Authors: Jane Winston
Daniel’s Point of View
While I was driving my way back to my house, I counted the times that I disappointed Della. I also counted those times that I asked if she was fine. Yes, I asked her if she was fine, but I haven’t asked her if that feeling was terrifying her, causing her sleepless nights, and if it made her doubt herself. That was why I went to her room and hugged her as she sobbed.
“Don’t” She shouted while I was trying to comfort her. She ignored it.
“I love you.” I’d told her. “You and I will be forever.”
I expressed what I felt and she allowed me to massage her back. But I felt an immense desire to kiss her and so I did. Then, I made love to her, which she granted. And it felt like it was our first time.
I made love to her tenderly and made sure that it was because of love. And when it was for me leave, I felt an urge to stay. She told me not to, unless I am divorced, and I swore that I will be in the near future.
Connor’s Point of View
I was on the sofa when Deacon said that I should give Della her job back. I really would love to, but it was not good for the business.
“You are so inconsiderate, Blain. She doesn’t have a job, and is taking care of two kids.” He told me while packing.
“Yes, Deacon, it will be bad for the business, but no one would like to stay and permit their husband to be with a mistress.”
He paused and gazed at me as if he didn’t acknowledge me.
“You are calling Della, our friend for 8 years an ‘it’!” he told me as he sat on the chair near the door. He has a glass of wine in his left hand, and his head in the other.
“Sorry, it was not my intention.”
He gazed at me “I’m going to stay at different room tonight. I’ll see you soon.” Then, he walked away.
Daniel’s Point of View
I woke up with a smell of bacon and batter around the house. I freshened up and went to the kitchen to be interrogated by Duke, the only reason why I am still with Gwendoline. I love him so much.
“Hey buddy.”
“Hello, Dad. Where is my mom?”
“She’s there.”
“No, daddy. I’m talking about my Della.”
I was taken aback, and Gwendoline dropped her spoon and walked away. Duke loves Della even though he met her just once. He said she was so kind and she had told him that he was very special.
My mom came from the back door, “Get in, boys.”
She patted me on my shoulder and told me that we need to talk. I nodded and followed her to the study room.
“Daniel, I can see from your eyes that you don’t love Gwendoline that much, but you should not get someone else, a woman, be imprisoned just because you were not happy with Gwendoline. Do I make sense?”
“Yeah. How can I get out of this?”
Sandra, my mother, released a deep breath. “Here’s the key for you to get away” she said as she handed me an envelope. She kissed me on the cheek and went out.
I immediately tore the side of the envelope, and in there were pictures of Gwendoline and a guy, kissing. One picture was outside of a hotel. The other one was in the office, and the third one was in the car. I knew what my mom was up to and that she knows how she would take advantage of them. I can sense the pressure between mom and my wife, as I entered the kitchen.
“Are done with your breakfast?” I asked my mom.
“Yes, honey. Your dad is on his way while Gwendoline’s parents are over there with the Emerson’s. Deidra and Juddson are stuck in traffic, so please, let’s set the table.
“I can help you.” Gwendoline chimed.
“I was asking Daniel, hon?”
Gwendoline just nodded.
God, this is why I love my mother.
When the table was ready, I sat and observed my mom bossing Gwendoline around. She loved every bit of it.
“Daniel, will you please get the door for Deidra and Juddson?
And so I went to greet my siblings.
“ Hi Daniel!” Deidra ran in and hugged me.
Juddson smiled and put his arm around me, “Hello, brother!”
“Hey kiddos.” Mom added.
“ We are turning 18 in a couple of days!” Deidra bounced with excitement.
“We need to discuss something with you.” My sister said.
My brother added, “It’s more of someone, instead.”
“Alright, then. So let’s go to the barn.
I led them outside.
“So, what’s this all about?
“ Della was with a guy at the movies yesterday.” Judd said quietly as if that would make it less painful to hear.
“Oh, we are not together anymore, it’s no longer my business.” As the world left my mouth, I realized how untrue they were.
“But, we know that you love her.” Deidra said, placing a loving hand on my shoulder.
“ Yes, so we asked her to have breakfast with us.” Judd smiled.
“Oh, that’s impossible.
Meanwhile at Della’s
“Easy, Della” said Deacon.
“Right, honey. Calm down.” Connor added.
“How am I supposed to do that? I’ll be going to his and his wife’s house.” Della said.
“Just call me or Connor if something happens, alright?” Deacon assured her.
“Alright.”
