Page 67 of Choosing My Happiness
I rolled my shoulders back and thought about yesterday. What happened?
I got there and Molly and Daisy had stood outside greeting people as they arrived. Molly was enjoying herself; Daisy was in the background, looking apprehensive. Janie, Granny, and the kids arrived and greeted them. Well, Granny and the kids greeted Daisy. They seemed to avoid Molly. Then Blaze and Dylan arrived. How did Dylan come? Shaquilla? Dylan went straight to Daisy, and Blaze followed him before Horse and Bear decided to play bodyguards and keep Blaze away from Daisy.Why did they decide to do that?I guess it was becoming obvious that Daisy was no longer Blaze’s. The Rumor was that he was served divorce papers by Shaquilla’s cousin the other day. The one she put through college with the proceeds from the flower shop.
That didn’t seem to be a trigger for this panic attack. Daisy seemed to handle all of that well.
Then there was that girl that Daisy had dragged up to sit with her. Who was she, and how did she fit in? She met up with Shaquilla at the service and spent a lot of time speaking to her. Was she the reason Daisy didn’t attend the wake? How much did Midwife know? How much didHorseknow? How much did his gossip-collector of a sister know?
There was something serious going on between Midwife and Daisy. Daisy wouldn’t let go of him, and it washimspecifically. I think I might have missed something there. She didn’t even recognize me, but she knew him. How long had that relationship been going on? How far had they taken it? Would they be able to keep it quiet for much longer? I had hoped that Blaze would realize his situation was hopeless by now and accepted the nice, easy divorce that Daisy offered him. I shook my head. It was obvious that the boy couldn’t see past his own ego. Probably whyhe was never going to be officer material, in either the club or the fire station.
I scrubbed my face in frustration. Another question, was this my business, club business, or neither? The fact that Midwife was taking Blaze’s ol’lady made it club business, but she had a choice…and I think she chose Midwife from the day I sent him out to her 4 years ago.
Janie walked in with Manny on her hip. I stood up, gathered them both in my arms, and breathed deeply.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
I huffed into her hair. “Daisy had a panic attack on the highway. Midwife is with her at the hospital now,” I told her.
“Is she okay? I can go there now.” Janie wiggled in my arms to escape. I held her tighter.
“Midwife got her safe. She’s fine now,” I reassured her.
Janie stilled. “I wonder if the panic attack has anything to do with her introducing her half-sister to people yesterday at the service. Molly didn’t look too happy about that.”
I jerked back and stared at her, while automatically taking Manny as he beat on my chest. He was chanting, “Da da da da.” I smiled down at him and kept talking to Janie.
“So that girl was Matchstick’s daughter? He had two daughters, and Molly knew?” I guessed.
“Worse,” Janie said. “Matchstick had two daughters and kept the illegitimate one a secret, hidden away in another town, and possibly threatened the mother to never contact him.”
I snorted. I could see him doing that. He was that fucking delusional. He thought he was a fucking catch right until the end.
Janie continued her observations, “And then you apparently havepeoplewho are desperate for Daisy to accept Dylan, who is Blaze’s illegitimate child, because her own baby died, and Dylan’s an easy replacement. Wham, bam, and life goes on asit should.” She reached for my glass and took a sip, then put it down and took our youngest child back.
“Who says this sort of shit? Does Daisy want this?” I asked incredulously.
Jamie shook her head. “I can’t imagine so. She’s getting better with Dylan, but she’s avoiding Blaze like crazy. Wouldn’t even let him touch her at the funeral. That’s why Horse and Bear were there, according to Horse’s momma.” Janie’s voice sounded sad, so I pulled her and Manny into my arms. She rested her head on my chest.
We stood in silence, just enjoying the touch.
“What do we do?” I asked after the moment passed.
“I don’t know. Probably let them sort it out.” Janie sighed.
“What about Midwife and Daisy possibly getting together?” I asked.
Janie lifted her head with happiness in her eyes. “Really?That’d be amazing.”
I snorted. “He’s the one that she called when she was in trouble. But technically he’s not hers, or she’s not his.”
“Bullshit.” Janie snapped. “Daisy is trying to divorce Blaze. That’s a big signal that she’s no longer his official ol’lady. Take it to church if you want, but if you ask her, she’s not Blaze’s.”
I bent my head to kiss my youngest child, then my wife, who was a very wise woman.
“I love your wisdom,” I told her as Manny tried to climb onto my shoulders. I grabbed him to support his climb and blew a raspberry on his belly. My action had been decided. If it came out, we’d ask Daisy what her choice was, Midwife or Blaze. I think I knew the answer.
48
Chapter 48: Daisy
