Page 236 of The Art of Almost Losing It
My mom shakes her head and sobs—that quiet sob she’s mastered from a decade of darkness.
“Mom, please. I’m not like that. I’m not like him. Dani, I never hurt you, did I?” I plead.
“Look, Claire, let’s not share that with anyone else. You know what?” Dani holds up her hands. “Why don’t we all just take a minute? We cannot have that video out. I don’t think you understand.”
Of course she loves me. I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s going to be okay if I can just get us out of here.
Ryan and Claire grab Dani. She stumbles as they pull her back, away from me.
“Dani!” I reach for her.
Frank tries to put himself between us.
“I always knew you were shit. And I know you did something to Kraig too,” he yells. “You’re going to prison, just like your piece-of-shit father.”
“No. You can’t take her from me. She’s mine.” I lunge at him and tackle Frank against the wall. Hard.
Dani and Claire scream.
“Kid, please don’t hurt him. Frank, please!” My mom is begging. “Frank, please. I asked you not to go to the police. I can’t handle the stress. Please. I’m begging you to just wait.” My mom separates us.
Dani stands there, horrified, her hand over her mouth. Claire’s sobbing. Ryan looks sick.
“Dani—no. I love you. Please, come away with me. We can leave. We can leave this place. Just us. Dani. You know I’m not like that. That’s not me. I didn’t mean it.” I beg her. “I want to marry you, Dani. I love you. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.”
She’s crying, the tears dripping down her nose.
“Are you completely crazy?” she yells. “You are. You are crazy. Youdidkidnap me. Admit it!”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Yes, you did!”
“Yes—but we fell in love.”
“Did we?” she demands. “You’re possessive and crazy, and not in a fun way.”
My mom is heartbroken.
“Look.” Dani lets out a tired sigh. “I don’t want the money or the condo. I just think maybe we need to take a break. You need to probably get some sleep.” Dani wipes at her eyes. “Honestly, so do I. I can’t deal with this right now.” She smears her makeup, revealing a dark, ugly bruise on her face.
I feel sick. Drop to my knees.
I did that. I hurt her.
It’s a bruise that’s a few days old. From when I was there, in Switzerland. I stagger up. Shove off Ryan when he tries to stop me from going to her.
I cup her face, hover my fingers over the ugly bruise.
I hurt her. I’m hurting her.The ugly truth is a shot in the chest.
I am exactly like my dad. I have become him.
I look up at my horrified mother. Still have enough shame to know an apology doesn’t cut it.
“I shouldn’t be around you, Dani. I’m not safe to be around you.” I feel my heart break.
“Graham—no.”
