This Is Me Trying

Chapter Fifteen

Betty

I woke up and got dressed for work, dragging myself through my morning routine. These early morning shoots were starting to get old.

I grabbed my back pack, and walked out to the living room to see Danielle dressed in her pajamas sitting on the couch drinking coffee.
"Hey Dani. Do you not work today?" I asked as I sat next to her.
"No kid. I don't feel good. I called out. Jaina is stopping by and picking you up." She gave me a small smile. I could tell she had been crying all night, her eyes were red and puffy.

"Are you okay? Have you been crying?" I asked worriedly.
"No, I'm okay kid. I've just got a headache. Have a good day at work, okay? Either Jaina or Barrett is gonna bring you home." She leaned over and kissed the top of my head, and I wrapped my arms around her in a hug.
"Wether it's a headache or not, I love you and it'll be okay." I said as I squeezed her one last time.
We heard a car horn outside the house, "You better get going kid. I'll see you after work. I love you."

I walked outside and got in Jaina's car.
"Hey mija! How was your night?" She asked as she started the drive to the studio.
"It was okay. Yours?"
"Boring as usual." She chuckled.

"Jaina? What's wrong with Danielle?"
Jaina shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "It's really not my thing to tell."
"Jaina. I'm worried about her. She looked like she had been crying all night."
"She's gonna talk to you when you get home. Okay mija? Just don't worry about it till then." Jaina smiled at me and put the car in park at the studio.

"Thanks for the ride Barrett! I'll see you Saturday, right?"
"I wouldn't miss it girlie. Have a great night!"
I waved as she drove away, and I walked inside. I found Danielle in the same position, and in the same clothes I left her in this morning.
"Dani?" I asked quietly.
She jumped and looked at me, "Hey kiddo. How was work?"
"It was okay. Are you gonna tell me what's wrong now?" I sat next to her.

"Betty. This is really difficult for me to say. And I want you to know, that both Stefania and I love you very much. Stefania and I broke up."
"What? Why? When?" I asked.
"We just had some differences is all. We moved too fast. Stefania and I have agreed that if you want to, you can go to her house a few times during the week to spend the night and spend time with her."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine kiddo. I got my favorite girl here." She reached over and put an arm over my shoulder.
"I'm sorry Dani." I pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks kid. Hey, let's order Chinese food, stuff our faces with candy, and watch movies. Does that sound like fun?"
"Do you want me to invite Barrett and Jaina? Or your other friends? Would that help?" I asked.
"Yeah. You can invite Jaina and Barrett."
"Okay. You go take a shower and get changed into new pajamas. I'll call Jaina and Barrett and order the food."
"When did you get so grown up?" Danielle asked with a small laugh.
"I have a good role model. Now go get showered stinky." I nudged her.
"Hey! I don't stink!" Danielle stuck out her tongue as she walked into her bedroom.

"Dani! Barrett and Jaina are here!"
"And we brought candy!" Jaina exclaimed as they walked in.
"Hey guys." Danielle walked into the kitchen, freshly showered and in new clothes.
"Here. Eat chocolate." Barret handed her a grocery bag full of candy.
"Thanks guys. I'm not in the mood for chocolate yet though. Maybe after dinner." She put the bag down and walked into the living room.

"See? I told you guys. She's not acting like herself." I whispered to them.
"She'll be fine. She just needs a few days to deal with it." Barrett whispered.

The doorbell rang, and I walked to the door and grabbed the Chinese food from the delivery driver.
"Dani! Foods here!" I put the take out on the kitchen table and pulled out everyone's boxes.

Danielle walked into the kitchen and silently took her box of food.
"What movie do you wanna watch tonight? We can watch Practical Magic like the first night I stayed the night?"

Danielle shook her head no.

"Okay, uh what else? Jaina? Barrett?" I looked at them for help.
"What about-"

"Guys. I appreciate your help. I really do. But I think everyone coming over was a mistake. I really just want to be alone." Danielle got up from the couch and walked to her bedroom.

"You wanna stay the night with me mija?" Jaina asked softly.
"Yeah. Let me pack a bag real quick." I walked to my room, and threw some clothes in my bag.

I walked to Danielle's room and knocked on the door. "Hey, I'm gonna stay the night at Jaina's. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."
"I love you too kid."

I woke up the next morning next to Jaina.
"Morning Mija. Neither one of us have to work today, so I figured I'd let you sleep in." She said as she typed on her phone.
"Morning. What time is it?"
"Almost ten."

"I think I'm gonna call Stef and see what she's doing." I grabbed my phone and walked out of Jaina's room and dialed Stefania's number.

"Ciao Betty." Carina answered with a broken voice, like she had been crying too.
"Hey Stef. What are you doing today?"
"Nothing. Why? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just miss hanging out with you is all."

"Do you want to come to my house for a bit? If it's okay with Danielle I mean."
"I stayed the night at Jaina's house, I'm sure Danielle won't mind."
"I'll pick you up in ten."

"Hey." I got in Stefania's car.
"Ciao bambina." She reached over and hugged me tightly. "I miss seeing you every day."

"Me too Stef."
"What do you want to do today?"
I looked at Stefania for the first time since I got in the car. Her face was puffy and red, her eyes were missing the light they had behind them before.
"Whatever you want to do. I just missed you and Jeff."
"Let's go to my house so you can see her."

My phone rang as Stefania drove us to her house.
"Hey Dani." I answered.
"Hey kiddo. You still with Jaina?"
"Ah no. Stef just came and picked me up to spend time with her and Jeff. Is that okay?"
"Oh. Yeah that's fine. What time are you gonna be home?"
"What time do you want me home?"
"Is four okay? It gives you time to spend with her. And I have something for us to do later too."
"Okay. I'll be home by four. Love you Dani."
"Love you too kiddo."

"How uh... how is Danielle?" Stefania asked as I hung up the phone.
"Honestly? Terrible. I don't know if I should be telling you or not, but I don't care. She's taking it hard, and you look like you are too. I don't know why you broke up, but you two need to fix it."
"Betty... I don't think it can be fixed."
"You love her right?"

We pulled up to Stefania's house and got out.
"Of course I do. But I don't think this can be fixed bambina."
We walked inside and Jeff ran over to me.
"Hi baby! I missed you!"