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“Everything.”
* * *
I shove my charger, computer, and some clothes into a bag.
LIZZIE: Scary shit went down. I’m coming over NOW.
KRIS: Shit. What’s up?
LIZZIE: He knows about everything.
KRIS: CRAP. I’ll get the Oreos.
I shove all my clothes and my prom stuff into the bag as fast as I can.
LIZZIE: He knows about Boston College.
DANNY: Wow. Are you ok?
LIZZIE: I think I am. But only because of you.
DANNY: Do you still want me to come this weekend? I can wait. Is it still a good idea? It’s just prom. I don’t want to cause problems with him. Seems a little intense now for me to be there. And there’s always the possibility that I’ll tear him apart to protect you. Not sure I trust myself.
LIZZIE: I NEED YOU. I’m headed to Kris’s house. He’s yelling at my mom downstairs. He’s possessed. I hope my mom’s ok. Shit. Maybe I should stay. I don’t want her to get yelled at.
DANNY: Go to Kris’s house tonight. I get it about saving your mom. Trust me. Get out of there. This is all so complicated. Is this the best plan? I don’t want to screw anything up for you.
LIZZIE: Yes. It is. I’ll work all of this out with him. He’s still my dad, and I do love him. I just want him to see me as an adult. ILY
DANNY: Ok. Fine. Cool. I can’t wait to see you. ILY2
I’ll be safe at Kris’s house and now I need to see him even more.
* * *
I wipe my tears again and stare at my phone. Still no messages or missed calls. I haven’t moved in hours because I can’t believe what is happening. No one’s heard from him. I spread the blue satin over the bed again. The dress matches the color of his eyes. There are flowers wilting on the dresser to my left. I cross my legs. I stare at my matching shoes. Where is he? Why won’t he answer me? I’ve been worried, angry, and now I’m moving into devastated.
I call one more time and I’m connected again to an automatic voice mail.
“Danny? It’s me. Prom ended. I’m still at the hotel. Did you miss your plane? It says it landed six hours ago. I didn’t go because I waited for you. Where are you?” I burst into sobs. My makeup and dress are ruined. “I don’t understand this. Why didn’t you come? I can’t take this. Where are you? Are you ok? Can you tell me why? Did something horrible happen, please let me know at least that.”
My texts won’t go through and I think he blocked me. They all bounce back. Kris called Tony and he hung up on her. I sent her away so she could be with her date. I still have hope he’s showing up, but every second is making it harder to believe.
I curl up on the bed to try and stop the pain. I hope he’s ok. Maybe he’ll show up in the middle of the night. There’s a knock at the door and I race to open it. My tears instantly dry, heart beating out of my chest. I was wrong. He’s here. Thank God.
I whip the door open. My dad fills the doorframe.
“Leave, please.” This can’t be happening, Danny loved me yesterday. I move to shut the door on my father but he places his hand on my forearm.
His voice is soft and kind. “Don’t close the door. I didn’t come here to yell at you, sweetheart.”
I don’t understand.
He steps inside and I stare at him. My dress is swooshing as I move around the room like a gentle breeze. He gives me a couple of sheets of paper. It’s an email from [email protected] .
Dear Mr. Fox,
I’m writing to you out of respect. Your daughter and I were involved in Paris for the entire program. I cared for her, but now that we’re back in the real world, my priorities and feelings have shifted. She’s expecting me tonight, but I can’t bring myself to make it there. It was cruel to stand her up, but I couldn’t take the time to fly across the country to tell her this. I realize I’m a coward, but I couldn’t face telling her this in person since she’s become so emotional. Her plans and expectations of me are too great. I have an athletic career to think about, and can’t be tied down with distractions. She won’t listen and I don’t know how to make her understand. I can’t have her here in Boston. Let her know I wish her the best, but our time together must come to an end.
