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Michelle could hear her heart pounding. She swore she could hear the blood rushing through her veins. Her skin was on fire.. wasn't it.. if felt that way.
"What do you mean, Danny?" Michelle voice was barely audible.
"I mean the lies Michelle.. it has to end"
Michelle was suddenly back in the universe.. this wasn't like the dream. This was different.
Danny had tears in his eyes.. that didn't happen in the dream either...
"Lies, Danny? Whose lies" Michelle asked.
"Your lies and mine too I guess, time for honestly all around, O.K?"
Michelle took a deep breath.. she was surprised that she could breathe at all.
"Danny , what have I lied about?"
"About Bill .. and you .. I have known for a long time now. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
Michelle burst out laughing.
"This amuses you , Michelle?" Danny was angry now.
"Bill ... and me? Are you out of your mind Danny? Is this what you thought of me? That I could ever betray you like that? My god, don't you think I know what that betrayal feels like. Didn't we go all through this long ago?"
Danny sat and stared at her. He wondered why did she persist in her lies.
"She is still afraid of me" he thought.
"Danny, I would never.. in my wildest dreams.. ever.. do anything to hurt you. Do you think I would risk losing you. I have turned a blind eye to everything that has happened. Sometimes you let me in, sometimes you don't"
Danny sat staring at his hands. Hands dirtied with all kinds of crimes. The worst may have been with Dee if Michelle was telling the truth. "What if she is.. ?" He was afraid of what the answer to that question might be, he really didn't want to know.
"You did not kiss Bill last year and go off with him somewhere?"
Michelle walked across the room to him and touched his face. She sat in his lap. She kissed him tenderly on the lips. "Danny, I would never do anything like that. I did kiss Bill last year on his birthday. A kiss on the cheek. He was missing Pilar. He was sad.. he is my friend. I kissed him like a friend."
Danny wondered if now he could tell the truth. What would happen to this marriage then. "Damn , his mother had succeeded in destroying something again. When would it end. Now the business would be effected as well. He was about to lose it all.
Danny said defensively "You will never really understand me Michelle.. don't try to put the blame on me for shutting you out"
Michelle got up from his lap and walked to the window. "Where was this going? " she wondered. She knew it had to be Carmen who made up this Bill story.
"Damn her.. if anyone needs to get shot it's her" Michelle wondered why that thought popped into her head. "Losing it again, Michelle?"she thought.
"Michelle come back here, please. I need to tell you something. I want you to listen to me very carefully"
Michelle sat down across the desk from Danny. His eyes were not cold. His eyes were filled with tears.
" Michelle, I have made a terrible mistake. I made the mistake of trusting my mother ... again. I thought that you and Bill were.. well .. together. I felt that you never really knew me or accepted me. Do you know how that made me feel .. as a man?"
Michelle knew what was coming.. she knew there were parts of her dream that seemed to be true. She smiled at Danny and said "Danny , I know it will take a lifetime to understand you. I know that we may both old and gray before we do, but trust me I am trying."
Danny came around from behind the desk and lifted Michelle to her feet.
With his arms tightly around her he said" Michelle , I screwed up again.. I hope this will be the last time. Do you know what I am saying?"
Michelle told him that she did know , but not to ask her how.
*********************************************************
Dee sat next to the phone. Surely Danny would call soon. He must have told her by now. She stared out the window and watched the traffic on the loop.
The last time Danny was here he had brought her a diamond necklace. She fondled it now , thinking about him and what he had said when he presented it to her. She understood him. Of course she did . He was so much like her father and her brother. Men of with ego's so large that they needed a forklift to carry them. She walked to the mirror so that she could see the necklace on her throat. She saw the reflection of a slim , dark haired woman.
Her features were strong. She had large eyes and good bone structure.
"Everyone told her so " she thought. She was the opposite of Michelle. "She is blond and pale.. she thought.. not like me" Dee thought smugly.
She held the necklace up to her throat. She was admiring the picture of herself in the mirror when the phone rang.
"Hello"
"Dee, this is Danny. I don't know what to tell you .. I don't like doing this on the phone. I can't come to Chicago. The deal we had is off. I know you will understand. My mother betrayed and tricked me again. You know her, you know what she is capable of and I don't want this to destroy our "friendship" I just want you to know that I can't through with the deal we talked about"
He was still talking and Dee was not hearing a word after "I can't come to Chicago."
She tried to focus on what he was saying but she could not.
"Danny.. Danny,"she interrupted him," you have to come. Didn't you tell Michelle that it was over. Didn't you explain about us?"
Danny replied that he didn't have to, that she knew somehow anyway.
