It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. -Aristotle Onassis
Rev. John Perry seemed to have the right words to say to the court system when it came to Danny Desai being homeschooled for a month. Danny was supposed to be ill but not doctor diagnosed. The judge presiding over the private hearing to allow Danny furlough from attending school assumed that Danny had a mental break down. After all, the teen had been through emotional turmoil of having to kill his father to protect himself as well as the town treating him like a Pariah for a murder he didn't commit. That assumption was close to being correct. However, no one in the know mentioned the use of drugs as the main culprit. Blake was granted temporary custody of Danny for his best interest. Karen was eager to help her son. Therefore, she signed willingly.
Jack Taylor was the one who threw a fit when he found out Danny was not going to be residing in the house with them.
"Jack, he's only staying with Mr. Simms for a month." Karen assured him. "He needs this. Everything in this house is a reminder of Vikram and Tara. He'll be back and Danny will be better than ever."
"Are you sure there isn't more to this, Karen?" Jack asked as he massaged Karen's shoulders.
Karen hated being deceitful to her new husband. However, she'd do anything to protect the most important person in her life. That person was Danny.
"I'm sure that Danny needs time away from this place." Karen smiled genuinely. "We can both visit."
"Fine." Jack conceded realizing that Karen was going to forego mentioning her son was a drug abuser. Jack took in a deep breath. "Do you think Danny would like to go sailing with me? Just me and him. I can teach him to sail. I remember he used love sailing when he was a boy."
"I don't see a problem with that." Karen hoped that may help Danny. He needed a father figure in his life. It seemed as if Jack was willing to step into that role.
"Good." Jack leaned to give Karen a quick peck on the lips. "I'm going to make us a great dinner."
"You don't have to cook, Jack." Karen started to stand up. Jack pushed her back down gently by her shoulders.
"Nonsense. You're stressed." Jack insisted. "Relax."
Karen agreed with a nod. Jack left the room to speak to Whitney.
"Go work your charm on her." Jack whispered to his daughter. "She isn't going to let you near Danny again knowing you gave him drugs."
Whitney crossed her arms over her chest as she whispered back. "What is plan B? The drug abuse isn't going to work now."
"Well, the way I see it. Once an abuser always an abuser. I think my dear stepson is going to have one last bout with his addiction. He will be sailing and high. Poor guy will drown at sea like his daddy faked doing. When Kyle Masterson and I happen to find his washed up body, it will be obvious in the autopsy that Danny had shot up on drugs. So sad."
Whitney grinned wickedly. "That will take a while to get him sailing by himself."
"Patience is my strong suit, Daughter. I've waited for years to have what I wanted from Vikram Desai. A few more months won't hurt. Besides, he won't exactly be by himself now will he? You aren't lacking in any props from this." Jack winked. "No go make nice with your new Mommy."
Whitney planted a sad look on her face as she walked into the living room of the Desai home. "Karen, may I talk to you?" Karen glanced up at her. "It is about Danny."
Karen straightened her shoulders. "I guess. What is it, Whitney?"
Whitney could hear the obvious anger in Karen's voice. She sat cautiously beside of Karen before placing her hands over her face and feigning an outbreak of tears. "I gave Danny one of my mother's old prescriptions for drugs once. He was having nightmares and I heard him screaming out." Whitney gulped. "I wanted to help but I think he kept taking them. I'm not sure. I researched the drugs later and found out they were very addictive. I only wanted to help him. He's been so nice to me. I wanted to return the favor. Mom took them for sleep. I thought they were safe. I don't know how he got more but I think I saw him taking more." A strained sob came from Whitney's throat. "You need to ask him if he's okay. I'm afraid to. I know he has been gone two weeks but I'm worried about him. I should've said something earlier. I didn't want to get Danny into trouble. I'm so sorry."
Karen's heart broke for the teen girl. She placed her arms around Whitney. "It's okay. I know you were only trying to help. Don't worry. Danny isn't on drugs. I promise. But never take or give prescription drugs again. That can be very dangerous."
"I won't. I promise." Whitney wiped her hand over her wet eyes. Her dad paying for all those acting classes definitely paid off. "I hope he's okay. Jo and I have been hanging out as friends. We were worried. I never mentioned the drugs to her."
"Don't." Karen warned. "Her dad is chief of police. Besides, Danny broke up with her and I wouldn't want her to be angry and tell that."
"Yeah. She's heartbroken but she knows how Lacey and Danny are." Whitney fiddled with the hem of her shirt.
"How are Danny and Lacey according to Jo?" Karen's voice had an edge of sharpness to it. Whitney caught on and realized to tread carefully.
She shrugged nonchalantly before answering Karen. "Really physical. Jo said she wanted to wait for marriage or at least to date a guy for a long time. Not to mention that is an adult act not meant for teens' emotions. Lacey and Danny are ...Ummmm...not the type to wait or care about the emotional more than the physical. Jo understands that a teen boy would prefer that in his girlfriend. She said she was only sorry she couldn't be that girl for him due to her set of morals and values were different." Whitney breathed out. "Not that she was judging. Jo and I see eye to eye on that because of how my mom's boyfriend was."
