by Mynx, Sienna
She returned to the living area and checked her place before opening the door. A man in his mid sixties with a cane stood before her. He was sharply dressed. With a fedora hat on his head and a tailored suit, he was definitely not from the Hollow.
“What do you want?”
“Aiden Keane sent me. May I come in?”
Nina narrowed her eyes on him. She had heard enough stories on Aiden Keane to be weary of the visitor. She’d seen the man himself with his arrogant smugness as he looked down on her Pete. “I don’t want anything to do with Aiden Keane,” she said, closing the door.
The stranger was quick, placing his cane in between to block it from shutting. “Go away!” Nina reopened it and glared at him. “I have nothing to say.”
“That’s fine, Ms. Stevens. I have something to say to you. If you care at all for Peter Doyle, you will afford me five minutes. His future and yours depend on it.”
There was such a nonchalant off-handed way of speaking about Pete that it chilled Nina. She stepped back and this man before her walked in as if invited, dragging his foot of led in a balanced limp thanks to his silver tipped cane. He didn’t look around her place or make any move to make himself comfortable. He just stepped in and waited for her to close the door.
“Is Pete in trouble?”
Donovan nodded, leading her to his greater purpose she couldn’t quite glean.
“Were you aware that he’s in the middle of a paternity suit?”
“Paternity?”
“To decide if Daisy Johnson’s little girl, Amy Locke, is his daughter?”
And then the bottom fell out of her world.
****
“How old are you?”
Amy put up three fingers. “Four,” she said grinning.
Janette grazed Amy’s cheek with the back of her hand. She drew her in closer and pinched her chin lightly to lift her little face. Daisy observed them both in silence. Her sister kissed her daughter's brow and Amy frowned but endured the unwanted affection. A new daddy had Amy all smiles and giggles, but a strange aunt wasn’t something she was taking to as easily.
“Why? Why didn’t you tell me? Us? Daisy?” Janette asked once Amy broke free and ran for the protection of her mother.
“Sweetheart, go finish your cereal. ” She patted her on the bottom. Amy gave Janette another curious look, possibly confused by the resemblance and unsure how to accept it.
“Okay, mommy,” she said.
“Wait a second. Can I have another kiss?” Janette asked.
“I already gave you one,” Amy said, shaking her head no.
“Go ahead, sweetie.” Daisy gave her a gentle push. Amy frowned, but she gave her aunt a quick peck and then took off. Janette laughed until her eyes sparkled with tears. Daisy moved from the sofa chair over to her sister’s side, and Janette opened her arm to her.
“Girl, I cannot believe this. You’re a mommy! Wait until I tell Denise, Sandra and… oh sweet merciful God… does mama know?”
“No,” Daisy said sadly.
“What's going on with you? I ought to kick a hole in your tail for scaring me the way you have.”
Daisy tried to respond but the tears came instead. They flowed with such force it shocked her. She hugged her sister, unable to utter a word. And to her relief, Janette hugged her back.
“Okay, it’s okay… hey, stop. It’s okay, seriously,” Janette whispered, rubbing her back. She forced Daisy to look into her eyes. “Baby-girl, I went to that fancy place, Jahi. I told them I was Danielle Locke’s sister. You chose Danielle Locke? At first the name didn’t make any sense… then I remembered that woman from church. She was the fancy rich one from New York that visited when we were kids. The lady that took you shopping in Louisville. You think I forgot? No, I remember when you got your nails and toes done. Danielle Locke was her name. What are you doing here, living like this with that ladies name and keeping my niece away from us like she’s some bad secret? Daisy Marie Johnson, stop crying and talk to me. Those people gave me all kinds of trouble finding you… I had to drive in circles around this beach looking for you. But here you are… here you are… look at you. I've missed you so much.”
“I’m so sorry, so sorry,” Daisy wept.
“Hush! Stop crying. It’s me, Daisy. Talk to me. What happened to you? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
To this and the other questions Daisy withdrew. Her arms dropped from Janette and her back straightened as she tugged at the front of her robe, closing it tightly. She wiped at her eyes but looked away. “It’s a long story. First tell me about home. How is mama? Everybody? My nephews. Can you tell me?”
“Oh no, honey. No mam. You could have come home to us. There has to be a reason why you didn’t. There is nothing you can’t tell us. Tell me. What made you have that baby and not even let her know her people? What trouble are you in? Out with it. Now!”
“I did something, and it got out of hand.”
“This has to do with Pete? Right? He here?”
Daisy frowned. “How did you know that Pete was here?”
“Nina.”
“Nina? Nina Stevens? What does Nina Stevens have to do with anything?” she mumbled. Nina seemed to always be there at unexplainable moments. She helped her on her visit to her father. Then when the call came about his death, it was Nina. She never liked Nina growing up. She was too much of a nerd, a goodie-goodie, and she had the worst case of acne at Creek High. Oh, and those glasses. The girl was a joke. Daisy could remember her trying out for the squad back in school. She and Jessiemae teased Nina relentlessly. Now the girl she picked on and ignored was bringing her family to her? Why?
