Redeeming

by Gabrielle Demonico

  “Wow.” Daniella replied. She felt bad for the judge. Even though he came across as stern and gruff, she knew he was probably a doting father whose world shattered the day his daughter died. She knew the feeling of losing someone as he had his daughter. Even so, it seemed strange.

  Billy continued, “Of course Judge Bingham is a stickler for the law. My bet is that he’s discovered a loophole somewhere.”

  “So, just like that? I mean, I’m off the hook?” She asked.

  “Not exactly. There’s a catch.”

  Daniella shrugged. “I figured. What is it?”

  “Plain and simple…” he began. “You are to remain in Pine Hill until the two weeks is up.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I didn’t ask.” He replied. “If I had to guess I’d say the judge feels a little protective of you. Sorta like a father would for any daughter.”

  “So I can’t go to Fesser’s Grove?”

  “Sure,” he began. “You can do whatever you want but if you do, you’re right back where you started as an accessory after the fact.”

  Daniella sighed. “What happens if I don’t take him up on the offer?”

  Billy shrugged. “Like I said, I suppose things stay the same as they were before. The case goes to the District Attorney and then on from there to trial and the like.”

  Daniella remained silent and nodded her head as he spoke.

  “Daniella…” Billy began. “What are you even thinking about? You should be jumping at this chance. Christ, do you want to go to prison over this whole thing? Is that what you are telling me?”

  “No, Billy.” She said. “Of course I don’t want to go to prison. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Well, if you go through with this, you will.” He said. “At least with this deal, the judge will be able to work out a plea bargain or something for you. At the very least…”

  “Mmm, hmm.” Daniella muttered.

  “Look Daniella…” Billy said with a deep exhale. “I’m not trying to upset you. I know I’ve put you through a lot in the past couple of months and I feel bad about it. But, you’re still my friend and I only want what’s best for you. Hell, I don’t even think Jett is a bad guy or anything but this is about the circumstances. They are what they are. What I think or don’t about you, or him or any of this doesn’t amount to shit. The District Attorney will look at the facts of the case and that’s it. As they stand now, Jett seems guilty as hell and you are in deep for helping him.”

  “I already know that Billy.”

  “Well, if that’s the case why don’t you take the judge’s deal and be done with it? Get out of the middle of this. If Jett is able to fix this thing himself, fine. If he doesn’t, well, that’s the way it goes but at least you don’t wind up going down with him.”

  “Because I can’t Billy, okay?”

  “Why?” He asked as he crossed his arms at his chest. “Just explain that because it’s mystifying to me you’d make such a foolish choice.”

  Daniella hung her head.

  “What?” He began. “Love? Is it because you are in love with him?”

  “Yes,” Daniella replied as her eyes began to pool with tears. “I’m in love with him, Billy. Is that so hard to believe?”

  “No.” Billy said. “But love isn’t going to do you one bit of good when you are sitting in jail six months from now. Where will love be when you are in the middle of a ten-year jail sentence? What will love do for you when you get out and society wants nothing to do with you? How will love comfort you then? If they convict him, you will never see Jett again, Daniella. Don’t you understand that? This choice you are considering will lead you to a life of loneliness. Is that what you want?”

  “Jesus, Billy, of course not…” Daniella groaned. “I don’t know what you expect me to say though. I mean, you come to me out of nowhere with this information and then want me to make a decision? Just like that?”

  “More or less, yeah.” Billy nodded.

  “Well… I can’t, Billy.”

  “You can’t what Daniella? Make a decision or let Jett handle this on his own?”

  Daniella bit her lip in frustration. “I have to go, Billy. This is too much for me right now, okay?”

  Billy’s features softened. “Okay. I understand. At least think about it. Promise me you’ll at least do that much.”

  Daniella crossed her arms at her chest and nodded. “Fine. I promise.”

  Billy slipped a cigarette between his lips. He lit it and as the first wisps of smoke drifted up towards his eyes, he squinted at Daniella and said, “Okay. Good. Remember though, if you go to Fesser’s Grove with Jett, that’s it. Deal’s off. Understand?”

