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'Til Death Do Us Part
By Sleuth
God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.
J. M. Barrie (1860–1937), British playwright. Rectorial address, 3 May 1922, St. Andrew's University, Scotland.
The air was crisp and saturated with the aroma of burning leaves. In most ways it was a perfect fall day .The trees were bright with fall colors reflected by the sun. . However, soon the leaves would be off the trees, beaten by the coming rains. It was late October and soon fall would turn to winter.
Michelle walked down the familiar street and looked at the houses that now seemed so small. Had it really been 20 years? Her heart was no longer innocent and the love of her life was gone. She took a deep breath and walked to the door of the house that once had belonged to her brother. She knocked on the door and a tall thin boy answered. He observed her with a puzzled expression .
"I am sorry to bother you. You see, I used to live here a long time ago and I wondered if you would mind if I just looked around?" she asked
He stared at her for a moment and then said "O.K." with reservation in his voice.
She walked in and looked at the once familiar rooms. So many memories came rushing back. Abby and Rick at breakfast arguing over some article in the morning paper. The contention with her brother over Danny and his way of life. She felt a thrill go up her spine. It was eerie to think back to that time. This house was full of ghosts. She and Rick did not speak for years after her abduction. Danny was so protective of her and was furious with Rick for hurting her. All these thoughts rushing through her mind while the boy stared at her as if she were an alien.
Michelle climbed the stairs to the bedroom that once was hers. She recalled a day when Danny had shown up unexpectedly. She could still feel the strength of his arms around her. Michelle raised her hand to her lips as if she could somehow revisit the kiss.
She went to her father's grave that day. He had been angry with Rick for not coming to her rescue.. "coming to my rescue, she thought, Danny was my rescuer.. my love, my life and now he is gone." She felt tears flooding her eyes and quickly brushed them away. No time for tears.. she had much to do today.
She found herself at the site of the old lighthouse. Gone now, demolished long ago for new building site. A cold building stood there now. The beach and waters edge strewn with paper and trash. "Change..she muttered to herself.. why must everything change" She thought about the many nights she and Danny had spent at the lighthouse. All at different stages of their life together. Some wonderful moments and others too unsettling to remember now. All of these memories strung together like pearls now, they were all good , all perfect. She didn't want or need to remember the bad ones.
She went back to her hotel and called Pilar. Pilar and Bill had stayed in contact with them for all these years. They had taken her in when she left Danny because of the worst argument they had ever had.. because of his mother of course. They had many arguments, most of them in the first seven years.. always about who was in charge. He finally learned that Michelle was not someone to be controlled. He came by that trait naturally, his mother was like that and when Danny was at his darkest it came to the forefront. After Raymond Edward was born Danny became the most doting father Michelle had ever seen. Nothing was good enough for his son. His grandmother of course tried her hand at controlling that relationship too. Michelle finally had to step in and stop Carmen dead in her tracks. She would not tolerate any interference in her son's upbringing and Danny agreed with her. Carmen had no choice but to concede and leave them alone She could not risk losing both her son and grandson. Bill and Pilar had not been that lucky. Their daughter was completely captivated by her grandmother. Carmen was the most important person in her young life.
Pilar and Bill looked forward to seeing Michelle. They had not seen her since the funeral and no one had done any talking ,everyone was in shock. Michelle was destroyed by Danny's death.
Pilar carefully arranged the table and Bill helped her.
"Bill, what do you think Michelle will do now?" Pilar said as she placed the silverware on the table.
"I don't know, honey.. she was so broken up and now she just seems to be in shock. It is going to take her a long time to recover and find her footing again.. you know? "He kissed his wife on the forehead.
" I miss Danny too.. we hadn't talked for a month or so before... " Pilar's eyes filled with tears and her voice turned into a sob.
