Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers - Chapters 76-84

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Chapter 76
Pack Your Bags

The Eastern Sphere of Eternity - Horizon Terrace
Time Elapsed Since the Milky Way's Public Unveiling: 3 Days (Eternity Saving Time)

Danielle leaned on the rail of her condo balcony. The sunshine blazed orange against a scarlet sky. A cloud formation took the shape of a squid wrapping its tentacles around an ocean liner.

She couldn't believe it. She couldn't fucking believe it.

            A tear tumbled down her cheek, off the balcony and then into the wide expanse of Eternity. It evaporated into the ether, returning to its essence, a part of everything once again. From behind, two arms wrapped around her waist. She could feel warm lips on her neck. The tiny hairs on her earlobe tingled. "Mm ... Hi, Baby."

            Donald held her snug in that way he did, reminding her that no matter where they were, she could always close her eyes and fall back on her heels, and he would be there. Not holding her up, but holding her. "I wasn't sure you'd be back," she said. "I just didn't know ..." Danielle reached behind her, grazed the side of his face. Yeah. It's really him. She turned to face her husband, Donald's presence exuding a warmth greater to her than the distant sun. She squeezed him tight. "Oh, Baby. Oh ..."

            Donald whispered in her ear. "We have to go."

            Danielle shuddered. It's all over. "So we outta here? We leavin'?"

            "Well." Donald led her back inside. "Kind of."

            Danielle felt the sun on her back, afraid to take even one more step inside, as if the sun protected her somehow, safe under the clasp of Eternity. Letting the rays slide down the back of her leg-like turning her back on faith-Danielle wanted to speak with conviction. But she could only eke out a tight whisper. Her knees buckled. She clasped her husband's hand. "Don't mess with me. I ain't got the heart for kinda."

            They sat on the couch. With his finger, Donald rubbed the top of her hand, letting Danielle know that the language they used to define the context of their lives no longer applied. That they were about to get knocked about again. Only this time there would be no muthafuckin' next time.

            "I just heard," Donald said. "We're being re-"

            "Oh, mutha ..." Danielle shed more tears. "Don't say that word. I can't handle it. I can't, I can't. I just can't."

            "No. Oh, no. Don't cry, Baby. It's not re-"

            Danielle looked toward the scarlet red of the afternoon sky as it waved in off the balcony. Her heart raced to that awful place deep inside, thinking that if she leaned over and let go maybe she would fall into an endless dream, where the only thing to do was stare into the eyes of her man until there was nothing left but the grace of his love.

            "Honey." Donald turned her head. "Reassigned," he said. "Reassigned."

            "I knew it, I knew it. I muthafuckin' knew it." Danielle jerked up and paced the floor. She shook her hands as if air-drying her nails. "We're so fu-" She stopped, then looked to her husband. She felt a surge in her chest. "Wait. What you say?"