notes and the two did a sort of complementary dueling guitars thing for a minute or two before settling down into Emmy playing lead and Timothy on rhythm.

"I guess I should have known by the way you parked your car sideways," Emmy sang, her voice clear, a sense of humor leaking through. Plenty of people in the crowd recognized the song, but I wasn't one of them. It wasn't until she sang the chorus and the "Little Red Corvette" part that I finally recognized it as an old Prince tune.

After the song finished and Timothy and Emmy took their bows and returned to their seats, the crowd's noise level jumped way up as everybody just had to talk about what they'd just seen. We stayed for the next two performers, both of whom admitted in their own way that following Emmy De Lascaux was a good way to make yourself feel humble, but they soldiered on anyhow.

"I had so much fun today," Emmy said in our tub time that night. "Thank you for letting me run the show today."

"Em, we're life partners," I told her, kissing her hair. "Partners. This means that we both get our say."

"Thank you," Emmy said, sinking a bit lower in the hot, hot water. "It means very much to me that you feel that way."