Bill took her in his arms and "Shhhhh, I know ... we are all going to miss him"
Michelle walked up to the heavy oak door. Another one of Carmen's attempted intrusions. She had insisted that Bill use an architect of her choosing. Bill would do anything that Pilar wanted and she wanted her mother happy. So the house was built and somehow seemed to resemble Carmen's home. Michelle felt the sting of irritation thinking about what Carmen had done to Bill and Pilar's marriage. She emptied her mind of these thoughts and placed a fixed smile on her face. She would enjoy seeing Bill. He was her only true friend, life long friend.
Pilar opened the door. The years had been kind to her and she always seemed the little girl. She smiled and embraced Michelle.
"We are so glad to see you , Michelle. Where is your luggage? You must stay with us, please. Danny would want you to..." she did not finish the sentence. She saw the smile on Michelle's face fade away and tears come to her eyes.
" I'm sorry.. so sorry.. I didn't mean to upset you and..." Pilar was interrupted by Bill who grabbed Michelle and hugged her. She clung on to him and kissed his cheek. He always understood her and she knew he would not force her to stay if she protested.
As they enjoyed their lunch Vanessa , who was now sixteen, walked in the door. Michelle could not believe how beautiful she had become. Her dark beauty was nothing like her mothers. She actually looked more like Carmen than Michelle had remembered. She was taller than her mother. Her dark eyes settled on her father and she greeted him with a kiss blown across the room. He was as much under her spell as Pilar's. She could do no wrong and would always be perfect in his eyes.
Vanessa told her mother that she had been invited to a hayride and she would not be home for dinner. She said it as a statement of fact, not a question. Everything she said was a statement. Michelle forced herself to smile. She did not understand how Bill and Pilar put up with her attitude. Ray had been a dream child. Never a problem. He was now eighteen and with a scholarship in hand, gone on to Harvard. He had wanted to be a lawyer since he was six and pretended that the playroom was his courtroom. Michelle had no idea where this came from unless it was genetic. Maybe he took after his grand uncle Mike. Vanessa, on the other hand, had no plans.. she said that college would be a bore. When Michelle had talked to Bill, as a friend, about Vanessa's lack of ambition he had just smiled and said "It's just a phase"
Michelle went back to her hotel after a long lunch and a good visit with Bill. She treasured his friendship more than he would ever know.
She made the necessary calls to Rick and Abby. She called the lawyers. She busied herself with all of the necessary details involved with Danny's death. No one had been arrested. She had her suspicions but it didn't matter now. She was not going to fall into Carmen's trap and try to seek or think about revenge. What good would it do now.
She sat brushing her hair and preparing for bed. She suddenly recalled a time when Danny had offered to brush her hair. She felt every stroke of the brush against her scalp. His hands following the brush strokes through her hair. She had glanced up at his reflection in the mirror and saw the faint smile on his face. She closed her eyes now and she could see his face again. All of those moments locked in her mind... and her heart forever. "He will always be with me.. forever"
She climbed into bed and tried to read. It was cold in the room and decided to turn on the heat. Another flash of memory... a freezing day in Springfield.. power outages and Danny cursing the power company.. the weather and anyone else who had interfered with her comfort or the baby's. She had to smile. He was stubborn and tender, gentle.. and infuriating. God how she loved him. All gone.. everything gone. No more tender kisses goodnight, no more hot chocolate in the middle of night.. these are the things that haunted her ever since.. that day.
He had assured her that everything was fine. That his mother had nothing to do with the phone call he received. It was just business. "That" business. She gave up long ago thinking about what that entailed.. what it meant to them. As long as he was in her arms at night,, nothing,, absolutely nothing else mattered to her.
He left for a meeting he said. He would be back soon he said. The phone rang at exactly 8:00 P.M. and it was over. Dead.. gone.... never to come home. She thought that she was a strong person. She was wrong.
Carmen's only reaction was revenge. Oh yes, she cried for a while. Yes, she tried to be kind to Michelle. At least in front of Bill and Pilar. Michelle could never prove that it was Carmen's business deal that hadgone bad. She didn't care anymore. It wouldn't bring him back to her.
The following day was one that she dreaded. She must speak with Carmen.
