Note: Thanks for sticking with this story. It's been a hard one to write, but I'll keep going. This is a short chapter. I promise the next one will be longer.
Danny waited for the voice on the other end to respond as Jack picked up the other line to listen in. "Kathryn…Kathryn…talk to me. Are you there?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble," Kathryn said in a barely audible voice.
"Where are you, baby? Are you OK?" Danny asked desperately.
"I'm OK…I just…I can't do this anymore…I've explained everything in an e-mail…" she said and then the phone went dead.
"Kathryn…Kathryn…" Danny looked up and asked, "Did you get a trace?"
"No…not enough time," Ty replied.
Danny hung up the phone and rubbed his temples trying to make sense of what just happened. Jack, Vivian, Martin and Samantha looked on helplessly…not sure what to say.
"I need to check my e-mail," Danny said as he sat down at a computer and logged in. When his e-mail came up, he saw the e-mail from a generic e-mail account. He clicked on the e-mail and started to read:
Danny,
I can't do this anymore. I've tried to make this work, but I'm not happy. And I can't tell you in person…because every time I try…you talk me out of it. There is a part of me that wants to love you, but the truth is…I don't love you anymore. And I haven't loved you for a long time. I was afraid to leave…afraid that you would be angry….afraid that you would start drinking again…and I would feel responsible.
Our love was never healthy, Danny. You must know this. I was rebelling against a life I thought I didn't want, and you wanted to do everything you could to create the family you never had. I got caught up in your energy and passion…but it isn't enough anymore.
So, the easiest thing is for me to just leave…leave you…leave everything. Don't try to look for me. I'm sorry for any trouble I caused you and the people you work with. That wasn't my intention. I just didn't know what else to do.
The next time you hear from me will be from my lawyer.
Kathryn
Danny sat staring at the computer screen reading and re-reading her words. He couldn't believe it. "I have to get out of here," he said as he stood up and walked out of the room.