Karen closed her eyes trying to keep her anger at bay at Jo trying to belittle Lacey to Whitney. Karen remembered how fond Whitney was of Lacey when first coming to Green Grove. Jo was always such an attention getter. "Don't listen to Jo. Danny and Lacey are fine."
Whitney stood up. "Good. Lacey is a great person and Danny is too. Thanks for listening."
"No problem, Sweetie. Thanks for telling the truth." Karen smiled as she opened her book to read.
Whitney walked out grinning widely. Jack laughed when he saw his daughter walk into the kitchen where he was putting the last touches on dinner. "I take it went well."
"Yes, it did." Whitney sat on a stool. "Karen believes I'm the one being conned by Jo Masterson. Poor me. I'm being so used."
"Good girl." Jack motioned to the vegetables laying on the counter. "Now, make a salad so we can impress Karen even more."
Some how Danny had managed to brave the elements so to speak. He had went one month without falling back into the pitfalls of doing drugs. However, that month came with unexpected complications from Lacey. She was dealing with her own type of demons. Temptation to be with Danny physically had been on the cusp of each of their minds. Therefore, Lacey came up with a plan she felt would help their situation.
Danny was going back to school after the month long hiatus, which his parole officer had worked out for his benefit.
The first day back to Green Grove High for Danny was also a day where Lacey and he decided to work on friendship more than a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship at the moment. Lacey's new plan for their situation. And while Lacey was taking to their new arrangement like a duck to water, Danny didn't care to ONLY be Lacey's friend for now. He was also stressing about the whispers and stares he was receiving.
Danny Desai was used to attention from individuals judging him. However, this was different. Some looks were of distain, some of pity, and some of total indifference. However, all were looks due to Danny being on drugs. Unfortunately, Danny knew it and recognized it immediately.
In the juvie times in Danny's life, he'd have bashed a few male skulls for staring. After all, he had been stared at before by his peers in juvie due to his multiple bruising from their hands. He had put more than a few bruises on the boys that stared as well.
This was different. He was trying to live what he felt was a better life. Not that he wanted to change all things about himself. However, Danny was out to prove that he could be the kind of boy that Lacey's God would allow in Lacey's life. He still loved her. He needed to prove to himself, Lacey , Judy and even God, if there was one, that he would do well by her.
Lacey walked up and placed her books into her locker. A couple of boys introduced themselves as it was already around school that Lacey was single again. She smiled sweetly as she shut her locker. Adam and Isaac watched with a laugh as Danny's jaw twitched. Jealousy was a very obvious trait when caring for Lacey Porter.
However, Lacey was having her own jealous moments. Her demeanor was more hiding of it. She would giggle as she tried to ignore the many leering eyes of females on Danny. It wouldn't have been so bad if she could lay claim to him as her boyfriend. But they weren't a couple and the females at Green Grove High were definitely happy that Danny was back at school.
Danny seemed to be less like his cocky self than when he was in the security of Blake's home. He seemed ashamed. Lacey wanted to hold his hand and reassure him it was all going to be okay. However, how would he interpret that? Lacey didn't want to give him false hope of them. She wasn't ready for a 'them' yet. She wasn't sure she would be again after the pain of their past. But she knew for sure she loved him deeply. Sometimes that wasn't enough. Lacey had prayed about her life and decided that Danny and she needed to rebuild what had been torn apart starting with friendship. After that, their romantic relationship would be worked on.
Danny wished he could hide away somewhere. He wished that Jo was there to make over him like he was a hero. He wished his dad was there to blame his emotional scars on. However, he had faced he was the one to blame.
"Danny…" Lacey touched his arm as he stared into his locker trying to escape the stares from his peers. Her voice was in a soft whisper for only him to hear. "Can I pray with you?"
"What?" Danny turned to look at the sweet angel next to him. "What did you say?"
Lacey tiptoed up so that her lips pressed against his ear. "Can I pray for you?"
Danny's eyes misted up slightly but he held back the tears. He half smiled. "That obvious?"
Lacey went back on her heels. She smiled sweetly as she ran her hand over his arm comfortingly. "No. I just know you better than most people know you."
"Please." Danny swallowed as he said the word.
"Huh?" Lacey's eyes fluttered confused as she stared up at the gorgeous boy before her.
Danny pulled Lacey very close. He whispered into her ear as she had his. Anyone that witnessed the two would have thought that they were being super sexy and flirty. However, unbeknown to the students that gazed their way, that was far from what was transpiring.
His words caused Lacey to pull him closer and close her eyes as she squeezed him. His hushed whisper sounded in a plea.
"Please. Pray for me."
Sorry for such a long delay. I am having some health issues but God is taking care of that. I am very thankful for all of those who are still responding and reading. Reviews are something that helps a writer to know if the story is still liked. So please leave a review on what you think so far. I hope I still have readers.
For the guest that questioned my deleting tumblr. I am glad you liked it. However, I was having a difficult time keeping profanity and nudity off my dashboard. I deleted people I followed often and it would still pop up. I felt it would be easier to delete than deal with.
God bless and I hope I can get to updating regularly again.