Mystery and Crime Fiction posted November 27, 2024 Chapters:  ...24 25 -26- 27... 


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Danni's discovery brings stress
A chapter in the book Miracles

Miracles - Chap 26

by Begin Again


 
 
 
As the car hummed along the quiet road, Danni sat in the passenger seat with the box of letters resting on her lap. Curiosity gnawed at her, and she carefully lifted the lid, exposing two stacks of aged envelopes.
 
The first stack consisted of random letters she and Tango had read earlier. They were more like journals, probably ancestors or close friends who had written about Italy, life in the vineyards, and ordinary living. The second stack was tied with ribbon, and the envelopes were sealed. It appeared these letters had never been read. Her fingers hovered over one addressed to Miriam. The name was scrawled in delicate, slanted handwriting.
 
She hesitated, about to place it back, when she felt something —like a faint touch on her hand, warm and fleeting. Her breath hitched, and she glanced over her shoulder, sensing Miriam's presence.

"You want me to read this, don't you?" Danni whispered. "I feel like I'm snooping."

She felt something brush her hand and knew it was Miriam urging her to open the letter.

She unfolded the letter with trembling fingers and began reading —

Dear Mama,

Danni's heart skipped a beat. She'd never given it thought, but, of course, Miriam had a family — a child. She glanced toward the backseat and then back to the letter. Her thoughts were spinning —
 
These are personal, private thoughts written by Miriam's child to her. I feel like I'm reading someone's diary, but this someone is right here.

She started to replace the letter in the envelope but stopped when she felt pressure on her arm. Miriam was telling her to read it. So, she opened the aging paper and began —

I've stared at this paper for hours, knowing what I need to say but fearing how to begin. Though I was only two years old when you left, you are always in my thoughts. I wonder as I write this if you feel it, too — "the bond between us, unbroken despite the years and the distance."

Gama, that's what I call Grandma, told me what happened, though she couldn't bring herself to say the words without tears. She spoke of the vineyard, the debts, and their impossible choice. You were sent to America, not because they didn't love you, but because they loved you too much to let you endure the ruin that hovered over our family. I hope you believe that.

I think of you often, living in a land so far from here, with a man you didn't choose. Do you ever look at the stars, Mama? When I do, I imagine they are the same ones shining over you, making me feel less alone.

I want to tell you about my life here in Italy. The vineyard still stands, but the cost of saving it haunts us all. I am carrying a child, Mama  — a child I will not keep. The father is gone, and there is no place for a child in a life as uncertain as mine. I've arranged for the baby to go to a good family, but it doesn't stop my heart from breaking. Is this what Gama felt when she sent you away? She must have, though she still had a part of you — she had me.

I want you to know that I love you. Even if we never meet, you are a part of me. I pray that your life in America brings you some measure of happiness, and I hope that one day, you'll understand the sacrifices made in the name of love and survival.

With all my heart,

Angela



Danni's throat tightened as she finished reading. She wiped a tear from her cheek and folded the letter carefully.

"She was giving up her child," Danni said aloud, her voice heavy with sorrow. "And Miriam — they didn't know what happened to you."

Tango had been listening to music as he concentrated on the road, but her voice caught his attention. "Sorry, were you talking to me?"

"It was nothing. I was reading one of the letters, and it made me sad."

She picked up another one and held it, almost afraid of what other sadness it contained. It was to Miriam from her mother. She opened the envelope and read —

My Dearest Miriam,

Years have passed, yet I feel the sorrow of the day we said goodbye as if it were yesterday. You were my heart, my bright and shining star, and still, I sent you away. How can a mother live with such a choice?

The vineyard is still ours, though it is a hollow victory. I walk its rows daily, touching the vines as if they can forgive me. Your absence is everywhere — in the house, the fields, the air itself. I thought saving the vineyard would save us all, but I see now that I traded one kind of ruin for another. I pray the vines thrive, though their fruit tastes of ash to me now. What use is their beauty when the cost was losing you?

Angela tells me she writes to you. I don't know if you've read her letters or if you even know how much she longs for you. I see her pain, and I know it echoes mine. She has sacrificed so much, as I did, as you did.

If I could go back, Miriam, I would choose differently. I would choose you. I pray that life has been kind to you, though I fear I don't deserve to ask for your forgiveness. Know that you have always been loved, even when I failed to show it.

