Chapter 17

I thought I'd be hearing screaming and shouting by now… but there's not. Mom, Dad, and Dad's parents are all sitting in the living room with coffee. Mom sent me to another room to draw some pictures while they talked. I think they're talking about me, but I'm not sure.

Lindsay and Danny sat on the couch of Edith and Edward Messer's home in awkward silence. The revelation of Danny actually being the father of Lindsay's daughter was downright insane! Surely he would have told them if he had a little girl!

"Really?" Edward gripped his chair handles tightly, his knuckles turning white. "That little girl, in that room," he pointed to the parlour, where Madison lay on her stomach, concentrating heavily on the drawing she was creating, "is yours?"

Danny nodded. His father was a rather intimidating man. He was 6 feet tall, 190 pounds at least, and it was all muscle. He could squash Danny like a bug given the chance.

"But don't blame him, he didn't know." Lindsay stepped in. "I moved back to Montana before I told him anything."

Edward and Edith nodded. There had to be some explanation as to why she'd never contacted their youngest son. Maybe… Maddie wasn't really Danny's daughter. Maybe… Lindsay was scared Danny would reject the baby.

"At first, I didn't want Danny to find out about the baby. I thought he had a pretty good life here, in New York. What would he need another complication like a baby for?"

"But…" Danny interjected, "it's over now. It's in the past. I'm here now, for you and Maddie, no matter what."

I'm sitting at the kitchen table with a pen and paper. I don't know what I'm drawing, but its fun. I'm listening to Mom and Dad talking, and it sounds like Dad's parents are taking it pretty well. I like being able to sit and listen and not hear Mom and Dad fight all the time.

I think Dad's parents are a little mad, but oh well, not my problem. I'm just sitting here. Soon enough, Mom comes in, and says Dad is going to drive us back to the hotel.

"Okay," I say. I go to the front door and get my coat and shoes on. When we're going out the door I hear Dad's mom say: She's such a little angel."

I like to think so.

I'm getting into my pajamas and Mom is tucking me into bed when Dad says he has to go. I don't know why, but he said someone named Mac needed to see him.

"Mom, who's Mac?" I say, rubbing my eyes.

"Mac is your dad's boss, honey," she answers me; "I used to work for him too. Actually, when we move back to New York maybe I can get my old job back."

"What was your old job?" I ask as I snuggle deeper under the covers.

"I got to run around the city all day catching bad guys." She kisses me on the cheek, turns out my light, and shuts the door.

"Mac, you wanted to see me?" Danny strode into Mac's office.

No answer.

"Mac?" Strange… the lights shouldn't be off. "Ya here?"

Suddenly something hit him in the head and the world went black.