Darien arrived at Jo’s house for the birthday bash. She was nervous not knowing what type of reception she was going to get from Dianne. After mingling slightly with the crowd, Darien decided to face the consequences and went inside. She found Dianne uncovering the salads
Dianna looked up and blushed “Darien”
Darien nodded “how are you Mrs Marshall”
Dianne couldn’t look at the young girl “I really don’t know, and about yesterday I was confused, I’m so sorry”
“it’s ok, I understand…You….”
“I also don’t want to discuss it, so can we just forget it happened”
Darien wasn’t going to forget it happened, in fact it made her want to be around Dianne even more but she nodded in acceptance, agreeing for now with the older woman.
Just then a deep voice came from the front which caught both Dianna and Darien off guard as Todd was home. He came into the kitchen and kissed his wife on the head ‘affectionately’
“Hello Darien” Todd greeted.
“Hello Mr Marshall” Darien all but spat out.
Jo came racing in and jumped into her father’s arms “happy birthday kitten” he said happily, and kissed her on the forehead as well.
Then someone crept up next to him.
Todd cleared his voice “Oh I forgot to let you know to make room for one more. My business associate, Holly Niven is over for tonight.
Dianne felt like she had just been stabbed, the woman in the photo was now in her house. Darien the only other to know of this woman felt sick also. She watched the colour drain from Dianne
Darien spoke up “umm Jo why don’t you take your father and his business associate outside for some drinks”
“umm can I give you a hand” offered Holly
“NO” growled Dianne, then realizing her daughter was giving her a weird look, lowered her voice. “It’s ok…thanks”
As they left Darien remained and grabbed Dianne’s shaking hand “You just got to get through this for Jo” encouraged Darien.
Dianne could feel the tears returning, and quickly looks at Darien “How could he bring that bitch into our home, right in front of my face?”
Darien grabbed Dianne’s shoulders lightly “please you have to hold it together” Darien’s eyes glimmered reflecting her own tears.
Dianne half smiled and lightly touched Darien’s face “oh my dear there is no need for you to be upset over this” She pinched her chin “I need your strength tonight Darien, be brave for both of us. C’mon help me get these salads out.”
Darien felt like her heart was going to burst from her chest from the tender touch and how Dianne admitted she needed her. Darien decided she was going to be there now that Todd was soon to be out of the picture. She would be what ever Dianne wanted her to be.
The night was going well. Jo’s friends were having a good time all except Darien. She was more concerned with Jo’s mother. Her anger towards Jo’s father and mistress was boiling critical.
Darien decided to help clean up the empty salad bowls and walked over to where Holly was conversing with Jo, and rather than be polite just barged through, this pushed Holly backwards. There was a scream and a splash followed by lots of laughter. Darien looked at Holly splashing around in the pool when Todd came over.
“What in the hell did you do that for.” Demanded Todd
“I’m sorry” Darien tried to hide a laugh, “it was an accident”
“You did that on purpose you insolent child!”
“Dad come on it was an accident” laughs Jo, “I’ll get her a towel
“No it bloody wasn’t and it’s not funny either Josephine. I think you should reconsider who your friends are and as for you Darien get out of my house”
“Dad, no!” pleads Jo.
Todd helps Holly out, her dress almost see through, people were still laughing.
“Don’t make me throw you out” threatened Todd to Darien, tightly holding Holly’s arm, seeing this, all sense of Darien’s rationality was thrown out the window, but thankfully before she could begin screaming at the idiots in front of her, Dianne walked through the kitchen doors checking what all the commotion was about.
“Leave Darien alone Todd…It was an accident.” Defended Dianne.
Todd continued to go off at Darien “I won’t tell you again”
“If anyone is going to leave it is you Todd.” Dianne’s voice started to shake.
Everyone around the pool hushed.
“Mrs Marshall, its ok I should go” Darien trying to calm down the tension.
“You and your mistress can get out of my house now!”
Todd stared in disbelief at his wife and swallowed nervously sensing all eyes were now on him.
