Selena's Secret

Chapter 12

It was the perfect morning on Toucan Island. The sun was high in the sky, the birds sang their hymns of joy, and the fish jetted and jumped around in the crystal clear ocean. That familiar breeze that always seemed to flow through the island was absent, which gave a sign that it was summer over on Waffle Island.

Sue began homeschooling Lucy while Selena practiced and performed her dancing. Lucy liked learning, and was fascinated by the extensive knowledge that she became equipped with. The girl was a scholar; just no one really discovered it yet.


Selena couldn't erase the dream she experienced the past night. She tried to focus on the calming sounds of crashing waves, yet even that didn't seem to ease her stress. Selena squeezed her eyes shut and tightly formed her fingers into fists. Her "meditation" was interrupted by Gray.

Selena recoiled at his touch, surprised that he was standing in front of her. He grinned, "I see that you look a little stressed?" Selena sighed, "You have no idea." The two began to stroll around the island, discussing their days and Selena's dream. The couple held hands and would often stop and just stare into each others' eyes.

The inseparable pair actually chatted the day away. They ended their stroll deep in the tropical forest. Gray checked over his shoulders cautiously. Selena laughed, "What's the matter? Feel like we're being watched?" Once Gray stopped his surveillance of the land, he grabbed Selena's arms and began to make out with the surprised woman.

The two took it a step further, and eventually "all the way". Selena found a new rush of excitement having a passionate night out in the forest. Gray found it risky, yet risqué too. Once the couple finished, Gray rushed back home, taking the wooden boat he came in, and Selena made her way back to the Pineapple Inn.

Selena flicked on the light to her room and found Lucy sprawled out on her bed. Selena gasped and exclaimed, "Lucy! What are you doing up?"

The little girl looked up from the pillow, her cheeks stained with tears and her eyes inflamed. Selena noticed her hurt expression and rushed over to comfort her. She cooed, "Lucy, what's the matter?" Lucy sniffled, "Mommy, I don't have a Daddy, do I?" Selena felt a surge of heartbreak zap through her as she replied, "Of course you do!" Lucy wailed, "How come he never sees me?"

Selena, not lying to her own daughter anymore, answered honestly, "Because long ago, Mommy had a secret. Mommy made a mistake. Now, this secret turned out to be the prettiest and best mistake of her life, but Mommy had to make sacrifices. One was to forget about Daddy." Lucy listened intently as Selena carried on, "Daddy was angry with Mommy's mistake, so he ignored her for a long time. Mommy moved away from Daddy because it's what's best for you. Mommy was being picked on in her old home, so she moved back here! Daddy stayed behind because Mommy and him weren't that good of friends anymore."

Lucy began piecing the puzzle together as she climbed into her own bed. She slowly murmured, "I'm… the… secret…"

Selena embraced Lucy and whispered, "No, you are the blessing." And she flipped off the lights.