Dreams Part 7
Carmen: I don't like what I'm seeing Daniel. Not only has Michelle come between you and I, she's trying to distract you from the business -UNACCEPTABLE!
Danny: Unacceptable to whom, mother? Huh?
Carmen: I still run this organization.
Danny: You don't run me! You got that?! When are you gonna get that through that head of yours?!-March 8th 1999
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It was silent in the dining room. Panic was starting to flow through my body. Bernard was the first one to regain his composure. Mama was cool as a cucumber. Bernard catches my eye, and without saying a word, I give him a nod. This is not the time to let Mama win. She could be bluffing, so it would be in both our interests to play dumb. It was the best way to buy time. And we needed time. If Mama figured out our plan now, she could easily destroy it.
“I asked Bernard here today, Daniel, so he can help us. He has always been a good friend of the family’s, and with him, we can solve this problem.”
I am so tempted to laugh when she says that. Well, Mama, I think to myself, Bernard used to be a good family friend until you decided to declare war on him. Does she even know what it means to be friends with a person? Probably not. She only cares about staying in control. That is why she hates Michelle so much because she is not able to keep me on her leash. She sees Michelle as the problem but really, she is the problem.
“Carmen,” Bernard growls in a cool tone, “Let’s not pretend to be something we aren’t. I am only here to listen to your proposition. My time is important, so let’s skip the stroll down memory lane.”
“Of course, your time is important, Bernard,” she says in an obxinous tone. “I have learned some very interesting information, and I wanted to share it with you out of courtesy.”
Oh, god. Mama loves to draw a conservation and watch a person sweat. “Mama. This is getting tiresome,” I snap.
Mama’s head turns to me. She had forgotten that I was even there. “Daniel, don’t talk to me like that. I deserve respect as your mother.”
I roll my eyes. I can’t believe this. She always expects people to treat her with respect, and she treats most people like dirt. “Mama..” I warn
“Carmen. Danny is right, this is getting tiresome. If this news is going to affect our business, then I want to hear it. As you know, every family has to protect its investments, and we can not afford any slip ups.”
“Yes, Bernard, we must be careful. Always. You can never let your guard especially when you are vulnerable. I have a feeling that one of the rival families will see that we are in that position.”
“Carmen, you are not sloppy. So, why should you be concerned? I have not heard from any of the other families, if anything is going to happen. I have to trust them when they tell me that or we have a problem.”
“I have every right to be concerned, Bernard. Especially, when I have found out that some of my smaller acquisitions have been bought up. I will not have someone sabotage my operation.”
“Mama, no one is sabotaging the family operation. The smaller companies were too weak and you knew that they were going to be risky.”
“Daniel, do not patronize me. Do not tell me how to run MY business. You have no right. If you were around more often, then this would not have happened.”
My blood is starting to boil. “WHAT? If I had been around more? What have I been doing for the last couple of months? I have been working my butt for the family. I told you that I would take over some of the operations, and I have. I have spent more time away then at home. I never see my wife. I am practically a stranger to her. So, don’t tell me that it is my fault.”
Mama lets out a bitter laugh “Daniel, Michelle is the least of my concerns. She does not care for you. Because if she did, why did she go back to school? You are the future of this family, Daniel. You are doing what is expected of you.”
I groan inwardly. Not this speech again. I don’t want to be the future of the family. I don’t want my life to be filled with violence. “Mama. I know the importance of family. I know what is expected of me. I know what being a Santos means..”
Mama starts to smile. “I’m glad to hear that Daniel..”
“Not so fast, Mama. I will not you run my life. Either you expect my way of doing business. Legitimately. Or you will risk losing me. And you will let my wife and I live in peace. Respect is a two way street, Mother.”
Bernard’s low voice interrupts my angry tirade. “Carmen. Danny will make a fine leader, and of course, the families are concerned that going legit may hurt us, but that is not to fret about now. Also, I think that I should tell you something. Danny is not to blame for your recent losses.”
“It is funny that you should be so worried about my family’s future. Because I hear that this person is getting help from another source,” Mama shots me a glance as she speaks, “I am concerned that you, Bernard, are too worried.”
“What are you implying Carmen? I have very right to be concerned. My family will be affected by an decision made by another family. ”
“Bernard, two can play this game. I wonder if my loving son is behind this recent problem. And I wonder if you are more involved in this than I thought.”
“Mama, you have..”
“Carmen, yes, I have heard those rumors. And if Danny is behind this, then there is really no reason to worry. Carmen, I can understand your anger but you know that if any of the other families senses that there is tension among Danny and yourself, it could be dangerous. Plus, my son Nino has a tendency to start rumors without bothering to check if it is valid or not.”
As Bernard started to leave the room, he gave me a wry glance. Mama quickly excused herself from the table, and when she was at the doorway, she turned around, and in a cold voice she says, “Daniel, if you want me as our enemy, then you will regret it. I hope that you are not making trouble for this family, because I might have to do something about that.”
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Carmen: What is this, you don't talk to me like this
Danny: YOU don't control me! I mean it, don't you mess with me or you will be very sorry.
Carmen: Are you threatening me?
Danny: Be proud mother, I learned it FROM YOU! You always said to talk to your enemies in the only language they understand didn't you?
Carmen: So now I'm your enemy? April 26th
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Michelle: So, maybe we really can make this work out?
Danny: Yeah, we can, but not if we quit. If we do this right, we can have everything that we want, by working together, not fighting with each other and trusting each other --
I can’t believe that I am back home. After being away for some many months, it seems so weird to back in the house I grew up in. There are so many memories here. As I sit down in the living room, I take one of the old family albums, which are filled with pictures of Dad, Rick, Mom and myself. Tears start to form in my eyes as I look at a picture of my mom and I at the Bauer cabin. I had been so proud because I had caught a fish, and Mom had listened to my story a million times. I miss my mom so much. I just wish that she was still here, so I could talk to her. I have been so confused about my feelings for Danny, and Mom would have helped sort them out.
Things with Danny were getting better though. Last night, I wanted to have Danny near me, and I wanted to get close to him. It worked. When he was not looking, I would steal glances at him. He was a beautiful man, so full of life, so passionate and so attractive. I could not resist touching his hair. Just one time, I wanted to feel it. It was so soft and so silky. My desire for Danny had reached a dangerously high level.
But it is more that just a physical need, I need to feel close to Danny emotionally. I want him to know me, and I want to know him. Slowly, we are beginning to create our own memories, but still, we are still not able to fully trust each other. I trust Danny. I need to prove to him that I do. I need to show him. So, that is why I am back home, if I want Danny to trust me then I need to trust him with some of my feelings and my life. I thought that if I could share some of my childhood, my past with him, then maybe he would be able to understand me better.
Nino. I should tell Danny about Nino, but every rational thought, is telling not to. But will Danny be able to understand that? I know that Nino wants me to tell Danny, he wants an excuse to hurt Danny, and I will not let that happen. I just hope that Danny will be able to forgive me. But how many things can Danny forgive me for?