[AlexG]

Thought I'd continue on with another of Lady Cashia's stories – the sequel to The Giantization of Emily.

Comments and questions are always welcome.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[AlexG]

The Giantization Of Emily II
By Cashia Brown © 2003

Part One

It was four months later, and Emily’s life was vastly different then it had been that day she had come home from work and fallen asleep.  Not knowing that a scant few hours later she would wake to find she was growing into her now 50-foot giant self.  Thinking back on it now, she had been naïve and trusting, never truly understanding what hell she would be going through.

That first week, had taken some adjustment.  Since she could not live in the house any more, Emily slept in the back yard.  After removing her daughter’s swings set, there was plenty of room for her to stretch out comfortably.  And since it was late spring, it was warm enough as well.  Megan’s windows opened out to the back yard and each night Emily would reach in to her room and tuck her sweet daughter into bed and tell her bedtime stories.

Things actually began to go wrong from that very first day.  Her husband Jack had been bombarded with phone calls, from people wanting restitution for damages resulting from Emily walking about town, motorists that had been in collisions with other motorists, when they first saw Emily and storeowners wanting compensation for damages resulting from the panicked crowds.  About the only person not demanding something was the truck driver she had saved, when he almost collided with the freeway center divider.  He had sent her a bouquet of yellow roses and a sweet thank you card.

Her boss, Mr. Benson, seemed to take great delight in firing her.  He regretted to inform her that since she could no longer fit inside the building, the company had no choice but to let her go.  She was secretly glad, but Jack was not.  He spent much of his time at home ranting and raving that now they were both unemployed and with her eating so much it would not be long before they would lose the house.

Old Mr. Piedmont, the very first person to see her in her new guise and who lived next door, began to sit on his roof with binoculars hung around his neck and watching their back yard constantly and even taking pictures of her.  His wife, always a very sour and unpleasant woman, called her a hussy and told her to stop flirting with her husband.  Emily could not believe the old woman would seriously believe she was actually flirting with the 71 year old man who weighed in at close to 300 pounds.  But when the police came out to talk to her about it, she realized she had been quite serious about the matter.

To make things worse, Megan was now the most popular kid in the surrounding neighborhood.  All the kids were envious that she had a mother, who was a giantess and begged to be allowed over to play.  Emily spent most afternoons lifting the kids into the air, much like an amusement park ride.  The parents got upset, and complained to the police, saying she was a nuisance and would surely end up hurting the children.

A few of the local churches got into the act and began to complain she was shamelessly dressed, wearing the drapes, from the living room, she had laced together with nylon clothes line rope. Worn sarong style, it barely covered her, but it was almost summer and many women wore even less.  Another issue the religious community, were up in arms about, was that she had begun to bathe in the lake at the local golf course.  She went after dark and chased off anyone in the area, but there were still those that denied her privacy and spied on her bath time.

Meanwhile a group of local crazies who had, until Emily’s ‘rise’ to fame, been U.F.O. enthusiasts, had now come to see the error of their ways and now ‘knew’ Emily was who they had been waiting for all their lives.  They camped out most of the time in Emily’s front yard, watching her go about her business and leaving small tributes of their esteem.  Most of which were flowers and pretty rocks.  They had even erected a small altar on which they kept a framed picture of Emily carrying Megan home from the restaurant that first night, cut from the local newspaper front page and kept candles burning on it 24/7.  It had been kind of flattering in the beginning, but their constant devotion and presence soon wore thin.

She had planes and helicopters dive-bombing her house and strange people parachuting and hang gliding into her yard, just to get a look at her.  Everyone wanted her picture and to ask her questions.  Journalists knocked on her door all hours of the day and night demanding interviews.  Emily missed her privacy, and would have given anything to have a few quiet minutes to her self.  Jack just complained constantly.  He did try to get her to go to be tested to see if this growth was reversible.  Emily gave in to just a blood sample, but not the testing.  That was all she needed were more people gawking at her.

In the middle of her second week as a giantess, the mayor came to their house with 20 police cars and a S.W.A.T. team, to inform her that she and her family were to be quarantined in a hanger at the local airbase.  Although he said it was for their own safety, Emily was a visual nuisance and many people were getting hurt simply by trying to see her, Emily knew that her neighbors and the town were against her.  They didn’t care about what happened to her. 

She wanted to rebel, she want to roar out her anger and feelings of betrayal, like those giant people in the old black and white movies of the 50’s but then Emily remembered how all of those movies ended. And seeing the swat team getting into position just in case, the thought of her precious Megan getting hit by a stray bullet made her decide it was best to follow the mayor out to a dingy old hanger that was to be their new home.