  Daniella nodded.

  “Alright then,” he began. “Well, I’ll let you go. Tell your mom and Tricia I said ‘hi’.”

  “I will…” she began. Billy turned and started to head back towards his patrol car.

  “See you when I see you…” he said.

  “Billy,” she said. He looked back at her. “I appreciate it. You are a good friend.”

  “I know.” He replied. “Don’t forget that.”

  ***

  Daniella arrived at her mom’s house about an hour later. After a quick greeting, she and Tricia stood near the kitchen as her mom prepared the meal.

  “What’s with you?” Tricia asked.

  “Hmm?” Daniella replied. “Oh, um, it’s nothing… just something Billy said to me.”

  While she answered, Marilyn came out of the kitchen and gestured for them to sit down at the table.

  As they did, Tricia said, “Don’t give me that. What’d he say?”

  “Alright…” Daniella began.

  Over the next few minutes, she recounted the details of her discussion with Billy. It was clear to her from the expressions on their faces they didn’t think the idea was bad at all. In fact, as she finished, she noticed the two of them exchange silent glances between one another.

  “Hey…” Daniella said as she tapped her index finger on the table. “What gives? What was that look there?”

  “What?” Tricia said with a hint of innocence in her tone.

  “We didn’t say anything.” Her mother replied.

  “No, that’s not gonna work.” Daniella replied. “You think I should do this don’t you?”

  Tricia and Marilyn looked at one another again. A long pause went by.

  “Well?” Daniella demanded.

  “Yeah, I mean…” Tricia began. “I think you should at least consider it.”

  Daniella shook her head. “Mom?” She scoffed.

  “Honey, you know you are the most important thing in the world to me and…”

  “Does that mean ‘yes’”? Daniella interrupted.

  Her mother nodded. “Of course.”

  Daniella exhaled and looked up towards the ceiling.

  Marilyn continued, “Besides, you have to admit you don’t belong in that world he’s from. Even if all of this did work out for the best, how do you think you are going to fit in with them?”

  “What do you mean… I don’t belong?”

  “I mean that he’s a shifter or whatever it’s called and you aren’t.” She said. “I don’t understand why you would even want to put yourself in that situation. Honestly, you should see this gesture from the judge as a good thing and take advantage of it. Is this all worth going to jail over?”

  Daniella scoffed. “Now you sound just like Billy.”

  “Well!” Tricia interrupted. “Have you ever stopped for even one second to think about anyone besides yourself in this whole thing?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Daniella asked.

  Before Tricia could reply, Marilyn spoke up once more.

  “Sweetheart, I don’t have a problem with Jett.” She said as she reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Daniella’s. “I don’t think anyone does any longer but it’s bigger than that now. None of us wants to lose you. If you stay involved in this
whole thing it’s all but certain we will.”

  “No, it isn’t.” Daniella replied. “Jett can do this. He will bring Kane to justice and clear his name.”

  “Fine…” Marilyn replied as she stood from the table to gather plates and utensils. “But why does he need you involved at all? This is between him, Kane and Owen. Isn’t it?”

  Daniella hesitated for a moment. If they knew Jett felt the same way, she’d never hear the end of it. “Yes… I mean, I guess… but so what?”

  Without a word, her mother brought plates and silverware to the table and then returned to the kitchen to get the food.

  “I think what your mom is trying to say is that there’s more risk than reward for you if you went with him.” Tricia said.

  “I know that but it’s not like I can just turn off my feelings because some judge decides he has a soft spot for me.”

  “Daniella, honey,” her mother began. “Neither of us are saying that you should disregard your feelings for Jett. Far from it. It’s something you should seriously think over. That’s all.”

  Daniella nodded. “I know. I didn’t mean to get so defensive about it. Let’s just eat first and then we can talk about it afterwards.”

