Page 38 of Cinderella-ish
I look up now, intrigued by her suggestion. “Plan my escape?” I laughlightly.
“Yeah. For instance, if you could go anywhere in the world, away from it all, where would yougo?”
A deserted island with you. Duh.“I never actually gave much thought to that. Maybe I’d escape to a little town in Italy. Live in a modest-sizedhome.”
“Now that you’ve got it all planned out, you should make it happen. Even if it’s only for a week or two. Unwind. No phone. No internet. No work. Nothing but solitaryfreedom.”
“Are you wearing your confident panties again? You’re good at making convincing suggestions.” I wink and her facebeams.
“I never leave home without them.” She winks back, being just ascoy.
She’s pretty keen and I admit, this suggested plan sounds quite enticing. I could stand to get away from it all for a few days. Or for a year. Or forever—operatingCraveMeremotely. Only, part of me is too chicken to take such aleap.
Alone,anyway.
“Why are you afraid of thunder and lightning?” I say, covertly taking our conversation back toher.
She wilts into the seat, quickly turning away, now looking out the window. “I grew up in Texas where rainstorms are pretty intense, hurricane-like, infact.”
“Okay…there’s more,right?”
She shifts in her seat, now facing me again, a dull grimace emerging. “Right. Well I didn’t have the luxury of curling up in Mommy and Daddy’s bed during my first storm, all safe and protected. My foster mom wasn’tthatgenerous. Sure, my two foster sisters, her own daughters, got that. But not me. I was told there was no room for all of us and I was sent back to my room. Alone. The growling and rumbling sounds of the thunder—violently shaking my windows, echoing throughout my entire room—it was all too frightening for me, then only five years old, so I ended up sleeping in the closet. And…I’ve been frightened eversince.”
My mouth drops open, and if I’ve ever had asorry I probedmoment, this would definitely top allothers.
I imagine a young and frightened Daniella. Shame on her foster mom for being so…uncaring.
“Daniella, I totally shouldn’t have intruded.” I place my hand on her arm, hoping it comforts her in some way. God knows I want to holdher.
But I can’t cross thatline.
“It’s okay. I just don’t tell too many people. It’s kind of embarrassing. Me all grown up now and still afraid of thunderstorms.” She scoffs under her breath. “Luckily there aren’t too many in Los Angeles.” She smiles, a signal her slightly somber mood has eased into a more jovialone.
I’ll never bring it up again. Nor will I probe into why she had a foster mom. Even though I am hungry to know what happened to her ownparents.
“So back to you, now.” She wriggles her way into a more comfortable position, now sitting cross-legged. “We’ve totally gotta get you to watchThe Godfather.I mean it’s the ultimate guyflick.”
I stifle a laugh. “Is there no end to your suggestions?” Not only is this woman so incredibly foxy, she’s also quiteadorable.
She purposely flutters her long butterfly-like lashes. “I am the queen ofsuggestions.”
“Ciao, Ladies and Gentlemen; as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins.Grazie.”
The flight attendant’s announcement seems to startle both Daniella and me, abruptly ending ourconversation.
It’s been a long flight indeed, but an enjoyable one at that, with her by myside.
And now Milan. With Daniella. God helpme.
