by Joachim Jean
“Do you follow sports now?”
“Actually I do, but only one sport. I’m a real baseball fanatic. Do you like baseball?”
“What is your team?’
“I have two teams, you might say. The Yankees in the American League and the Mets in the National League. Sometimes I root for the Cubs when I’m feeling charitable.” Weeks chuckled.
“Are you right handed or left handed?”
“Left handed.”
“Me, too...the only lefty in the family. Is your wife still living?”
“She passed on about eight years ago, now.”
“That’s too bad.”
“We were never well matched. Olivia liked to knit and sew, but she never read a book, never listened to the news, she wasn’t a thinking, questioning person. Still, I miss her company.”
“Did she know about you and my mother?”
“I kept your mother a secret. My daughters never knew either. Please don’t tell them,” Weeks said, raising his hand.
“I won’t, Mr. Weeks.” A feeling of disappointed swept through Danny at the thought of having to remain a secret.
“Where’s your mom now?”
“She’s in jail. She shot Irvin, killed him when he threatened to kill me.”
“Oh my God! The bastard still lived I thought he would have died of alcohol poisoning, liver failure or been shot long before this?” Weeks asked, shocked, his hand shaking.
“Long story. Anyway, I’m not sure if there will be other charges. She may be in jail for a while.”
“I’d love to see her. Maybe if she gets out, she could stay with me for a time?”
“That’s kind of you, Mr. Weeks.”
“That’s the least I can do for the woman who brought up my two sons. Say, where is your brother? What’s he doing?”
“Kyle? I’m sorry to tell you he died in Iraq a few years ago.” Danny turned his gaze toward the woods on the far side of the property.
“Oh my. I had another son and he’s already gone and I never knew him.” The old man wiped a tear from his face, his lip trembling.
They sat quietly for a few minutes.
“But he died a hero with a Purple Heart and several other medals. He was a brave man. You would have been proud of him,” Danny said, his voice catching in his throat.
“He’d have to be to have lived with Irvin. Do you have a picture of him?”
“He had your eyes, your exact eyes.”
Danny pulled out an old picture he kept in his wallet. Not in the best shape, but still a good picture of Kyle in his uniform. Jonathan Weeks took the picture and looked at it hard and his eyes got watery again.
“He looks like a fine boy. You must be proud of him.” Jonathan took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
“I am.” Danny took a deep breath.
“How did your mother take his death?” Weeks finished his tea.
“I don’t know. We lost touch for a long time.”
“You haven’t had much in the way of parents, have you?”
“I had Kyle. He was great. I need to get back, Mr. Weeks. Can you give me your phone number and if my mom wants to come, can I call you?”
“Sure, sure. But don’t call me Mr. Weeks. What would you be comfortable calling me?”
“Actually, Dad would do,” Danny said, tearing up.
Just as he spoke, a female voice called “Dad” from across the cafeteria. Several men turned around to answer. A pleasant looking, slightly plump woman forty-five years old stood near the door looking at Weeks and Danny.
“Dad, there you are. I’ve been looking for you,” she said.
“Uh oh, here’s my older daughter, Laurel. Not a word, now.”
Weeks hurt Danny asking him to hide their blood bond but the young man understood.
Laurel came over and stopped and stared at Danny.
“Who’s this, Dad?”
“This is Danny Maine, son of our next door neighbor from Mt.Vernon. Do you remember him, Laurel?”
“You look familiar to me. Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I went away at school when you were born, I imagine. So I can’t know you from Mount Vernon.”
Danny got embarrassed and Jonathan began to squirm in his seat.
“I know I’ve seen your face before, but I can’t place it.”
He grew more uncomfortable, his eyes darting around, looking for a way to escape. Beads of sweat broke out on his father’s forehead.
“Now I know. You look like the picture on Dad’s bookcase. Dad, he looks like you did when you were younger…like he leaped right out of one of those pictures. The resemblance is uncanny.”
“I guess I can’t fool you. He’s my illegitimate son,” Weeks confessed.
“Dad, you had an affair with the woman next door?”
“I’m sorry to tell you…” Weeks’ cheeks turned pink.
“Mom’s dead. I don’t give a damn, you didn’t cheat on me. But at least don’t deny this guy your paternity.”
“He’s my son, and his brother, too. But his brother passed in Iraq. I wasn’t perfect, but at least I stayed with you, Laurel.”
“What a shock! I’m sorry, Danny. This isn’t your fault, but I never expected…” Laurel sank into a nearby chair.
“I wouldn’t know what to say in your shoes, either.”
“Don’t fuss, Dad. I’m disappointed I have a brother I’ll never meet and one I’ve just met now.” Laurel got up and hugged Danny.
The hug melted Danny, he broke down. He never thought she would embrace him as her brother. He hugged Laurel again and she cried. Then Weeks cried. They sat and talked for another hour. Weeks asked Danny to come back for another visit and he promised to return and to arrange for Edna to come.
When he got back in his car, the clock showed the time to be much later than he thought. He drove home wondering if these people would take him in as family or not. Sometimes the bastard son is not welcome…most times.
