chapter 61
The sun streamed through white gauzy curtains with soft orange light. Like the wings of a bird, the curtains flew forward with gentle grace. In the distance, the faint roar of the ocean kept perfect time with the calls of seagulls. Dana took in the moment, lulled by the magic around her. Cody’s breath tickled her skin.
This was real.
Love was real.
She delicately traced her fingers up his arm. His eyes fluttered open. “Good morning beautiful.”
Dana leaned in to kiss him, feeling his warm skin on cool bed sheets. “It is.”
Cody played with strands of Dana’s jet-black tresses. “I can’t believe today’s our last day. I feel like we’ve just gotten started.”
“I know,” she gazed into his clear blue eyes. “My plane leaves at three. That doesn’t give us much time today.”
“No, but I think we’ll need to do something about this situation. I already miss you.”
Reality crashed in on their fairy tale weekend. Cody would have to go back on tour with his band and Dana would return to her crazy life on the air.
Their lives would continue.
Apart.
Dana rolled onto her stomach so she could face Cody. “So what’s the answer?”
“I wish I had one...but we’ll figure out. We’re worth it.”
Worth it.
Worth risk.
Worth loss.
Worth incredible happiness.
“I agree,” Dana confirmed to Cody and her mind.
“Good. When the band does get some time off, I’ll just find my way down to South Florida. And you? I’m sure you get vacations...”
Dana laughed. “They are few and far between, but occasionally, yes I do have some time off.”
“So we’ll meet.”
The phone interrupted their bliss.
It was Sharon. “Hey Dana...the hotel wanted to give us a good-bye lunch as a thank you. Then we have to boogie to make our flight.”
Dana rolled her eyes at Cody. “Yes, Sharon, I’ll be there.”
“Cool, we’re meeting in the lobby at noon.”
“Noon. Got it.”
“So how are things with Cody...?”
“Great, we’ll talk more later,” Dana said cutting her off.
“Ooooh...is he there now?”
“Bye Sharon.”
“Okay...got the message, but I want details! Bye, Dana!”
Dana placed the phone back on the hook. “I think we’ve been found out.”
“That’s fine with me,” Cody replied pulling her close.
Dana felt a wave of sadness realizing tonight she would be alone. “So I leave today...”
“And I’ll call you tonight.”
“Where are you headed?”
“I think I’m gonna stop in Pinetree and see my mom tonight before returning to Gainesville tomorrow. Talking about everything the other night got me thinking. It’s been a long time.”
“That’ll be nice for you to see her.”
“I guess,” Cody said absentmindedly. “My mom and I have a weird relationship. I know she wants the best for me, but part of me still doesn’t understand her...”
“Because...?” Dana probed.
Cody felt he could trust Dana. Years of silence about his childhood rose like a pressure in his body, forcing itself out. “I told you my father was an alcoholic, but I didn’t tell you everything.”
Dana looked at him, scared for what he was about to reveal.
Cody took a deep breath and paused before continuing. “He also physically abused my mom and me.”
“Oh my God,” Dana said grabbing his hand tightly.
Once the words started to come out, Cody couldn’t stop them. “Yeah…it was horrible, terrifying and...I...I can’t even really describe what it’s like to see the man who’s supposed to be your father hurt you physically and emotionally.”
“Were you okay...are you okay?” Dana was shocked. Her background of a close family prevented her from comprehending the horrors that Cody was speaking of.
“No, I wasn’t and now...I don’t think I ever recovered. My dad would come home saturated with alcohol and full of rage. He beat us both...viciously.”
Dana felt tears slowly fall down her cheeks thinking of a young, scared, helpless boy.
Cody continued. Telling the truth was a needed release. He felt the weight of his darkest secret start to lift. “One night he came home and I put an end to it. I was fifteen and I stood up to him. He left and never came back. To this day I have no idea where he is or what he’s doing and I really don’t care.”
“And your mom?”
“I never resolved my feelings for her. She was angry with me for kicking out her financial support...”
“But he was beating you both...” Dana said incredulously.
“I know...right? A mom is supposed to protect her child. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?” He blinked back tears. “I don’t know if I can or ever will forgive her for keeping him in our lives as long as she did.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“I keep in touch with her...and she’s proud of me for my success. I think it’s that she’s proud...I mean I hope it’s that and not the fact that now I can send her some money from time to time.”
“I’m sure she loves you,” Dana said finding it hard to comprehend that his mother, that any mother, could feel anything less than love for her son.
“I guess. I just don’t let myself get too close. I can’t, ‘cause then I open myself up to getting hurt by her again. And it’s not pleasant going back to that place...too many awful memories.”
“So then why go back?”
“Because she is my mom...and I have to.”
“I’d go with you if I could.” Dana squeezed his hand.
“You would?”
“Of course, you know I’ll always be there for you.”
Cody wrapped his arms around Dana and held her tightly, afraid to let her go.
“I love you, Dana.”
Dana breathed deeply.
“I love you, too.”