Carmen welcomed her in her usual way. A light kiss on the cheek and a forced smile. Carmen was older certainly but still the same cold woman. .. She still had a backbone of steel and a heart to match. However, she was alone. Vanessa was the only grandchild who would visit with her. Ray was not very fond of his Grandmother. He knew the tension she aroused whenever she entered his home. He possessed an astute mind and saw through Carmen's schemes much as his father had done years before.
"Michelle, please sit down.. would you like some tea?" Carmen said stiffly.
"No, thank you. I just wanted to give you some papers of Danny's. It was the only business related subject he ever brought up with me." Michelle handed her the large folder.
"Thank you. It is a shame he didn't tell you more Michelle.. husbands should tell their wives everything" Carmen smiled. Michelle tried to ignore the sarcasm in her voice. She only hoped she could escape without an argument.
"How is Ray.? I understand he is at Harvard. Vanessa says he plans on being a lawyer" Carmen stared at Michelle defiantly.
"Yes, he seems to be doing well and is happy to be starting his studies" Michelle tried to sound pleasant.
"Pilar has no idea what Vanessa will do. She seems to be satisfied that life will bring her whatever she needs. I have talked to Pilar about this. She needs a goal, don't you agree?" she stared intently at Michelle.
My god, Michelle thought, has this woman lost her mind. Does she really think I am going to fall into that trap? Sure Carmen.. I think Vanessa is a lazy brat.. and I am sure you will be on the phone with Pilar in a nano second.
"I am sure Bill and Pilar know their daughter.. don't you Carmen?" Michelle said smiling. Thinking all the while.. I must get out of here and soon.
"Well," Michelle said "I do have some other errands to attend to today Carmen. I really must be on my way."
Carmen stood up and took Michelle's hand " Michelle, I loved my son and he loved you. I hope that you will come and see me again." Michelle was shocked that Carmen almost sounded sincere. Danny had warned her frequently that Carmen always sounded sincere when she wanted something.
Michelle made her way to St. Joseph's cathedral. Ray was now a bishop and she wanted to see him before she left Springfield.
She walked into the office and the secretary welcomed her" Mrs. Santos, he has been waiting for you, go right in."
Ray greeted her as she entered the room. The two people who had loved Danny the most embraced each other as though they were each others life line. She buried her face in Ray's chest and could not stop crying. He held her and told her that Danny would always be with her. He would never leave her side again. Ray said that he thought and prayed for Danny everyday.
She finally stopped crying and looked at Ray " I know he is with me. I feel his presence especially today.. I know there are things that he wanted me to do. To close this out, to end the past."
Ray he wanted you to have this if anything ever happened to him. She handed him a sealed envelope.
Ray careful opened the letter and read silently to himself.
Dear Ray,
If you are reading this then I am gone. I want you to know first of all that you were more than a cousin to me. You were truly my brother. I may have seemed unreasonable to you at times about family. I know you never agreed with the family business. I remembered your advice about thinking of the future when making decisions. I did that always. I want you to know that I never did anything to jeopardize my faith or my family. If something happens to me you can be assured that it did not have to do with my business dealings. Please watch over Michelle and Ray. She is not as strong as she pretends to be and Ray will be making his own life soon if he has not already.
Pray for me,
Danny
Ray swallowed a sob and put the letter in his desk. Michelle looked at him quizzically. She could see that Ray was upset but she did not want to intrude on his privacy. The letter , after all ,was for Ray's eyes not hers. The lawyer had given Michelle a letter from Danny the day after his death. She treasured it and read it until it was nearly shredded. He had left one for his son also and she never asked Raymond what his father had said to him. They each had their own special relationship with Danny.
After an hour of discussing all the history that had passed between them she left his office feeling some of the burden had been lifted from her. Ray always had that affect on her. She had never embraced the religion but she knew in her heart that Ray was a man above others and respected his calling. He had meant everything to Danny , his anchor and his friend.
It was almost time to leave Springfield and all her memories behind. She would return to Florida and live out what ever Danny had planned for her. He had left her the most treasured possession of her life. Her son.. now she would insure that he was safe and his life a happy one.. it was her only mission now. Ray and his future.
The End
