Page 64 of The Bargain

“Nowhere interesting.” I stood up. “What did you say?”

“I said it’s time for our mani-pedi and make-up session.”

“Oh!” Now I felt a surge of excitement. “I’ve never had my make-up done before.”

“It’s going to be fun.” She extended her arm for me to take. “Lets go.”

We sat across each other in a dimly lit room. A rainforest tapestry hung on the wall and a rainforest soundtrack played above. It was completely relaxing.

“You know,” she said as the woman started to paint my fingernails red. “You’ll have to tell him the truth eventually.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, looking up. I was unable to see her face though as a woman was standing in front of her, doing her make-up.

“That you’re not Opal,” she said with such an even tone that it sounded like she was making casual conversation rather than dropping the biggest secret I’ve ever had.

“I - I -” I stuttered. “How?” I finally asked. I couldn’t insult her further.

“I’m a psychotherapist and you have none of the normal addicts tells. You have never been an addict. I’m guessing you’ve never even taken any drugs.” She sighed. “You’re also much too reserved and shy to be a sex worker. A simple compliment makes you blush.”

The woman doing my nails looked at me curiously before starting to work on my nails again.

“But I've seen how fiercely you love that child. He is like your son and he looks a little like you. Who are you?”

I closed my eyes as silent tears started to fall down my cheeks. I was going to lose my boy. “I’m Amber, Opal's younger sister.” Despite my state of despair, it felt good to come clean. Lea liked me. Maybe she could help me see him when Dean took him away.

“Where’s Opal?” she asked.

I took a deep breath. “She’s dead. She died of infection a couple of weeks after giving birth.”

“I’m sorry, Amber.”

I was glad I could not see her. If I could see in her eyes the compassion I heard in her voice, I would break down.

“Why did Dean think you were Opal?” she asked.

“I - I’m not sure. But he did and I panicked. Opal’s name was not really Collins. We don’t have the same father, but she’d used that name. I -” I sighed, looking down at the woman working on my nails.

“I won’t tell him.”

“Why?”

“Because I understand why you’re doing it and because I like you. But you have to tell him.”

I closed my eyes. “But what if he takes Timmy from me?”

“Do you know why my brother is horrible to you?”

I didn’t reply. I figured it was because he blamed me for his brother's death, as he has repeated a million times.

“He hates that he doesn’t hate you. He loathes that he cares.” She chuckled. “I saw it that night, the jealousy. It’s so evident and you’re both so clueless. I always thought Dean needed a strong-willed woman to beat him into shape, but I might have been wrong. Maybe he needs someone soft and gentle - someone that will make him more careful and appeal to his fierce protectiveness… Someone like you... And more specifically, you.”

I wanted to deny it, to say it was ridiculous, but the idea of Dean being jealous… Of Dean wanting me... My stomach felt like it was hosting a million butterflies. I just wasn’t sure I could survive a man like him.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“I know you don’t and he doesn’t either.” When the make-up woman moved from my face, I looked at Lea. Her hair was styled in nice waves over her shoulders and her make-up was very discreet, only enhancing her natural beauty. She smiled at me. “I just hope he will figure it out before it’s too late.”

I simply nodded because I was not certain what she meant.

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