To Have and To Hold

Chapter 22

It was so very, very tempting! But no- violence would not serve a greater purpose here.

On one hand, what Michael really wanted to do was punch the flipping idiot in the mouth. For old time sake- and for having found out he had actually dared to lay a hand- and more, even if only slightly more,- on his wife while the ink on the divorce papers was still bleeding onto the carpet. On the other hand- Danman's face was priceless. There were many different ways to get revenge- and Michael was just getting started with the fool.

Surprisingly, Lisa played along- or maybe she simply was too worn out to fight back. Of course he knew what her outbreak of sudden humor was about. Inside, she was probably shaking her head at his cockiness. He could just hear her say, "Michael you're too fucking much." But yea, so what? Hearing her laugh almost made his mad-dash to get to her worth it. No, no almost to it. He had been frantic for two days, while he was trapped playing happy husband with Debbie, having some public appearances he could, hard as he tried, not postpone.

Those two days were a horrible blur. He had no idea what he had done, whom he had shaken hands with, or what he had said or done. He remembered the omnipresent flashlights, lighting the highway of his racing thoughts as he feared he would be too late. Janet was his lifeline- and she kept him as informed as possible, which obviously was difficult, as Priscilla tried her best to monopolize any information. Then, first the incredible relief that she had indeed, not attempted suicide, followed by renewed concern about her having had gallbladder surgery. Of all the things? It all sounded so wrong.

Once he received the information about which hospital she was in, he ordered crazy amounts of flowers and stuffed animals. If she ever had thought she had not been on his mind, he would certainly correct that impression. True, he had pretended to be over her, to have evicted her from his heart, but seriously? Why would she ever believe that- even for one minute? Had she been able to fall out of love with him just because they were apart for a bit? He certainly hoped not. So, why so little faith in him?

Possibly, because you had it conveyed to her that you folded and slept with Debbie.

No. He swallowed and fought down the nausea. It had not happened like that. He had simply converted a slight loop hole in a perfect plan to an ironclad remedy. Lisa would understand. She loved her kids- she would do anything for them. So, how could she hold against him that he had to ensure to keep his children? Basically, it was the gross equivalent of a handshake. He shuddered. It was done- over with, and he now could venture forward.

When Lisa had brought it up last night, he almost was stunned.

Yes, Mike, funny, how just because you pretend something didn't happen, others have a longer memory.

If he could take back one thing, it would be the idiotic, vengeful move to fill Lisa in. She would never have known. She would never have believed it. Heck, there were times, he didn't believe it.

Unlike when she told him about Danny- which he knew to be true the moment he heard the words hit his heart like blow darts. No, he would never forget that this opportunist once again had swooped down on Lisa when she had been weak. That man was dangerous- seemed like he had seriously underestimated him. Before, he simply thought he was annoying. Now- he wondered how much damage Keough and his damn cult had caused Lisa.

Walking into the room last night, he had been shocked to see how pale and frail she looked. How much weight had she lost since November? She had already been tiny then- and now she looked downright anorexic. Delicate...vulnerable... Stepping up to her bed, his fingers had brushed her cheek to assure himself she was alive. The most perfect Sleeping Beauty. His poor little girl. Tears had flooded his eyes.