Mind and Vision by InSilva
Disclaimer: own nothing Oceany
A/N: please do not faint. Even though I very much doubt this one's remembered by many. ;)
Chapter Two: Taking what is not rightfully yours
By the age of nine, it was hard for Danny to decide which of his half-brothers he liked least. Randall rarely spoke to him and had obviously decided early on to ignore his very existence. Cole, on the other hand, who did choose to speak to him, never had anything nice to say. Yeah, it was a close run thing.
They were both perfectly obnoxious to Luis and Maria. Not in a malicious way, Danny conceded, just in their general supercilious attitude. Supercilious was a new word to him and he liked the way it fitted both Cole and Randall. Mind you, the next appropriate adjective he discovered, he was keeping to himself. Sharing it had left Randall frowning and Cole livid and it had taken a swift move to avoid the blow Cole had aimed at his ear.
Words had power. That was a lesson Mark Barlow, the young Englishman who was employed as his tutor, hadn't had to teach him. As for his actual lessons…well, some subjects in the wide curriculum took better than others. Science and technology were never going to be his forte. English, he loved. Some aspects of Maths were a struggle but he was strong in mental arithmetic and geometry was a favourite.
Friday afternoons he enjoyed most. In the summer, they sat in the formal gardens and in the winter, they sat in the study with the fire and they sipped ginger beer or cocoa and Mark threw lateral thinking puzzles at him.
"There's glass on the floor and water and Antony and Cleopatra lie dead. Explain."
Danny's mind worked his way through them and out the other side and the challenge sparked within him. He did not like to be beaten and he refused to let Mark just tell him the answer. Sometimes, the trickiest problems would last days.
Part of his education was a regular cultural trip to the city; to a museum or art gallery and that was a source of wonder in itself. Riches from around the world that brought the reference library books at home to life. Danny could lose hours drinking in the colours and the artistry and the weight of the history on show.
"I suppose we could have a bite to eat here," Mark suggested hesitantly on their first trip.
Danny looked through the window of the fast food restaurant. People sitting and talking and eating and the door swung open and the buzz of normal life escaped. He nodded vigorously.
Mark still hesitated and Danny saw him fingering the dollar bills that constituted their allowance for the trip.
"Maybe we should look for a proper restaurant," Mark said with a sigh. "I'm not certain your family would want you to-"
"Oh, but if we eat here," Danny said quickly, "then we would have so much more money to spend inside the museum. On books," he added. "And stuff."
Mark looked at him and Danny could see by the crease in Mark's forehead and the set of his jaw that Mark really wanted to be swayed.
"What would you say if your father asked you what you'd eaten?" Mark said at last.
"I'd tell him I ate beef and salad," Danny said promptly. Judging by the picture in the window, lettuce accompanied the burger. That surely had to count as salad.
"Very well," Mark smiled.
After that, it was understood that part of the trip would also involve a visit to one or other fast food restaurant where Danny would sample fried chicken or hamburger or pizza. Danny was as certain as Mark that his father would disapprove of the setting and that lent the whole experience even more of a forbidden thrill.
One visit was responsible for Danny's introduction to a lifelong love. They were supposed to be heading to the Egyptian section and the mummies but they found the museum temporarily closed.
"Fire alarm," the official on the door explained. "Come back in an hour."
Disappointed, Danny had trailed after Mark down the street that ran along the back of the museum and only narrowly avoided running into the back of him when Mark stopped short.
"That's a wonderful film," said Mark.
Danny looked up at the little cinema that was showing "The Adventures of Robin Hood".
"Errol Flynn," Mark went on. "Basil Rathbone. Olivia de Havilland. It's terrific."
"We could go and see it," Danny suggested and this time, he really didn't have to work hard to sell the idea.
The movie was as terrific as Mark had said. Staring up at the big screen, Danny marvelled at the magic on display and it was as wonderful an escape as reading books.
That night, he lay in bed and he was Robin Hood. He was leading his men to steal from the rich and to give to the poor. And that thought made him think (again) about the man in black at the wedding. And about haves and have nots. Even Hollywood agreed with Luis.
Stealing. It was fast becoming an attractive option.
Mark and he had seen "Oliver!" – the trips to the museums and galleries were now regularly interspersed with movies – and they were sitting talking about Fagin and the Artful Dodger and eating chicken with their fingers and it tasted so good. The restaurant was busy and Danny was caught up in the people watching. Families arguing, mothers kissing their sons and wiping ketchup off their faces, a couple sitting in the window who - judging by the handholding - had to be on a first date.
Mark stepped away to the restroom and there was a girl wiping down tables. She smiled tiredly at Danny as she cleaned the table next to where he was sitting. "Lena" was her name according to her name badge and she looked exhausted. Danny smiled back at her and then it happened.
