A Snowy Night
Part 8
By Kellie
Pilar clutched her rosary beads tightly in her hands. Danny was still sitting beside her in stunned silence. Her story about the night Ben died and how their mother had framed Michelle made sense. It was exactly the type of thing Carmen would do. Finally he spoke, "Oh! Mama, you're going to pay for this."
"No Danny. All of this is my fault - you have to understand. Don't blame Mama. The only one needing forgiveness is me. Ben has forgiven me; can you?"
Danny over at Pilar, "What do you mean, Ben has forgiven you?"
"Ben comes to visit me everyday. He told me that he forgives me."
"Pilar, Ben's dead. He can't come speak to you."
"Danny, I know he's dead. His spirit comes to talk with me everyday. He sits right across from me as I pray for forgiveness."
Ray entered through the side door. "Danny, your mother should be busy with Father Tomas for a little longer. I hope you two had enough time to visit."
"Pilar, I know you have some studying to do. I need to speak with Ray. I'll come back to see you after court," Danny said while casting a concerned glance towards Ray.
Pilar rose and hugged Danny, "You need to talk to Michelle's lawyer. The truth needs to come out, but Mama won't tell the truth. I've tried to get her to, but she wants to punish Michelle for Mick. Tell her lawyer I will come tell everything."
Danny watched with a single tear in his eye as Pilar left. "Ray, how long has she been like this? Did you know she thinks that Ben comes to see her everyday?"
"That's why I wanted you to speak with her alone. Your mother always manages to steer Pilar away from saying what's going on in her head. Until Pilar came to stay here, I had no idea how troubled she had become. I didn't know about the visits from Ben until this morning. When I went to get Pilar for breakfast, I overheard her talking like she was having a conversation with Ben." Ray paused before adding, "Danny, we've got to get her some help and your mother will fight us every step of the way to protect herself."
Danny nodded. "I've got to go talk with Ross and Michelle. We've got to figure out what to do. Ray, make sure that Mama doesn't talk with Pilar. I don't want her to find out that I know the truth, yet."
"I'll try to get her out of here as soon as the meeting with Father Tomas is over. I'll make some kind of excuse to keep her away from Pilar. You can count on me, cousin. Give Michelle my love."
A short time later, Danny entered the courtroom. The trial had already gone back into session. Michelle was being sworn in to testify. Danny went and sat beside Rick and Abby. He felt around in his coat pocket and found a gas station receipt and a pen. Danny jotted a note telling Ross that it was very important that they speak as soon as possible. Ross walked over towards the defense table. Danny reached across the railing and held the note out to Ross. Ross nodded that he understood and motioned towards the door. Carmen was entering the courtroom. As Ross began questioning Michelle, Danny began working on a plan to get Carmen to confess to everything.
Part
9