Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest! I would also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me.
Chapter 13 – Breakfast Treats Thursday Morning…(Day 60) “Can I get you an extra homemade Cinnamon Roll?” Debbie coyly asked. “Or maybe you would like that extra piece of bacon?” “No…No, I’m fine. Just more coffee,” Carl tried to insist, holding up his cup for additional emphasis. “Are you sure, Carl? It’s no trouble? I have a fresh pan coming out of the oven,” Debbie pointed out. “No, really, I’m fine. Now will you stop fussing with everything? Come on…sit down and keep me company!” he said, patting the seat of the empty chair beside him. “What do you mean?” Debbie innocently asked. “Debbie honey, you keep forgetting that I’m a very good detective. Just because I don’t look like the supermodels that solve the cases on television in 30 minutes, I assure you that I’m very good at what I do…” “Is there a point here, Carl?” Debbie asked, now with hands on her hips. “Oh, I would say so…” Carl added with a laugh. “Do I need to haul you into an interrogation room at the station and add a strong light for my round of questioning, or are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” Debbie removed the rolls from the oven; then she rejoined Carl back at the table. Meanwhile, Carl was patiently waiting for events to unfold. After all he and Debbie had been together for a long time, and he had finally learned how to deal with her. So he just waited. “It’s just…” Debbie began and then changed her mind. “What makes you think that something is bothering me?” “Well…the extra treats at breakfast were a dead give away. Add to that, the fact that you tossed and turned all night,” he pointed out. “I wanted to give you some time…needless to say, your time’s now up,” Carl reminded her with a smile. There was a moment of silence while Debbie thought things over…one more time. Carl tried to again wait patiently. Finally, he reminded her, “I’m waiting!” he said sternly. “Okay…Okay…just give me a fucking minute…” Carl lifted his left wrist to look at his watch. “I’m keeping track of the time…just so you know. You have 57 seconds…” Debbie went into the living room and removed the picture and The Purple Heart from the mantel. She brought them both back to the kitchen table and placed them down in front of Carl without saying a word. Carl was surprised by the gesture, but he said nothing. Again he continued looking at his watch, tapping it gently with his finger to remind Debbie that her time was running out. She refilled both of their cups with coffee and then flopped back down in her seat. “I have a story to tell you,” she finally said when she could stall no longer. “That’s good because your time is up!” Carl interrupted with a smile, “A story, huh? I love a good story. Emmett and I are a lot alike in that regard. I think he’s rubbed off on me…but let’s not tell him that, okay?” he added with a smile. Debbie took a deep breath and reached out to hold Carl’s hand, for additional strength. She knew what she had to do…now she thought that she was ready. She then relayed the story of young 17-year-old girl, who had a high school romance. She revealed that the object of her affection left her to seek his fame and fortune in the big wide world. Debbie talked about finding out that she was pregnant after he was gone, and the decisions she made to have the child on her own. She detailed for Horvath the lies she constructed to give Michael a father that he could be proud of, including finding John Michael Novotny’s name among the dead and changing her name to make the charade complete. She unburdened herself of it all. Debbie also recounted the events that happened four years ago when Divina Devore came back into town. She talked about being confronted by Divina’s alter ego, Danny, about Michael being his son. She talked about Michael finding the yearbook picture and putting the pieces together too because he looked so much like Danny. Then she mentioned that she and Michael had not discussed the topic of his father again for almost four years. Finally, Debbie told Carl about Divina, now being back in town for a return engagement, but that even more, that Danny had decided to permanently make his home back in Pittsburgh. Debbie relayed her concerns that this was going to stir everything up again. Carl listened quietly, giving Debbie every opportunity to get it all out. Then Debbie added that she had talked to Jennifer about this, and Jennifer’s advice was it was time to tell Michael and Danny the truth…and then let the chips fall where they may. “That sounds like wise advice,” Carl finally said, wrapping his arms lovingly around her. “But Carl, Michael will know that I’ve lied to him all these years. Things are already strained between us because of the Brian and Sunshine thing. He’s pretty much all alone now since he and Ben have separated. I don’t know if he can handle anything more! I don’t know if anything can be done to fix the problems between Ben and Michael at this point. If I admit that I’ve lied to him his entire life, what will he have to hold on to?” “Debbie honey, the entire family is still here for Michael. He and Hunter are still close. The rest of the family will help him get through this. Didn’t you tell me that Brian and Justin are back in town? Surely you don’t think that they’re being here is just a coincidence?” “I wondered about that myself,” Debbie commented, leaning more into Carl. “So this may be the perfect time to reveal the truth,” Carl suggested, “Don’t you think?” “Maybe?” “I’ll tell you what…why don’t you invite Danny to dinner?” Carl suggested. “What? Here?” “Of course, here…” “I don’t know, Carl, that doesn’t sound like a really good idea,” Debbie tried to point out, hoping that he would hear her distress and drop things. “Why not? You mean you’re going to deprive me the opportunity to meet a female impersonator of international renown? You know how I gushed over meeting Drew Boyd? Can I help it if I’m star struck?” Carl teased. “Besides, I want to get to know this man.” “You’re not going to interrogate him, are you?” Debbie immediately asked back. Carl answered, “No, I’ll be off duty, but I can still get to know him. After all, this is someone that you were once fond of. I assume that you two are still friends…in spite of the awkwardness of things at the moment. And if he’s going to be moving back here, and if you tell Michael the truth, he’s going to be around a lot. So I think…I…make that we…should all get acquainted. Some people change over time. I just want to check him out.” Debbie initially tried to resist. Carl was not about to be deterred, but he didn’t want to press either. This was clearly Debbie’s decision. He only wanted to be firm and help her decide wisely. “Why don’t you think it over?” Carl gently suggested. “Let me know what you decide. Just remember that the sooner you get everything out in the open…the sooner everyone can get used to the idea. Secrets have a way of coming out…they never stay buried forever.” Debbie finally sighed in agreement and nodded her head. “Are you going to be all right?” Carl asked. “Would you like me to stay home with you today and keep you company?” “No…No…I’ll be fine. In fact, I feel better now that I’ve talked to you about this.” “That’s what I’m here for,” Carl said, leaning down to give Debbie a kiss. “Look, I’ll see you this evening. You realize, of course, that I’m stuffed after that breakfast you fed me,” he mockingly protested. “Let’s hope I don’t have to chase any criminals today,” he continued to tease. “I’m Italian…to us food says love,” Debbie teased. “I know…” Carl said with a satisfied smirk. “I’ll see you later.” And with that Carl left Debbie alone with her thoughts. *** Later that day Debbie called Danny Devore and invited him for a casual dinner that night at 7:30 pm at her house. She stressed that Carl was eager to meet him. When Danny asked if Michael would be there, Debbie explained that things were still strained between her and Michael, and they hadn’t talked in over a week. However, in spite of those problems, Debbie stressed that she and Carl wanted Danny to come over for dinner. With an invitation like this, Danny realized that he couldn’t refuse the gesture of friendship from an old friend. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was looking forward to spending an evening with Debbie and meeting Carl. Debbie next picked up the phone and called Jennifer to see if she was free for dinner tonight, as well. Debbie explained who the guest of honor was going to be. Jennifer was thrilled with the news that Debbie was taking her advice. Jennifer said to give her some time to make a few arrangements, and that she would call Debbie back. After making alternate arrangements for Molly, Jennifer called Debbie back and promised to be there for dinner. And now, major events were about to unfold.