It happened in a hurry. A group of young boys pushed their way past Lena to get to the free table and she gave a sharp cry and disappeared on to the floor in a heap.
"While you're down there," one of them leered.
Lena got up, her face flushed and there was a chorus of wolfwhistles as she nearly ran back to the counter. There was sniggering and there was suggestion and Danny bit his lip and then his eyes fell on the back pocket of the nearest youth. The wallet was there, with notes peeking out and inviting him.
It was done in a moment and Danny could feel his heart racing as the wallet sat clutched in his hands under the table. Its owner hadn't missed it. And although he waited, there was no one interfering or shouting or doing anything. No one else had seen. Or if they had seen, they hadn't cared. Slowly, Danny's heartbeat returned to normal. And as Mark returned smiling to the table, he stood up and excused himself and headed to the bathroom.
In the cubicle he counted the money. Fifteen dollars. It wasn't much to him but he knew enough about how the world worked to know it would be a lot to Lena. He climbed up on to the seat and carefully left the wallet at the back of the cistern. Then he flushed the toilet and walked out of the restroom, the bills furled up in his hand.
Lena was at the counter, loading drinks on to a tray and it was a simple thing. He picked up a paper menu with one hand and deposited the notes in her apron pocket with the other. She didn't notice a thing. And though he waited again, no one shouted at him, no hand fell on his shoulder, no voice demanded to know what he thought he was doing.
All the journey home, he smiled to himself.
It was a couple of months later and there was unusual laughter and lightness floating through the house. Maria's cousin, Estella, was staying with her for a fortnight.
Everyone appeared to have taken notice of the new arrival; in her twenties, dark hair, flashing eyes and beautiful and lighting up every room she walked through. Luis was mostly on his best behaviour, only teasing Estella a little about her forthcoming marriage. Maria was obviously fond of her and delighted to see her. Danny's mother had taken one look at the younger woman and taken to her room. Danny's father, who had agreed that Estella could visit, stared at her every time he bumped into her as if surprised to find her in the house. Randall was tongue-tied and dumbstruck in her presence. Cole looked at her with interest as she walked past, her gaze low and demure. Mark blushed every time he saw her.
Danny was simply in love.
"And who is this young man?" she had smiled as he barrelled into the kitchen and come to a halt.
"This is Danny," Maria introduced.
"Pleased to meet you," she said solemnly, shaking his hand. "My name's Estella."
"Estella," he repeated and the name itself sounded exotic and lovely.
"I'm watching Maria bake," she said. "And listening to Luis's stories."
Two of his favourite things.
"Come and join me," she invited and he scrambled up on the stool next to her and listened to her laughter, natural and infectious, that flew into his heart and stayed there.
The conversation was around her wedding and the dress and her fiancé, Carlo. Carlo was apparently handsome and strong and kind and rich.
"Good," Danny approved without thinking as Estella described him and Luis smiled.
"Will he do?" Luis asked, amusement in his voice and Danny flushed.
Estella looked at him kindly.
"If he jilts me," she asked, "maybe you'd-"
"-oh, I would," he assured her earnestly and they all smiled.
Arms full of shopping, Maria and Estella came laughing through the door and neatly danced to avoid Mark and Danny standing in the hall.
"You look like you've had a successful trip," Mark said, standing a little taller, a little straighter.
"Too successful," Maria suggested, swinging the bags.
"Very successful." Estella's eyes were dancing. "I found some very pretty things."
They couldn't be as pretty as Estella, Danny thought and judging by the sigh in Mark's face, he obviously thought so too.
"This is a real talent you have," Maria scolded.
"For spending money?" Estella laughed. "One of my favourite pastimes."
"You like money?"
The four of them turned to see Cole on the stairs. Silence descended like a wet cloth on a fire. Cole walked down to the hall, arrogance in his every step and stood in front of them. Maria bowed her head and Estella's eyes were on the ground and Mark was nervously shifting his weight from one foot to another. Danny's jaw set and he glared at Cole. Dampening the atmosphere was something Cole specialised in.
"You've got somewhere else to be, I'm sure, Barlow."
Mark licked his lips and stuttered something about needing to get some reference material from the library and disappeared.
"Get lost," Cole muttered at Danny.
Danny stood his ground. "I'm helping." And he took a couple of bags from Estella, daring Cole to say something.
Cole dared.
"You want a hand," he murmured, leaning in to Estella, "I could always-"
"Come on, Estella," Danny interrupted, grabbing her hand. "You need to show me what you bought."
Estella let him pull her away and Maria followed and Danny threw a glance over his shoulder at Cole, frowning after them.
