Unforgiven
Part 5
By Heather
And if we do but watch the hour,
There never yet was human power
Which could evade, if unforgiven,
The patient search and vigil long
Of him who treasures up a wrong.
Mazeppa. Stanza 10.
Lord Bryon
Ray
All the way to Danny’s house he has sat over there in the passenger seat,
sullenly staring out the window. I can only imagine what he’s thinking about.
I mean, my own thoughts are in a jumble, questioning all kinds of choices I’ve
made since Mick died. Now it feels like my life has been turned upside down.
We decided to stay at my place last night and head over here this morning. We
lost track of time and didn’t realize it was quite to so late. We were both
exhausted as it was; such news wears a body out. So after a half-hearted
breakfast of cereal, we left.
“Danny?”
He turns and looks at me, his eyes are dark and unreadable.
“Danny, you know…this doesn’t change the way you feel about her. You still
love her. You know that right?”
He stares at me briefly and then turns back to the window.
“Look Danny, you and Michelle didn’t go through everything you have been
through, even if it was based on a lie, and it still not mean something. You
love her for her, you know that.”
Again, no answer. He just stares out the window.
Danny
I hear what Ray is saying. I know he believes what he is saying.
I believe what he is saying.
I know I love her. I love her with all my heart, all my soul, and I’m not
about to toss away the best thing in my life over some stupid letter.
I’m just…I’m just afraid…once she sees it, once she sees this letter and
learns the truth…she’ll realize…
She’ll realize she doesn’t need me.
That she never did. She’s going to realize she doesn’t love me…that she
never needed to love me. She married me for nothing. She let me save her…all
for nothing.
She’s going to realize…and she’s going to leave me.
I can’t loose her. Not now…not ever.
Michelle
I haven’t been able to sleep all night. I’ve been so worried…ever since I
talked to Ray. I don’t know what’s going on, but he sounded upset. He
wouldn’t tell me. He wouldn’t let me speak to Danny-said he was in the
bathroom. I just have this deep-seated fear that something is wrong…horribly
wrong. Sure, Danny has stayed with Ray before…that’s nothing new. But
something isn’t right.
I’ve been sick all morning. It started about 4 and hasn’t stopped yet. I
guess it’s all the worrying. My stomach is in knots. Olga tried to get me to
eat about 7, but I just couldn’t. The thought of food sickens me.
I just wish Danny would get home.
I’m going to lie down for a while…maybe I’ll wake up and it will all be a
dream.
Danny
She’s asleep. At least she looks like it. Lying on our bed, wrapped up in our
soft, cotton sheets…
She looks so beautiful.
I can’t help it; I have to go over there. I lay down behind her, spoon-style
and pull her close to me. She smiles softly and wraps her arms around mine.
Cuddling closer to me, she whispers that she loves me…that she missed me.
Turning over, she brings her lips to mine. She curls herself around me and sinks
back into her slumberous haze. I wrap my arms around her, my prize, my beloved.
In that instant, I realize. I can’t tell her. I can’t tell her the truth,
not yet, not until I know more.
She can’t know that Mick is alive.