A Night of Surprises

I snatched the phone from Danny's hand when I had the chance. She didn't protest nor say anything. She was just staring at me with a blank expression. She seems so surprised and confused at the same time.

I went to the bathroom immediately and lock the door.

"Hello. Joan here. (pause) I expected it would happen. What does he want? (pause) I can't let him see my daughter. He might take her from me. I will die if that happens. (pause. I'm starting to hyperventilate so I tried walking back and forth in the small room to calm myself down.) What should we do then? (pause) Okay. Yes. (pause) I guess I have no choice but to wait. Please make sure he won't find us. (pause) Thank you. (pause) Yeah, see you soon." I was about to say something when the call ended. He didn't even ask me how I am.

I had to stay in the bathroom for a while. I could see a shadow beneath the bathroom door so I'm sure Danny is trying listen to our conversation. I know she is very curious and this is the first time I hid something from her.

When I finally had the courage to face her, I opened the door and found her sitting in the sofa. I continued what I was doing in the kitchen. I didn't know how to start the conversation. I don't have the courage to answer all her questions which I'm sure I would be bombarded with once she starts talking.

"What's happening? Who is that guy? This is the first time I heard his voice. Colin? Was he the motel guy?"

I remember I told Danny about him during his first nights in the motel. I told her how demanding and arrogant customer he was. I never told her that after that week, we became closer. I just nodded as a reply.

"Why did he call you? What's with the divorce?" She asked, now looking straight at me with a serious expression.

"It is what you are thinking. He is working on my divorce with Geoff. I can't give you any details now because I also don't have any idea what will happen. But please, trust me okay? I'm tired hiding and I want us to go back to our old lives, I want us to be with our families again." I sat beside her hoping she would understand me and would let this situation go. I held her hands tightly.

"Are you sure he is not related with your ex-husband? What if he was sent by that bastard so he could find you and Athena. Why would you trust others easily? Didn't you learn from your past mistake?"

I actually appreciate Danny's honesty, sometimes she is so honest that it makes me feel stupid. "I had to take a risk, you know. You're correct, it might just be a trap, but I saw hope in him, something I haven't seen and felt for a long time. I know we are already in a safe place now but I cannot be hiding here forever. I don't want us to live in fear all our lives. Let's wait for a couple of weeks. For now, let's just pray that he is not someone we think he is, okay?"

"It's up to you. You know I love you and Athena so much and I want to protect the two of you. If you think this is our last hope then so be it. Let's give it a try."

"Thank you so much, Danny. Sorry for bringing you in this situation. I always feel guilty whenever I think that you can't be with your family because of me." I hugged her so tightly. I can't help but cry thinking about all the sacrifices Danny has done for me and my daughter.

"Stop it! We are already a family and I did that because it was the right thing to do. Stop crying, Athena might think we are fighting."

"She is still asleep, that's okay." I continued hugging her.

"So you won't tell me what's happening between the you and that motel guy?," Danny asked.

"Later, I still don't trust him that much. If I can confirm that he is trustworthy then I will tell everything to you, that's a promise."

"Okay, then. I trust you."

The three of us had our breakfast together. Danny looks calm again, I couldn't see any glimpse of anger in her face and the way she talks. I and Athena are indeed so lucky to have her with us.

The days went by smoothly. I go to the motel and Danny does her work. Athena stay with the grannies during the day and goes home at night. There was no sign from Colin, no message nor calls for the next weeks. I was not even sure whether I really met him in the motel or not. I and Sarah never talked about him since he left.

I got home one day from the motel and was surprised with the big tent set up in front of the apartment. All the grannies and grandpas are in the area and there were many people I haven't met before. Dorothy and other women are arranging some flowers with Athena.

"Baby!" Athena cam running to me with a tight hug. "How are you today?"

"We are preparing the fowers." Athena said and ran back to the women.

"What's happening?" I asked Dorothy who seems very busy but happy arranging the flowers.

"It's a secret, dear," she said with a meaningful smile on her face.

"How can I help you then?"

"You don't need to do anything, just go back to your place and get a beauty rest." They all said smiling.

I wanted to protest but I don't think I would be of big help to them since I know nothing about flower arrangements. I went inside the house to take a quick shower.

When I entered the house, two white box were laid on the sofa. I wanted to take a look what's inside but I'm sure they are Danny's and even we live in one place, we still never meddle with each other's stuff.

After taking a shower, I decided to prepare dinner.

Two hours has passed and Danny and Athena are still not at home so I decided to go downstairs to check on them. The place seems busier than 2 hours ago and flowers are set up in the middle of what looks like an aisle. Chairs were also lined up on each side.

"What are you doing here? Who is in the motel now?" I was surprised to see Sarah! I remember leaving her in the motel but now she is here.

"Hello, Miss Joan. We have to prepare now." Two women approached me.

"Prepare what? What's happening here?" I asked.

"Juar follow them, Joan. You will find out what's happening later," said one of the grannies.

"But it's dinner time. I have to feed Athena. I'm sure she is already hungry."

"Athena is now with Dorothy. I'm sure she is now eating and she also need to take a nap so she would be awake later," said another woman giggling.

"I cannot just follow you guys without knowing what's happening here. Why does it seem everyone knows about it except me?"

One of the two women held in the arms. "Just trust us ma'am. We will never hurt you," she assured so I just followed them back in the apartment.

They sat me on a chair and laid a box in front of me. It seems to be a make up box.

"Do I need that?" I asked.

"Of course ma'am. You should be the most beautiful woman tonight."

I wanted to protest but I think it was no use. Everyone in this village seems to be in conspiracy and they are all planning something. I haven't even seen Danny the whole time. Where is she?

After an hour, they were done doing my hair and makeup. They opened the boxes jn the sofa which are a pari of shoes and white dress. The dress looks very simple yet elegant. It is not revealing and something that represents me as a woman, conservative and pure. The shoes are silver with bead and they were sparkling.

"Let us help you get dress," says on of the two women.

Like before, I didn't protest and just wore the dress and the shoes. They look perfect. I never had the chance to wear such dress, not even on my wedding day.

"Wait!" I suddenly had an idea of what's happening. "Did Colin send you here?" I asked.

Both of them didn't answer. Instead they just smiled at me warmly. "You look beautiful ma'am."

"Please don't call me with that term, it reminds me of something."

The person I was looking for finally arrived.

"Danny! You look stunning!"

"Not as beautiful as you." Tears started flowing from her cheeks.

"What's happening? Don't cry. You're making me nervous. I can only think of two people who can do this, either my past or that motel guy."

"He explained to me everything, and you are correct, he is our last hope and I think he really cares for you."

"You met Colin? So this is all from him?"

"You will find it out later. I'm sure after tonight, everything will change."