Twelve
DAVID
AFTER
“I swear I always feel like I’m walking back into the lions’ den every time we come to these things.
” I helped Lisa clean up after making sure her dress was nice and wrinkled in all the right places before walking out of my childhood bedroom.
Now that my brain isn’t solely focused on making her come, I’m overwhelmed with the need to have River by our side.
Deep inside, I know my mother would never willingly place our daughter in danger, but every single person at this gathering is a potential threat to our safety and happiness.
Once we’re back in the throng of suits and gowns, my eyes scan the area for the deep red dress Lisa gave River to wear this evening and I heave a sigh of relief when I see her on the balcony next to my mother, no predators in sight.
They are in their own little bubble, speaking in hushed voices.
They both startle as we approach and it occurs to me that, in another life, I would have loved to know my children could have intimate moments of shared wisdom with my parents.
It would have been nice for them to know who I was in relation to the people who created me, their influence on who I am today as a man.
In this life, though, the only thing they would learn is that they come from the highest ranking evil this city has ever known and somewhere deep inside, it pains me that my mother walked into it knowingly and never tried to leave.
But my mother is a survivor and leaving was akin to suicide.
“Come on, Ladybug. It’s time to go home.” I lean in to kiss my mother on the cheek and just as I take a step back, River throws herself at her grandmother and hugs her tight, arms wrapped around her neck and face in her shoulder.
“I had a great time tonight, Grandma. Thank you.” I feel Lisa’s body flush against my side as her arm wraps around my waist. Her worry seeps into me and I know what she’s thinking.
The problem is that the more we see my parents, the more vulnerable we are to this world, and I cannot expose my family to the depths of this evil.
I won’t.
More than that, I cannot let anyone here know we have a son. Ever.
I don’t bother to seek out my father since I already know he’s in his office with four other men as they discuss the fate of this city over expensive cigars and golden-hued brandy.
Once in the car, away from the oppressive stench of money, I finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Hell, I finally breathe.
“Grandma isn’t all bad, you know?” My eyes flick over to the rearview mirror to find River staring at me.
“I know.” Is all I need to say.
“She misses you.” My Ladybug has more compassion than the whole of Manhattan's elite at that party put together.
“I don’t doubt that, Ladybug, but…it’s complicated.”
“Hmm, you always say that every knot has a weakness that can be unraveled.” I do always say that when they find themselves in a situation that needs a solution. Unfortunately, there is no unknotting this problem because if I do, death will surely follow and I can’t allow that.
“This isn’t a knot, baby girl. This is Pandora’s box and it needs to stay closed.” Lisa saves me once again and, with those words, River nods like it all finally makes sense.
“No one is evil, Dad, right? Kai’s mother said that there’s always good in people and that it’s our choice to dig for it or to ignore it.
” Yeah, we’re not digging for the good in my father or any of the men at that party.
I don’t tell her that, though, and over my dead body will I ever explain the depths of the evil those men are capable of inflicting.
“Kai’s mother is probably on to something, but how about tonight we take the positive and talk about the rest another day?
” Lisa’s words appease River as well as the turmoil that rumbles inside me.
Seeing my parents always puts me on edge, but more than that, it makes me wonder if, in another life, they could have brought more love to our family instead of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
But, as Lisa pointed out, that’s a story for another time.
“Come on, let’s go see what kind of trouble Everest and Kai have gotten into tonight.” River chuckles as Lisa takes my hand in hers, entwining her fingers with mine and squeezing.
With our hearts full, we carefully make our way home, where life is so much simpler and love is the only currency.