Forever in my heart,

Mama

Danni's eyes shifted to the back seat, sensing Miriam's sadness. Had she been able to read the letters while she did? Danni's heart broke for the woman.

As she adjusted the letters back into the box, another envelope slipped free, landing on her lap. The photograph tucked inside caught her eye — a faded image of two babies wrapped in matching blankets.

Her heart thudded. She read the name on the back. "Twins!" She gasped. "Rebecca is one of the twins."

Tango glanced at her, his hands gripping the steering wheel. "What do you mean?"

"Angela's letters," Danni replied breathlessly. "She had twins — one of them has to be Rebecca."

She picked up the photograph again and showed it to Tango. "Look at this."

Tango took one glance at the picture and sucked in a sharp breath. "That's Allie."

Danni frowned. "It says Alyssa on the back of the photo."

"I know," Tango said, his voice steady. "That's Allie — Garth's wife."

"Garth's wife? You're crazy, Tango. How can you tell from the photo? It's a baby!"

"Trust me — it's Allie. She had a baby picture on her bookshelf. It was identical to this one."

"Oh my God," Danni whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. "Then — they're sisters?"

Tango nodded grimly. "It explains why Eleanor said she knew her. But now we've got to decide — do we tell Garth?"

Danni picked up the letter. "Should I read it?"

"Yes, see what it says."

Danni read it aloud —

Dear Mama,

I write to you now with trembling hands, unable to hold back the tears. My daughters — your granddaughters —were born three days ago. Two beautiful, perfect little girls. I held them in my arms for a moment before I had to say goodbye. My heart is breaking, knowing like you must have known, I'll never see my babies again.

The first went to a couple who had waited years for a child. They were kind, Mama, and they wept as they took her from me. The second — oh, how my heart ached as I handed her to another family. I had hoped to keep them together, but perhaps this was the better choice. Two families, two homes — twice the love, I tell myself.
As I watched them leave with my daughters, each step felt like a piece of my soul being torn away. Yet, I smiled through the tears, praying they would never feel the weight of the choices I had to make.

I thought of you. I thought of how you must have felt, leaving behind everything you knew, and how Gama must have suffered to make that choice. This pain is unbearable, but I cling to the hope that they will be loved as you were, as I was, in Gama's quiet, determined way.

I wish I could send this letter directly to you, but I don't even know where you are. All I can do is pray that it reaches you someday, carried by fate or miracle.

Your daughter,

Love, Angela



Danni turned slightly, sensing Miriam's presence in the back seat. "Miriam, you knew, didn't you?" she whispered.

The air seemed to shift, a gentle warmth filling the car.

"Maybe Miriam's the one who can help him understand," Danni said softly, more to herself than Tango.

"Miriam? She's not here —" Tango glanced into the rearview mirror but saw nothing; still, he sensed something. "Or is she?"

Danni nodded. "Yes, she came along. It's her first car ride."

Tango nodded, his jaw tightening. "How do we break the news to Rebecca? And the boss?"

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I know he's got feelings for Rebecca. I see that look — like he had when he was with Allie. How's he going to react to learning Rebecca is Allie's sister?"

Danni stared out the window and then turned to Tango. "Who's going to tell him?"

Tango shook his head. "Don't look at me. I know the boss, and when something throws him a curveball, he's like a bull in a china shop. And this — it's a big one."

A silence fell over the car. Each lost in their thoughts.

Finally, Tango muttered, "We'll figure it out. But first, let's get to the hospital."

As the car sped toward the hospital, Danni felt a calm settle over her. She smiled faintly, sensing Miriam's silent support as her hand lay against Danni's arm.

*****

The hospital's floodlights spilled across the parking lot as Tango eased the car into a space near the entrance. Danni climbed out, the box of letters balanced in her arms, while Tango rounded the front of the car to join her. Miriam lingered nearby, unseen but very much present, her gaze flitting between Danni and the imposing hospital doors.

Garth was waiting just outside, pacing restlessly. His face lit up at seeing them, though his usual stoic demeanor quickly returned. "Took you long enough," he said, his sharp eyes landing on the box Danni held. "What's that?"

Danni hesitated, her fingers tightening on the box. She glanced at Tango, unsure of what to say.

Tango stepped in smoothly, his voice casual. "Just some old letters, Boss. They were at the abandoned house. We thought Rebecca might be interested in them."

