The ambulance came and went. Carmen was screaming at her. Michelle just looked at her and nodded. She could not understand why Carmen was screaming at her. Didn't she know her son? Didn't she see what had been done to her.
Carmen kept repeating over and over" Why , why did you do this.. you killed both my sons .. why "
Carmen sat on the bed and sobbed.
The detective came to Michelle and asked her what happened.
Michelle looked at him for a long time. She did not recognize him. She smiled and said" He tore my soul from me. I had to make him die like he made me die"
The detective looked at Carmen and then back at Michelle.
" I think we better get her a doctor, Mrs. Santos. She is obviously not coherent."
The female officer took Carmen to the other room. She was still screaming about her sons and that everything bad that had ever happened in her family had been brought about my "that woman"
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Michelle woke and turned on her side. She looked at the chair by the bed. She tried hard to focus.. it was Danny's robe. She sat up and swung her legs to the floor. She looked at the floor near the end of the bed. They must have taken his body. Why can't I remember? She picked up his robe and held it to her face again. It only smelled like detergent.. someone had washed it. Where were the police?
**********************************************************************
The door opened and Danny walked into the room. Michelle gasped and stared at him.
"What's wrong ,baby? Did you get some sleep? You freaked out after my mother left.. I thought you were asleep.. so I didn't bother you.. but it's 6:30 and I thought you might be hungry" He walked to the bed carrying a tray with tea and some sandwiches.
Michelle continued to stare at him until she realized her mouth was open and nothing would come out.
"I .. uh.. 6:30 am or PM?"
Danny laughed" Well, sweetheart.. it is PM.. " he looked puzzled
"Michelle , are you all right. You look .. well .. funny. You are white as that sheet" he said pointing to the sheet she held to her chest.
"I guess I was dreaming.. I .. it was upsetting"
"Well, you are awake now.. and here drink the tea.. try to eat something ,O.K."
She sipped the tea and tried to remember all of the dream. Most of it now fading into the background. Except the part about the shooting. She could still see the blood.
She drank her tea and Danny came and sat on the bed.
"Feel better now, baby, " he asked.
" The tea tasted good.. it's hot but good." Michelle sipped it slowly again trying to think back on the dream. Something about Danny's robe and bathtubs..
"It was no use , " she thought " I just can't remember"
Danny said' What did you say?"
"Nothing, I was trying to remember the dream I had... it was nothing.. "
"Sure looks like it must have been something. You looked really out of it when I walked in."
Michelle suddenly had the urge to take a bath. She got up from the bed and told Danny she wanted to take a long hot bath.
"Sure ," he said , you want me to draw it for you. You look kinda shaky.."
"No, I will do it myself, thanks"
Michelle sat in the warm water and tried to remember why she would dream about taking baths.. finally she gave up and said to herself.."it was only a dream.. Michelle get a grip"
That night as they lay in bed Michelle whispered to Danny" Are you asleep?"
Danny turned toward her and smiled.
"No, what did you have in mind?"
Michelle said she wanted to ask him something and it would sound strange , but to answer her truthfully.
"Sure," Danny said.
"O.K. well, do you know anyone in Chicago?"
Danny laughed.. "Chicago is a big town ,Michelle, lots of people.. could be someone there I know.. couldn't there?" he tickled her and she pulled away.
"What?" Danny looked at her as though she had lost her mind.
Michelle was afraid to ask anymore., it was all so vague in her mind and he already thought she could do with a psychiatric evaluation. She could tell from his expression.
"Nothing.. I just thought I remembered you talking about someone in Chicago."
She tried to sound casual..as thought this was a normal question to ask in the middle of the night.
He pulled her to him and said " I think you are going around the bend Mrs. Santos. You have never acted like this before.. " he kissed her forehead and told her to get some sleep. He continued to hold her and she could feel herself relax.
"Yes, she thought, this is normal.. that dream was crazy and I am not going to dwell on it."
She sighed deeply and snuggled closer to Danny.
Danny was staring at the ceiling. His eyes betrayed what he was thinking.
" How the hell did she know," he thought
************************************************
Michelle fell into a deep sleep. She was in Danny's arms and that was all that mattered. If she dreamt at all that night she remembered none of it in the morning.
She woke and saw the sunlight streaming in the window, she reached for Danny but he was gone. The sick feeling she had last night returned. Then she heard the shower. She sighed, and got up from the bed. Walking into the master bath she could see her husband outlined in the shower. He seemed to be leaning back and letting the water pour over him. She opened the shower door and he looked over at her with surprise and concern on his face.
"How about sharing with a friend" Michelle laughed.
"Sure, but I was just about to get out. Been in this water long enough." He looked uneasy and Michelle could not understand why. This was not an unusual occurrence for them.
"All right.. sorry" She was not sorry, just upset that he seemed indifferent to a usually pleasurable time for them.
Danny stepped out of the shower and proceeded to dry himself. She took another towel and dried his back. He seemed to pull away but only for a second.
He took her in his arms and said "Maybe tomorrow . is it a date?"
"Sure."
He left the room and she could hear him talking on the cell phone. Business as usual in the Santos household.
Well, almost.
*********************************************************
Dee sat in her living room in Chicago looking out at the skyline. The river looked more grimy than usual today.
The phone rang and she grabbed it quickly.
"Danny?"
"Oh , Danny did you tell her yet"
" No, she has been freaked out since yesterday. It just didn't seem like a good time to talk, you know?" Danny whispered
" Oh , I'm sorry sweetheart. You will have to do it soon. If we want this deal to work. You have to be rid of her. Besides, I am selfish, I want you to myself. I can't stand the thought of you sleeping next to her." Dee smiled at the thougth of having Danny to herself.
"Baby, I am trying. It's just that she's not like us, you know. Even after five years , I am not always sure where she is coming from.. you know?"
"Gotta go"
He quickly hung up the phone. He heard the shower go off and shortly Michelle entered the bedroom.
Michelle was drying her hair with the towel and glanced at Danny sitting by the phone. He was shirtless and wearing sweat pants.
"Aren't you working today, Danny"
"A little later maybe.. I uh.. wanted to talk to you about something"
Michelle felt her throat close.
"You haven't asked much about the business in the past year. Why is that.?" Danny asked
" I just felt it was better that I not know too much Danny" she continued brushing her hair.
"Not the least bit curious anymore?" Danny said as he walked around the room.
"That doesn't concern me anymore, Danny. What you or your mother do .. it doesn't matter" Michelle tried to sound nonchalant. She finished brushing her hair and went to the closet.
Danny watched her and tried not to show his mistrust.
"Seen Bill lately?"Danny asked
" Not since the Christmas party at Lewis Oil, why do you ask?"
Danny thought about what his mother had told him. Michelle and Bill . That was over a year ago. She told him that she had seen the embrace, the kiss between them. He never mentioned it to Michelle. Bill was alone then. Pilar had gone back to Spain. So much had changed.
He knew they had been in touch. Why was she lying. Didn't she know he could get phone records checked. Mother had spies everywhere. She must have been a fool. Didn't matter now. He had Dee and she could be with Bill if that is what she wanted.
"Michelle , I think you need to know something about me"
Michelle's blood ran cold. God .. she remembered her dream now. Oh please don't let him say .........
"You have to understand why this has to end" Danny said