Dee's dark eyes were black with rage. Damn Michelle .. Damn Carmen.. these two fools would ruin everything.
She tried to sound calm now.. speaking in her most soft voice she said "Danny, you know I want only your happiness. I understand completely. I am here if you need me. You know that. I will explain to my father.. as for me.. you know I love you.. always will"
Dee called her father. She explained that Danny had backed out. She said she would continue to work on him. She thought she could turn him around. Her father was not happy.
He demanded" Does Carmen have something to do with this.. I feel her fine hand in it somewhere?"
Dee told him she was sure that Danny found out about some more lies by Carmen. She would stop at nothing to keep him by her side. She was a sick person.
"I don't know about sick , but she is a crafty one.. don't underestimate her Dee" Peter said
Dee hung up the phone and called Carmen. She told Carmen that her plan had failed. That Danny was back with Michelle. Carmen hissed " Michelle.. that girl will be the death of me. Danny is blind ... he will never leave her. Five years I have had to put up with her incessant prying. Danny is completely hypnotized by her. She can do no wrong. I am always the one to blame"
Dee assured Carmen that Danny would not be this way forever. After all he did believe the story about Bill for over a year. Obviously there were weaknesses in the marriage. She and Carmen would just have to work on that premise.
"Carmen , together I know we can bring Danny around. Don't you feel that way?" Dee said sweetly
"Oh, Dee why couldn't Danny have married you.. it would have made everything so easy .. for both our families"
"Yes , it would , Carmen" Dee was smiling now..
***************************************************************
Danny hung up the phone. Michelle walked into the office and said "Still working or have you taken care of everything." the emphasis was on everything. Danny knew what she meant.
"Yes, I have ,.. everything but one"
" Michelle I want to tell you all about this ... situation.. no secrets anymore.. o.k."
"Would that be for my benefit Danny or yours?" she tried not to sound angry.
" Both, I hope"
Michelle sat down next to him and touched his lips with her fingers.
"I don't want to know, Danny.. I don't want to know every detail of your relationship with her.. I don't need to know and I don't want that in my head every time we make love.. which, by the way.. I hope will be often. Granted it might make you feel better to confess. Talk to Ray.. confess to him.. not me. all right?"
Danny's face darkened.. why does she always have to be right.. he thought.
"It does involve some business.. not just intimate stuff.. you used to like to know what I was up to.. didn't you?
Michelle kissed him and asked him to please stop talking.. .. she had heard enough about this nightmare of a day.
"Can't we just talk about our future.. Danny?"
Danny sighed.. what was the use.. he wanted to be able to talk to her the way he talked to Dee.. about everything.. everything that he thought about and did was important to Dee.
He looked at Michelle and he felt such love for her. She was stubborn, strong and sometimes damn pushy.. but he loved her with all his heart.. he knew that. She was also , almost always, right.
Michelle thought to herself, " Someday Danny, I will be able to hear whatever you want to share. Now I would feel as though someone had skinned me alive.. she pondered that expression.. yes ,, like your skin had been stripped from your body.. exposing everything.. that was it.. exposing everything.. she would not be able to bear it , not yet"
*******************************************************************
Dee decided that she would take some action. No sense is sitting here thinking about Danny. She knew what she had to do. She went to her closet and found the dress that she had been wearing when she and Danny had first made love.. she laughed .. well that is what he called it.. she had another name for it. She also went to her perfumes and she selected the perfume that Michelle wore. She made sure she knew what that was. "All's fair in love and war' and this is war.
She called her father and arranged for the jet. She was off to Springfield.
It would have been better to have this battle on her own turf.. but .. this called for immediate attention. Can't let those fires grow cold.
She arrived in Springfield and called Carmen. "Meet me for lunch please Carmen.. I need to talk.. I am heartbroken over Danny.. I need your advice."
Carmen said she would be delighted to meet with her and they could discuss strategy.
She and Carmen met at the millennium.
"Dee, you look stunning. I miss my Pilar.. she and I would have lunch here sometimes. Before she left for Spain she forgave me for everything. She really knows how difficult all of this has been for me since her father died. I long for the time when I can forget all of this business. I wish I could see my son happy and settled with someone who really understands him."
Dee listened to Carmen babble on and set a smile on her face. Her mind was on Danny. Would this woman never shut up.. Dee continued to smile at Carmen and pat her hand in understanding.
"Carmen.. I need to see Danny one last time to give him something. Do you think you could call him for me. Tell him to meet me say.. oh at some little park or something.. it would mean the world to me.. to see him one last time
Carmen said" I don't know if he would take that information from me.. but ,,, I could call and then give the phone to you.. that way if Michelle answers.. she would think he was talking to me.. would that work?"
