Page 26 of Dauntless

CHAPTER EIGHT

I stayed an extra day at Elliott’s before leaving for New York. The time gave me a chance to prepare for the trip. Once off the plane, save for a chill to the air, which I felt down to my bones, there was no snow. Also, as Tove, who Elliott insisted on following me to New York, and I made our way through the airport, there was an even more profound difference: I, in a way, vanished. No one noticed me. New York was a stream. The busy locals and visitors moved with the current, and we fell in. No one paid me no peculiar attention nor stop to speak with me. Sure, people looked our way but moved on, and to my joy, we moved too. And in no time, we were at the hired car, then on our way to Dane’s home on the Upper East Side. His place was a stunning five-story neo-Georgian mansion near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of my favorite places on the Upper East Side. I remembered visiting with my father when I was younger on one of our rare trips to the East Coast. I mused thinking I may have passed by his place on one of our walks around the city. Inside was a step back in time, with a few modern necessities, which married well with the classic, refined furnishings pale gold and cream décor. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a housekeeper who informed us of Dane’s whereabouts: “Dane is on a scheduled visit with Melinda. I’ll let him know you’re here, but you can come along with me.” A sweet softness of voice came down the hall, immediately followed by a childish giggle.

“I shouldn’t disturb them,” I said, though I keenly followed his housekeeper down the corridor to what appeared to be a former library with built-in shelves full of leather-bound books that had been transformed into a playroom set. It was a little girl’s dream with dollhouses, picture books, stuffed animals; and plush, musical instruments. From the scatter of all the toys, I was certain Dane and Melinda must have tried them all.

The heaviness I’d been carrying disappeared as I watched the two of them together. There was Dane, in jeans down on the floor, letting Melinda smash a paper crown on his head, which immediately turned into shreds. She had on a crown of her own, tangled in her blonde curls with a little dress over a pink and blue butterfly shirt and pants. They were pinned in by puzzles, dolls, and princess toy castles.

To the side, on a lounge chair, was an older woman, who was quietly observing. She sat silently next to a side table with a tray of untouched snacks and drinks. Her presence didn’t seem to bother Dane and Melinda. They were well absorbed in their play. I, too, was taken by the natural ease and fondness between the two of them.

“Aren’t the two of them sweet?” A female voice said on approach. She had a lovely Southern melody to her tone.

“They are,” I agreed and laughed when Melinda squealed with laughter at Dane tickling her side.

“I’m Nella. Angelica’s aunt,” she said when we introduced ourselves. Even before she pointed out, I’d assumed she was Angel’s aunt because of how much she looked like Angel. Though older with white blonde hair that was pulled back in short, clipped ponytail. She looked comfortable but formal in a pale salmon jersey and grey wool pants. Her neck had a floral scarf, which she let loose, and a brooch.

“Dane mentioned that you were coming,” she said. “It’s great that Angel has friends that will be there for her.”

“I met Angel briefly at the hospital,” I replied quietly. “I wish I had a chance to get to know her…well before.”

“If you want to know Angel, just look at Melinda,” she beamed. “She was uninhibited, sweet, larger than life. She was always up to something, doing something extreme. That was why we didn’t bat an eye when she dropped out of sight. Dane didn’t believe it. He was her conscience in a way. He got her on the straight and narrow for a while and lost her, but now, well now we have her back, it still feels like she’s lost to us. That woman in the hospital wasn’t our Angel. She was raving like a mad woman. She didn’t deserve to live like that. Dane either, but well now he may have a chance to find happiness.” Her voice went up an octave.

“I want that for Angel and Dane too,” I replied and glimpsed Dane with Melinda again at play. “He’s dedicated and caring.”

“Dane deserves better,” she said and exhaled. “He was always good to all of us. Angel had never appreciated him. To think all that time, she was lost…he never gave up and is still fighting for her. I have no idea why she’s putting him through this DNA nonsense. I pray she gets better and comes to her senses before she loses him…I’m sorry, I hope you understand.”

I nodded. I understood what she meant. Dane loved Angel without a doubt. If she had been all right, there was a chance I wouldn’t be here. Even now I wondered, should I be here? Was I making Dane conflicted?

“I’m so glad he has Melinda,” she went on. “She will give him the love and happiness he never had growing up.”

Before I could ask questions, Melinda came rushing over to us. “Hello. Hello. Hello.” Her high-pitched voice sung out, rolling words on her little pink tongue she stuck out the side of her mouth. She took my hand and Nella’s and tried to pull us forward.

Nella eased her hand free. “You can take Gia over to play with you before we go.”

Melinda instantly pulled me forward, and I followed. I glanced over at the older women, who I deduced was the appointed social worker, for approval which she gave with a nod before letting myself be led the rest of the way to Dane. Joy permeated from him and, as I had found before, being around him lifts my dark mood. He wrapped his arm around my back when I sat down and kissed my cheek. That contact alone caused a flutter in my stomach. My pulse sped up as our eyes met and remained on each other.

Melinda climbed to her feet. She took my hand and attention away to take me over to a doll.

“She’s pretty,” I enthused.

She introduced me to each little toy she had in the room, then stopped and gestured for me to bend down next to her ear to tell me a secret: “Mommy’s beautiful like an Angel.”

I beamed at her. “Yes, she is, just like you.”

“You take this one,” Melinda said picking up a piece of puzzle off the floor. She was moving on, and I let her lead me.

“Oh, I take this piece, can I take this one too?” I replied, reaching my hand over to tickle under her chin and grinned when she giggled.

I joined them on the floor, and we all started playing together. I got lost in their world as Melinda led me from toy to toy and with each exchange, her energy and enthusiasm grew. Truly, she was a delight. Dane looked younger and more animated than I had ever seen him. Freer. Happy. I, too, was overjoyed. Though I mourned for Angel not being with them now. But then if she does return to New York, would she be? Where would that leave my relationship with Dane?

We went along with her until the older woman called over in a gentle tone. “It’s time, Mr. Westbrook.”

“Thank you, Jaclyn,” Dane answered politely and inhaled.

“I’m so sorry Melinda had to leave,” I said to him softly.

He visibly swallowed. “I’m happy you’re here.”

Nella came into the room. “Time to go, Melinda.”

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