Marka and Daneen

The manmade lake at Beech Park rippled as a wind gust passed over it, and brilliant sparkles in the sun created a display of soundless light.

Marka Williams sat in the new spring grass at the water’s edge. Another warm gust of wind scattered waves across the murky water. A fish flipped above the water’s surface and disappeared below. Little activity pierced the relative serenity. Marka gritted her teeth and rolled her head from side to side and popped her neck. Would Daneen ever show up?

She played the practiced scene in her head once again. This would be the last time she would wait for Daneen Johnson in the name of civility and graciousness. That stupid little twenty-something schoolgirl thought she had it made, that Marka would give up and walk away. I will flatten the little irritant for good, just like I did the others.

Big diamonds inset in the platinum band and surrounding a three-carat emerald brought a smile to Marka's lips as she studied her left ring finger. Robert loved her in spite of his incessant philandering. She had nursed him to his present position of CEO of Menski Financial Management.

Marka stood and walked to the clubhouse just in time to see a familiar SUV pull in. She remained standing. Her body stiffened. Her eyes narrowed, she felt hot, and her breath quickened. With her feet shoulder-width apart, she stretched her spine until her forty-year-old body stood tall and erect.

A woman, younger, two inches shorter than Marka and a bit chubby, locked her car and hurried to the clubhouse.

“Oh, Marka,” she gushed, “I’m so sorry. How—”

“Where the hell have you been, Daneen? I’ve been waiting for over an hour.” Marka’s voice rose with every word. She leaned forward.

“You said you would be here in a few minutes—twice.”

Marka folded her arms and straightened again. She glared at Daneen, who picked at her nail polish and stammered an unintelligible response. “Well, where were you?

“I’m really sorry. I thought it’s such a gorgeous day that you wouldn’t mind waiting a bit.”

“So, what are you, a mind reader?” said Marka. “You think I have nothing better to do than sit around and wait for you? If you had any respect for other people, we’d all be a lot better off. What did you do, play golf?”

“Marka, you always assume everything is about you. Well, you’re old. You’re wrinkled. And you don’t matter anymore. Get used to it”

“You insignificant ingrate. You and your ilk play with fire.

You think you’re invincible. If you live long enough, which I doubt at the rate you’re going, you will be old and wrinkled and useless before you know it. I will never be useless. I have skills you can’t even dream of.”

“You wish,” said Daneen. “You’re a sorry loser.”

“Daneen, you think you are wise. Cultured. Safe. Someday, you’ll look back on this moment and remember that’s when your world ended.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Absolutely not. I am telling you that life as you know it is about to be over. You will wonder how someone so beautiful, intelligent, and downright fun got into the mess you're in. And you will wonder how to get out.”

Marka kept her eyes on Daneen's face. "You will wonder where your friends are. The people you’ve walked away from. The people you’ve stepped on. The people you’ve betrayed."

“You can’t talk to me that way. I’ll call my father.”

“I’m sure daddy will rush right over and rescue his little girl. That’s your problem—you can’t take care of yourself. You leech off other people and think it’s okay. Consequences are not even on your radar.”

“What do you want from me, Marka? I came here to talk to you about helping me start my business. Rob said you’re a genius.”

“What? Why would I do that? Robert told you that?”

“Yes, it was his idea. I’m going into the fashion industry. Rob told me you were a successful model who could mentor me.”

“I don’t care what Robert told you. The answer is 'No," and you still haven’t answered my question about what took you so long."

Daneen stammered, blushing. “Actually, Rob and I spent a couple of extra hours in bed. It was very nice.”

Marka placed her hands on a patio table and sat. Her face paled and her body vibrated like a jackhammer. She choked as she strained to see the now-blurry image of Daneen Johnson. Swallowing hard, she spat out her words. “You’re nothing more than a snowflake in a blizzard.”

Daneen raised and lowered her shoulders as she took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Marka,” she said, a lilt in her voice. “I know you counted on winning. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to be flung to the curb either, after sixteen years of dedication to a man I’m unsuitable for.”

Marka curled her body, wrapping her arms around her abdomen in a tight embrace. Her shoulders rose and fell as she tried to contain the sobbing that rose in her throat. She raised her head and let out a woeful guttural moan, her face contorted.

Daneen dropped beside Marka onto the bench of the table. She reached out to pat Marka’s hand, a smirk on her face. Marka twisted her body and yanked her hand away.

“There, there, Marka,” said Daneen. “You and Robert never had anything, really. He didn’t expect you to age so ungracefully. He needs someone who can keep up with him. The sooner you admit it, the sooner you can move on and find someone more your style.”

No longer able to hold the tears which coursed down her face in rivulets, Marka let them flow. She pulled a small package of facial tissues from her pocket and dried her eyes and face. She heaved a great breath. Her words came from her low and measured.

“Rob spent last night with me, Daneen. Where do you think he’s been during all those trips for the last five months? Fishing? Trade show? Out-of-state meeting? He cheated on me with you. Did you think he wouldn’t cheat on you?”

Marka stood and walked around the table. “Of course not. You’re special. You understand him. You excite him. You could magically turn him into a twenty-five-year old. Idiots, both of you.”

Marka’s eyes brightened and she sneered at Daneen.“There’s nothing special about, you, Daneen. You’re just another filly in the stable. The world is teeming with girls like you.”

Daneen, who sat with her head bowed and her shoulders slumped, straightened and looked out at the lake. Tears flowed and dripped off her chin. She turned toward Marka. “What will you do now?”

“While you were meandering your way here, Robert called. By the time you get home, he and all his belongings will be gone from your apartment. This morning with you was one last fling. The four of us are going to be a family.”

Daneen shrieked. “A family?”

“Yes, Daneen, I’m pregnant and Robert wants to be available when the baby is born. Then he’ll return to his home in Boulder.” Marka kept her voice as light as the upper keys on a piano.

Daneen’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand.

“He didn’t tell you he had another home, did he? He’s been staying with Jeffrey and me all along. The sad thing is you believed everything he told you. About me. About my family. About who he wanted to be. He is a mirage."

Marka narrowed her eyes. "I’ve spent sixteen years grooming my brother for the greatness he was destined for. Don’t think for a moment I will let you or any other woman or man move in on what I’ve built."

You thought just because he has a mental disability, he couldn’t see through you. You were wrong. Don’t be upset, though. Everyone else made the same mistake. He innocently told me all about you. You didn’t count on that. When he dies, everything comes to me.

He signed a new will yesterday. This was never about no one being good enough for my brother. It’s about self-preservation."

Marka shoved her wet tissue in her pocket and strode to her car. "Good day, Daneen.”

Daneen ran after her screaming. “How could you do this? You set this whole thing up. You knew all along what would happen.” Daneen pulled a gun from her purse and gripped it with both her shaking hands. “Marka Williams, you can’t get away with this. I’ll kill you.”

Marka stopped, turned around, and marched up to Daneen. She noticed Daneen’s trembling hands, and the gun pointed downward, too heavy for her. Marka grabbed the gun away.

“Idiot. Killing me won’t get you a dime, only a very long prison sentence.”

Marka walked to the edge of the lake and threw the pistol into the water. It made a sploosh and disappeared.

She returned to her car without so much as a glance to where Daneen stood sobbing. She started the engine, backed out of the parking space, and left the park.

She smiled to herself and said aloud, “Today is a very good day.”