  They all agreed dinner was a good idea and that was especially true when her mom made it. Marilyn was a terrific cook and tonight she made Daniella’s favorite, lasagna. Minutes later, her mom placed the large casserole pan in the center of the table. Daniella looked on in delight as Marilyn dug into the steamy, meaty concoction and placed a healthy portion on her plate.

  “Enjoy!” Her mom chirped.

  The first whiff was always the best. Daniella dragged the plate over in front of her and inhaled. Normally, the smell of rich tomato, perfectly flavored meat, and pungent spice drove her taste buds wild. But for some strange reason, that was not at all the way she felt after that deep inhale. In fact, if anything, the exact opposite was true. She pushed the plate away and leaned back in her chair.

  “Ugh,” she groaned.

  Tricia, already on her second fork full, wrinkled her brow at Daniella. “What’s the matter?”

  Daniella crossed her hands at her stomach. “I don’t know. I don’t feel so good.”

  Marilyn returned from the kitchen with napkins in hand. “What’s going on?”

  “My stomach…” Daniella moaned. “It hurts. It’s been bothering me for a few days.”

  “Are you getting sick?” Tricia asked.

  “Maybe. It’s been going around at work. I think all the stress and lack of sleep is finally catching up to me.”

  Marilyn rounded the table. She stood next to Daniella, put her right arm around her shoulder, and felt her forehead with her left.

  “Hmm, well…” she began. “You don’t feel warm. Maybe you are a bit rundown. Do you want to lay down? I can bring your dinner over to you.”

  “No, I…” Daniella started to reply. But as she did, a wave of nausea hit her. She wobbled to her feet. “Oh man, I think I’m gonna be sick.”

  In a rush, she hurried down the hallway to the guest bathroom and closed the door behind her. The nausea passed for a moment but just to be on the safe side, she decided to wait and see if it would return. She stood with her hands on the bathroom sink and looked at herself in the mirror. She noticed her complexion was a bit pale. Perhaps the bug going around work caught up to her at last.

  “Daniella?” Tricia’s voice said from the hallway. “You okay? You need anything?”

  “No… I’m fine.” She replied. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, well, if you need something let me know…”

  “I will.”

  A few seconds later she heard Tricia’s footsteps head back down the hallway and into the kitchen. Daniella grabbed a washcloth, moistened it with some cold water, and then rubbed it on her forehead and neck. For a moment it helped until the nausea returned. A rush of sickness hit her and there was no doubt it was for real this time. She fell to her knees and threw up for several seconds.

  Once it was over, she collapsed against the side of the bathtub. Eventually, she got to her feet and tried to steady herself. She had no idea if she was sick or if her nerves got the best of her after all but whatever it was, she hoped that was the end of it. Moments later, she opened the door and made her way back to the kitchen.

  “Any better sweetie?” Her mom asked.

  “Not really,” she said. “I’m just so tired all of a sudden.”

  “Do you want to lie down?”

  “No,” she said. “I think I am going to go.”

  “You don’t want to try and eat something?”

  “Ugh, no. I’m not hungry at all.”

  “Well, I don’t think you should drive in that condition.”

  “Yeah,” Tricia interrupted. “I’ll take you home.”

  “No,” Daniella protested. “I’m fine. I can drive myself.” With that, she did a half turn towards one of the dining room chairs and reached for her purse. Without warning, she felt lightheaded and instead of grabbing her bag, she missed the chair entirely and fell to the floor.

  “Daniella!” Her mother exclaimed. Tricia helped her to her feet.

  “That’s it,” Tricia said. “I’m taking you home and that’s all there is to it.”

  Whatever it was that made her feel this way, Daniella knew better than to fight about it. The last thing she needed to do was get in a car accident because of sheer stubbornness.

  “Okay,” she said. “Okay…”

  Marilyn packed up the rest of Tricia’s meal and handed it to her.

  “Do you want me to pack some for you as well?” She asked Daniella.

  “Yeah,” she replied. “I’ll need something to eat later if I feel better.”

