As my Biology Professor drones on about photosythensis, I try valiantly to fight off sleep. I am not sure how long I can do this to myself. I have not had a full night sleep in almost a week. All I seem to do is toss and turn, and have fragmented dreams about Danny. They are always about Danny. Actually, it is like my whole thought process revolves around Danny.

At night when I am wide awake, I will just watch him sleep. He looks so peaceful, so young when he is sleeping. I often wonder if this is what Danny was like when he was younger. Before Carmen destroyed his spirit. Before he was forced to become someone that he did not want to be.

Lately, it has been hard for me to hide my illness from Danny. But yesterday, I was on the phone with Rick asking him about my symptoms when Danny walked in. He had a huge smile plastered on his face and in one hand, he was carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. His smile faded when he noticed me on the phone. I had just asked Rick if there was something wrong, and I could feel my body go rigid and my face went pale.

I almost dropped the phone when I noticed Danny standing in the doorway. I have no idea why I lied to him, but I told him that Abby was sick. I could not dump this on Danny now. Danny was obviously worried about something.

Last night after our “interlude,” Danny and I ate our dinner, and fell asleep in each other’s arms. In the middle of night, I tried to reach out for Danny, but when I realized that he was not there, I became alarmed.

The sight that greeted me in the study broke my heart. Danny had fallen asleep at Carmen’s desk. In his right hand, he was holding a gold frame. Careful not to wake him, I gently pried the frame from his fingers. My breath caught in my throat when I recognized the two figures staring at me. It was a picture of Danny and his father. Danny must have been thirteen when the picture was taken.

A painful realization comes to my mind, it was probably taken just before his father's death. Oh, Danny, I silently sobbed, why do you feel the need to keep this all inside? I could not help but notice his tear stained cheeks. It was the last thing that came to my mind when I finally drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened by a gentle nudge on my arm. Damn! I fell asleep. As I rub my eyes, I realize that everyone is leaving the room. Oh, great. I can’t believe that I did that! I really need to start taking some sleeping pills. As I am stuffing my books back into my bookbag, a sense of fear washes over me. I can’t put on my finger on it, but my mind seems to be sensing something. An eerie feeling just seems to overtake my senses. That is when I feel a warm breath on my neck.

Even before I turn around, I know who it is. I try to steady myself against the plastic chair. A voice in the back of my head is telling me to run away. But I can’t move my legs. It is like my feet are stuck to the floor. My body stiffens as the person behind me brushes my hair off one of my shoulders. Shivers shoot through my body.

“Well aren’t you going to say hello?,” The contempt in his tone annoys me. “Your manners are really left to be deserved, Michelle. This is not very ladylike behavior.”

I whirl around in angry to face him. In a venomous tone I spit, “You have no idea what a lady is. Speaking of manners, didn’t you learn that is rude to sneak up on people. And further more, I told you that we had nothing further to talk about!”

He lets out an amused, self satisfied laugh. I am so tempted to slap his face. “You are certainly a feisty little thing. I can understand why your darling husband and mother in law find you insufferable. And my dear, there is something that we need to discuss.”

He is enjoying this. I am not going to give him the satisfaction. “Well, I can assure you that I have better things to do with my time. I don’t want to talk to you, and I am not interested in anything that you have to say.”

“Oh, Michelle. You are very mistaken. There is something that you will want to hear. You have neglected to fulfill your end of the bargain. There are going to be a lot of unhappy people, if Danny continues to make waves.”

“We had NO BARGAIN, Mr. Rivera! I didn’t tell you that I would help you. I am not going to betray my husband.”

Nino’s smug grin widens. “Oh, Michelle, let’s drop the act. I know that you can’t wait to dump your husband and go back to your old boyfriend. What is his name.. Jack.. Jesse. That’s it, Jesse. You just have not found the right opportunity to blow Danny boy out of the water. And this bargain would give you want you want, and everybody would be happy.”

I can’t take his tirade anymore. As hard as I can, I smack his face. Before he knows what is happening, my hand leaves a big red mark on his cheek. He staggers slightly back on his feet, grimacing in pain. His eyes are blazing. The look of anger in his eyes chills me to the bone. But I don’t give a damn anymore. As I stare at him in shock, I am struck by the emptiness of his eyes. They are so cold. So mean. So different from Danny’s.

