Michelle took Danny's hand and led him into the kitchen. She got him a cup of coffee and they sat at the kitchen table facing each other.
Danny had not said anything yet. He was still reeling from her near miss with the car. She had taken a shower and changed her clothes. Her dress was ruined. Her injuries were fairly minor, thank God, but Danny knew that sometimes even warnings went wrong.
Carmen had drawn her line in the sand and was daring him to cross it. He would do more than cross it. He was going over there in a little while and he hoped he could resist the urge to beat the hell out of her.
Michelle was looking at him with such trust in her eyes. He would not let her get hurt. He would do whatever it took, including what he was about to do, to keep her safe. He prayed silently for her forgiveness and understanding. He was coming back for her when this was over. He just prayed she would still want him then.
"Danny, what's wrong?" Michelle said. "You havent said a word".
"Yeah, I know. I'm just thinking about how to begin" he said cryptically and the change of expression on Michelle's face showed him that she knew something was up.
"Just say it Danny" Michelle said "Please"
He took a deep breath, willed his knees to stop shaking and said "I read your email this morning".
"Oh" MIchelle said and her face turned red.
"Don't be embarrased Michelle. It was very sweet and very sincere" he said.
"But.." Michelle said. "Go on Danny, but...."
"But it doesnt change anthing" he said forcing the words out of his mouth while he could still say them.
"I see" she said. Had he said he had just read her email this morning? What took him so long?
"Look Michelle, last night.........." he began.
She didnt let him finish "Last night was a mistake" she said.
"No, damn it, it wasnt a mistake. Would you just let me finish" he said and looked into his coffee cup. Did he think he was gong to find courage amonst the coffee beans?
"Last night was special. It was the first time anyone had ever cared enough about me to do what you did and I'm not just talking about what we did in that bed. You came to me even though I had said for you not to come and you were willing to accept that I might get mad. You put my needs above your own and nobody has ever done anything like that for me before. You were there when I needed someone. "he said.
"Are you telling my Danny, that anyone would have done last night?" she said in disbelief.
"Hell no, thats not what I'm saying. I needed you and you were there. I needed you Michelle, You and only you. And you came and comforted me and I was grateful. But that's all it was. Comfort. You made me forget for awhile and I will always be grateful for that." Danny said.
Michelle stood up and screamed. "What? You were grateful?? Grateful?? For what Danny? For the temporary use of my body?" she said and started to walk out of the kitchen.
Danny rose up and stopped her. She shoved his hand away. "Dont touch me" she said through her tears.
"MIchelle, Don't cry. I didnt realize how you felt until this morning. I didnt know you would interpret last night as more than comfort" he said.
"Are you saying that you dont feel the same? That you dont love me??" she asked.
"Michelle, it's not a matter of...." Danny said.
"Just answer the question Danny. are you saying you dont love me?" she said her voice a little louder than a minute ago.
"Michelle, please, let me...." Danny tried to say.
"Yes or no Danny" Michelle said and she was near screaming. "Its not a hard question".
Danny took a deep breath and summoned every bit of stregnth he had in his body and even borrowed some he did not have. Please help me God.
"Okay then MIchelle,....no" he said hating the filthy lie the second it came out of his mouth. Danny saw her shoulders slump. She immediately straightened them. God help me, he would explain why all of this had been necessary when this was over and he could come back for her, but right now, he was going to at least keep her dignity. He had broken her heart but he would make sure her spirit remained intact.
"Michelle, please listen, it's not you, it's me....." Danny said.
"I would like you to leave" Michelle said calmly none of the anger in her tone like before.
"I understand you are hurt Michelle and I swear to God I never wanted that to happen. Please believe me" he said and turned and walked out the door.
MIchelle watched him get into his rental car. His expression had been unreadable. She saw him slam his fist against the steering wheel and then lay his head on it. Unaware that he was being watched, he left his head on the steering wheel for a few minutes.
Finally he lifted his head, was he crying?, and turned the key in the ignition and drove away. Damn, she had never gotten a chance to tell him about Dietz.