The Hayride: Chap. 4

The Hayride1

Chapter 42

--3

Davin was sitting across from me, his legs crossed in the hay. We were both leaning on the outer railing of the trailer, the hot summer wind barely blowing. It seemed that time had stopped, just for me to say my peace. 4

I was seated with my legs beneath me, my skirt tucked within my legs. I watched as he fidgeted with the hay twigs, then his hair. I loved him, I really did, I’m not sure if he knew that.5

“I’m... so sorry, Davin.” Before I could finish what I wanted to say, he jumped from his position.6

“Sorry? That’s all you can think of to say, Denise? I love you! I fell in love with you! DO you just expect me to fall and give apologies for something I never did?” The anger was apparent in his yelling voice, his skin turning red with fury.7

I was scared at the moment. I didn’t like him this way, and I never will. That image of his anger is burned into my memory... forever.8

“I didn’t say you did anything wrong, Davin! We just... can’t be together! Please... go home! Forget anything ever happened!” I turned as fast as my feet could carry me, running all the way back to my house. Tears were streaming down my pale face, and my hair began to knot as I ran. 9

I didn’t care how I looked, I just cared about Davin. I never wanted to break it off, but I know now that it was the best thing. We could have never been together, and I’m glad we’re not.10

--11

(Davin's POV)12

I saw her in the supermarket. 13

Dressed in a simple, knee-length, flowered dress, she looked up and down the cheese aisle. I was standing a few feet away, watching the blonde-haired beauty shop for some unknown cheese. She looked to be in her late twenties, with wavy blonde locks to her mid back. She had bright green eyes, and pale skin.14

I stood by my buggy, placing a block of blue cheese in my cart. My finger played with the newly acquired wedding ring on my hand, my eyes watched the woman. She was hauntingly familiar, though I know that I had never seen her before.15

It was when she placed the same block of blue cheese in her own cart that I made a motion to speak with her. 16

“I see I’m not the only blue cheese fan on Earth.” The coming of age had made my motions much more smooth, like a fine wine. I had just celebrated my 48th birthday the week before. God, I was old.17

The woman turned and looked at me, not saying anything for a moment. She laughed and brought her hand up to her chest, in a feminine, somewhat flirty matter. “I’m addicted to the stuff, I don’t know why. No one in my family likes it... except me of course!” She laughed again, it sent chills down my spine.18

“It’s the same with me! But most of my family’s gone now... so I’ve got my wife to compete with. She hates it... of course.” We continued to chat for a few minutes, me not wanting to leave her presence. It was odd, the strange pulling I felt. After a good fifteen minutes, she turned to leave. 19

“It was nice talking with you. My name’s Danielle McGee, by the way. I always feel I need to give nice people my name.”20

I stood still, my eyes meeting hers. The blonde hair matching the blonde-grayish hair, the green eyes now bringing back a distant memory. I shook her hand, taking notice in her skin texture, and the conveniently placed moles.21

In those fifteen seconds that we shook hands, I took in everything about her. I took in her scent, her hair, her eyes, her skin, and her soul. 22

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Danielle.” I turned slowly, keeping the silent tear from running down my cheek.23

To this day I’m not sure she was my daughter. I tried to refute the idea, but it haunts me still. I may never know in my brain... but my soul is positive.24

I met Danielle McGee, and automatically knew she was my child. Danielle McGee met me, and will never know who I am. I’m glad it’s this way... I’m sure Denise has told her I died, or something equally less emotional. She was always good at hiding the truth.25

--26

“So... you’re saying she broke your heart, and then broke it again unintentionally?” I was still talking with Mr. McGee, and my dad was getting annoyed. He was really tired of that old trailer sitting in our yard, and wanted it gone.27

“Yeah. But I’m glad she did, I wouldn’t appreciate what I have if it hadn’t been for what she did. I’m a bitter, yet thankful old man.” He replied, his thin wrinkles lifting as he smiled. I may only be 16, but I know that he was faking it. 28

“Do you ever want to see her again?” I knew this was pushing the edge, and I knew even more when he stood. I regretted the question, but was dying to know the answer.29

Mr. McGee turned to me, though, and patted me on the shoulder. “I want her to see, what I’ve become.” He walked out the door, got in his truck, and drove out of my life.30

What he meant, I later learned, was that he wanted to show her, how he moved on. How he didn’t care if they had a daughter, how he didn’t mind that she had lied.31

He wanted to show her, how he had proved her wrong.32

--33

The End34