“Talk to me, Daisy. Is this why you and Pete split up because of Amy? Is she his?”
“Yeah, well no,” Daisy sighed, wiping her face.
“Then what?”
“It has a lot to do with another man.”
“Another man? Who is this man?”
“His name is Aiden Keane. We met him in Vegas, and he… he made a deal with us that changed everything.”
****
“Do you want something to drink? Water, soda?”
Donovan smiled. “No, thank you.”
Nina wanted to cry. She wanted to cry so bad her throat and face felt swollen as if it would explode at any moment. That’s what kept Pete in California. A baby. Daisy’s baby.
“I take it you haven’t spoken to Pete?”
“That’s none of your business,” she mumbled, wringing her hands. She sniffed and held the tears back. She didn’t know what she wanted to say and why she wanted to know. But she did. She needed to hear this to understand. “What do you want from me?”
“You need to come to Mango Grove. You need to convince Pete to be careful of how he deals with Aiden Keane.”
“I need to?”
“Mr. Keane is prepared to make you a very generous offer for your trouble. In fact, he’d be even more generous if you can convince Mr. Doyle to leave the Grove. He believes the child to be his. The test is just a formality.”
“Are you crazy?”
Donovan’s eyes swept her place, and her cheeks burned. She didn’t like the snooty way he eyed her furnishings. His gaze returned to Nina with a smile. The devil’s smile. “I’m talking about more money than you can conceive. Name the price Ms. Stevens, and don’t hold back. How much will it take to give you the life you want? How much would it take to build a new life with Peter Doyle?”
Nina laughed through her tears. “You’re trying to buy me? You are just as sick as this Aiden Keane.”
Donovan just stared at her.
“Sorry, Mr. McBride, but I’m not for sale. My soul and pride are priceless to me.”
“Everyone has a price. Daisy Johnson did and so did your boyfriend. I was there when he signed that contract for a million dollars. It wasn’t just her sin. He wanted that money too. Just as I imagine that you would, if this was a reality and not just a conversation.” He reached inside his suit jacket and remo
ved a checkbook “Pen?”
“Okay, that’s enough! I’m not Daisy, looking to get rich. I don’t give a damn about your money or what Mr. Keane wants. If Pete is there to fight for his kid, then good for him. I hope he wins. Paternity is never a formality, Mr. McBride. A child’s life is at stake, or are you too dead inside to care? You know what, don’t answer that! Get out!” she said, rising and pointing to the door.
“There is something else to consider,” Donovan said, locating a pen in his jacket pocket then scribbling figures on the check before peeling it off. He tossed it to the coffee table.
“I said get out! Take that with you!”
Donovan sat forward on his cane. “They’re fighting over her, Mrs. Stevens. Pete and Aiden Keane are physically fighting over her. They got into a brawl just yesterday. It was a pretty nasty one from what I hear.”
Nina felt the knife turn in her gut. She crossed her arms and drew in her trembling lip. The emotional pain filling her caused her to struggle as it choked the breath from her lungs. She couldn’t object to the rest of the tale. She couldn’t move.
Donovan, this man, seemed to enjoy the way it hurt. She’d never met anybody like him. Was this what Aiden Keane was like? What on earth did Daisy and Pete get into in Vegas?
As if reading her thoughts he nodded, “Aiden Keane can’t buy Pete. He can’t control his feelings for Daisy Johnson and that makes him desperate. Do you know what a rich, desperate man like Mr. Keane does, especially when he can’t have his way?”
“What?” she asked softly.
“Anything he wants, Ms. Stevens. I’m trying to prevent a greater tragedy. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
Nina frowned. “You’re threatening Pete?”
“Me?” Donovan chuckled. “No, not me. I’m just playing fortuneteller here. Things are spiraling out of control and Pete is swimming with the big boys. If you care about him, you’ll come back with me. If you don’t and things go too far, you may not be able to live with it. Tell me, Ms. Stevens, if you won’t accept money, a blank check, then does that mean you love Peter Doyle deeply? You need to go to Mango Grove and tell him that before it’s too late.”
Donovan rose. “Here is my card. I will be at the airport in Louisville at 4pm today. The private hanger will have a ticket for you, if you so choose. Good day.”
Nina accepted the card. She watched as he limped to the door. “Is Pete okay? I mean… did he get hurt in this fight?” she asked.
Donovan looked back and she cringed at that dark smile on his lips again. “He’s okay, for now.”
Then he left.
Nina stared at the card. Daisy had a baby? That’s why she ran. Now Pete is going all out to be with her and their child. If she thought her heart couldn’t break any further, she was wrong. And still, through her suffering and pain, she loved him; loved him so much and wanted him to love her and love their baby. Nina let silent tears roll down her cheeks, not sure what she planned to do.
