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One night, at the country club, Danny was having dinner with his mother and their lawyer, Ben Warren. They were discussing a disloyal employee when Michelle walked in with Bill.
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Danny and Michelle's eyes locked, but they quickly looked away. Danny turned back to Carmen and tried to compose himself. Also flustered, Michelle linked her arm in Bill's and gave him a small nervous smile. Much to everyone's chagrin, the maitre'd seated them at the table beside Danny's.
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Michelle and Danny pretended not to notice, but they were soon straining to hear the other's conversation.
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Michelle and Bill chatted about school and a movie they had seen earlier in the evening. Bill reached over the table and took Michelle's hand. She glanced apprehensively at his hand, but did not attempt to remove it. Danny's eyes clouded with rage.
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Carmen watched this exchange with anxiety. She thought her son had gotten Michelle out of his system. Ben arched his eyebrow at her. She smiled at him slyly. "Daniel, we cannot allow our employees to take advantage of the family," she said loudly enough for Michelle to hear. "I want you to handle this problem personally. I could send Dietz, but I think it would be good experience for you."
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"Nothing would please me more Mama," Danny said as he gave Michelle a hard stare.
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"Good mijo," Carmen replied proudly. "Go now. I want this done immediately."
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As Danny got up to leave, Michelle leaped from her chair and ran to him. Tears rimmed her eyes as she cried, "What are you doing Danny? Don't let your mother do this to you. She grabbed his hand and pleaded, "This is not who you are."
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Danny angrily wrenched his hand from hers. "Leave me alone. You don't know anything about me," he growled.
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"I know you are not a bad man," Michelle replied meekly.
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Danny eyes narrowed. "I will be as bad as I please. I like being a bad, and I will be bad," he snarled.
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Suddenly, Danny walked over to Bill and punched him squarely in the jaw. Bill was propelled from his seat, and sent sprawling on the floor. With that Danny turned and stalked out of the room.
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Michelle ran to Bill's side. "Are you ok?" she asked.
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"I'm fine," he said rising to his feet rubbing his jaw. "Let's get out of here."
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Carmen smiled smugly as she watched them leave.
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Later that night Michelle and Bill sat on the beach by the lighthouse.
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"Do you remember when we were kids and I stole that golf cart from the country club?" Bill asked.
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Michelle laughed and said; "I remember how much trouble we got in."
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"I was trying to impress you," he replied. He took her hand and stared intently into her eyes. "I loved you then Michelle and I still love you now."
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"Bill�I�uh."
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"Michelle will you marry me?"
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After Danny left the country club, he drove to the home of the unfaithful employee. He sneaked around the back of the house and peered in the window.
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Danny saw the employee in the kitchen warming a baby bottle on the stove. His infant son was cradled in his arms. The man's wife entered the kitchen. She came up behind her husband and embraced him. The wife closed her eyes and rested her head between his shoulder blades. They swayed back and forth, dancing to a tune only they could hear.
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Danny knew then that for all of his bravado at the country club, he could never hurt this man or his family. He decided to give the man a stern warning, but nothing more. He would tell his mother a mistake had been made; that the employee had not betrayed the family.
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Danny then drove to the seminary to visit his cousin, Ray. He told Ray about the events of the night. Ray advised him that if he really wanted to have Michelle he would have to change. He would have to leave the family.
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"Please help me Ray," Danny pleaded.
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"Only God can help you Danny," Ray replied softly. He took Danny's hands in his own, and they bowed their heads in prayer.
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Michelle returned home to find Meta sitting at the kitchen table. She rushed to her aunt, forgetting to close the door in her haste. "Oh Meta," she cried. "I am so unhappy."
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"What's wrong?" Meta replied as she pushed a stray curl from Michelle's eyes.
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"Bill Lewis asked me to marry him tonight."
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"That makes you unhappy? Did you give him an answer?" Meta asked.
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"I told him yes, but I want to know if that is what I should have done."
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"That is something only you can know. Do you love him?"
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"Well of course I love him. We have been friends for our entire lives."
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"Why do you love him? Meta inquired.
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"He is kind and handsome. Everybody likes and respects him. He is the kind of man Dad and Rick would want me to marry," Michelle said softly.
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"You mean he is not like Danny," Meta said knowingly.
