Toto and the Boys III: Dannie

Chapter 8

A piece of the past…

If there was anything that her parents liked about her going to school was that she was friends with people who had money, most especially George.

Her friends came to visit her and though she told them she caught a cold, she knew they did not believe her. Jackie couldn’t take her eyes away from the fresh bruises on her arms and George couldn’t help the gritting of her teeth.

Her parents weren’t around so they were able to have a quick chat before they arrived. They talked with Tessa more cheerfully with promises of visiting more often if they could.

“You should go home,” Dannie told them a while later. “Your parents will be worried. Can you tell Ms. Salazar I won’t be back until next week?”

Jackie’s eyes returned to her bruises but did not say a word. Both her friends nodded their heads and walked out the door with their goodbyes.

*****

The following week, Dannie had to tell her parents they needed to go to school.

“We did not force you to go to that stupid school. Why would we go?” her mother cried out even before she finished.

“Okay,” she answered without any argument.

Ms. Salazar had noticed the bruises in her arms and wanted to see her parents. It was not the first time. Dannie would have to tell another lie.

PRESENT DAY

Dannie later found herself facilitating the games for the children. Because Troy’s dad had a lot of prizes to give, the games went on for hours until the children were completely exhausted and fell asleep in their parents’ arms. Troy had been busy taking photos of the games and Dannie with her on-the-spot task of providing the games.

“Come on, kids, it’s time to sleep,” Troy told his cousins. All of them followed him upstairs, their eyes groggy and their steps slow. “Careful, careful. Come one, just a few more steps, guys,” he said as he bent down to pick up the smallest girl in the group and carried her all the way to the top of the stairs.

Dannie tore her eyes away from them when they disappeared from view and looked around the messy living room. The adults had slowly walked out to the veranda for more small talks while some were already in bed.

“I hope you enjoyed the crazy party, Danica,” Troy’s dad said beside her. She did not notice him approach. His cheeks were red from all the laughter earlier and his eyes twinkled as he stared at the top of the empty staircase as if he could still see Troy and the children in their rooms.

“Yes, I did, Mr. Brady.”

“How many times have I told you? It’s just Ron.”

“How about Tito?”

He sighed. “Okay. Tito is fine. I still find that word weird but it’s better than Mr. Brady.”

Dannie let out a small laugh.

“Troy couldn’t stop talking about you since you came back, you know.”

Dannie looked at him and met his sideway gaze. Mr. Brady laughed at her appalled reaction. “You would be more surprised to know how much he talked about your for years, Danica.”

Her mouth fell open. Troy told his dad?

The laughter in Mr. Brady’s voice did not waver as he said, “I knew he was in love even before he realized it. You are a household name around here, Danica.” Again, there as laughter. “And he calls you Danica while everyone else refers to you as Dannie.