****
Janette stopped pacing. One hand was on her back the other on her forehead. She turned and her gaze locked with Daisy's. In less than thirty minutes, Daisy confessed what she hid for five years to the one person who always understood her, never judged her. Her big sister was a beacon for them all. They followed her lead to stay true and be good little girls. Daddy’s girls. She knew how her mother felt. She could live with it. But if Janette turned away from her and rejected her, it would be too much.
“So when is this test?”
“Soon, possibly tomorrow, before her birthday this weekend. I haven’t scheduled it, but I know Aiden is doing just that. I can’t avoid it.”
“You thought you couldn’t tell me this?”
“How could I go home pregnant to mama and daddy? How could I? Hollow Creek, Janette? The shame and scandal at the church at—”
“That church is a building, four walls, stained glass windows and a couple of pews. That congregation is people of flesh and bone and sin. Sin ain’t above none of us. We are your family, Daisy! You know better than to give up on us!”
“I didn’t.”
“You did. You decided for us.”
“I just… I just couldn’t face daddy and mama. I wanted to, but I just couldn’t.”
“We're your family, Daisy. Not because we chose to be and not because we have to be, but because we are. Family. You broke daddy’s heart. He loved you most of all. We all knew it. He would forgive anything. You didn’t have any faith in us and we always had faith in you. Look at what you accomplished on your own.” She threw her hands up. “Look at what you did with just a window of opportunity and means. You always wanted the easy road. Then you take the hardest. I don’t know what to say. Five years? Five years, Daisy?”
Daisy dropped her eyes. “I hated myself.”
“Hate what you did. Don’t you hate yourself for being human. Girl, you don’t know the things I used to sneak and do when I was twenty. Daisy, you aren’t the first person to make a mistake.”
“Mistake? I cheated on Pete for money. That makes me—”
“Stupid. It makes you stupid. But it doesn’t mean you are unlovable. Come here.”
Daisy rose, her legs feeling shaky and her heart pounding in her chest. She stepped around the coffee table to her sister. Janette took her hands and squeezed both of them. “I have missed you so much! So much!” She hugged her. Daisy smiled and exhaled.
“Mommy, I finished,” Amy said, holding a cereal bowl.
Janette let her go. “Are you? Cereal? You need some grits and eggs little girl.”
“Grits? What is that?” Amy blinked, shocked.
“Yes, and auntie Janette is going to cook you some dinner too. How about stewed sausage, tomatoes and rice?”
“Yuck!”
“And we can bake rolls.”
“I want McDonalds! I don’t like rolls!” Amy announced.
“Come here!” Janette reached for her. Daisy laughed as Janette caught a fleeing Amy, scooped her up and told her to not talk back to adults. She will eat it and like it. Amy gave her mother a wide-eyed look of horror as she was carried away. Daisy couldn’t stop smiling. She felt like a rainbow had formed in the middle of her living room and some of the burden of her clandestine life had eased. All these years and it took an understanding sister to let her know that she was still loved by her family. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry from being so happy. Shaking her head, she went up the stairs to shower, smiling the entire time.
****
Mango Branch Municipal Park was located in the heart of Mango Grove. It was just over 60 acres and it housed pavilions, a lake for paddleboat riding and plenty of open fields and grass to play. Joggers passed with their dogs running at their sides. Mothers pushed their babies in strollers toward the playground, and lovers walked hand in hand. Pete strolled through the park. He had a blanket tucked under his arm with a picnic basket he bought at Costco in his hand. He hadn’t told Daisy they’d have lunch, but he had hopes they could. He really wanted to make amends and get to know his daughter.
He searched for them, reading the park signs and looking for where she said she would be. Just by the jungle gym and swings, he spotted her seated on a bench, staring in the opposite direction. Pete followed her stare. He saw Amy. She was dressed in blue jean shorts and a yellow top with two curly ponytails and ribbons.
“Watch me, mommy!!” Amy yelled. She climbed the ladder and then scooted to the top of the slide. She squealed on the glide down and took off in the sand to do it again.
Evidently she had a thing for slides. When he looked back to Daisy he saw her standing, sunglasses covering her eyes and her hair up in a ponytail. She had on a pair of jeans and a white knit top. She looked like she did before, just like his Daisy. Hands dropped to her hips, she watched Amy closely. Amy ignored her mother’s words of caution and climbed again.
That’s when Pete approached. Halfway toward her, Daisy looked over. She smiled at him. He smiled back. She see
med either genuinely happy to see him or just happy. There was something different in that smile. A welcoming he hadn't expected.
“Hi,” she said. “What’s this?”
“Lunch, if you don’t mind. I was thinking that maybe we could eat together.”
Daisy nodded. “Well, what did you bring?”
“Huh?”