The very next day generals from all branches of the armed forces appeared and after long dry speeches, told her it was her duty to fight her country’s enemies.  One plump, pompous general even told her it was her duty to stomp the enemy flat.  Emily thought of stomping this general flat, but took a deep breath and managed to thanked them politely for their generous offers, but she was a wife and mother and really didn’t have the kind of time it would take to hunt down and destroy the enemy and if she changed her mind she would be sure to let them know.

Jack groused about everything, the crazies had followed her out to the hanger and lurked in the distance, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her.  Emily was glad to have them there actually.  They at least seemed to care about her.  Jack of course blamed her for their being there. But then Jack was blaming her for everything these days.  And that evening he decided he would not stay there in the hanger with her.  He was fed up and told her he wanted a divorce.  Part of her was relieved, but a part of her felt betrayed.  What had happened to ‘in sickness and in health and until death do you part’ vows they had made to each other. 

Emily turned away to hide the bitter tears that had filled her eyes, and before she realized what Jack had intended, she heard Megan scream for her just before the car raced away from the hanger.  That bastard had taken their daughter with him.  She left the hanger thinking she would follow and bring Megan back, but the swat team was still surrounding the hanger, to ensure her protection, of course, so she went back into the hanger and decided to wait till morning.  Poor Megan had been through enough.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[JimmyDimples]

I'd stumbled on this one while surfing for other stuff…

I like the real life take… and something that's not a cheesy Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman remake.  Good find. 🙂

[AlexG]

The Giantization Of Emily II
By Cashia Brown © 2003

Part Two

In the morning when Emily got up, she was surprised to find breakfast waiting for her.  Her crazies had spent hours cooking up pancakes and making syrup for her.   It was so sweet and unexpected, she cried, and insisted they join her.  They were a nice bunch of people and while they ate they swore to help her in any way they could.  Emily felt better then she had since she had awakened to find herself growing.  She thanked them and got up to go home to get Megan.

She walked out to the gate where she was met with resistance.   Soldiers had replaced the S.W.A.T. team.  Their orders were to restrict her to the hanger area.   With Megan gone, Emily wasn’t as concerned about them firing at her.  She politely told them she was going to get her daughter and they were welcomed to follow along if they wanted to.  The soldiers had a dilemma, they could shoot the nice giant lady or give her a military escort to her daughter, clearing the roads and protecting the citizens.   

All the young men voted for the escort.  They almost wrapped their HUMMVs around trees and power poles, many times, as they became easily distracted by the long, bare shapely legs, that walked in front of them, or watching those same legs in the rearview mirrors as she followed the lead vehicles.   And the way the citizens of her town lined the streets, you would have thought the circus had come to town.  Emily did her best to ignore them; she only wanted to get Megan back.

Standing in front of her house, Emily called out to Megan.  It was Saturday and she knew Jack was likely to be there.  But Megan didn’t answer her calls.  Getting down on her hands and knees, she peered into the windows.  Lights were off and no one was there.  Beginning to panic, she forced open the garage door and found the car was gone.  Perhaps Jack had taken her to the park, or maybe they went shopping. 

Emily stepped over the fence into the back yard.  Opening up the window to Megan’s room, she checked her drawers and closet, where she found many of her clothes were missing, along with her favorite toys.  Going back to the garage, she found most of the luggage they stored there was also missing. 

Just then Old Mrs. Peidmont came out of her house.  “Won’t do you no good looking Missy,” she shouted up to Emily.  “Your Mister left with the little girl early this morning and I don’t think he is coming back.”

“Mrs. Piedmont, where did Jack go?”  Emily fought the tears threatening to fall.

Mrs. Piedmont actually smiled with vile glee.  “Don’t know Missus, but its safe to say he was taking the girl away to protect her from your evil ways.”

Emily did not know what to do.  She called out to everyone in the neighborhood, “Does anyone know where Jack went?”  No one answered her, and only Jenny, one of Megan’s friends came out.  “They left real early, cuz when I went over after breakfast to play with Megan, they were already gone.”

Emily wanted to scream, she had not asked for this to happen to her. She only wanted what most women want, a loving husband, children and a happy home.  True her husband wasn’t loving and their home life wasn’t that happy, but Megan … Emily’s life had revolved around her sweet daughter.  She had to find her.  Then her shoulders slumped.  What kind of life could she offer her daughter? 

Tired of being a spectacle, she returned to the hanger, her military escort in tow and sliding the hanger doors closed against the outside world, she gave into her tears.  Hours passed and out side the hanger her sweet crazies and her military guard listened to her sorrow.

The next day an emergency meeting was called by the crazies and surprisingly many of the soldiers assigned to guard her attended, and after much discussion and debate, they came to a decision, they would try to make things better for their Goddess. A plan of action was formulated, duties were assigned and everyone got busy.

