Trust Me
      Chapter 3
 

Michelle got up and walked to the mantle over the fireplace. She Picked up one of the pictures and she stared at it long and hard. The room was dark, save for the moonlight coming from the street. She didn't need the lights to tell her what she would see in the picture. It showed Danny tackling Michelle on the beach. His arms were wrapped around her waist as he scooped her up in the air. Their faces revealed how silly they could be amongst all of the seriousness of their lives. Bill had been the one to take the picture. He had come over one night and given the picture to Michelle in private saying, "Remember how free you both felt on this day. Especially when things get tough." She had appreciated his gesture and the picture had gone on the mantle as soon as she had bought a frame for it. Lost in the memory of that day she didn't hear the door to their room open...

Danny turned the knob as slowly as possible, praying the door wouldn't make too much noise. He closed it with the same care. The room was very dark and his eyes hadn't had a chance to adjust. He crept towards the bed, removing his shirt and unbuckling his pants as he walked. When he reached the bedside he removed his pants and socks and pulled back the comforter, never realizing that he was under Michelle's watchful eyes.

"Hey!"

Startled Danny turned to the direction of his wife's voice, "Hey! I thought you'd be sleeping."

"I couldn't sleep. I missed you.", she said.

"Baby, it's late. I'm really tired...", he said as he got under the covers.

Michelle watched him.

"I said I missed you"

"I missed you too.", he sighed as he rearranged his pillow. "Come on, get into bed, it's cold in here."

She hesitated, thinking about it. "No. I'm restless. I think I'll go for a walk in the gardens"., her voice cracked.

Michelle waited for him to protest. He didn't. Picking up her robe she left the room.

Danny listened to the door close behind her. He thought about going after her...

Michelle walked through the rose garden. She stopped and breathed in the aroma of the beautiful flowers Danny's Grandmother had so painstakingly planted and cared for. She smiled through the tears in her eyes remembering the walk she taken with her a few days before...

"Michelle, you know my Daniel is very happy. I see it in the way he looks at you. He can't hide it. Thank you for giving him that."

"I'm happy too."

Abuela had laughed then, "Mija, if you think I can't see your happiness...".

Her laugh had been all consuming. Michelle had laughed too and continued to push her wheelchair.

It always amazed her that the old woman, who rarely left her room, seemed to be all-knowing. Nothing in the Santos household got passed her. In the months since Danny and Michelle had renewed their vows, Michelle had gotten close to her. She was so different from Carmen. Michelle learned a lot from their time spent together. Abuela Santos was a very wise woman.

"If it weren't so late, I'd go looking for you Abuela. You'd understand, I know you would."

Michelle walked towards the pool. The night was warm. Indian summer had really hit Springfield. You wouldn't know it from the temperature inside of the house. Carmen insisted the thermostat be set at 63 degrees. Most of the time Michelle had to wear a sweater to feel comfortable.

This was her favorite part of the Santos compound. It was really one of the only places you could expect full privacy. The pool had been built within the walls of the garden. It was fenced in by the plants and flower beds. It sat back about 2 miles from the road and access to it meant you had been through three different security check points. Danny's father had built it that way because he wanted a place within the property where his children could play and be "free". Security personnel were told to keep their distance from the area, unless they had a very good reason for intruding.

"Free! HA!", she sighed. "No one in this house is free."

She walked to the edge of the pool and looked at the water. It looked inviting. The urge to go swimming overwhelmed her. She took off her clothes.

Danny watched her remove her clothing. She was beautiful in the moonlight.

He smiled.

She dove in.

He had thought about letting her go and not facing her. The sound of her voice had convinced him. Their problems could wait. Tonight he'd be with his wife.

Stripping off his robe, he walked towards the deep end of the pool and dove in after her.

Upstairs, the old woman watched and smiled. She let the curtains fall and pushed her wheelchair away from the window...