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Marah looked up at Bill dumbly and tottered backward, almost falling, but at the last minute, she regained her balance.
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"Oh my God! That son of a bitch has gotten you drunk!" Bill shouted in alarm.
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"What do you care Bill? You're not my father!"
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"Josh and Reva asked me to take care of you. What am I supposed to tell them when they call; that their daughter has taken up with the local mob boss, and comes home at dawn drunk out of her mind?"
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"I really don't care what you tell them! I'm nineteen years old and I can do what ever I want!" Marah screamed and ran up the stairs, slamming the door to her room.
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Later in the afternoon, Michelle and I were in the kitchen snapping the ends off a large pile of green beans, when Marah finally dared venture out of her room. She sat down at the table with us and silently toyed with the discarded bean ends.
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"I think we need to have a talk Marah," Michelle said. "I want you to stay away from Danny, he's dangerous."
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"You didn't seen to think he was so dangerous when you married him," Marah said sarcasticly. "I think you want me to stay away from him because you are jealous."
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"Jealousy is not my motivation; I love you like a sister Marah, and I don't want to see you get hurt. Danny is only using you to get to me."
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"Everything is always about you; isn't it Michelle?" Marah said bitterly. "I love Danny more than you ever loved Bill; and he might love me, if you would let him!"
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"I wouldn't be you for a kingdom, then! Michelle said emphatically; and she seemed to be speaking sincerely.---"Maria, you have known Danny most of his life. Tell her what kind of a man Danny is---his is a vengeful, pitiless creature, not some diamond in the rough, just waiting to be cut and polished. He would crush you if he found you too troublesome. Please don't make the same mistake I made."
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Marah regarded Michelle with contempt. "The only mistake you made was letting Danny go. Well it's my turn now, and I won't be as foolish as you were."
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"Fine! I shouldn't have said anything. From now on I'll just hold my tongue and let you fall into his trap. You'll find out for yourself soon enough anyway," Michelle shouted, finally growing frustrated.
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Marah turned to me and asked quietly, "She's lying isn't she Maria? I know Danny is not a bad man."
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"I can't contradict anything Michelle has told you," I said. "Keep away from Danny Santos, he is nothing but trouble."
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"You're in league with the rest of them, Maria! I'm not going to sit here and listen to the two of you badmouth Danny!" Marah shouted as she ran from the kitchen.
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Danny came to the kitchen door late that evening as Michelle and I were finishing the dishes. He knocked softly and let himself in. Michelle ran to him and tried to push him out the door.
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"You shouldn't be here Danny! If Bill catches you he'll kill you."
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"I'd like to see him try! That sniveling little wimp you call your husband is no match for me," Danny sneered.
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"What are you doing here anyway? Did you come to see if I was devastated by your little game?" Michelle hissed.
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"Are you?"
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"Stay away from Marah, she' s just a kid. She doesn't understand what's really going on here."
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"I'd like to know what really is going on here. Surely you're not jealous of a little girl?" Danny replied leering at Michelle.
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"Of course I'm not jealous! I am merely trying to protect her from your revenge on me."
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"I'm not seeking revenge on you Michelle. That's not part of the plan. You are welcome to torture me for your amusement, only allow me to amuse myself in the same style."
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"What exactly is the "plan" Danny? No, wait," Michelle said holding her palm up to him. "I really don't want to know. Just get out of here; I can't stand to look at you another minute!"
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Danny said nothing; he just turned and left as quietly as he had come.
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The following morning Marah did not come down for breakfast. I went upstairs to wake her, fearing she would be late for school. When I opened her door, I saw her bed empty. I ran downstairs to find Michelle standing at the front door with Pilar. "Marah's gone!" I cried to them.
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Michelle and Pilar both turned to me in shock.
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"Danny's gone too," Pilar said.
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Suddenly the telephone rang. I answered it, and was relieved to hear Marah on the other end. "Hey Maria! I just wanted to tell everyone that I am fine, and not to worry." Marah's voice was faint, overshadowed by people talking and laughing in the background.
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"Marah! Where are you? I can hardly hear you," I said calling Michelle to the phone with my hand. Michelle ran over and leaned her ear next to mine as we shared the receiver.
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"Sorry!" Marah said raising her voice. "There are a million people in this hotel lobby. I'm in Las Vegas with Danny. We just got married!"
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I felt Michelle sway beside me, I reached for her, but was unable to catch her before she slid to the floor.
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