The first group went out and collected wood and paint and anything else they could find to turn the old dusty hanger into a fitting home for a giantess.  Another group went out and searched for heavy fabrics in large quantities, so that they could design and make clothing that the town’s people would not find offensive.  Still another group was placed in charge of supplying an adequate source of food to keep their lady well fed.  The final group had a special duty to perform…they were to find out where Jack had gone and to keep tabs on him and little Megan.

When Emily finally emerged from the hanger later that day, all that she saw was the soldiers that were assigned to keep her prisoner.  Looking around, she saw even the crazies had abandoned her.  Even her new size was not interesting enough to keep them there.   She must really be a terrible person to have this happen to her.  Her husband had left her taking their child with him to protect her.  The town thought she was a menace and wanted her gone.  And the military, they wanted her under their control and to use her as some sort weapon against enemies.   Could her life get any worse?  With a resigned sigh she went back into the hanger, hoping to escape in sleep.

After some time she did manage to fall asleep only to be forced back to consciousness by people banging around outside the hanger.  As Emily slid open the hanger doors, she could see the sun was getting ready to set.  People were bustling all over and standing in front of her was a group of women.  They stood there looking up at her.   One of the women called up to her.  “Excuse me Ma’am?  We need to measure you for your new clothes.”

Emily was confused, “What new clothes.”

The woman smiled, “We were assigned to create some new clothes for you, so that way no one can complain. “ She was smiling happily. “So we need to measure you and talk to you about what you would like for us to make for you to wear.”

A man came up just then, “ You have an hour till dinner is ready Ma’am.” 

It was then that Emily noticed the aroma in the air.  Looking around, she spotted a group of men busily roasting large chunks of meat over an open fire and others busily chopping and peeling and cooking…just for her. Her stomach rumbled.

Another woman stepped up.  “If you don’t mind ma’am, after dinner, could we talk about what you would like to do to make the hanger a nicer place to live?  You can also select the colors you want to have it painted in.”

Emily by this time was stunned and could only nod.  This seemed to satisfy everyone and they hurried away.  The women stood there waiting patiently to follow her into the hanger to measure her for her new wardrobe.  Emily led the way back inside, not really certain she wasn’t still asleep and dreaming.

Long after things had quieted down and all the wonderfully thoughtful people left to go to sleep, Emily sat outside the hanger and just looked out at the starry night sky.  Her day had begun so badly but now she felt a small ray of hope.  It would seem there were people who cared about her after all.  It just saddened her that these caring people were not family. 

While they had been eating she talked to many of these people and it surprised her that they thought she was special.  She didn’t feel special.   Emily actually felt like a freak.  But sitting here surrounded by the quiet night, she began to think about how she was now.  Sure her husband thought she was a freak, but over the last couple of years, she had come to realize that Jack really only treated her so badly, because he hated himself.  It hurt his pride that for the last couple years, she had been the breadwinner; he did not take well to being a househusband.  Jacks idea of cooking was to pour cereal and order pizza.  And cleaning?  He dusted off the television screen to watch his sports.

The town’s people that were so against her she realized were petty and vicious people like old Mrs. Piedmont, who only felt better when they were hurting others.    And the mayor had done what he had to do.  It was his job, as an elected official, to do what the people wanted him to do.  It was just too bad that the nicer people weren’t as vocal as the not so nice ones.  The neighborhood children had been wonderful.  They had showed no fear.  To them she was still Megan’s mother, only now instead of giving them cookies and pushing them in the swings, she carried them around and made them scream in glee as she swung them carefully in her large hands.

The Crazies, she had to stop referring to them that way. They were just a bunch of caring people that were looking for something.  They knew there was more to life then surviving from day-to-day, and they were searching for it. Emily knew that she was not the answer for which they searched, but she was grateful they were concerned for her welfare.   And truthfully, if they were not here, Emily felt she would have done something very stupid.

Heading to bed later, Emily sent up a silent thank you to whatever divine entity was watching out for her.  It helped to know it was not her alone against the world and it gave her hope.  She still missed Megan, but from now on she would take things just one day at a time.  She would get Megan back she vowed, just not as quickly as she would have wished.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[AlexG]

The Giantization Of Emily II
By Cashia Brown © 2003

Part Three

During the following weeks, things changed greatly for Emily.  Her new friends, the former Crazies and the soldiers had been joined by others; there were civic groups, and dens of cub scouts and girls scouts, even a group from the college came out to help, although their professor kept very busy asking her questions about being so big.  He took tests and x-rays, trying to understand how her growth happened.  Cooking clubs from town vied to create dishes geared towards giantesses.  The local garden club came out and put in a lawn and flower garden to make the exterior of her hanger home more appealing.  A men’s group set up a playground, so that when Megan was found and returned, she would have a nice place to play with her friends.