The next few days were special in Danny's memories. Estella spoke to him like Luis and Maria did. Like an adult. She listened to him too. Like Luis did. Like Maria did. Like he mattered.
"Estella. It means "star"," Mark told him and there was a hint of dreamy wistfulness in his voice that Danny empathised with.
"Star". It suited her. Shining and wonderful and special. And she deserved something just as marvellous. Something to remember her visit (to remember him, maybe?). Danny knew just what.
His mother's bedroom was a forbidden place, a holy of holies that Danny dared not enter without invitation. Except that for Estella, he would. No one was around and he took the opportunity to creep across soft carpet and to lift the lid of the jewellery box on the dressing table.
He drew out the bottom drawer and he picked up the diamond pendant that his mother had worn last Christmas day and never again. It sparkled in his fingers as they closed around it. His mother had so many necklaces, so many strings of jewels, she would never miss this one. Not for the longest of times if at all.
"You wanted to see me, sir."
Her voice was strong and there was an underlying insolence in there that Cole longed to crush. He'd been yearning to do so since she arrived and walked past him with an inappropriate haughtiness. This was her last day and his last chance.
"Yes. I wanted to see you."
Cole sat behind the desk in his father's study and let his gaze trawl over this pretty thing. Pretty. And he wanted it. Money bought everything.
He laid the cash on the desk and saw the frown.
"I want to see what you will do," he said simply.
The frown disappeared and her eyes flashed with anger. "You think you can buy me? You think I'm to be bought?"
"Everyone can be bought."
"Not me! Never me!"
"Everyone," he insisted. It was completely his experience. Money made the world go around.
"You think I am some sort of whore?" Estella spat.
He stood up and walked round the desk, grabbed the money and her bag and stuffed the notes inside.
"Take it," Cole said.
"Never!"
She upended the bag on the desk and the bundle of bills tipped out along with lipstick, a lace handkerchief, a coin purse, a compact mirror, a pen, a packet of mints and a diamond necklace that had no business being there. They both stared at it. Then Cole reached out and held it up so that it gleamed in the light.
"This is my father's wife's…" he said slowly and he looked at her face, puzzled and uncomprehending and he moved imperceptibly so that he was in between her and the door.
She blinked at him. "I…I didn't…I don't know…I…"
She didn't take it. She didn't know. Barlow, no doubt. Cole had seen the lovestruck look on the man's face. Man was a long streak of educated piss but he had fallen hard and fast. Idiot. Doubtless wanted to impress this Hispanic tart with the long legs. Doubtless wanted to give her something to remember him by. Well, so did he. And now...now, he could.
There was triumph in his eyes and she saw it and stepped back at the same time as he reached out and grabbed her arm.
"You can keep the necklace," he offered and she slapped him.
He let go of her arm and slapped her back, just as hard and fast and she let out a cry.
"My taxi's-"
"-not here yet," he said and victory was approaching.
"Please," she breathed and she was frightened and he loved the power and the control in this one moment. "Please. I'm getting married next month."
He tilted his head on one side and looked at her appraisingly. "I'm a reasonable man."
Conquest was inexorable.
"Taxi's arrived," Luis said, coming back into the hall where Estella's bags were stacked. "Where's the bride to be?"
Danny and Mark were waiting with Maria to say goodbye. Danny hoped it wouldn't be the last they saw of Estella. She was magical. Glancing up at Mark, he thought it likely that he wasn't the only one hoping.
Maria frowned. "I'm not-"
The door to the study opened and Estella walked out. Her usual sure step was shaky. Her lipstick was a little smeared. Her eyes were on the carpet. Maria moved forward and there was a string of questions in hot Spanish that had Estella shaking her head, slowly, insistently and then:
"De nada!" she exclaimed and raised her eyes and looked at Maria.
Danny saw. Saw the flushed cheeks and the tears that Estella wasn't going to let fall. Saw the pride in her eyes and the answer she wasn't giving. Maria stepped back and there was pain in her face and she closed her eyes and swayed for a moment.
Then Estella moved. She flashed a bright surface smile at Mark and she pressed her lips to Danny's forehead and Luis's cheek and hugged Maria fiercely and she was out of the door and gone.
The others trailed out after her, Luis and Mark carrying the bags, Maria clutching her arms around herself. Danny glanced at the study door. Cole was leaning in the doorway watching them go, his expression as satisfied as Danny had seen it. Danny thought for a second that he saw something twinkling in Cole's hand. Then Cole's hand disappeared into his pocket and his gaze fell on Danny and he jutted out his chin.
"You got something to say?"
More than Cole would ever listen to. Danny thought about Estella's face and he didn't know the details but he knew Cole was the reason. Cole was definitely the reason. And his hands tightened into little impotent fists.