Destiny's Three Stars

9

"My mother was a clever woman. She knew exactly how to push dad's buttons and piss him off. Yet he loved her." Michael said, his voice quiet. His brows were furrowed and his lips were turned down.

"Is she... still alive?"

He shook his head and glanced at a woman and a young girl walking past. "She got sick when I was younger. Cancer."

"I'm sorry." I wasn't in the accident that killed my parents. They were on their way home when the car skidded off the road and crashed. They weren't killed right away. I remember sitting in the hospital waiting room when Nona came out to tell me they had passed. I had no idea I would move in with her, Morta, and Decuma just days later. I didn't know who or what they were.

"She was human. Dad doesn't have much control over humans. Only their decision making and whatnot. He couldn't... stop it."

I took his hand and squeezed it. "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

He laughed and it seemed he'd cheered up a bit. "Thankfully, no. It's just dad and I. No cousins or anything. What about you?"

I shook my head. "Just me. I had grandparents and my dad had a brother but they passed before my parents."

"That's why the girls took you in."

I nodded.

"Do you think God would ever do that for me?" He asked softly, staring down at our hands that hadn't separated yet.

"Not to sound too much like the girls but yes. I think he would, regardless of who your father is."

"I'm really glad you agreed to come out with me tonight." He said after we walked for several minutes in silence. Somehow, we ended up back at his car.

I didn't think I'd like going out with him. I didn't think he could have anything positive to offer after learned about his father's identity. But he wasn't his father and his father's actions weren't his own. He was helping others and that spoke volumes about his character. "Me too."

"I'm sure Nona's worried about you being out so late."

"Why do you so that?"

"She's texted you at least seven times so far."

I pulled my phone from my pocket and there were seven messages from her, all asking where I was. How had I not heard the alert? "Oh."

"I don't want her to think anything bad has happened to you."

"Michael-"

He laughed it off and held open my door for me. "I would be worried too."

I held his gaze, trying to see through this... facade he was putting up but there was nothing. His smile was genuine and his eyes were bright. I got into the car and told Nona we were leaving.

We held small talk on the way back and I found myself secretly wishing the night wasn't over. Taking a walk through the park wasn't my idea of a first date but was that what we were doing? Was this a first date? No, it couldn't be. I told myself it wasn't going to be a first date. So why was I so upset the night was over?

When he pulled up to the house, I tried to conceal the sadness I felt. We were having such a good time. At least I was.

Michael laughed and I stared at him, totally confused as to what was going on. What was so funny?

"What?"

"Nona's staring at us through the window." He nodded his head at the house. I saw Nona watching us from her bedroom window and I silently cursed myself for letting her have that bedroom when we moved in together.

"Of course she is." I mumbled.

"In all fairness, you didn't tell her you were going out with me tonight."

"It wouldn't have been just a 'walk in the park' if I had."

"Funny." He said, waving at Nona.

She waved back but she wasn't smiling. She looked like was deep in thought and I was sure she was coming up with ways to get back at me.

"We should do this again." I said, without thinking. I looked at Michael and his eyebrows were raised. He probably wasn't expecting me to say that and honestly, I was surprised as well.

"I'd like that."

I got out of the car and said my final goodbye before walking up to the house. Nona was opening the door just as I stepped up to it.

"Why didn't you tell me? What - You wore that?" She asked, giving my outfit a glance.

I rolled my eyes. "It was just a walk in the park and I didn't want you to make me look-"

"Like what? Like you're interested in him? You can do that yourself, you know."

"What?"

"You were all over him in his car." She said, closing the door behind me. She sat down on the couch and grabbed the ice cream tub that sat on the coffee table.

"We were just talking."

"You said 'we should do this again.'"

"I - You heard that?" I knew her hearing was good but I didn't know it was that good.

"For someone that doesn't like him, you're coming on a bit strong."

"I-"Did I seriously have feelings for Michael? I sighed and sat down beside her. "What's wrong with the dress?"

"I would've let you wear jeans." She mumbled, looking upset. Not telling her was worse than telling her I didn't want her help. It was like I was shutting her out completely. Like I didn't trust her. That wasn't the case at all.

"I'm sorry."

"You should be." She handed the ice cream over to me. "For that, you have to go shopping with me tomorrow."

I groaned. "Oh come on. Can't I just say I'm sorry and tell you it won't happen again?"

"Forget it, Des. We're going and you're not backing out now."