Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) (15 page)

“Oh...hi,
Gloria. I was just leaving because no one was home,” she said breathlessly.
Sweat pooled down her back.

“Really? I was
all ready to have a nice visit with you. Why the rush?” Gloria asked.

Daisy grabbed
her things and straightened her shoulders. “You and a nice visit don’t go
together, Gloria. I would rather visit with ten Alligators in a pond. How my
father ever stayed with you, much less loved you...” she spoke in a low tone.

She sneered
back. “Well, he does...more than he did your mother.”

Daisy sucked in
her breath and stepped forward, cracking her across the face. “Don’t you ever
speak of my mother in front of me again. And I know she didn’t die in childbirth,
either.”

After regaining
her composure, Gloria smiled. “I wonder how you know that. Oh right, maybe it’s
your powers everyone is so scared of. Well, I’m not. But you are correct. She
died in a car wreck, smashed into a tree due to some silly thing being wrong
with her engine. I’m still amazed and saddened you made it out of there at
all,” she scoffed.

Daisy inhaled
heavily and narrowed her eyes. Her fists balled to her sides. “Tell me more,”
she gritted.

“Hmm, let’s
see. Oh yes, Christian was born that day. Your beloved was born the day your
mother died. Very tragic and sweet at the same time, really,” she purred,
folding her arms in front of her with pleasure.

That’s why the
date jumped out at her. But why? It didn’t make any sense. “Was that a coincidence?”

“Coincidence?”
she gave a belly laugh. “No, darling. It was in the great plan of Jack. When
Rose found out what they were trying to do, she tried to escape with you to a
church and hide out. She thought God would help her, silly woman. That was her
destiny to die that day after Christian was born...that was the deal your
father made and to hand you over to Christian on his birthday after the seed of
the beast was planted in you.”

“But why would
Jack take that chance with me in the car?”

“He knew you
would survive because of who you are, dear girl.”

“And who am I?”

“Why, you’re
your mother’s and Father Mark Paul’s daughter. You were conceived in a church
by a man of God.”

Daisy’s eyes
bulged. “What? I don’t believe you." Her mouth dried up and blood pounded
in her ears.

“Well, it’s
true. It seems God really took a shining to you, like you were his special
little angel. Nothing could hurt you. You would fall badly at times and get
right back up without a bruise or cut. We were astonished,” she said, laughing
at the memory.

“My father knew
about the affair?”

“He didn’t want
to believe that his perfect Rose would do such a thing. I would be there
comforting him and whispering in his ear that his wife was a whore. In reality,
Jack brought your mother and Mark together. He wanted you to be born. Your
father couldn’t have children, and he wanted a red-haired girl just like his
Suzanna. Your mother had that same red hair. Christian came a year later,” she
smirked. “He didn’t have to work too hard to put thoughts into Rose’s head
because she already fell in love with the handsome Father Paul, and he was
harder because of his vow, but soon they were both drooling over each other in
the back of the church. It was quite magical,” she said, running out of breath.

“I really hate
you." Tears stung her eyes.

“Really? I
never knew. Your eyes would turn black when I entered the room even as a
toddler. It was like you knew. Sometimes I don’t think you’re godly at all but
of Jack’s loins. I think you and Christian both have the same issues, both
trying to be good when there’s a darkness corroding your souls. You’re meant
for one another and will eventually find your way back again,” she said glibly.
Her eyes lower to Daisy’s chest. “I see you’re wearing the cross Father Paul
gave your mother.”

Her hand flew
to her throat. “He did?”

“Oh, yeah. He
used that cross many times for exorcisms. You got your psychic gift from him.
He wanted to protect her from the demons in her so-called dreams, but they were
real. So, Rose left it at home after her shower, to Jack’s delight. Richard
made her forget it by distracting her. Jack’s not particularly fond of it.”

She turned to
the door. “Don’t tell my father I was here. I think he’s had enough pain in his
life, especially living with you every day,” she said.

Gloria laughed
and clapped her hands. “Oh, that’s good. He’s been in pain? He reminds me every
day I’m not his perfect Rose or even his perfect Daisy, his flowers. He hasn’t
touched me in years,” her voice cracked. “I hate that we made this deal with
Jack, and I can’t leave because I know too much. I drink just to get through
another day." Her bottom lip quivered.

