Revisiting The Past
Part 5
By Kellie
"Claire, how come I'm not surprised," Danny commented under his breath.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Michelle, I never trusted Claire or her motives."
Michelle put her coffee cup on the table as she spoke, "Danny, why did you think that and why didn't you talk to me about it?"
He stood and walked over to the window, "Claire never came right out and said it, but I could tell that she didn't like me. There was something about her that I couldn't quite put my finger on. She appeared to want the same thing I did - your happiness. I guess we had different ideas of what that was. At the time, I didn't know then the things I know now about her. I guess I didn't tell about my concerns because I didn't want to stop you from building some type of relationship with her if you wanted one."
"What do you know now that you didn't know then?" she asked.
Danny stood in silence; uncertain about telling Michelle the things Rick had shared with him about Claire. Finally, he turned and looked at Michelle, "I think Rick needs to tell you about it since he's the one who told me."
"Danny, tell me now."
"Michelle, Rick told me some things about why Claire had to give you up."
"What does that mean?"
"I think we should wait until Rick is here so you can ask any questions you have – and you'll definitely have questions. In the meantime, tell me what happened after Claire came in that day."
"Danny, you can't leave me hanging like that - I want to know what Rick told you!" she demanded as she crossed her arms and met his eyes with a determined glare.
Knowing that she wouldn't back down, Danny began, "Michelle, did you know that your parents were in the process of going to court to take you away from Claire when she gave you up?" As she nodded no, he continued, "Based on what Rick told me, it was a very heated battle. Claire tried to blackmail him into taking her side in the battle."
"What on earth could Claire have used to blackmail Rick?"
"Apparently Rick was hooked on speed while he was in med school and Claire knew about it." Danny stood silently as he watched Michelle digest the news of Rick's drug problem.
"That's something I never would have expected from Rick," she finally replied. "What happened next?"
"Before Rick had to make a decision, you Dad walked into the garage apartment while Claire was…" Danny stopped and looked at Michelle. "I'm not sure I can tell you this," he said as he walked over to the window and looked out in the darkness.
Michelle walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, "Danny, I need to know everything. Tell me."
Taking a seat on the bench by the door, Danny waited for Michelle to sit down beside him. "Danny, what was Claire doing?"
Swallowing hard, Danny answered in a near whisper, "You were in your crib and Claire had a pillow. She was going to kill you."
Michelle gasped as she brought her hands to her mouth, "No – that can't be true."
Instinctively, Danny wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. "Michelle, it's true. After that, Claire surrendered custody to your father and signed the consent for Maureen to adopt you. She didn't have any choice."
Danny sat and held Michelle as tears fell down her face. Suddenly she stood, and determinedly walked towards the steps. Danny listened as she ran up the stairs and he heard her voice outside Rick's door. "Rick, I need you in the kitchen – Now!" she nearly shouted.
Hearing her footsteps as she pounded back down the stairs, Danny stood and watched as she came back into the room. "Sit," she commanded as she pointed at his empty seat. Michelle stood behind her own chair as she watched the bottom of the stairs. Danny heard the thud of Rick's heavy footsteps as he rushed down the stairs.
"Michelle, what the matter?" Rick sleepily asked as he stood in the kitchen in his bathrobe.
"Why didn't you tell me about what Claire did to me when I was a baby?"