The hanger was now a very pretty pale yellow, trimmed with white.  Emily now had one dress, a pair of pants, a blouse and underwear.  More clothing was being made.  The inside of the hanger was being transformed.  There was a nice sitting area in the front half and sleeping areas in the back, with a delightful child’s bedroom finished and waiting for Megan’s return. 

The soldiers had again escorted Emily back to her house to get whatever belongings she wanted.  And in the end, she brought pretty much everything back, except for Jacks personal belongings.  The small furniture, she thought would be good for if she had any company visiting.  She sat on the floor these days, as there was no furniture large enough for her and besides sitting on a giant chair would put her too far away to carry on a conversation comfortably.  Yes things were getting better…but she still wanted Megan.

One day as Emily was watching and helping wherever she could, while people were building a cookhouse, she heard a whining ands watched as a plane went down on the other side of town.  Without a thought of her order to remain at the hanger, she jumped to her feet and bypassing the town, she raced to the site.  Wreckage was everywhere, but the main fuselage was still pretty much in tact.  From inside she could hear screams and smoke was bellowing out from inside.  Without a thought for burning her hands she raised up the end of the plane and blew out the flames, then after setting it down gently she removed the roof to look in at the people inside.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

Most were but she could see those who had been injured.  As she was deciding what to do she heard the distant wails of emergency vehicles.  “Ah things will be ok, help is on the way.”

She helped when she could, ripping away parts of the plane so the emergency teams could reach trapped passengers.  Lifting the injured from the plane once they were securely fastened to stretchers.  What might have taken hours, took very little time and many lives had been saved, which would not have been, normally.  Watching the last vehicle leave, the accident scene, Emily realized how tired she was and returned to her hanger home, after stopping off at the golf course lake to wash up.  She asked the workers around her home to please be quiet and went inside to sleep.

The next morning, she woke to someone banging on the hanger door.  Rubbing her sleep filled eyes, she opened the doors to find a large group of people waiting out side.  The mayor stepped forward thanking her for her assistance the day before.  He told her had she not been there most if not all the passengers would have died.  The town was grateful and had decided that if she would be careful, she was no longer restricted to the area around the hangar.  In the background she heard the soldiers who were assigned to guarding her complain, they didn’t like the thought of being reassigned.

So things settled down.  Emily was still missing Megan.  She had learned that there was a group who were diligently searching for Jack and Megan.  And they began reporting any news they found to her.  She went to town each day and asked if there was anything she could do to help.  Mostly she just helped out with traffic accidents.  Although she had stopped several fights and foiled a bank robbery. 

People would wave and ask her how she was.  A few of her old friends came out to visit with her.  Life was getting back to as normal as it could be.  Then one afternoon, the divorce papers arrived.  The papers were too small for her to read, so she had Benny, the leader of her sweet crazies read them to her.  When he came to the part where he cited the reasons for the divorce, Benny grew silent.

“Go ahead Benny,” she encouraged. “I know it will be bad.”

Benny cleared his throat and haltingly began to read to her again.  Jack was creative and made everything that happened to them sound like she had done it deliberately.  He cited instances of her causing accidents and stated she was a danger and a menace.  The final blow came when he stated he should have custody of Megan because she was a dangerous freak that would not only be a bad role model, but would endanger his daughter.

Emily sat in stunned silence and she thought for a second that maybe Jack was right.  After all she was a monstrosity and living with her Megan would never have a chance for a normal life.  Then she thought of Megan living with Jack and how distant he could be.  Megan needed love and attention.  If she was not allowed to live with Emily, then Jack was a poor substitute and maybe her Aunt Beatrice would take her in.  Beatrice was a sweet loving woman who would shower Megan with more love and attention then any child could need.

Fighting the urge to cry, Emily turned to Benny,  “Can you find me a good lawyer Benny?  I need to fight this and I can’t do it alone.”

“We have a lawyer for you already Emily.”  He turned and motioned for someone to enter.

Looking decidedly nervous a short, stout man dressed in an immaculate suit entered carrying a briefcase.  He didn’t look at her, but went to a table and opened the briefcase.  “Now I have prepared everything we need to try to at least retain custody of the child.”

“Her name is Megan,” Emily interrupted.

“What? Er…oh yes, Megan.  He shuffled a few papers and went on.  I am not sure we can win custody, but we can try.”

Can we arrange for my Aunt Beatrice to get custody of Megan?” Emily asked.

For the first time the lawyer looked at her.  “You don’t want custody of your own daughter?”

“Of course I want custody.” Emily’s voice cracked.  “But I know Jack will bring up every single detail of our lives together and make me sound like a vicious monster.”  Emily sighed, “And look at me…I am a monster.  I want Megan to have a normal, well-adjusted and happy life.”

“Are you sure that is what you want? “  The lawyer looked up at her in disbelief.