For a moment,
Daisy felt something other than contempt for this woman, almost an
understanding. But then it passed.

She walked to
the door and turned to her. “I feel sorry for you, which is worse than the
hatred I felt. I would rather someone hate me for something they don’t
understand than pity me for something they do.”

Gloria sniffled
and cleared her throat. “Wait. I never asked but how’re you here?”

“Didn’t you
hear? I finally got away from Jack. I’m free now to do as I please.”

“You’ll never
get away from Jack Red, sweetheart. You have a calling in this life, and it’s
with Jack. You’ll see,” she laughed all the way through the door as Daisy
closed it. She could still hear her cackling in front of the house.

The news still
disturbed her that she had a different father. One she intended to find. She
remembered the article and pulled it out of her pocket. She read the name of
the church her mother was a member of and found the directions in her phone.

St. Mary’s Star
of the Sea was about to get a new member.

The massive
church stood out against the gray, blue sky, its Byzantine architecture brilliantly
designed. Daisy envisioned her beautiful mother running up those steps through
one of the three archways, and disappearing inside.

Trees adorned
the sides, giving it just enough shade. A huge school was off to the left of it
that would soon fill with children in a month. She had always wanted to go to a
Catholic school, but her father had said no. She understood why now.

Her heart
quickened as she headed up the steps, her eye catching the tall cross facing
her on the gold dome. This felt right in her coming here, knowing she was
conceived in such a place of holiness.

The heavy door
gave way easily, and darkness enveloped her at first. She closed her eyes and
smelled incense burning. It felt a little chilly with the air conditioning
running, a nice escape from the August sun.

A woman stood
lighting a candle near a table with the statue of Mary looking over her. She
turned toward Daisy and smiled to which she returned. She walked deeper in, and
sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows. The beauty of the mosaic
charm on the ceilings and walls saturated with glistening gold and streaming
light took her breath away. She drew comfort from the angels gazing down at
her.

Mass must be at
six. Silence filled the air. She walked down the aisle toward the magnificent
white marble altar. A priest with kind eyes quietly walked out to her in his
black flowing robe. “May I help you, Miss?”

“I’m sorry to
disturb you, Father. I was actually here to see someone. His name is Father
Mark Paul. Do you know him?”

The priest’s
eyes widened and slowly nodded. “Yes, but he’s not well. Can I pass a message
on to him for you?" His hands stayed neatly folded together.

Her heart
dropped. “Not well?”

“No, dear. He’s
in his room and doesn’t come out for anyone these days. I’ve only been here a
few years and haven’t ever had a conversation with him. He just sits in his
room and reads, been like that I guess for about twenty years is what I hear,”
he said, shaking his head. “Yes, a very good man but keeps to himself. He used
to do wonderful sermons, I hear." He smiled warmly.

She smiled
back. “Could you give him a message for me then? Just tell him Rose’s daughter
stopped by to say hello. He’ll know what that means,” she added. She opened her
purse and wrote on some paper her name and number.

“I will do that
for you...Daisy,” he said after reading her name. “I’m Father Krieger." He
held his hand out.

“Thank you,
Father Krieger,” she said, shaking his soft hand. Feeling disappointed, she
turned to leave the church.

By the time she
got to her car and started the engine, Father Krieger ran out to the steps,
waving his hands frantically at her.

She jumped out
and ran back to him. “Yes, Father?”

He seemed out
of breath. “I felt bad for you so I hurried this message to Father Paul, and he
wants to see you right now,” he said, still trying to catch his breath.

Daisy took his
elbow and let him guide her inside to where she would meet her real father.
Butterflies bounced around in her belly as she slid across the pew to wait. Her
palms became wet, and she wiped them on her shorts.

A man with
white hair appeared with a younger looking face that didn’t match. He stood
near the altar, first trying to take her in but then bringing himself closer
with disbelief in his eyes. “Rose?”

Daisy stood and
smiled, holding her hands out to shake his. “Rose was my mother. I’m Daisy,”
she felt his hand warm in hers.

Pain flashed in
his eyes before realizing his error. “Yes, yes...Father Krieger told me that.
Forgive me." He sat with her on the pew. “You look exactly like her,
exactly,” he whispered.

“I’ve been told
that,” she smiled. She wanted him to admit the truth to her.