A request from the police awaited Danny’s return home. Dave Williams wanted to talk to him at the station on Friday, the day of his date with Eliza. He called her to reschedule. Annoyed with Danny, she refused to discuss a new date until Monday. He called Callie.
“I can’t explain now, but my father was glad to meet me. I had to cancel my date with Eliza because I have to go to the police station tomorrow about my mother.”
“Is Eliza mad?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to bother you, but could you do me a favor, Danny?”
“Sure, what?”
“The man is coming to fix our driveway at the Lake house and we can’t get up there. Could you go tomorrow night, after the police station, and stay overnight? He’s coming early on Saturday morning and someone has to be there. We could take the dogs.”
“No problem. I’ll go up tomorrow night, maybe late.”
“When you get back, I want to hear all about your dad. I love you, Danny, you’re the best.”
“I’m getting my weight in muffins from you for this when I get back.”
“I’ll start baking.”
Danny walked into the police station. Dave Williams greeted him, took him into his office and closed the door.
“Danny, I’ve got a few questions. Did your mother bring the Glock with her?”
“No. My Glock,” he admitted, shifting in his seat.
“Do you have a permit?”
“After my father came to visit me, before my mother got out of jail, he threatened me. So I got the Glock. I should have registered the gun, but I didn’t. Don’t hang her up, that’s on me.”
“Now about the kidnapping or attempted kidnapping. Was your mother a willing participant?” Dave asked, watching Danny’s eyes.
“A trick question? I told you I was playing poker. I wasn’t there so I don’t know.”
“Come on, Danny. We all know you shot Fred. What went on there?”
“Dave, you don’t have
any evidence to prove that or you’d arrest me. How the hell should I know what happened? Ask Callie and Mac.”
“We did and they said at first she was, and then they recanted. So I need corroboration…why I’m asking you.”
“I told you, I wasn’t there. I don’t know anything.”
“Well, if you can’t corroborate she’s another victim, not a perp, then she’s going to jail.” Dave watched for a reaction from Danny.
“So be it. Where is she, can I see her?” Danny maintained his cool, keeping eye contact with Dave.
“We’ve shipped her off to Riverton for a few weeks, until we get the charges straightened out. Now she’s charged with conspiracy in the attempted kidnapping and attempted rape.”
“Why don’t you ask Fred?”
“He said she dreamed up the whole thing!”
“Even the attempted rape?”
“He says she egged him on.”
“He’s a piece of work. Give me a few minutes alone with Fred and I’ll get the truth out of him for you.” Danny fisted his right hand.
“We have to charge you with the possession of an illegal handgun, but you’ll probably get a fine for your first offense. That’s all, Danny. What a mess, eh? Sorry about your father.”
“He’s not my father, Dave.” Danny walked out of the police station.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Danny looked forward to a night alone at the cabin, where no one could bother him. After a long day, a long week, Danny’s heart seesawed from elated to depressed and finally ended up at confused. He thought about what to say to Eliza, would this be his last chance to win her back? If so, he had to succeed. If she didn’t come back then, he had nothing left.
The car turned into the driveway at the lake house at ten o’clock. A small light flickered inside, like a candle or a flashlight. Someone had broken into Callie and Mac’s house. Danny took the Glock out of the glove compartment, made sure the weapon was loaded and got out of the car slowly, listening carefully. He closed the car door quietly, and strode silently up the walk and the front steps. Moonlight shone on the shiny barrel of the Glock as he opened the screen door, which squeaked loudly causing him to curse to himself at being given away. He waited, listening, but heard no sound from inside.
Slowly he opened the front door, which wasn’t locked.
“Stay where you are, I’m calling the police,” a female voice announced.
“Eliza? Is that you?”
“Danny?”’ She accidentally blinded him with a big flashlight.
He stood shielding his eyes from the light until Eliza switched it off.
“Oh my God!” She exclaimed when Danny held the gun in her face.
“Oh, sorry.”
He put the gun down on the kitchen counter, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness and the glow from the moon coming in the big windows facing the lake.
“Okay, gun down, do the lights work?”
“The electricity is turned off. Where are you?”
“In the kitchen, looking for matches.”
She turned on the flash light and bumped into him in the kitchen. He put his arms around her to keep her from falling and they stayed in the embrace for a few seconds. Feeling in the dark for drawers, he opened one and found six candles. He lit them and put them in the living room.
“What are you looking for now?”
“A bottle of wine. I know they keep wine up here.”
“Should we invade their private cellar?”
“Are you kidding? After the trick Callie pulled on us?”
“What trick?”
“Callie told me she needed me to be here for the driveway guy coming tomorrow morning. What did she tell you?”
“She told me the same thing. What a schemer! My cell phone doesn’t work up here or I’d call her and let her have it!” she said, fully understanding the situation.
Danny laughed.
“She’s something. She wanted us to talk and she got us here so we would. Since we’re here for the night, we might as well enjoy ourselves.”
“Let’s drink up all their best wine! Where are the glasses?”
“We need a fire. I’ll get some wood. Where is the thermostat?”
“I don’t think the heat is turned on. We’re going to get pretty cold up here.”