“You have NO right making presumptions about my marriage. I will not betray my husband. I will not! And I will not let you destroy him. He is ten times the man you are. I am not going to be your bait, and I am sure as hell not going to let you poison my husband against me.”

Nino’s cold stare bores into my eyes. I instinctively move backward as Nino steps closer to me. “Oh, this is so touching. Does Danny know that you will protect his honor? I am just puzzled. Why you would be so willing to protect him? Is Danny blackmailing you into staying his wife? Did you get bored waiting for him to come around, so you found someone new? Or do you want his money?” An evil glint shines through his eyes.

I can barely contain my disgust for him. I can feel my face turn red, and as I turn away, in a loud voice, I say. “I know that you might not understand the concept, but I love my husband.” My voice falters when I say that. It catches me by surprise saying that outloud. It was the first time that I said that. But I realize that I do love Danny. I love him so much.

Nino must have noticed my hesitation because he looks at me in amusement. “Are you sure, Michelle? That does not sound too convincing to me.”

In sheer disgust mingled with anger, I start to walk away from Nino. His cold tone stops me dead in my tracks. “Oh, Michelle, before I forget. I think that there is something you might want to know before you tell your husband about your epihany.” When I don’t respond, he continues, “Danny has not been entirely truthfully with you. Your husband has been keeping some secrets, and I am not sure if you will be able to understand. It is not going to pretty when you find out the truth. Danny is not the saint that you think he is.”

For the second time, he saunters away leaving me in complete shock. But nothing can prepare me for the sight that I encounter outside. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a tall figure dressed in an expensive business suit.

A gasp escapes from my mouth when he turns his head. I blink my eyes to make sure that I am not seeing things. There was something about him that seemed so familiar. But what was it? That was the same question that gnawed at me for the rest of the day

**********

As the skyline of Chicago raced past me during the cab ride, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. I was not sure what to accept at this meeting. I knew that it could go either way but I was praying that it was going to go my way. And thankfully, things went my way. Enrique had alerted Bernard and I to this deal. It was perfect. It was a small business that specialized in buying and selling of stocks.

I knew that this small operation could be my saving grace. I knew nothing about stocks, but I was willing to learn. And plus, I was doing this for Enrique. He had convinced me to make a bid on the company. He was the one to dispell my fears. “Daniel,” he said to me, “Do you how many people buy a business and don’t know anything about it? But they learn. They make mistakes and learn. I know that you can do it.”

Enrique must have been looking out for me today. So thanks, Enrique, where ever you are. I am sorry that this happened. So, now, I was the proud owner of an investment company, and I had no idea what to do now. All I knew was this was my way out. This was the one thing that I would not let Mama touch. I was going to make this work, and do it legitmatley. I would pour my sweat and tears in this project. This would be for Michelle and I.

Michelle. I can feel a smile spread over my face. I was so happy, and I knew that Michelle was too. I was finally going to be able to have the life that I wanted but mostly, I was going to share it with the woman that I loved. Things might actually work out afterall. I was nervously twirling out the enevlope with the legal documents in my hands. For some reason, I can’t make myself open them.

My whole body is quaking with shot nerves. I am just afraid of what the contents might reveal. My hands start to shake so bad that I drop the envelope on the floor of the cab. I don’t even notice that a business letter has fallen out, my eyes widen in shock when I notice the letterhead. Oh, what have I gotten myself into? I think to myself. What am I going to do now?

*******

Somewhere outside of Springfield

“I know, I know. I made an implusive decision. Yes, Damn it, I know that it was risky. I am not stupid. I know what is at stake. Just remember that I am the one who is controlling this situation and I can make my own decisions. I just needed to see it for myself. I had to make sure.”

As the limo raced along the highway, the fax machine starts to blink. Perfect. I glance at my watch. Right on time. I hold my breath as I reach for the piece of paper. Please, Please, be the news that I want. Taking a deep breath, I skim the paper for the information I want. A smile starts to spread across my face.

Oh, it is going to be a good day, I think to myself as I pour myself a glass of champagne. I lift my glass in a silent toast. This is for you. Everything that you wanted is coming true…

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