His gaze moved
down to her cross and back to hers. “You’re wearing it now. That’s good,” he
nodded. “I just wished she would have had it on that night." Tears sprang
to his eyes, and he dabbed his handkerchief to them.

She touched his
arm. “I know this is hard for you seeing me. I always thought she died in
childbirth or at least that’s what was fed to me.”

Nodding, he
smiled briefly. She noticed he had the same small dimple on his left cheek that
she had. “Is it true then? Are you my father?" Her eyes searched his.

He glanced at
her and nodded once. “I am. It’s not something I’m exactly proud of. Only a few
people know from that time. It had to be covered up as I’m sure you
understand." His voice trailed off, and he closed his eyes as if
remembering. “God, I loved her. Just being near her was enough for me at times,
but then there were other times it wasn’t." He opened his eyes and gave a
heavy sigh.

“I’m not here
to judge you. I’m glad my mother had a love like that. It doesn’t matter how it
happened or with whom. She was happy with you. I can feel your love is still so
strong, so alive for her. She’s with God now and I’m sure she’s waiting for
you...you must believe that,” her voice cracked, wanting to ease his suffering.

He gave a small
smile and sniffed. “I guess you really are my daughter. You want to help others
have a different perspective on life. That’s always been my joy as a priest, to
see a light in the eyes of the lost. But that joy left when Rose left me. I
wanted to die that night with her.”

She rubbed his
shoulder and gave an encouraging smile.

He continued.
“I see her face everywhere. I sometimes think it’s God punishing me, but then I
know that’s not the God I love. That I must be punishing myself. Are you in
trouble, Daisy?”

He caught her
off guard. “I’m not sure. I was but then I thought I got away, but now I’m just
not sure,” she said, shaking her head.

His voice
changed, turning more serious. “I know what you’re talking about. I’ve had my
run-ins with Mr. Red. He’s a demon right out of hell is what he is!” he slammed
his fist against the pew in front of them. “Some say the devil himself, but I
believe he’s an advocate. You must always keep your cross on, Daisy! Do you
hear me? It will protect you.

“I know you’re
special in other ways I’m sure you’re just now understanding better. You see,
my mother was a gypsy, or a witch, if you will. She could cast spells, good and
bad.

“If I ever got
hurt, she would run her hand over it and make it disappear. She would tell me
if anyone bullied me at school, I could lift them up and drop them without ever
laying a hand on them. And I did one time after being beaten for the fifth time
by one boy. That was the last time he ever touched me, and I never did it
again.

“I vowed I
would be a good man and help people. I told my mother I was joining the
priesthood. Of course she scoffed and wished me luck, but that I would always
be fighting a darkness in me and I did, Daisy. After meeting your mother,
lustful thoughts would build in me until one day I couldn’t keep my hands off
her." His head dropped into his hands.

“But that was
Jack’s doing, not your own thoughts. And it turned into love after that,
right?”

He wiped his
face again. “I suppose that could be true. I don’t know anymore. I’m only
fifty-two, but I look seventy. I beat myself up every day for what I did.”

“She would want
you to remember the good things about your love, so do that for her. Honor her
memory with happy thoughts. Please forgive yourself and heal. You’re a good
man, I just know it.”

He continued
with his haunted mind. “I knew when I heard you got out of that car without a
scratch you were mine, not that I didn’t believe her, but that solidified it
for me. It’s a curse and a blessing, but you have to be very careful with its
powers. I pray to ignore it, always have since that fateful day with that boy.

“Your heart is
pure, Daisy, but there are forces surrounding you, wanting to tarnish it, to
bring out what could ultimately destroy you. Just trust in yourself, Daisy.
There’s a strength in you even more than some cross could give you." He
took her hand in his and closed his eyes. “I also see you’ve been hurt by…a
cousin. You do understand you’re not blood-related, right?”

Her eyes
widened with the realization of his words, and she nodded. “Thank you for that.
I understand.”

He cleared his
throat and continued. “There are some people in your life right now you can’t
fully trust. Just be careful, dear girl." He opened his blue eyes and
kissed her hand.

“What do you
mean? Who can’t I trust?”

“You’ll know
when the time’s right. Don’t lose faith. Just be aware." He stood and
embraced her. “My child. I’ve dreamed of you for so long. I feel at peace now
knowing you’re well." He hooked her arm through his and walked her to the
doors. “Seven o’clock mass is starting soon. I might even be a part of it this
time,” he winked.