“Another part of Callie’s plan. If the house is cold, we’ll have to huddle together for warmth. She’s thinks of everything.”
“I wouldn’t want her for an enemy.”
Danny brought in a dozen logs. Eliza found newspaper and together they made a roaring fire. Dragging a mattress into the living room in front of the fireplace created a cozy sleeping space. Danny found a down quilt and Eliza located pillows.
“She wanted us to meet, and we are.” He handed her a glass of wine.
“Nothing gets in Callie’s way.”
“Come over here and get under this blanket with me. You’re shivering.”
“Uh, uh. If I get too close to you…I know your power over me, Professor Maine.”
“Suit yourself, but you’ll freeze over there. At least get closer to the fire.”
Sitting on the edge of the mattress in front of the fire, Eliza pulled her knees up to her chest, resting one arm on her knees. The light from the fire sparkled on her blonde hair and reflected in her eyes making them shine, her blouse, cut low, enticed him to get closer. The sweet scent of gardenia drifted from her body mixed with the woodsy smell of the fire creating the perfect perfume, she never looked more tempting.
Danny pulled his tie loose and unbuttoned his shirt enough to let his neck breathe. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His sandy hair was mussed up and his face was cleanly shaven. Eliza’s gaze swept over his torso, like the touch of a warm hand.
Their eyes connected and they sat, drinking wine. The longing in her eyes matched the yearning in his. Neither one moved, in no hurry; they were there for the night.
“I want to tell you something I should have told you when you asked me to marry you. I’m ashamed for being too blunt. I hurt you, I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry.”
She got his attention.
“I didn’t mean I didn’t want to marry you, or didn’t love you or didn’t want to live with you forever. I did, I still do. Marriage this time needs to be different from the first time. I should have said yes and trusted we could work things out. I didn’t trust you. Big mistake.” Eliza stared directly into his eyes. Danny inched closer to her and kissed her hand. She looked up into his eyes.
“Okay, now my turn. I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone and I will do anything to make you happy. I’ve got a plan. If, maybe I should say, when we get married, I’ll be happy with only one child. I agree to stay home and take care of our child, so you can continue your work.”
“How would that work?”
“First, I applied for the new writer-in-residence position, the hundred page project I’ve been working on. Mac put me up for a Ph.D. scholarship. If I get either of those, I can work at home or go to school, take care of a child and earn money. If I don’t, I could teach fewer classes to have time for parenting. I will probably be doing the literary magazine again next year, which doesn’t pay much, perhaps enough for someone to watch the baby while I teach a class. I’m not much of a cook, but I can learn and pitch in. I will do everything. I love kids and I want to have a baby with you.”
Danny sat back, not having anything else to say. He fidgeted with the corner of the blanket, looked at her then away several times as he waited for her reaction.
“You’re leaving me hanging here…”
She started to cry.
“Oh, God. What’s wrong now?” Concerned, Danny frowned.
She shook her head, cried and smiled at the same time. “Everything is so right.”
He handed her his handkerchief.
“Oh, Danny. I never thought you would do…that for me. I…I…I don’t know...I love you so. You are the most ama
zing man.” She reached out to touch his face.
She gave him a gentle kiss, pulling herself up against his body.
“So does this mean we’re getting married?” he whispered in her ear.
“Wait, wait. I have something for you, too. But mine is a surprise and won’t be ready until the day of the spring dance. Can you wait until then to be officially engaged?”
“I guess so. Are we unofficially engaged now?
She nodded.
“You’ve changed your answer from no to yes?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll marry me?”
“Yes.” Her face glowed in the firelight.
“Oh, God.” He pulled her down on the mattress and kissed her. “Can we make love now?” he whispered, already pulling her blouse out from her skirt, reaching for the buttons.
“Make love.” She tugged his shirt out and ran her hands up his chest while he kissed her neck then shoulders and slipped his hand under her skirt, caressing her thigh. Soon they were making love while the fire blazed.
Afterward, the lovers cuddled in front of the fire as Danny pulled the quilt over them and they lay together without words. They drifted off to sleep. The room got cold in the middle of the night when the fire died down, waking Danny up. It took a few minutes for the new logs he placed on top of the dwindling fire to ignite. Driven by the cold back to the warmth of their makeshift bed, he was shivering when he got back under the quilt and pulled himself up against Eliza. His cold presence woke her up.
“Nightmare?”
“Dead fire. ”
“You’re freezing.” She pulled back the blanket for him.
“Maybe you could warm me up?” He raised an eyebrow.
She kissed him, pulling him to her and buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.
Her soft, warm flesh started a fire inside Danny. He caressed her shoulders and kissed her, running his lips down her slim neck. He slid his fingers up to the wet warmth of her. She groaned and arched her back, pressing her breasts into his chest. His mouth traveled down to capture her breast, while his fingers continued to stroke her. She cried out. As the logs caught and the fire grew, Danny threw the quilt off. Heat in the room mixed with the heat of their passion and became overwhelming. His mouth trailed over to her other breast as he slipped a finger inside her. She hooked her leg over his hip and lowered her hand to surround his erection.