Everyone except Della was already at Daniel’s house. When the door rang, Daniel walked to the door to get her. She was so gorgeous in dark skinny jeans. He was wearing a khaki sweater with a turquoise scarf, and tan boots.
“Hello.” He stuttered.
“Hi, Daniel.” I smiled coyly.
“You look great.”
Della turned red and hugged Daniel.
“I missed you so much.”
Della smiled with her head in his chest, “Me too.”
Daniel let her in but she said “I can’t because your wife as well as her family is there”
“But, please meet my family.”
Della agreed and walked in nervously.
Daniel introduced her to his parents. Della was also greeted by Daniel’s siblings, and they exchanged pleasantries until it was time for Della to go, as she needs to look for a job
But, Sandra excused herself.
“Excuse us. Daniel, come with me and Della.” She also let Deidra send Gwendoline in.
Sandra began, “I would like to what this deal all about, Gwendoline.”
“Daniel told me about Della. I told him that I need him to help me since my family needs the money. If he helped me, we can get divorced, and he could have Duke.”
“ And in the meantime, you destroy Della?”
“It’s getting out of control, Mom.”
“Okay. Gwendoline, you call your lawyer tomorrow, and tell him to drop the case and get a divorce, instead. Else, I will go the media and tell that about your affair with a married man, Cal.”
Suddenly, Caroline Brent entered the door.
“What are you saying to Gwendoline? And why is this lady here?”
“Caroline, where are your manners? You know that her name is Della, so use it. Also, Gwendoline and Daniel won’t push through with the case. They will get a divorce, instead.”
“No, they shouldn’t as they are the perfect match.”
“They are like a tiger and a lion.”
“Daniel, remember that I can ruin you in a second.” Caroline threatened.
“If you’re going to mess up with him, I will let you pay. I’m not afraid to use my gun.” Sandra defended her son.
“Gwendoline, dear, we have to go.”
“ Okay, Mom.
The word “peace” is always heard but Daniel has never understood the true meaning of it until that morning after he got a divorce. He glanced at Della while she was walking to the bathroom. She really is a perfect package.
“Hon, would you mind if I will take Duke to school?” Della offered.
“Go for it, honey.”
Unlike Gwendoline, Della loved taking Duke to school.
I knocked on the bathroom and she let me in. “We are going to Deacon’s and Connor’s tonight; they invited us for dinner” Della told Daniel.
“What about Duke?”
“He can go with us since Connor is also bringer his sister.” Della answered. She stepped out of the bathroom and took a towel.
“Okay, great!”
“Deacon doesn’t want to talk about his folks. He wants to be complemented especially his voice, while Connor also wants to be complemented but doesn’t want to be questioned about his hair.” Della warned him.
“How about of being gay?”
“You can ask them anything. They are cool with it.”
“I’m just making sure that I don’t offend them.” Daniel explained. “I also would like to ask you if you want to move in.”
“Yes.”
“Cool. I’m going to call the movers.”
Daniel then, walked out of the bathroom and embraced Della. Daniel kissed her and said “I love, Del.”
“I love you, Daniel”
Daniel then let go of her and walked as Della and Duke left.
Gwendoline parked her car to meet Caroline at Karl’s. The memories that she and Daniel had shared in this bakeshop flashed back and were playing in her mind. She can still recall the first time that they shared cupcakes, until the day that she learned that he was just bribed by her parents to marry her.
Both Gwendoline and Caroline strolled to the back side of the bakeshop and then started out on a plan.
Caroline: We are going to hit him by making it look like we kidnapped Duke. Then, if he wants to take Duke, he should take you as well.
“No, mom. I don’t like him, and Daniel would be dead if we took Duke.
Caroline: That’s right.
“Mom, I don’t want him. Did you hear me?
Caroline: I know but you should. You are nothing without him.
“Mom, stop it, please.
“I won’t. Look at you now. You have become beautiful and lovely. You are no longer fat and unattractive. Without Daniel, you will become like your old self again. Remember Nadine and Bern? Where are they now? They already left you, and Daniel and Duke as well. You should do what I tell you if you want them to stay.” Caroline said.
“ Okay.”
Daniel felt as if he has known Deacon and Connor long before. They were talking about how Deacon and Della met. Everyone was laughing when Deacon told them that Della was the only other fashion forward student at the school they were in.
Deacon asked Daniel if they can talk outside, so Daniel got up. When both of them were already outside, Deacon stared at him and said “At first, I didn’t remember the name, but you were one of the guys at school who watched when I was beaten.
“ I’m sorry, Deacon.”