A wide grin
filled her face. “I’m so happy to hear that. Can I just ask you how did you
know that about not trusting someone? You touched my hand and knew?”

“Ah, another
one of the curses, or, I mean gifts, we share. You have it too, just never
exercised it. It’s a muscle we build. I’m sure flashes of things have come to
you when touching a personal article but never understood it, as well as making
things move. Stay as sweet and loving as you are. Make your father proud.”

Tears blurred
her vision and she blinked them away. “I will. Can I come visit again?”

“I would like
that. Now go, it’s getting late.”

She kissed his
cheek and stepped out into the remaining sunlight. As she got in her car, she
looked up to wave again but he stared at her with apparent concern in his eyes.

She texted Eric
to let him know she was on her way home and couldn’t wait to tell him about her
day, but he just said great, see you then. That was it? That didn’t seem like
his normal excited self. Normally he would be busting through the texts,
wanting to know every detail before she could tell him.

An unease set
in. Maybe his day didn’t go well. She plugged in her iPod to listen to what she
liked. Ever since that day in the car and Jack fooling with her radio, she
bought a charger to plug her iPod in. No more messing with her music.

The events of
the day ran through her mind. So many revelations to digest. This went back
farther than she ever realized. An affair that started it all. Of course Jack
was always behind stuff like that, never anything good. And now to find out not
only does she have a priest for a father but a gypsy witch for a grandmother.

She really just
wanted to feel Eric’s protective arms around her, telling her everything is
fine and always will be.

Traffic seemed
better at this time of day, but not much. Still people scurrying home from
work. The lights of the city entranced her. She wondered when Venetian Night
was this year. The boat shows were awesome. Everyone decorated their boats with
lights, and she would always pick her favorites. Her dad, well, Richard, used
to take her while Gloria stayed home with a headache. Now she knew it was a
drinking problem she had.

She found the
hotel and parked in front, allowing them to valet park it this time. After
tipping the guy, she ran in the revolving doors and up to their room. “Eric?”
she called out but no answer. A note sat on the kitchen table that said he was
visiting with a new friend he made in the building and would be back later. “A
new friend?” she said to the note.

After taking a
shower and getting into her nightgown, she ate a quick microwave meal and then
slid under the covers to watch TV. Clicking through the channels, she felt
jealousy bubble up inside her. New friend, yeah right. She goes to do something
life-changing serious today and comes home to this?

The front door
opened and closed and she heard his footsteps go to his room. She waited for
him to come hear her story or at least say good-night. Now she could hear the
shower running.

All remained
quiet. She couldn’t believe he went to sleep without talking to her. Fuming,
she jumped out of her bed and strode to his room, knocking and pushing it open.

He opened his
eyes. “What the...”

“How could you?
How could you not come talk to me?" She stood there with her hands on her
hips, face feeling flushed.

“Daisy, I’m
sorry...I just. I don’t know. Come here. No, wait...don’t,” he seemed to
struggle with himself.

“I thought we
were friends. And now you’re making new friends? How does this new friend look,
Eric? Big boobs, blonde hair, fuck me ‘til I die look? Well?”

He sat up and
put his glasses on, holding his arms out.

A sob escaped
her and she let it out, all the tears she felt that day finally coming forth.
She fell into his arms and cried there for what felt much longer.

“There, all
better?" He pulled her damp hair away from her face and kissed her
forehead. “Tell me what happened today, okay? I do want to know everything.”

All the details
spilled out, and he gasped at the all appropriate places. “Oh, my God, Daisy!
Your father’s a priest?”

“Yes. I just
wanted some normalcy when I came home, but then you’re not here. You’re my best
friend, Eric. I needed you tonight." She laid her head against his moist
skin still wet from the shower. “You smell so good, so clean." She trailed
little kisses against his chest, making him suck in his breath.

“Daisy, no–”

She brought her
lips to his, pressing his hand to her breast. “I want you, Eric. Don’t you want
me?”

His breath
became ragged. “God, Daisy. You don’t want to do this. You’re just lonely. I
know you really love Christian,” he said hoarsely.

“No! He let me
go. You’re the only one who has been there for me." She drew her nightgown
up her hips and pulled his blankets down along with his pajama pants. He was
ready for her.