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Michelle looked up at her aunt with tears streaming down her face. "I have no business marrying Bill, and if Danny's mother hadn't brought him so low I would have never thought of it. It would degrade me to be with Danny now, so he shall never know how I love him; and that not because he is handsome or respected, Meta, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Bill's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
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Just before this speech ended, Meta saw a movement from the open doorway. She turned her head and saw Danny, his face clouded with anguish. He turned and walked away silently. He had listened until he heard Michelle say it would degrade her to be with him, and then he stayed no further. Meta tried to silence Michelle.
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"What's wrong Meta?"
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"Danny was just here listening. He's gone now."
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Michelle leapt to her feet, and ran outside. "Danny! Danny! Please wait," she cried running into the street. She got there just in time to see his taillights turning the corner. Michelle sunk to the pavement sobbing.
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The following morning I answered the door of the Santos home to find Michelle standing there. Her hair was wild and her eyes were swollen from crying.
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"Maria! Where's Danny?" she cried as she pushed past me. "I have to see him."
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"Danny is not here Miss Michelle," I whispered. "You shouldn't be here. Carmen might catch you."
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Just then, Carmen, hearing the commotion, entered the hall. "Michelle dear, how nice to see you," she hissed. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
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"Give it a rest Carmen. I came to see Danny. I have to talk to him."
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Carmen gave Michelle a satisfied smile. "I am afraid you are too late. Daniel has left, and he won't be returning."
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"I know he's here," Michelle shouted desperately. She ran through the house crying, "Danny! Danny!" When she reached the room she and Danny had shared, she flung open the door and stopped short when she saw the closet door standing open. Only a few empty hangers remained. Michelle cast herself onto the bed and wailed, "No! Danny! You can't be gone."
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"Well he is gone Michelle," Carmen said triumphantly. "And you have yourself to blame."
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Michelle drew a deep breath and rose from the bed. Her face was red with rage. "No Carmen! You are the one to blame. You sat him on that park bench when he was fourteen, and you taught him the ways of the Santos family!" she shouted.
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"That may be true Michelle," Carmen replied maliciously. "But you are the one that couldn't accept that. You are the one who drove him away."
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Michelle drew her hand back and slapped Carmen's face.
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Carmen's hand reached up to rub her injured cheek. Then she smiled an evil smile and said, "I hope that outburst made you feel better Michelle, but as I said, if you want to know who is responsible for Daniel's departure, you need only look in the mirror."
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"Go to hell Carmen!" Michelle raged. Then she ran from the room and out the front door.
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"I trust that is the last this family will ever see of Michelle Bauer," Carmen said victoriously.
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Several months later Michelle married Bill Lewis. Michelle continued her education for a time, but gradually lost interest. It was as if she had given up on all of her dreams when Danny left.
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The young couple lived in the garage apartment of her family's home for a few years. Then, when Josh and Reva Lewis moved to Italy, they came to live in this house. Young Marah Lewis, Bill's cousin, stayed behind, in Bill and Michelle's care, as she was just starting college at Springfield University.
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That is when I came to work here. Meta told me the Lewises were looking for a new housekeeper, and because I was so fond of Michelle, I eagerly applied for the job. Everything seemed to go well for a time, that was until the day Danny Santos returned to town.
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I remember it was September because I was outside picking apples for a pie. I set the heavy basket on the back step, and paused for a moment to enjoy the crisp fall air. Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me.
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"Maria is that you?"
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I jumped in surprise and whirled around to see a dim figure standing in the shadows. It was a tall man dressed in black with dark curly hair.
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"I have been waiting for an hour," he continued. "What's the matter Maria, don't you recognize me?" The man stepped from the shadows and a ray of light illuminated his face.
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"Ay! Dios mio! Senor Daniel," I exclaimed. "Is it really you?"
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"Of course it's really me," he laughed and pulled me into a bear hug. As he released me a look of urgency crossed his face. "Are they home?" he asked. "Where is she? What wrong Maria? Aren't you glad to see me? I have to see her. Quick, go inside and tell her a visitor from California is here to see her."
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"Oh no Senor Danny, I couldn't," I responded. "How will she take it? It has been four years since you left."
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"Go and deliver my message Maria," he interrupted impatiently. "I'm in hell till you do."