Emily sobbed, “Of course that is not what I want.  I want Megan with me so I can love her and watch her grow up into the beautiful person she will become one day.” She wiped tears from her cheeks, unaware they fell down onto the lawyer and Benny. “ But I also know that no court in their right mind would give Megan over to the care of a giant
freak.”

“Benny spoke up for the first time, “You are not a giant freak.  You are a beautiful women with a …a … hormonal problem.  Anyone with eyes in their heads can see how much you and Megan love each other.  I think you belong together.”

Emily reached down and with her large graceful hand caressed his cheek gently.  “Thank you Benny, you will never know how much your words mean to me.”

The lawyer cleared his throat.  I will look into the custody matter and I will get back to you, in the mean time, don’t do anything foolish.“  With that he snapped his briefcase shut and left.  Benny and Emily watching him leave in disbelief.

“I will see what I can do as well Emily.”  Benny reached up and patted her knee consolingly.  “Let’s not give up just yet.”  With a wink Benny too hurried out of the hanger to get to work on plans he alone knew about.

Emily still did not believe there was a chance of getting Megan back, but she decided sitting around dwelling on it would not help, so she left the hanger and went to town hoping something would happen to take her mind off her troubles.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[AlexG]

The Giantization Of Emily II
By Cashia Brown © 2003

Part Four

Over the next few weeks, Emily began to think the entire world was in on a secret that only they knew.  Everywhere she went people would be very friendly, but none would stay around to chat with her.  Emily was beginning to feel very lonely.  Even her sweet bunch of crazies were scarce these days.  Every one had places to go and people to see, except for her.

The one bright spot during that time was when the mayor asked her into town, and then surprised her by hiring her as the town protector.  Everyone was there, cheering and congratulating her.  And the women’s clubs had gone all out preparing a feast for the town.  All their husbands were busily manning large barbeque pits.  Everyone in the town worked so hard to make the day special for her.  She was deeply touched.  She forced away thoughts of Megan and focused on all the sweet people who were going out of their way to make the day enjoyable.

Nights were the worst.  Emily found she could not stay in the hanger, so she took to walking around the base, staying well away from any activity.  Often she would end up curling up at the base of a hill and fall asleep with only a blanket of stars.  Out under the dark night sky she could imagine that things had not changed and she was small once more.  These feelings only lasted until morning when she had to return to the hanger and put on a cheerful face for all those who cared about her,

But the day finally arrived when she was to talk to a judge about the divorce.  The women had made her a suit for the occasion and some of the men had managed to make her a pair of black flats.  As Emily dressed she was torn about comfronting Jack again when they appeared before the judge.  The proceedings would be held in front of the courthouse, as she could not possibly fit inside.  There would be no privacy during the proceedings and Emily was secretly happy about that.  The townspeople had become her family and she felt better knowing she would not be facing Jack’s vindictiveness alone.

There was quite a procession as Emily walked into town.  Her sweet crazies walked beside and behind her, followed by almost every service member, who was not on duty at the base.  And as they made their way to with town square and the courthouse, all the people who had gone out of their way for her joined them.  The local boys scouts and girl scouts had been busy making flags and banners that said, “We’re with you Emily” and were kept very busy handing them out to people in her procession.

As Emily stepped past the huge old oak trees that encircled the town square she saw Jack standing on the steps of the courthouse.  As she drew near she saw he looked nervous and uncomfortable. Looking around a part of her hoped to see Megan, but she was not surprised to see there was no sign of her.

“Hello Jack,” she studied him wondering what she ever found in this man to love.  The only good thing that came from their time together was Megan.

“Emily,” he replied tersely and then looked away.

A commotion came from behind her and she turned to find Benny directing her bunch of sweet crazies to keep away news crews,  that had arrived on the scene.

It’s ok Benny, let them pass.”  Benny did as she asked, but he did not look too pleased to have the media there.

After a few minutes her lawyer appeared and nodded up to her, but before she could talk to him, the judge appeared and his bailiff called for order and the voices quieted.

“This is a highly unusual case and I warn you all right now that no interruptions will be tolerated.  Any and all of you who cause a disturbance will be asked to leave.  Is that understood.” The Judge paused, his eyes scanning the crowd as everyone present nodded or and murmured their agreement to his announcement.  “Very well, now lets get started.”

The judge sat at a table set up on the top of the courthouse steps.  Jack and his lawyer sat at a table at the foot of the steps and her lawyer at another.  Emily sat on the lawn, curling her long shapely legs under her and tucking the suit skirt in a lady like fashion, so as not to expose anything to the crowds.  Folding her hands in her lap she tried to appear calm, but inside she was a mess.

The judge hit a small block with his gavel.  “The proceeding will now come to order.”  He motioned for Jack’s lawyer to go first.

