The Existence of Reconcilable Differences

Chapter Three

Since it was her first night at the house, Dani expected Gunner to join them for dinner. But, he refused. Instead, he came downstairs – fresh and clean – snatched his plate of food, looked at Dani and Mary who sat innocently at the table, and retreated upstairs to his room.

"... Are you sure he's okay?" Dani had to ask.

"Yup." Mary stuttered and took a wide-eyed gulp of wine.

Dani chose not to go further into the conversation. She wanted to pry but she didn't want to pry. Instead, she took things in a different direction. The usual: hobbies, playing pool, and the divorce, which had been an interesting talk.

"George had been cheating with, guess who."

"His secretary." It was obvious.

"Yup. The typical. I cried for nights on end. Until one day, I caught myself sobbing uncontrollably over the kitchen sink, and, just like that, I magically stopped. No pain, no heartbreak. Honestly, I felt happy that we were getting a divorce."

"Well... you're taking it like a champ. Has the divorce been finalized?"

"We're in the process. It's almost over. Thank God." Mary jumped up on her feet and proceeded to wash the dishes.

Dani felt the urge to say something that she knew would most likely bother Mary,"... I'd like to visit Gregory's gravesite one of these days."

Mary pumped her brakes.

She turned to face her goddaughter, "Yes, of course." Mary tried to hold her composure, still, Dani knew that a chord was struck.

Dani chewed on the inside of her cheek while blankly staring at her laptop, wondering what she should do. All that bounced around her mind was Gunner and how close but far he was. She looked at her bedroom door, closed her eyes, and imagined him opening the door to hand her a delicate, warm smile.

She opened her eyes again and felt a draft of emptiness sink into her chest.

Suddenly, the door opened.

It was Mary.

"Hey, just checking on you. Can't sleep?" She closed the door behind her and sat next to Dani.

"Nope, still up." She sniffed.

"Dani... I want to apologize for Gunner's behavior."

"Oh no, Mary, it's not your fault– "

Mary stopped her. "I know it's not, I just feel like I should apologize on his behalf..."

"I wish he'd lighten up to me. He acts like we didn't fight bullies and build sandcastles together."

"Yeah..."

"Maybe, he's upset that I didn't show up to the funeral..."

Mary gave a noticeable pause and said, "Yeah, maybe... I'm gonna head to bed now. Waffles for breakfast tomorrow?" Mary started to the door and Dani could tell by the outline of her cheeks, she had been smiling.

"Waffles sound amazing." Dani slipped underneath the covers.

"Good night, sweetie."

"Good night Mom."

The Sandman didn't visit her that night. She tossed and turned until she gave up on trying. Throwing the sheet over to the other side of the bed, she sat up and huffed like a grumpy child.

With eyes locked on her bedroom door, she thought, "Maybe Gunner's still awake."

She took careful steps to his bedroom which was a little further down the hall and diagonal from hers. The light shined at the bottom and she gently knocked. He didn't answer.