Garth's brow furrowed. "Old letters?"

Before Danni could respond, the box shifted in her arms. She let out a startled gasp as the lid popped off, scattering its contents across the pavement. Tango jumped to help her gather the papers, but Garth was faster, his gaze snagging on something in the mess.

He bent down, trembling, and picked up a photograph. His face paled as he stared at the image. "This —"  He gulped and stammered, "This is Allie."

Danni froze, her heart pounding, but she felt a steadying presence from Miriam.

"How the hell is there a picture of Allie in these letters?" Garth's voice was a mixture of confusion and something deeper — grief and maybe anger. He looked up, his piercing gaze locked on Danni. "What's going on?"

Danni opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She glanced helplessly at Tango, who sighed and straightened, brushing his hands on his jeans.

"Boss," Tango said carefully, his voice unsure, "Allie is Rebecca's twin sister."

For a moment, Garth just stared, the photograph trembling in his grip. Tango's words seemed to crush the air around them. Finally, he whispered, "Twin?"

Danni nodded. "They were separated at birth, Garth. They never knew."

Garth's shoulders sagged, and he looked back down at the photograph. His thumb brushed across Allie's face as he swallowed hard. "Why am I just hearing about this now?"

Tango glanced at Danni before he answered, "Because no one knew, not even Rebecca." He braced himself, sensing the storm brewing in Garth's silence. He knew the boss's temper could flare like wildfire, but this — this was something even he hadn't anticipated.

Miriam's presence lingered, unseen, as if urging them toward the truth hidden for so long.

Garth exhaled loudly. His eyes were still fixed on the photograph. "Rebecca," he muttered, turning toward the hospital doors. "Allie. This changes everything."

Danni called out, "Garth, it doesn't have to." But he wasn't listening.

As they followed him inside, Danni couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of the storm.

*****

Danni found Garth pacing the hallway outside Rebecca's hospital room, his hands raking through his hair as he muttered under his breath. She approached cautiously, her voice gentle but firm.

"Garth."

He froze, his back to her, before turning slightly. The anguish in his eyes was undeniable. "I betrayed her," he said, his voice thick with guilt. "I fell for Rebecca — Allie's sister. I don't even know how to face her."

Danni stepped closer, her expression unwavering. "Garth, listen to me. You didn't betray anyone. You loved Allie with everything you had, and she knew that. But she's gone. And Rebecca — She isn't just Allie's sister. She's someone who's brought you back to life. That doesn't make you a traitor — it makes you human."

He shook his head, retreating a step. "It feels wrong, Danni. Like I'm replacing her."

"You're not replacing her," Danni countered, her voice soft but insistent. "You're honoring her. Do you think Allie would want you to stay locked away in grief forever? She loved you, Garth. She'd want you to find happiness again. Rebecca isn't just her sister; she's someone who's touched your heart, and that's okay."

He hesitated, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I — I just need to think," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode toward the atrium, his footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor.

Danni watched him go, his struggle heavy in the air. She murmured, almost to herself, "Eleanor, where are you when I need you."

"Right here!"

Startled, Danni turned and snapped, "How do you do that? No wonder Matthew and Jenna get so upset when you pop in like that."

Eleanor smiled. "A bit testy, are we? You called me, didn't you?"

Danni scowled. "You've got me there. Are you aware —"

"About Rebecca? Yes, when I saw the photo at the house."

"Of course. What are we going to do? Garth knows, and he thinks he's betrayed Allie."

"Give him time. He needs to sort through this by himself." Eleanor closed her eyes briefly and then replied, "Maybe he'll get a little help."

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Recognized


Eleanor - ghost detective
Jenna - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, and falling in love with Donatelli
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie)
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge and current inmate at Joliet State Prison
Vince Rossi - a mob lawyer
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Donatelli
Rebecca - new girl in town and Jenna's assistant
William - highly skilled crook
Miriam - a spirit from days gone by
Phillip Henderson - Attorney - Wills and Trusts
Bruiser - the bouncer at the Hideaway
Tony - the bartender
Crystal - the cocktail waitress
Trevor Cascio - deceased owner of the estate
Owen Maxwell - special prosecutor
Joseph DeLuca - detective
Jason DeLuca - retired detective
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
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