Page 27 of Words from the Heart
Chapter 21
Delilah woke wrapped in warmth. Her hand was buried under a cotton t-shirt, pressed against the hard ridges of muscle. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she realized those muscles belonged to Parker. Trying to slip her hand from under the fabric without waking him, “Delilah,” Parker mumbled into her hair.
“Um… I don’t know what happened.” She giggled against him, embarrassed that they were tangled up with each other.
“You kind of rolled over and wouldn’t let go.”
“I’m sorry.” Slipping from his hold, Delilah stood from the bed. She rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door closed. Resting her head against the wood, she blew the breath from her lungs.
“Delilah?” Parker tapped the door, “You ok?”
“Yeah… I just need a minute.”
“I’ll go make us some breakfast.”
She could hear his footsteps echoing through the house. Splashing water on her face, she brushed her teeth and opened the door. Glancing at the nightstand, she realized the box holding the letters was still in the room. Sitting on the bed, she began to read more of Momma Belle’s words.
Dear Delilah,
I wish we were talking. I wish you were here. I wish… hell, I don’t know what I wish. There are somethings I need to tell you that shouldn’t be done through a letter. But since John has you tucked away, there really isn’t any way to do this. I’ve come to learn some information that wasn’t expected. Funny thing is, it makes me want to drive up there and knock some sense into you… again, something that wouldn’t change the path I am on.
No one knows what I am about to tell you. Not even Parker. And I don’t plan to tell him, so Delilah, don’t be angry with him when you meet him. He didn’t keep this from you. You can’t keep something from people when you don’t know. I need you to lean on him instead. He needs to be your source of strength. And when the time comes, Don, my attorney can lead you.
First, let me remind you how important to me you are. You have been the light in my life – a beacon of hope when I thought all was lost. You were the last connection I had to my daughter. I am sorry I never told you the truth about her. Delilah, sometimes in life we are thrown a curve ball that we didn’t see coming. This is my curve ball.
I’ve made peace with the fact I cannot control life or death. I am eternally grateful for you and the life I have been able to live. When you left, I felt empty. Then Parker came into my life and filled the blackness left behind when you left. Delilah, he is going to need you when he learns my truth as well. He will feel betrayed, angry, and sad. He was like my son after all.
“Delilah?” Parker interrupted her reading, “You ok? I’ve been calling your name for the last couple of minutes.” He noticed the worn paper clasped between her hands, “Another letter?”
Delilah nodded. “Parker, was something wrong with Momma Belle?”
“What do you mean – something wrong with her?” Parker sat on the bed next to her, pushing the box out of the way.
“I don’t know. Her letter… it’s not making any sense.” Delilah glanced back down, to continue reading. Parker placed his hand on her back, peering over her shoulder to see what had her so confused.
Delilah, I love you with all that I am. You know what… I can’t do this through a letter. I am going to call you. I pray you answer. Hearing your voice will soothe my soul and heal my heart. And I don’t want this to be the way I tell you.
Please answer, my beautiful girl. I need you to hear me.
Love,
Momma Belle
“What in the ever-loving fuck!!” Delilah turned the letter over and over. “That’s it… what did she need to tell me? Parker…” Delilah looked into his eyes.
“I swear I don’t know what she’s talking about. She never told me anything was wrong.”
Delilah turned around frantically searching for the box, “Where is it?” she pushed passed Parker.
“Whoa… hold up, Delilah. Let’s think about this for a minute.”
“Think about it? Parker… her letter sounded ominous. She never called me.”
“Now that ain’t true. Delilah, that woman tried to call you almost every day.”
She stopped dead, “What?”
“Momma Belle tried calling you every day. It always went to voicemail. Didn’t you get any of her messages?”
