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“And I will make sure she goes,” Torin interrupted.
Carson and Lisa shared a look as an awkward silence settled upon them.
“Torin,” Carson said shattering the icy nether, “forgive our shock, but surely you can understand that a mere week ago, Donja was just a kid, into goth and crazy music that made us want to scream. She’s suffering right now, she just moved here and lost all her friends and I guess what I’m trying to say is, she’s not thinking clearly.” He put his arm around Lisa. “Please, you drive a nice car and you’re obviously from money, or great debt,” he said lightly, “but marriage and taking on a wife is a serious business and Donja’s just not stable enough for something that drastic. I don’t know if you realize but she’s suffered the death of her father and I don’t use the word suffer lightly.” He narrowed his eyes. “Anyway, your age…it’s just not a good fit for a young girl.”
Torin licked his lips. “I hear what you’re saying, but I’m afraid you underestimate Donja. She’s a remarkable young woman and let me assure you,” he said with a defiant glint in his eyes, “I have no debt, quite the contrary. I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime. Donja will never want for anything. Now granted, I am older, but we love each other and to be honest age has nothing to do with love.” He cleared his throat. “Forgive me and not to be rude,” Torin said sharing a look with Carson, “but you actually look a few years older than your wife, Mr. Hampton.”
Carson cut his eyes to Lisa as the blood drained from his face.
“How dare you,” Lisa blurted, gripping Carson’s arm. “Listen to me. It’s not going to happen,” she glowered, “Now get out of our house!”
From the foyer, the signature creak of floorboards not only stalled Lisa’s words but drew every eye. “Yes, Mom, it is,” Donja’s voice rang as she and Makayla came waltzing in. Torin turned just as Donja waltzed over to him and planted a kiss on his lips. “This is a surprise,” she said, palming his cheeks with a forced smile, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I wanted to do the right thing and talk with your mother.” He lifted his chin. “You smell like ashes, have you been around a fire?”
Donja and Makayla shared a look.
“We…yes…a friend of mine’s father was burning leaves,” Makayla stammered.
“Ahhh,” Torin smiled suspiciously.
Donja cocked her head and met his gaze. “So, you came to talk to my mom, about us?”
“Yes, as I said, she’s your mother and though I wanted my intentions to be a surprise, I suppose the cat’s out of the bag.”
“Well, Donja mused, “as you can see,” she said with a cold look to her mom, “if you were going to ask what I hope you were going to ask, we’ll have to elope. She’ll never go for it. In case you haven’t noticed,” she said with a roll of her eyes, “she’s got a stubborn streak a mile long.”
“Donja, what on earth has come over you,” Lisa blurted her voice breaking. “You just met this man and that’s exactly what he is, a man, not a boy. He’s long past high school, he’s—”
“What, Mom?” Donja interrupted with a fiery gaze. “Handsome, rich, in love with me,” she snapped with a sarcastic tone unbecoming a seventeen-year-old.
“Donja, don’t talk to your mother like that!” Carson said with a gruff tone.
Donja faced off with him. “Well my mother needs to realize that I’m not ten anymore,” she glowered. “I’m in love and I intend to marry this man, with or without her blessing.” She turned to Torin. “Do you have my ring?”
“I do,” he answered softly as he stood and pulled a velvet box from his pants pocket. “Donja,” he said as he dropped to one knee. He rocked his head and their eyes locked as he snapped the velvet box open. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Donja’s hand flew to her mouth as she eyed the ring which must have been a twenty-carat solitaire. “Yes,” she squealed, feigning joy that didn’t even closely match the raging cauldron within. She wiped at her dry eyes, praying her mother bought the performance.
“Donja, I forbid this!” Lisa snapped, clinging to Carson.
Donja, who was now trembling, noticed the pain on Lisa’s face as Torin slid the ring on her finger.
“Donja, you need to go to your room and Torin I think it best that you leave,” Lisa blurted, tears streaking her cheek.
Ignoring her, Donja slid into Torin’s arms and kissed him, passionately. She pulled back and with their eyes fused, whispered, “I need a bath and a change of clothes. Can you come back in a few hours? I’ll be waiting,” she cooed with a hand to his cheek.”
Torin kissed her nose, then turned to Lisa. “I can feel your pain and I’m sorry…truly I am, but I promise you she will not only be safe, but happy.”
Donja’s heart flipped in her chest, the word ‘safe’ forcing a shudder.
Lisa fired daggers from her glistening eyes.
“Again, I’m sorry for your pain, Torin reiterated, “but isn’t happiness all that’s important in this very short life we live, Mrs. Hampton?”
Donja’s stomach churned.
Carson took Lisa in his arms as her sobs resonated. “I will not accept this,” Lisa screeched, “and I’m asking you one last time. Leave our home!”