CHAPTER 18
It was over. Donald took a taxi back home, lost in his tumbling, terrifying thoughts. It was over.
He could scarcely face the truth himself. It was difficult to tell the truth to Gabrielle, doubly difficult to know just how to put it to a five year old in terms that she could understand. Wearily he greeted his mother in law, and shook his head sadly, sitting down opposite her with a blank expression on his face. She came to sit next to him.
’I’m sorry, Donald. I know how much you loved her.’
He blinked hard. ’She was your daughter too.’
’Yes, I’ll miss her. So will her father.’
’You seem able to take it better than I can,’ said Donald.
She nodded. ’Don’t be fooled. I’m crying inside. I knew it was coming, that’s all.’
’I see,’ he said, numbly.
’Would you like me to break the news to Gabrielle?’
Donald shook his head. ’No, thanks all the same. I appreciate the offer, but that has to be my job. We’ve both lost the one we love best and we have to face it together.’
’If there is anything I can do, Donald, anything at all, you must ask. We have plenty of money and more importantly, we have plenty of love. Come and stay with us, for a while at least. Maybe we can help each other.’
’I’d like that,’ said Donald, ’Thank you.’
That night and for many nights thereafter, Donald and Gabrielle shared the same bed. It was hard to tell which of them gained the most comfort. Donald looked often at his diminutive daughter asleep under the covers and thought hard of Marie’s last words to him.
’Get married again Donald,’ she had said. ’If it is at all possible, find someone else, not for Gabrielle’s sake, but for your own. She won’t be with you forever and you’ll need somebody with you. Don’t let any thoughts of myself stand in the way. I love you, Donald, I love you too much to want to hold you when it isn’t possible.’ She smiled wearily, but with a hint of the old fire in her eyes. ’Under different circumstances I’d break the neck of any woman who tried to take you away from me, but as it’s worked out I can’t be selfish. Promise me, Donald. I know it’s too early to be even thinking about such things, but promise me you’ll give it serious consideration when the time comes to pick up the pieces.’
As he made the promise, Marie relaxed and closed her eyes. He never heard her speak again.