Dee smiled" Perfectly"
Danny agreed to meet her at dusk. He told her about the park. She made sure she was there before he arrived. She sat on the bench . He hands folded , demurely looking down. She heard his footsteps before she saw him. She continued to look down until she was sure that she had just the right amount of tears in her eyes. She looked up and he took her hand.
"Danny, thank you for coming. I .. am sorry that I had to disturb you at home" she wiped away a tear.
Danny sat close to her and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Dee, please understand.. my mother had me convinced that Michelle had cheated on me.. I was upset and lonely.. I know that isn't any excuse.. all I seem to do lately is hurt people I care about"
"Danny, you don't need to apologize to me.. I am just happy for the time we had together"
"I am going to be sick , if I have to talk like this much longer.." she thought
"I just wanted to return this necklace to you... I don't feel I have any right to keep it. It's only value was that you gave it to me... and now.. well.. that is over and I don't feel..."
Danny interrupted her and said " Please Dee, keep it.. I want you to have it .. I bought it for you. You earned it.. All those nights of listening to me.. complaining and well.. you know."
"Yes , I know.". she thought.". I know all right.. come to mama Danny.. tell mama all.. "
"Have you finalized the big deal yet," she asked. She brushed the curl from his forehead.. and ran her fingers down the side of his face. Such a beautiful face she thought.. what a shame .. She would hate to see it changed.
"Not yet.. still dealing with Ben Warren.. can't seem to get rid of the guy"
"Hmmm Ben Warren.. yes the lawyer who doesn't like to get his hands dirty. Kind of in the wrong business isn't he?"
Danny sighed.. "Mother gave him the Real Estate division, he didn't like my getting into it at all"
This latest deal was bigger than Donald Trump.. Dee knew it and she wanted that company.. Daddy said if she could do it .. she could have it.. well, damn Carmen , Danny and the whole Santos family .. Dee would have what she wanted. Who did these people think they were.. they were small time.. How they ever managed to get this deal was something she would never understand.. didn't matter.. because she would have it all anyway. Maybe Danny too. If not there were others more than happy to take his place.
"Danny , you know I will keep my ear to the ground. I hear anything.. and you will be the first to know. Is there anything in particular that I should be watching for.. people I should speak to .. whatever I can do to help ..you know that love.. don't you?"
She decided it was time to move.. she kissed Danny and out of instinct or memory he kissed her back. Her perfume enveloped him and he saw Michelle.. in his mind. Dee kissed him again and this time more passionately. He could feel himself responding to her and hated himself for it.. he broke away.
"Dee.. I'm sorry .. I have to leave. "
"Remember Danny .. I am always here for you, I just want you to succeed.. I promise I won't accost you again" Dee laughed..
Dee said "One small favor before you leave, please"
"What"
"Just a hug for an old friend, huh.. "
Danny put his arms around her and she slipped the diamond necklace in his pocket.
"Thank you .. Danny.. I am always with you remember that," she smiled
"Good-bye Dee.."
Danny was glad this day way over. His emotions had run the gamut. He knew he had hurt Michelle .. again. He swore the last time.. it wouldn't happen. This betrayal had gone deeper. Dee was different.. this wasn't some drunken "let's make each other feel good" it was more and it bothered him that it was. There was an connection there. She knew everything about him...every dark thought and mood. He wished that Michelle .. "O.K. stop right now.. don't go any further with this" Danny thought.
He walked into their bedroom and Michelle was putting away clothes and packing some winter things.
"Thought I would put away some things... a little spring cleaning.. "
Danny smiled.. maybe that is what he needed a little spring cleaning.. get the cobwebs out of his brain. Maybe his brain hadn't been the problem.
"Sounds like busy work to me.. why don't you come here to me.. I think I can keep you busy for a while"
Michelle gladly went into his arms. She missed this Danny. The one that smiled at her and made her feel that she was the only person in the world.
"Michelle.. I know that sometimes I can be .. well.. difficult. I want you to know that there is no one in the world who means more to me than you do. "
Michelle hugged him and she brushed her hands against his jacket pocket.
"What is that in your pocket.." she laughed at the expression on his face..
"What is the matter, Danny?"
She reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace.
She stood in stunned silence. It was beautiful. She looked at Danny and guilt was written all over his face.
She had a terrible feeling that she knew exactly what it was.
"Damn.. she put it there, " he mumbled to himself.
Damn her.. why did he trust people he shouldn't. His instincts used to be so good.
Michelle sat down on the bed. She was going to have to face this. Just had to. Danny had been unfaithful.. he had met with this woman again. How many more times will she have to forgive.