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He grabbed the basket of apples and I followed him inside. I hesitated at the kitchen door, dreading the task I was given. I gathered my courage and opened the door. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were sitting on the sofa sharing a newspaper. Again, I paused, fully intending to sneak back into the kitchen and say nothing. Then in a moment of madness, I announced, "Miss Michelle, a man from California is here to see you."
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"What does he want?" she asked.
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"I�I didn't question him ma'am. He is waiting is the kitchen."
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Michelle got up and went to the kitchen to greet her visitor.
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"Who's here?" Bill inquired casually.
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"Somebody she did not expect," I replied. "It's Senor Santos. You remember him, her ex-husband."
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"What!" Bill cried. "That damned gangster? What on earth is that bastard doing here?"
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"Hush," I whispered fearfully. "If she hears you talking like that about him she will be very angry. She was heartbroken when he ran off."
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Just then Michelle danced back into the living room and threw her arms around her husband's neck. "Oh Bill! It's Danny! He's come back!" she exclaimed. She tightened her embrace of his neck, and kissed his cheek excitedly.
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"Well, well," Bill said angrily. "Don't strangle me for that. He never struck me as such a marvelous treasure. There is no need to go crazy."
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"I know you don't like him Bill, but please, for my sake, be nice. I'll go get him."
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Bill grabbed her arm as she was about to leave and hissed, "Michelle try to be glad without being absurd. After all, he is your ex-husband."
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With that Michelle bounded from the room and returned with Danny. Bill rose from the sofa and reluctantly shook his hand. "Well Danny, long time no see," he said apprehensively.
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"Good to see you too Bill," Danny replied stiffly.
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Just then, the front door opened and Marah entered. She flung her backpack into a chair and stopped short when she saw their visitor. "Oh I'm sorry. Hi," she said.
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Danny walked to her and extended his hand. "Maybe you don't remember me. We met once years ago, at your mother's wedding reception. I'm Danny Santos."
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Marah accepted his handshake, blushing fiercely. "I�uh�of course yes�good to see you again," she stammered.
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"So Danny, tell me, what brings you back to town?" Bill inquired his tone light, but with an unmistakable resentment glinting in his eyes.
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Danny chuckled softly and said, "Well, it seems my mother has run away with Ben Warren; leaving me with the family business. So, it looks like I will be staying in town indefinitely."
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Michelle started giggling uncontrollably at his statement. "Oh my God! I always knew there was something up between them. Still, I can't believe she was willing to hand over the business to you. I thought she loved wielding all that power."
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"Sometimes love can make you do crazy things," Danny said somberly. His eyes met with Michelle's and she quickly looked away. She then raised her head and discovered his eyes again, this time she held his stare.
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And then it was back; I could feel it, the quiver of the opposing magnets. A profound hush swept the room. Bill looked to the floor, nervously twisting his wedding band around his finger.
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It was young Marah who broke the silence. "Well Danny, how nice that you will be staying. Are you going to live in your family's home?"
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"As a matter of fact, I noticed the lighthouse is for sale," Danny said his eyes still locked with Michelle's. "I am hoping Michelle's brother will be kind enough to sell me the place."
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"Rick and his wife have moved to Chicago," Bill said looking up from his hands. "He has entrusted me with the sale."
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"This is great!" Marah cried happily. "Of course, you will accept his offer. Won't you Bill?"
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"Well�I�I�uh," Bill faltered, casting a nervous glance at his wife.
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"Yes Danny, we would be happy to sell the lighthouse to you," Michelle said. "I know how much it means to us�I mean you."
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"Well then, with that settled, I really must be going," Danny declared as he got up from his chair. "Marah it was good seeing you again."
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Marah's face turned a bright crimson. "It was good seeing you too. I hope you won't be such a stranger."
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Again, Danny's eyes met Michelle's. "I have never been a stranger," he said softly. He turned away and walked out the door.
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That night I woke with a chill. As I rose to close the open window, I heard hushed voices coming from the garden. I peered into the darkness and saw Danny and Michelle standing by the rose bushes.
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She was dressed only in her nightgown, and the breeze blew the soft fabric around her body. Her golden curls reflected the moonlight. Danny reached up and caressed her cheek. Michelle leaned into his hand closing her eyes. He then pulled her to him covering her mouth with his. She returned his kiss, but broke away suddenly, and ran back to the house. He stood staring after her for several minutes, and then he lowered his head and stalked out of the garden.
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