  Her mother nodded a few minutes later as she returned with her food.

  “Here you go, sweetie…” she said as she handed it to her. She hugged Daniella and said, “I hope you feel better.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Tricia grabbed their stuff and headed for the front door. Daniella turned to follow her out.

  “Call or text me later and let me know how you are feeling.” Marilyn said.

  “Okay, I will.” Daniella replied.

  ***

  “Where is Jett?” Tricia asked as the women walked into Daniella’s apartment.

  “Oh, he’s at his parents’ place for the night.” Daniella began. “Thanks for driving me home. I’m feeling much better.”

  “Good,” Tricia said as she tossed her purse on the couch. “You had me worried there for a little bit.”

  Daniella plopped down on a barstool next to her kitchen. The nausea might have abated for a few minutes but it exhaustion took its place.

  “I am so tired.” She moaned. “I feel like I could fall asleep just sitting here.”

  Tricia patted her on the back on the way to the kitchen. With the leftovers in one hand, she opened the fridge and slid them inside. “Do you want me to fix you something to eat besides your Mom’s lasagna?”

  Daniella rested her head on the kitchen counter but didn’t respond.

  Tricia started to name off the contents as she leaned against the refrigerator door. “Let’s see… yogurt, leftover fruit salad, peanut butter, two fig bars… Sheesh, when’s the last time you went to the store…?”

  As Tricia spoke, Daniella got up from the barstool and wandered over to the couch for a bit more comfort. After she sat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “I don’t want anything. I’m fine. Really.”

  Daniella heard the door to the refrigerator close. A few seconds later, Tricia stood next to her. She felt the sudden jolt of a cold jar against her shoulder. Her head shot up and her eyes flipped open.

  “Hey!” Daniella exclaimed. “That’s freezing!”

  Tricia raised one eyebrow as she looked down at her friend with a smirk on her face. “What about one of these?”

  “A pickle?” Daniella replied. “No, I don’t want any
pickles right now, thank you.”

  “You, um, sure about that?”

  “Yes,” Daniella began. “What is wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The way you’re smiling at me. What’s gotten into you?”

  Tricia nodded her head and placed the jar of pickles down on the coffee table. “That’s the wrong question. The question is what’s gotten into you?”

  “What?” Daniella said. “You aren’t making any sense.”

  Tricia rounded the table and took a seat next to Daniella on the couch. She crossed her legs together at the knee. “It’s simple really. Has it occurred to you that you aren’t sick at all?”

  “Tricia I am so tired.” Daniella exhaled. “I am not following you in the slightest. What are you insinuating? That I’m pregnant or something?”

  Wordless, Tricia raised her eyebrows again.

  Daniella broke into hysterical laughter. “Oh come on, Tricia. That is totally ridiculous.”

  “Is it?” Tricia interjected. “The smell of food makes you queasy, you are throwing up without having a fever, and you are exhausted… Do you need me to go on?”

  “No…” Daniella began. “That’s… it’s… there’s no way.”

  “Well, there’s one way to find out for sure.”

  “Like what?” Daniella scoffed. “What do you mean? A pregnancy test?”

  Tricia nodded.

  For a moment, Daniella considered it but then dismissed the notion as preposterous. With a wave of her hand she said, “Why am I even listening to you? I’m not pregnant, Tricia.”

  But no sooner did those words escape her lips then another rush of nausea hit her.

  “Oh…” Daniella moaned. “Oh I feel sick again.”

  She scrambled to the bathroom and reemerged into the living room about ten minutes later. Tricia stood in the doorway with her purse slung over her shoulder and her car keys in her hand.

  “Feeling better?” She asked.

  “A little, yeah…” Daniella began. “Are you leaving?”

  “Yes.” Tricia replied. “Get your things, you are coming with me.”

  “What?”

  “Come on, we’re going to settle this once and for all.”

  “No.” Daniella said as she placed her hands on her hips. “I’m not going to buy a test so just drop it.”