“Your honor, he said the turned to the townspeople watching, “and good townspeople.”

The Judge’s gavel struck again.  “We will not have you playing to the viewers.”

“I apologize you honor” Jack’s lawyer reminded Emily of one of those snake oil salesmen, of olden times.

My client is asking for his divorce be granted and that he be given total custody of his daughter Megan.”

The judge nodded.  “Very well.  Please present your reasoning.”

“Six months ago, my client had a happy marriage and then this…woman, ruined everything by growing to gigantic proportions.  Because of this “growth,” she lost her job.  My client was ridiculed.  He was bombarded with claims for damages his wife created as she stomped across the town.  Former friends and neighbors turned against him.  Complaints were made and in the end they were forced to move from their home and to live in a rundown hanger at the base, under constant guards.” 

The lawyer paused and then went on.  “My client believes that his daughter will never have the chance for a normal decent life living in this town.  He also thinks that this woman is not a good role model or mother.  And that living in such close proximity to her will result in possible physical damage to his daughter.”

Emily had been trying to remain quiet as her lawyer had instructed her, but the thought of her hurting her daughter was ridiculous.  “I would never hurt Megan!”

The judge stuck his gavel.

“You know how much I love Megan Jack, How can you think I could hurt her.”

“Blam” again the gavel. “I am warning you to keep your client under control.”  The judge cautioned her lawyer.

“Please Emily, we will have our turn to speak.”  He pleaded with her.

Emily clamped her mouth shut, wanting desperately to keep protesting, but knowing she was hurting her own case if she did.  Nodding, “I will try.”

“Continue,” the judge directed Jack’s lawyer.

“Thank you, Your Honor.  My client feels that his daughter needs a normal environment to grow up in and he feels that in the circus like environment that surrounds his wife, this will not be possible.  Not to mention the strange people that have…attached themselves to his wife.  He sees them as a possible danger to his daughter’s welfare as well.”

“His wife has no occupation, so if she had custody of their daughter, they would be dependant on handouts.  My client has a good job where he has resettled and has obtained proper day care for his daughter while he is at work.” 

“Is that all?” the judge asked.

“Yes your honor.” The lawyer sat down and looked quite smug and pleased with himself. 

Emily looked down at Jack and saw he too looked quite smug and almost daring her to get herself out of that.

Emily’s lawyer stood up and walked around the table.  “Your honor, he began.  It is true my client has grown.  It was not deliberate or done from any sense of malice.  Her only crime was to come home from work. She had not felt well and went to lie down.  By the way I feel it is prudent to mention that my client was the sole breadwinner for her family for more then 3 years prior to her gro…this incident.”  He poured out a glass of water from the insulated pitcher on the table.  After taking a sip he continued.

“What this woman has experienced was not unlike being struck down with a debilitating disease.  She lived up to her vows to her husband.  When he lost his job and didn’t try to find a new one, she stepped in and found a job to support her family.  When she was struck with … this growing problem, he showed no support for her and fled with their daughter, leaving Emily to worry and fret..”

“In my investigations, the only friends I could find that her husband had were a couple of drinking buddies at the local tavern, where it seems they, Jack included ridiculed everything under the sun.”

  “Also every one of the restitution demands for the damages that were brought against them, have been dropped.  The so-called friends and neighbors that filed complaints turned out to be the neighbor next door and only the wife complained.  Her husband it seemed was quite happy to sit on the top of his roof, taking pictures of Emily and watching her every move through binoculars.”  The audience laughed.

“It is true that several churches complained, but this was because Emily had been forced to cover herself with the living room drapes, laced together by her clothes line.  As one can imagine, it is very hard to shop for clothing that comes in her … uh…extra large size.”  Again everyone laughed.

Her lawyer shuffled his notes again. “While it is true they were forced to move to the abandoned aircraft hanger, it was in part to protect them.  People would parasail into their yard.  Streets became obstructed with traffic for several blocks around their house from the people wishing to see the ‘giant lady.’  The news people were hounding them to death and they had absolutely no privacy.”  The mayor felt it would be best for the family, as well as the town, for them to move to the base where they could be afforded some small amount of privacy.”

“Now as to the charges of these people that “attached” themselves to Emily.  Most are very scholarly.  They come from good families and are kind and giving people.  This can be seen by they way they stepped in after her husband’s abandonment and remodeled the hanger and landscaped the area around it.  They even created a bedroom any young girl would love and a large playground for her to play in.”

Glancing down at his notes he went on, “As to an improper role model, Emily has made herself indispensable to this town.  On several occasions, she has been the only thing that stood between life and death for many people, with no thought to her own safety.  She is a wonderful role model, not only for her daughter, but also for all the children of this town. “  At this the crowd cheered.