"Michelle.. let me explain.. don't tell me you don't want to know. I have to tell you.. have to .. do you understand?"
"Yes" she said.. but she was miles away again
"She wanted to meet me to give back something I gave her. This necklace was a gift. I told her to keep it. .she wanted to return it .. so she slipped it in my pocket. I didn't even know it was there."
"How close were you when she slipped it in your pocket, Danny?"
Danny looked down at the floor.. this is something he didn't want to say.
"Close"
"Danny.. " .. Michelle started to protest and then she remembered her dream.
This woman would not win. No one would take Danny from her.. no one"
A little voice in her head told her to be quiet. Just wait until he was talked out. " Just listen, Michelle."she thought.
*****************************************************
Dee sat in the leather lounge chair on the jet talking on the phone.
"Bergstrom,,, Dee, how are you darling?"
"Whoops.. forgot about the time difference, sweetie. Well, you know that I do." Dee cooed.
"Danny Santos is not in the game anymore.. you understand. This is just between you and me, just like it should be"
"That deal is not going to happen for the Santos family..It is going to be mine.. all mine. Just like you are sweetheart"
She smiled and thought of Bergstrom drooling on his shirt. The old fool Dee waved at the steward.. mouthed get me a scotch... ice .. she added. He brought her the drink . She crossed her legs seductively and stirred her drink with her finger. She looked at the steward with a glance that turned his face red.
When he had left , she laughed at his embarrassment. "Don't waste it on the peasants, Dee. Didn't your Daddy teach you better than that," she thought.
**********************************
Danny and Michelle lay in bed. The silence was deafening. He had explained everything to her and she had said nothing. The vision of him with someone else kept creeping into her mind. She pushed it away. They may as well have been on different planets.
Danny turned toward her and said" Sooner or later you have to talk to me Michelle. We can't shut each other out. We have to be able to talk about it all. If you want to scream at me, hit me .. something.. just talk to me, please"
Carefully Michelle began to talk.
" Danny.. years ago, after Drew.. which I now understand.. you promised me.. not once , but over and over that you would leave the "family business" and do something else. Then you explained that there were all these connections.. all these situations that kept you from leaving. I stopped asking about the business because it only caused friction between us and I wanted you happy and whole when you were with me. I guess that was selfish , wasn't it" She couldn't resist that sarcasm. Just that little bit.
"I am sorry Michelle..."
"No, Danny.. I am not through. Now you tell me that because I didn't want to hear about the business .. you went to someone for understanding. Is the the old saw about "my wife doesn't understand me" is that what this is Danny. Because I have really tried. I think I deserve a medal for all the trying. Your mother has tried for 5 years to tear us apart. She stops at nothing. Then you believe some ridiculous tale about Bill and I having an affair. I am at a complete loss Danny to understand your reasoning. Completely."
"Well, right as usual Michelle"
Michelle felt now that she may have gone to far. "No dammit. I did not. It is the truth." So what, the little voice in her head said.. so what Michelle.. you have a need to be right.. good luck"
Danny ran his hand along her arm. His fingers brushed her breast and he kissed her neck.
Michelle was lost.. it didn't matter anymore... nothing mattered but his closeness.. his kisses , his breath on her skin. Nothing mattered.. she was far away again.. in that place he took her to, their place..
*********************************************************
Dee's plane landed and she was met by her brother.
He looked on his sister as someone who thought like a man. She sure didn't look like one.. but she did think like one. He had never met anyone as shrewd in business or anything else for that matter.
"Pete, how are you darling.. you look wretched actually.. too much night life?" she smoothed his collar on his jacket and kissed him on the cheek.
"Daddy said you had a deal in the bag.. is that true. The one in Brazil.. how did you pull that off.. thought it belonged to the Santos kid.?"
"Danny made a mistake.. he thought he had a friend and he didn't . shit happens" she laughed.
"Yes, almost always when you are around."
"Now , now.. don't be peckish.. just because you don't understand high finance don't blame it on your big sister"
Peter glared at the back of her head as she stalked off toward the limo.
***************************************************************************
The following morning Michelle woke and found Danny sitting in the chair.. staring at her.
"Oh god, now what?" she thought
"Michelle, I have made a decision. We are leaving Springfield. It is over. I am through. I don't want anything but you in my life. No more Mother.. no more business.. it might be tough for a while . I know we can manage. I have money in a Swiss acct and I hear Paris is nice at this time of the year.. You up for that?Paris in the spring.. flowers , rain , romance.. making love in public.. who cares..What do you say.? "
Michelle told him he had lost his mind and could she lose hers too please...
How long till the next flight.. ?
