"Senor Santos?"
Danny didn't even glance up at the man who stood on the other side of his desk. His eyes were riveted on a newspaper clipping in his hands. He had been going through his mail as he concluded business with Senor Pietro, one of his family's business associates. One letter, from Carmen, had stood out. It wasn't like his mother to send him a letter. Danny had half-listened to Senor Pietro drone on about investing the family's new profits as he'd ripped open the letter, only to find it wasn't a letter at all.
It was a folded piece of newspaper.
Danny had opened the clipping and felt as though he'd been stabbed in the heart.
He'd forgotten how cruel his mother could be.
It wasn't very newsworthy, just a little social item that had apparently been a "filler" in that day's edition.
The heading read:"BAUER-SANTOS TO WED".
For a moment, Danny's world tilted on it's axis and he thought he might actually pass out.
But he struggled to right himself and read on.
"Two of Springfield's most prominent family's will be united this summer when Michelle Bauer-Santos, the former wife of reputed Mafia heir, Daniel Santos, and William 'Bill' Lewis, Jr. are joined in holy matrimony. The couple plans to be married at the bride's home here in Springfield on August 18. Despite the couple's high profile locally, Ms. Bauer-Santos claims the wedding will be a simple affair. 'I had a big wedding my first time out.' the bride laughs. 'And I think we all know how that went.' For those of you who don't know, Ms. Bauer-Santos and Mr. Daniel Santos had their marriage annulled after only one month of what one can assume was less than wedded 'bliss'.'Mr. Santos and I barely knew each other.' says the bride now. 'Bill and I, on the other hand, have been friends forever.I'm more excited and elated than I can ever say about this marriage.I was very naive going into my first marriage.I now know what I want from life, and I know Bill can give that to me' And as for Mr. Santos? 'It was a mistake, plain and simple.' says his ex-wife.Mr. Santos is out of the country and could not be reached for comment. The groom's father, William Lewis is expected to be best man with Miss Drew Jacobs serving maid-of-honor duties.We here at the Springfield Journal wish Mr. Lewis and Ms. Bauer-Santos the best!"
Danny closed his eyes for a moment and tried to breathe again.
She was getting married.
To Bill.
Danny had always kind of liked Bill. Now, he could have cheerfully murdered him.
"Senor Santos?" Pietro questioned again.
Danny looked up. He'd forgotten the man was there.
"Forgive me, Senor." Danny said in Spanish,"But can we continue this later? Something has come up."
"Certainly."
Danny showed the man to the door. As soon as the door had closed, he sagged against it. She was getting married. God, she must really be furious with him. Her attitude in the article about the dissolvement of their marriage told him that. She knew somehow he would see the article. She knew what it would do to him. She wanted to hurt him.
"This is good, Danny." he told himself as he poured a glass of scotch."You wanted her to hate you. Now she does."
Danny studied the glass in his hand, but didn't drink. August 18. Only three days from now. He let himself picture Michelle walking down the aisle towards another man. Putting a wedding band on another man's finger. Spending her wedding night in another man's bed. Being another man's wife.
He set the glass back on the table.
His hands were shaking as he picked up the phone.
"This is stupid." he muttered to himself as he dialed. "You'll only regret this. Think of Michelle."
But he booked himself a seat on the first plane back to the States anyway.