Jo looked between her Mum and Dad confused at the sudden swing “what…What’s going on?”
Darien grabbed Jo “C’mon lets go inside” Jo pulled away.
“Are you cheating on Mum” demanded Jo.
Dianne tears started to fall “Darien please take Jo inside”
“NO…fucking answer me! Are you cheating on Mum with her” Jo screams, pointing towards Holly.
“Don’t talk to me in that tone of voice young lady.” He looks at Dianne, “honey this is ridiculous”
“Don’t deny it Todd I’ve seen the photos, now take your piece of shit and get out”
“Jo…Dianne please” he steps forward and all were surprised when Darien stepped in blocking any further advances from Todd.
She stood as tall as him, her arms crossed in defiance. “She asked you to leave, don’t make me throw you out” she growled.
“Fine…. Let’s go Holly” and they both left.
The party was pretty much over. Jo ran to her room in tears and Dianne sat at the kitchen table broken hearted.
She looked up when she heard footsteps in the kitchen
“Umm Jo’s locked herself in her room and she won’t open it. Do you want me to force it or something?”
Dianne wiped her eyes “no Darien I’ll give her some space for the time being.”
Dianne went over to the cake she spent hours on. The candles didn’t even get lit “Oh my god…I spoiled her birthday. I am such a fucking bitch” Dianne cried collapsing on the counter.
Darien wrapped her arms around Dianne, lifted her up, and cuddled her. She liked the feeling of Dianne in her arms. It made her feel strong and protective.
“I can’t believe you held on as long as you did Mrs Marshall, you were really brave. I would have knocked him into next week if that was me”
Dianne chuckled at her innocence “but instead you knocked his girl friend into the pool…what ever in the world make you do that?”
Darien shrugged “she deserved it”
“Darien”
“Well why the fuck should she have a good time? It wasn’t her party and Mr Marshall should never have brought that scrag.”
“Darien McLeod while under my roof you will watch your language.” She berated her.
“Oh sorry…well it wasn’t fair. It was funny though” hoping Dianne would agree.
“Hmmm yeah it was. You should go, I think I can…handle things from here”
“Well, ummm, if you like I could stay the night if you need, in-case he tries to come back and cause trouble” Darien replied hastily, reluctant to leave Dianne.
“He won’t come back and I need to be with my daughter Darien, you need to go home love.” She hugs Darien and kisses her cheek “good night Darien”
As Dianne knocks on her daughter’s door, Jo lets her mother in, they curl up together and both cry.
Months had gone by and the Marshall girls were making a fresh start. Dianne was learning to cope as a single mum, while Jo and Darien broke up, they still remained friends. Darien would still clean the pool and stay for dinner. Darien tried to be inconspicuous of her feelings towards Dianne, but any chance she got to be around her she took it.
Dianne arrive home late afternoon and collected her mail. She put the large envelop down on the table, sat down and stared at it. Her hands shaking but couldn’t bring herself to open it. She was distracted by a knock at the back door and a head popped in.
“Hey Mrs Marshall how are you” Darien said cheerfully, unaware that Dianne was upset.
“Hi Darien…. I thought you cleaned the pool the other day”
“Well, I didn’t quite get it done…I was just” then stepped in when she saw tears “Mrs Marshall!”
Dianna broke down and Darien heart felt heavy. She went over and knelt next to her “hey what’s bought this on”
Darien noticed the envelop with a lawyers name “this looks important”
“It’s my divorce papers no doubt. Just one signature and it will all be over. Years just down the drain” she cried again.
Darien hugged her “I hate seeing you in so much pain Mrs Marshall, it really breaks my heart”
Dianne sat up “I’m sorry you have to see me like this, you dropped in at the wrong time…”
“well maybe it’s the right time, when you need someone. Would you like me to open it?”
Mrs Marshall didn’t know what to say so Darien took the lead opening it and pulling out the numerous documents with little stickers telling Dianne where she was to sign.
