Episode 5 - The Affair
Danell hangs up her phone after checking her voicemails. Her heart racing a mile a minute and her head starts to ache. She can feel she’s going to another drink.
“What's wrong baby?” Lamar asks while rubbing her arm in a comforting motion.
“It’s the kids…” She stares at the wall.
“It must be bad, cause they never call. Is everything ok?” he asked softly.
“My eldest son is sick and everyone is worried about him.” Danell’s voice starts to tremble.
“You've been gone a long time baby, maybe you need to go home and check on them.”
“I didn't want to go back ..like ‘this’.” She says nervously, reaching for her drink. Lamar grabs her hand over the glass. Their eyes meet as they read each other's energy.
“Well, the drink ain't going nowhere.” Lamar says with a chuckle. “But ya kids now, no matter how grown they get, they always need their Mumma. Now I know it's been hard since your husband passed on, but we have a new chapter together; and I’ll be by your side for whatever you may need.” He provides her with assurance.
Danell releases the glass and looks in her lap at her nightgown and thinks about what more she can do. “This isn’t healthy for them to know..ya know, about me and you.”
“Don’t worry about that right now baby, we will talk to them. Just for now you should go be with them. Hell, it's been two years. I ain't ashamed of what we got. You was always mine in my heart.” Lamar rubs her back soothingly.
“When I’m in that house, it’s like his scent just..smothers me.” Danell says between tears. “When I’m in that bed, it’s like he has a monkey grip on my body and all I can do is lay there and drink. I try sleeping on the sofa, but I keep seeing the holes in the walls. He was only good to me the last five years of his life, as soon as I felt safe again… he was gone!” She sobs. Lamar hands her a tissue. “If it wasn't for you Lamar...for you saving his life, OUR lives, I would’ve done something stupider than me.” She dabs her face and nose.
“Oh Danell, what's got you so afraid? You're going to have to make peace with this. Only family can help you do that. Even Senior and all his drug abuse would do anything in his power to make sure all of yall was alright. He had his slip ups, but you never gave up. You stayed, and believed. That's what I admired about you” Lamar smiles lightly.
Danell responds, “You're always saying something poetic.” She dabs her face some more.
“I am giving you your flowers while I have you.” Lamar gives her a kiss on the face.
“Thank you. I have to call Shelly back. She is going to get me a discount on air fare to get back home. She is such a sweet girl.” Danell scrolls through the phone having restored hope, knowing she is doing the right thing. “I think you should come visit at an appointed time, just not right now. Too much at once can shock them and make things worse.”
“I agree. The kids are becoming their own adults now, but they are still sensitive and traumatized. One thing at a time baby. I am here for you whenever you are ready. I am glad we had this time together.” Lamar mentions.
“Yes..as am I.” Danell phone rings mid-conversation. Buzz.Buzz.Buzz. She answers, “
Hi Shelly, thanks for calling me back.”
“No worries Mumma, I was hoping you could get to the airport tomorrow. I will e-mail your ticket information. Your flight would be at 8pm.” Shelly confirms.
“That will be good. Why so late?”
“I wanted to surprise everyone. So, don’t tell them you are coming yet!” Shelly laughs.
“You are always up to something.” Danell joins in laughter, “Yes, it will be a good one. It would be nice to have a cook-out in the yard so everybody can get together and eat some good food. You know I love cooking for my babies.”
“Of course! But I just got in the cab from the airport. I’m going to go hang with Camilla tonight at the house. And I will see you tomorrow?”
“Yes baby that is fine. Okay. Bye.” The call ends.
“I’ll help you pack.” Lamar crawls out of the bed.
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