Page 139 of Burn Bag
DAPHNE
Excitement thrummedthrough me at the prospect of going on the dig, but the idea of leaving my husband was making me nauseous. Did I really want to leave for months at a time when we were just starting to get along so well? What would that mean for our relationship?
“Honey! We have to leave soon and you’re still not packed!” my mother said, rushing into the room.
“Mom, I haven’t even talked to Bradley yet.”
“Is that really necessary?” She asked, walking over to my closet. Yanking the doors open, she started searching for the appropriate attire to pack. “I mean, you’ve only been married a few weeks!”
“Yes, when it’s most important to get things right,” I added just as she tossed a couple of shirts out of the closet, smacking me in the face.
“You have years to get things right,” she countered, pulling more items down from hangers. “Honestly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime dig! Imagine, Queen Nefertiti! It’s everything we’ve dreamed of!”
“Yes, I know, but—” Another shirt smacked me in the face and I pulled it away, irritated that she wasn’t listening. “Mother, will you stop digging through my closet!”
“Daphne, we really don’t have time to discuss this. Now, I’ve booked our flight, and if we don’t leave for the airport soon, I’m notsure what the point of scheduling this meeting was. We need the money,” she called over her shoulder.
“I never agreed to go!” I shouted, finally getting her to stop and listen.
Slowly, she turned, her face slack with shock. “You don’t want to go?”
“I didn’t say that,” I said, frustratedly. “But I just got out of the hospital. I haven’t even had a night to think about it. You just keep pushing and pushing, just like you always do!”
“Because this has always been our dream,” she hedged.
It had been. That wasn’t a lie. “I know, but I need a minute.”
“Well, you can think all you want on the plane,” she smiled. Rushing over to me, she clasped my hands in hers, reminding me of when I was a kid and she made a huge discovery. “Just imagine walking onto the dig site just like when you were younger. Only this time, that huge prize is waiting for us.”
By prize, she was referring to the discovery. My mother would never worry about something as trivial as money unless it was for her project. And for that, I admired the hell out of her. But my life was no longer pointed in the same direction as hers. There were other things I dreamed of, and one of those included my husband.
“I just…I need some time,” I said, prying my hands out of hers.
“Oh.” The disappointment in her voice was palpable, but she plastered a smile on her face. “I suppose you could take a later flight. If that’s what you want.”
I did. Desperately. I wanted both worlds, but I didn’t know how to accomplish that. “Just…let me talk to Bradley.”
“Sure. I understand.” She smiled widely at me, her shoulders heaving in excitement. “Well, your father and I should get going, then. Give us a final sendoff?”
“Sure.”
Neither of us said that we weren’t sure if they would see me in a few days. I didn’t know, and I wasn’t prepared to walk away from Bradley without a serious discussion.
But I followed her downstairs and hugged them both before theygrabbed their bags and scurried off, waving down some poor sap on the property that they would no doubt order to take them to the airport. And whoever that poor sap was would take them because my parents were convincing like that.
It was only minutes later that Bradley walked into the house, his eyes surprised when he saw me sitting in the living room in silence. Shoving his hands in his pockets, I could feel the vulnerability coming off him in waves.
“I’m surprised you’re still here.” His eyes searched for bags, but when he didn’t find any, he relaxed just a little.
“I wasn’t going to leave without discussing it with you first.”
“So, you are going,” he hedged. Unease flashed in his eyes as he stepped further into the room.
“I haven’t decided yet. Honestly, it’s just…it’s chaotic and…”
“And what?” He sat down with me, taking my hand in his. “Do you want to go?”
“Yes. No.” I sighed, shaking my head. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But…”
