My phone rings, a different ring, all my body shivers, it was seven am and of course I hadn't slept.
"you can come pick me up at the airport"
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Was she crazy? Absolutely. Was I crazy for her? Absolutely.
I grabbed my coat and ran downstairs to find the keys for one of my cars.
-What are you doing crazy woman?- Claire stands on the stairs as I put on my shoes.
-Danielle is back, she asked me to pick her up.
-Oh wow, okay, sure you can drive?
-I can.
****
I was in my car waiting for her when I heard the back door open, she puts her bag in, and goes around sitting in the passenger seat. She didn't look at me.
-I have so many questions.
-I can answer them all, I'm willing to do anything.
-She's seventeen, almost eighteen. You have an adult at your house and you didn't find it important to tell me?
-I did, believe me I did, but then we started a relationship and I find out you didn't want kids...I got scared you would leave me...
-You're putting the blame on me?
-No, no absolutely not, I lost courage, I was a coward I know. She is always at college so I never bothered to hide her or anything.
-There isn't any pictures at the house, does she even have a room?
-She has it's...
-It's the locked room! How dumb of me!
-I am so sorry about all this mess, I'm aware that hiding it just made it harder.
-Glad you know that.
Silence, all the way to her apartment, I parked the car and looked at her.
-Forgive me.
-I can't.
-Danielle.
-It'll take time.
-Try to know her.
-Stefania I was a twenty five year old single woman just coming out of an abusive relationship and suddenly I'm dating a famous woman with an eighteen year old daughter! This is too much.
-Please.
Took a deep breath before answering me- When?
-Uhm, tonight?
-Can't, I have dinner plans.
-Dinner plans- I repeated that looking the other way.
-With Jess.
-After that then, we usually stay up late.
-I will be there- Sighed.
-Really?
-Yes.
-Thank you.
We stayed looking at each other for a while until she turns to open her door.
-I need to sleep before going out.
-I'm sorry, again.
-I bet you are.
-I love you- I whisper, she looks at me before turning around with her bag and stepping inside the building.
I make my way home, nervous to have Danielle home tonight, in the same environment as my daughter.
-Can I make you a list of things for you to buy or are you too busy?- I ask Red, she stops what she's doing to look at me.
-I went shopping yesterday.
-I know.
-Is she back?
-She is- I sit watching her prepare something on the stove.
-To you?
-To LA, not really sure if she wants me back.
-If she's coming over than it's a chance you have to make things right.
-Make things right? Did you talk to her?- Claire enters the kitchen, I nod.
-That's great!
-I asked her to meet you, in the right terms this time.
-She said yes?
-She was relutante, but yes.
-So we have things planned with your girlfriend?
-Is she still that?- I ask, we all laugh nervously.
-Well I hope so because you make the hottest couple- We hear Jaina.
-She's right- Caterina whispers.
-Why is everyone in my house at eight in the morning?
-We have a photoshoot.
-Oh my god! Jessica, she's going to kill me.
I quickly get up and they laugh.
-This is the Danielle Savre influence everyone!- Jaina yells before we're out of the house.
