Page 67 of Enthrall Secrets
Chapter 21
France
DANTON LIKED FOR us to read to him.
He sat up in bed with his back resting against the headboard and put in his requests for which books he wanted. Cameron and I would happily head off to the library to find novels by Charles Dickens or anything by Hemingway. Danton even made me read works from Edgar Allen Poe, and then he’d laugh when I acted freaked out over the macabre stories.
We spent the long days just talking and laughing at silly things, and I’d sit riveted as Danton and Cameron would reminisce about their time together at boarding school, or Cameron’s time at Harvard, or Danton’s recollections of studying music in Paris.
I’d massage Danton’s hands to relax him. We were all comfortable enough to not be threatened by those long silences that brought the peace Danton needed for his headaches.
My education continued as they both chose subjects they thought I’d benefit from, like the arts or music or travel. They shared places they thought I should visit, many of them countries they’d both been to in the past.
As the days passed us by, I came to realize their closeness.
Our closeness.
We all appreciated the sacredness of our friendship and it felt as though we were becoming more…becoming a family.
The one I’d never had.
This was more than I’d envisioned true love to be, and though fearing his death, it also brought with it a stark reflection of the profoundness of life. Every butterfly that visited us through the open doors on those warm, lazy days and every bird’s song that reached our ears became something sacred.
Danton’s wishes would be honored and this house would remain a serene sanctuary - nothing but adoration would fill these rooms.
Together, Cameron and I turned Danton’s bedroom into a beautiful space where nature and art morphed into one. I placed potted plants out on the balcony; daisies and bright colored roses, their soothing scent filling the room.
Cameron proved just how versatile he was when he worked high on a ladder in the center of Danton’s bedroom, changing out the ordinary light fixture and hanging one of those upside-down tulips in its place.
More medical supplies were dropped off by Doctor Pier and Cameron reassured him he had everything covered and was more than qualified to provide the best care.
When Danton could no longer drink and the homemade soup I’d cooked for him could no longer be tolerated, Cameron set up an intravenous infusion in Danton’s left arm to keep him hydrated and make him comfortable. Now and again he administered morphine to ease Danton’s pain.
He slipped in and out of sleep.
The ocean glistened as the sun reflected off it by day and the moon by night.
We kept open the double doors of the balcony so he could enjoy the greenery, watch the birds swoop by and take in the sea view beyond, though his sight was fading now.
Despite everything, there was a sense of serenity.
There were no disagreements as there was nothing to argue about, merely a mutual respect that we were all here for each other.
That final evening started out like any other, with Cameron sitting on the bed on Danton’s left and me snuggled up on his right, resting my head on my lover’s chest and savoring his every heartbeat - breathing through the terror I felt but wanting to be strong for him.
Danton pressed his lips to my head in a warm kiss.
I raised my face to better see him, my brow furrowed in a question.
“Do you see how wonderful life is?” he asked weakly. “How important you are as part of it?”
I frowned, too saddened to speak.
“Scarlet, you’ve given me more than I knew possible,” he said hoarsely. “You’re so beautiful inside. Don’t let the world take that away.” He took a shallow breath. “Forgive those who do you harm. Don’t let their betrayal poison you. Purge it and replace it with love. Embrace each moment. Look at what you’ve given me. You’ve given yourself completely.” He closed his eyes. “What else is there?”
No. It was Danton who had given me strength and the ability to see that life could be glorious.
My death wish had long ago dissipated because of him, because he’d taught me to know myself and live authentically.