It took several blows from the judge’s gavel before control was resumed. “As to my clients lack of employment.  That is a falsehood.  The Mayor himself hired her as the Town Protector.  Her wages are directly deposited in an account in her name at the bank across the town square.  Her daughter will never want for anything.  The town has even started a college fund for Megan.”

The lawyer handed papers to the bailiff to deliver to the Judge. ”Your Honor, these papers list the assets of my client as well as complete records on the people who are assisting her.  All are willing to testify if possible on my clients behalf.”

The judge took the papers from the Bailiff and took some time to glance through them all.  When he had finished, he asked, “Is that all?”

“No your honor, there is one last thing.”  He looked like he didn’t want to speak but when Emily reached down and touched his shoulder, he sighed and went on.  “It is the wish on my client that I ask the courts to consider a proposal.”

“My client wishes to inform the court that her husband is not a very giving man, he doesn’t not like to show affection.  She feels a young girl deserves displays of affection and to be shown that she is loved.  My client feels her husband is incapable of doing this.  She feels…and these are her words, your honor, not mine.  She feels that if the court does not feel that she, being the giant freak that she has become, cannot provide her daughter with these needs, then she respectfully asks that the courts consider allowing her Aunt Beatrice to have custody of her daughter Megan.”

He paused, swallowing hard and wiped a tear from his cheek.  “As you can see your honor, my client only wants what is best for her daughter.”  He sat down, signaling that he was finished.  Emily reached out and rubbed his arm.  When he looked up at her she mouthed the words, “Thank You.”

“I will take some time to go over what I have heard and to go over these documents presented to me.  Court will resume in 2 hours.  I will give my decision then. The judge struck the gavel once more then turned and disappeared into the courthouse.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[AlexG]

And now the conclusion to Giantization Of Emily II . . .  8)

==========

The Giantization Of Emily II
By Cashia Brown © 2003

Part Five

Emily sat there looking at her hands hoping that the judge would not give custody to Jack.  If she could not have Megan, then she prayed she would be able to live with Beatrice.

“So is this sour grapes Emily?  If you can’t have Megan, then I can’t have her either?  Emily looked up to see Jack sneering at her.

“You know it isn’t Jack.” She answered him quietly.

“I may not be a touchy feely kind of guy, but you know I love Megan.” Jack glared at her, “That was a cheap shot asking the judge to have her go to Beatrice.”

“I didn’t ask that you not be allowed to visit her Jack.” Looking him straight in the eye.  We both know she would be happier living with Beatrice.”

Jack didn’t answer her; instead he turned and went back to his lawyer. As she watched she could see Jack was turning his anger against her onto his lawyer.
“Please don’t worry Emily,” She looked down to see Benny had come up to stand next to her thigh,  “I am betting that the judge is a smart man and he will see that Megan belongs with you.”

Emily took his hands between her thumb and index finger and squeezed them very softly. “Thank you Benny.  I don’t think I could have come this far with out all the help you and the others have given me.”  Tears filled her eyes, “If you guys hadn’t been there for me, I think I might have done something really stupid.”

“I don’t think you would have Emily.” Benny looked so certain.  “You are a strong woman.  You care about those around you.  You are everything that is good and decent.  I feel honored to know you.”

Emily’s eyes widened at his words and for the first time she noticed Benny was an attractive man.  “Thank you Benny, it means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

Benny actually blushed.  “I meant every word Emily. And…and if you wouldn’t mind, I would like to get to know you better after this is all over.”

Emily was speechless.  Never in her wildest dreams did she think anyone would want to get to know her at this size.

Benny saw the panic in her eyes, “Its ok Emily we can go slow.  Let’s get to be friends and see what happens later.”

Emily smiled and nodded.  “Yes Benny, I would like that.”

The news crew came forward then and very politely asked to interview her.  Emily agreed and her lawyer stood nearby to advise her on which questions to answer and which she should simply reply to with a “No comment.”  Although to her surprise they were very polite and didn’t ask any really awkward questions.  Mostly she talked about Megan and how nice everyone had been to her.  In the background Jack was fuming.  Not one reporter approached him.

Not far away the mayor was expounding to several of the reporters, what an asset Emily was to their town.  She thought he went a little overboard when he proclaimed her as a gift from God.  And when the crowds cheered him she thought “Oh well, if that’s what they want to think.”

It seemed like forever before the judge returned.  The crowds grew still and the air hung heavily with anticipation.  The bailiff asked the lawyers and their clients to stand, then added, “except you ma’am.”  He actually winked at her, “Can’t have the judge straining his neck to look up at your beautiful self.” The crowd laughed and no one could tell who blushed more, Emily, or the flirting Bailiff. 

The judge seated himself and smacked the gavel to signify the court was again in session.

