“If it is meant to be found, it will be, Danielle.”
“Danielle, Danielle, Danielle,” I heard whispered over and over again, too close in proximity to my face. I cracked open an eyelid to see Caleb in my face. I pushed my hand towards him to get him to back up.
“Caleb, please get away from me,” I said.
“Sorry. Of course,” he said, stepping back.
“I knew this was a terrible idea,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck, “I’m sorry if I hurt you.” I was sincere in my apology. Caleb was nothing but nice to me, I had no intention to hurt him. Avoid him? Perhaps, but not hurt him.
“Oh, don’t even worry about it. Law fixed me right up. Plus, you seem to be doing better. How do you feel?”
“I’m fine, but really, I need to leave.”
“Leave?” Caleb repeated with despair.
“Yeah, where’s Law? I’d like to say goodbye and at least thank him for breakfast,” I said.
“He’s downstairs talking to some doctor.” I whipped my head towards him.
“Doctor? What kind of doctor?”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen her before, but he’s never introduced us. They’ve known each other for years. It’s his ‘secret friend’” he said with air quotes, “This is the first time she’s come inside.”
“It’s a woman?” I asked, trying to stifle my intrigue.
“Yeah. . .” he said slowly.
I looked towards the door, “Could you stay here a bit? I’d like to talk to him alone, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” he said, throwing up a hand, “Well, at least be sure to say bye to me before you leave.”
“Yeah, of course,” I replied, exiting the room and cautiously making my way downstairs.
They were seated in the main living area facing each other. They seemed to be having a low, yet heated discussion.
“That is not what she needs, it will not help,” said the woman.
“How do you know? This could be the only thing that helps. I may not have been around her much, but she is so lost. She is so consumed by anger and revenge. She has no light in her life.”
“I know her better than you, she needs to get better first. You, this place, can help her. She will just be a distraction. Danielle’s not ready for that. If we put that on her before she’s ready, she will do what she always does and run.”
“You really think she would?”
“I watched her do it.”
“I don’t know,” Law said, running his hand over his forehead, “I’m worried about what she’s capable of, to be honest. No potential has ever scared me the way she does. I want to help her, but I can’t if she won’t let me.”
“She needed to go through all of this. If I talk to her —”
“When did I ever listen to you before?” I asked out of the darkness.
The woman simultaneously stood and turned toward me. She seemed to attempt to resist her emotional response to seeing me as her eyes glazed over and her mouth curled in the corner of her lips with a hesitant smile. I walked toward her. She looked me over.
“Danielle.”
“Joyce,” I smiled.
She embraced me and I returned her embrace, finding safety and familiarity in her touch.
Chapter Eleven
Roots
Law exited the room, giving me and Joyce time to talk. Her affection toward me was much like that of seeing a wayward niece or nephew after a stint in jail. A shake of the head and worry, but also love. I had saved her daughter’s life. I could understand why she would have such affection toward me.
“I’ve heard you’ve been getting into all kinds of trouble,” she said, leaning on the side of the couch with a cup of coffee in hand as she glanced at me.
“Me? Of course not. Did Law tell you that?”
“Law?” she asked, then slapped her thigh, “Oh right, you mean Lawrence.”
“Lawrence?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s his real name. Believe it or not, I do not call him Law.”
“No? Does he call you Dr. Joy?” I asked with false curiosity.
“Very funny. No, he doesn’t. I’ve always kept tabs on you.”
“I’m flattered.”
“I heard what you did to your Uncle, the District Attorney, the jobs you’ve done, the drugs, the women.”
“Ha ha, well you’re wrong there.”
“What about that girl, Carolina?”
“Our relationship was sadistic and mildly sexual at times, but really, we just worked together. That was, until she shot a hole into my stomach and almost killed me.”
“You started your Mortal Nights.”
“Yup, I’m all grown up now,” I replied with a smirk.
“Oh, how I missed your sarcasm.”
“I knew you would. So, tell me, Joyce, what brought you here?”
“I wanted to see you. To see if I could help.”
“Help with what?” I asked, setting my cup of coffee on the table and glaring toward her.
“Help you with what you’re going through. Try to help you find some direction. There is a lot you can learn here, Danielle. These people are amazing and have overcome the kind of things you are struggling with.”
“No one has struggled with what I am struggling with.”
“Yes, not the exact same thing. Danielle, do you not want a better life? Do you not want control and the ability to positively wield that power ’s inside you?”
“I’ve already found a solution. Franklin helped me. I’m better.”
“That is not better, Danielle. You have people in this house scared to death of you –”
“As they should be! There is something evil inside me and it’s not my shadow, it’s me! I hate this world, I hate everyone in it. I hate how everyone leaves, how you can’t trust anyone, I hate the looks on their faces, I hate everything about everyone,” I said, standing up. Joyce hung her head and shook it lightly from side to side, “I am so fucking tired of trying and everyone wanting me to get better.