Darien grabs a pen and sits with Dianne. “I’ll stay until you have signed the last one, I will post it, then it’s done with.” She grabs Dianne’s hand, who inturn places her hand on Darien’s.
“I don’t know what I want Darien, I wish Jo was here. Oh please don’t think I’m not grateful of your company honey.”
“Its ok I understand.” She offers a pen to Dianne and waited until the last document was signed. She sealed the envelop and sensed that Dianne wanted to be alone. Darien left to post the documents back to the family lawyer.
Late that night Darien was out with her friends at a bar when she spots Jo.
“What are you doing out? You should be home with your Mum!”
“Darien… just because we broke up doesn’t make you my watch dog.”
“I’m not, it’s just she needs you this time”
“She’s fine, I left her sitting on the couch with some DVD’s. She said for me to go out and enjoy myself. Man what is up with you, get off my back about my mother.”
Darien frustrated growled “God you can be so stupid Jo. Your Mum is going through a difficult period, especially with just signing the divorce papers and you are out here like it doesn’t matter.”
“Divorce papers…. She didn’t say…. How do you know?”
“well…. I was around today, and she was upset about having to sign them so I just supported her until she signed them.”
Jo shook her head “why didn’t I know, why is my Mum telling you this and not me.”
“Maybe because I show an interest…. I feel bad your father did that to her.”
“Hang on he did it to me too but I don’t see you all over me. What is up with you and my Mum“
“Jo… I’m just saying she needs someone right now….. and you keep disappearing”
“yeah and you just seemed to be in the right place at the right time. So you dumped me for my Mum.” Announces Jo ridiculously.
Darien tried to hold back a smirk to that thought “I didn’t dump you Jo, you started seeing Hamilton remember. I was no longer your type.”
Jo sneered “Look Darien I can take care of my Mum, she only needs me so you can just fuck off.”
Dianne was pouring herself a coffee when the front door slammed and her daughter presenting herself, with a furious face.
“Why didn’t you tell me you and Dad were getting a divorce or that the papers were here? Why are you hiding this from me?”
Dianne head scrambling over Jo’s ranting “Jo will you slow down before your head spins off. I’m not hiding anything, your father and I have put you through enough… you didn’t need to worry yourself over this, I can handle it”
“So it’s ok to tell Darien but not your own daughter.”
Dianne sighed “No I guess not…. its just she…”
“yes I know…she was here again!!, just when you needed someone. Well I’m here too but you don’t seem to need me anymore.”
“whoa… wait a minute. Have you and Darien had a falling out” Dianne smiled compassionately “you two are so volatile and worse than my sister and I were when we were your age.”
“Darien and I are nothing like sisters thank you, but you don’t have a problem telling her what’s going on in your life! What’s going on between you and her?”
“What do you mean? She was over cleaning the pool. The papers were here and I couldn’t face it. I didn’t want to ruin your night out sweetheart.”
“Yeah well Darien made sure she did telling me how much of a bad daughter I am and how I’m not around when you needed someone” Jo starts to cry.
“Honey you are not a bad daughter and Darien was way out of line. I will be having a chat to her about this don’t you worry.”
“No! Don’t you see it Mum? it’s right in front of you and you don’t see it!”
“Well I’m lost, what am I suppose to see…”
“Mum are you doing it with my ex-girlfriend?”
Dianne looked dumbfounded “doing it…. Doing what?”
“Mum are you having sex with Darien?”
“What? No I most certainly am not, I can’t believe you even accuse me of this”
Jo cries “well I think she has a huge crush on you. She probably thinks she’s in love with you just like she thought she was with me.”
“I’ll talk to her, until then keep that jealous streak checked” she smiles at Jo
Jo rolls her eyes “I’m not jealous”
Dianne laughs and hugs her daughter “yes you were…… c’mon lets have some ice cream”
“Ok, but I’m so not jealous of Darien.”
Dianne gets out the ice-cream from the freezer “uh huh, whatever”
Jo pokes her tongue out at her mother, and Dianne flicked her nose back.