“It is always hard when there are children involved in a divorce.  Especially when the parties concerned cannot work together to share the responsibilities.  I have carefully gone over the testimony and all the evidence given me to study.  And after careful consideration, I have made my decision.”

The crowd grew still and not even the birds in the trees made a sound.  It was if the earth and everything on it stood still, holding its breath to hear what the judge’s verdict would be.  Emily didn’t think she could breathe, even if she tried.

“ It is always the responsibility of the court to consider what is best for a child.  It is my considered opinion, that the father is not the best one to raise the child Megan.”  Jack made to protest, but his lawyer managed to get him to calm down.

The judge continued.  “I feel a bit like Solomon when he was presented with a child that two women claimed. “  He smiled at the crowd.  “When he could not get the false mother to confess, he drew his sword and offered to split the child down the middle so they might both have half of him.  The real mother told him to give the child to the other woman.  The other woman who would have let him split the child in two.”  The judge looked at Emily. “I know you love your daughter Emily and want what is best for her.  You even offered up a proposal so she would receive the love and care she deserved.”

“ I know your Aunt Beatrice must be a fine and loving woman for you to asked that Megan be remanded into her custody.”  I had a nice long talk with your Aunt Beatrice and I think she would be an excellent choice to raise your daughter.”  The crowd groaned, they clearly were not happy to hear him say that.

The judge stood up and raised his hands for silence.  “”Let me continue please.  I said she would be an excellent choice to raise Megan.  But…”  The judge paused and everyone could see he was enjoying his moment of power.  “But, Beatrice is not the ’Best’ choice.  He looked down at Emily.  “I think I am going to have to go with the consensus of the crowd and your Aunt Beatrice, who by the way, told me I would be an darn fool if I took Megan away from you.  I have decided to give custody of Megan to her mother.”  The crowd went wild.

The judge tried to speak again but no one was having it.  The bailiff finally fired his pistol into the air to gain control.  When all was quiet again, the bailiff turned and said with a grin, “Ok judge you have the floor.”

“I also can see that Megan’s father loves her too, so I want them to get together and work out an agreeable visitation schedule.”  Jack was glowering.

“Emily’s voice rose up above the crowd. “Oh course I would not keep Megan away from her father.  She loves him.”  The crowd roared again. 

Benny hugged Emily’s knee as best as he could. “See Emily I told you to not to worry.”

Without a thought Emily picked him up and kissed him.  “Thank you Benny, I couldn’t have handled this with out you. “  Even though he was blushing, she could see that her kiss pleased him and she kissed him again, before setting him gently on the ground. 

Her lawyer was next; she didn’t kiss him though, just hugged him briefly to her chest and thanked him.  He looked a little disheveled when she set him back down, but not the least bit displeased. 

People were swarming around her and Emily dared not move for fear of hurting someone, so she sat very still accepting their good wishes and congratulations.  After a bit the crowd before her began to part and she saw that Jack was leading Megan through the crowd towards her.  She wanted to rush forward to hug her daughter, but she couldn’t for fear of those around her.  After what seemed like an eternity, the crowd moved back and grew still, leaving Jack and Megan in the front of Emily.

“Mommy” Megan ran at her and Emily scooped her up in her loving hands and kissed her over and over.

“Mommy I missed you so much and Daddy said it might be a long time till we came back so I could see you.”

“I missed you too baby.”  She kissed her again.  “I missed you so much.”

Jack called up to her, “Emily?”  Then louder to get her attention, “Emily?”

Emily pulled her eyes away from her daughter and looked down at her now ex husband.  “Yes Jack?”

He looked uncomfortable. “I…I want to say I am sorry. “  He tugged at his necktie and then ran his hand through his hair. “I was wrong to take Megan.  If it’s ok with you I will come to the hanger and we can set up a visitation schedule.”

Emily was surprised. Jack never apologized … for anything.  Maybe this was a sign that things would work out for the good after all.  “Yes Jack, come for lunch.”

Jack nodded and turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

“So baby,” Emily returned her attention to her daughter.  What do you say we return home and you can see your new room and the fabulous playground all these nice people worked so hard to make for you?”

“Megan leaned over and looked down from Emily’s large hand at all the people below her.  “They really made me a playground?”  The crowd laughed and shouted up to Megan about all the cool things waiting for her to see.

Megan sat up and looked at Emily again, “Oh yes Mommy, lets go home and see it.”  Then she hugged Emily’s thumb “I am glad I am back with you again Mommy.  I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too baby,” Emily ran her finger down her long shining hair.  “Let’s go home.”  Emily told the people to back away so she could get up and with in moments everyone was headed back to the hangar and hopefully a wonderful future.

The End

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[Rock Martin]

OK….I'll have to admit that this was a nice story…I hated Jack though.

[Author]

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