Danielle

I was walking on sunshine, literal sunshine, even if every step hurt a little bit. I had forgotten somehow what Mack was able to do to me. It was one of those times that I had underestimated him and it was something that I wouldn’t do again.

Sleep was not a problem, but waking up was. It was too early and when the alarm went off for my run, I rationalized that I’d gotten enough exercise the night before and I was going to skip the morning all together. It was the first time that I’d done it all year, save for the few days that I had the flu. Mack was back in my life for a day and he was already changing my routine.

But he wasn’t back in my life. He was just here to remind me what I’d lost and now he was gone again. I didn’t think I would hear from him again and I knew that the more I worried about it, the more I was going to work myself up. I didn’t want to do that, so instead of thinking about why my whole body was sore, I just took a shower and got ready for my day. It was going to be a good one, I was convinced.

It also wouldn’t be the first time that I was wrong.

***

I tried to call Mack on my lunch break, but he didn’t pick up and I didn’t leave a message. I wanted to talk to him and already my mind was convinced that he was avoiding me. He’d gotten what he wanted.

The scenario played out in my head several times and I wasn’t sure what to think. Last night had been magical, Mack had said all the right things, but now he was gone and I was left holding the pieces, trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with them. He had made me feel more in those few minutes than I had in ten years. But now he was gone and I didn’t know if I was ever going to see him again.

This was at noon. My mind was consumed and I leaned on my aid more than I should have. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around it all. I mean, why would he come back, pursue me so hard and then go to radio silence? It just didn’t make any sense and I wanted answers.

The bell rang and for once I was far more excited to get out of there then the kids were. Mariss met me at the door and mentioned the painting and wine class that we had scheduled for later in the evening. I had forgotten all about it.

“So are you going to tell me where you were last night until four in the morning? You look like shit by the way.”

I sighed and thanked her for her honesty.

“It will be brutal, but always honest. It looks like you were up all night on a bender. Is that what you were doing because you could have invited me you know? I’m always up for a good bender, no matter what the reason.”

She made me laugh and I was reluctant to tell her because of the aforementioned brutality of her honesty. She had pushed the subject when it was time to go to the reunion, but she wouldn’t be as supportive if she knew that I had spent the evening in a plane with Mack.

“I was with Mack, not on a bender, though I do feel about the same as if I had drunk all night. Some of the kids asked me if I was okay. How embarrassing, right?”

She smiled at me and I wondered what Mariss was thinking.

“So how was it?”

I couldn’t catch the smile that came over my face any more than I was able to deny how wonderful it was. I felt like a whole new woman. How was that for an answer?

I didn’t say that though. “It was just like it always was and now I can’t get a hold of him. I think he is gone and I don’t know what to say to be honest.”

Mariss had a look of pity on her face because she knew how I felt about Mack, no matter how much I had denied it through the years. There was always one person that stuck in my mind and it was always him. This latest disappointment was almost too much to bear, but bear it I must.

“Come on, you don’t really think he went through all of that to give up once he got the prize, do you?”

I hadn’t thought it was possible, not the way he had been acting, but now I wasn’t so sure because whatever the reason was, he was gone and I was left wondering what in the hell had happened

“I don’t know what to think.”

“Well call him again. I’m sure he was just busy making money or something.”

That was another point of contention with me, but I didn’t share with her the worries I had about his job and how he was making his money. I never talked to her about that side of Mack. It was the part of him that I’d wanted to change. It wasn’t something in my power to do though and it was one of the main reasons that I hadn’t stayed around. Mack didn’t mind bending the rules, whereas I felt like it was necessary to follow the rules. If not, there would be anarchy.

We walked back to the apartment and I tried to call him again on the way. Again, he didn’t answer and I was surer of my suspicions then than before. He was avoiding me and after everything that happened last night, he could have at least answered his phone. I was getting ticked off as the night went on.

After getting ready, I went to the art gallery with Mariss for some wine and painting. It was one of our traditions, but she got onto me about the fact that I kept checking my phone. I was trying to figure out where Mack was, but he never answered and I was left calling over and over again like an idiot. I didn’t understand what was going on or why he wasn’t answering my calls. I replayed the conversation before he left, looking for any indications.

“You about done with that phone or do I need to take it from you?”

I put the phone down and tried not to look so guilty.

“I just can’t believe he won’t answer.”

“I’m sure something came up Danny and you’re making it something else. He wouldn’t just pop out again. I’m sure he is just busy.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.” I was also sure that I didn’t care why he wasn’t around, just that he wasn’t around. I knew that there was something going on, but I just didn’t know what it was. All I knew for sure was that Mack wasn’t answering his phone and I was starting to get a bad feeling.

On our way home, I noticed the same dark car parked across the street on the curb. As a car ran past us with his lights on, I saw a silhouetted in the car and I knew that someone was in there. It was late and it was strange to have someone just sitting outside of the house like that.

I didn’t mention it to Mariss, but I kept checking out the window and the car was still there an hour later, as well as the person inside of it.

I tried to call Mack again. I don’t know why, but I had a strange feeling that he had something to do with it.