Who: Daryn O'Conner When: April 9, 2017, late afternoon Where: Sands Point What: The long avoided call home Rating: Low Status: Narrative
Daryn sat on a bench, along the main street in Sands Point, surrounded by shops that would soon be closing their doors for business on the leisurely and mild Sunday afternoon. A newly acquired burner phone in her hand, Daryn dialed the number but hesitated to press send. It was a call she had wanted to make for years. Thirteen years. But she'd always found an excuse not to call. The last time she'd had contact with her parents, the message was clear. Do not call, do not come back, it was better for everyone that way. Her "problems" wouldn't shame the family any longer, and they would pay for anything and everything she needed. In all those years, Daryn had wanted to see her mother's smile or hear her father's voice countless times. But she did as she was told, and stayed away. But more and more lately, she had the urge to get in contact. It had been such a long time, surely a short, simple phone call couldn't do any harm. Maybe they'd be happy to hear from her, maybe they would be proud that she hadn't completely ruined her life. Maybe now that she had something happy to share, maybe that would make it okay.
Taking a deep breath, Daryn pressed send and held the phone to her ear. While she had kept her distance, she'd always kept track of where her parents were, and if they were in good health. Since their financial connection was still solid, it wasn't hard for Daryn to locate their phone numbers. But this was the first time she used that information. While it felt like that phone was ringing for an eternity, after a few moments, someone did answer. A warm, familiar female voice spoke on the other end of the line, "Hello?"
Daryn's voice caught in her throat before she was finally able to respond. She hadn't realized that she slipped back into her heavy Southern accent, just as easily as slipping on an old, familiar coat. "Mama? Hey... it's me, Daryn."
There was a surprised gasp before the woman spoke again, her voice bubbling with delight. "Daryn? Baby, is it really you? I've missed you so much! How are you, darlin', where are you?"
Hearing her mother's words, Daryn felt like her heart was going to burst. For the second time in a week, she was crying quiet, happy tears. Sniffling, she quickly responded. "I'm good. I've missed you and Daddy and Devon. I just wanted to call to tell you that I'm getting ma-" Before Daryn could finish, she heard a bit of muffled arguing in the background, and suddenly a different voice was on the line. Her heart dropped.
"Why are you calling? You're upsetting your mother." The deep, booming voice was straight out of her childhood memories. Except, now there was less warmth and humor in her father's tone. He sounded tired and angry.
Closing her eyes tightly, Daryn silently admonished herself. She should have known this would happen, she shouldn't have contacted them, nothing had changed. She tried to speak, but she couldn't find the words to try to set things right. "Daddy, I'm sorry, I just needed to talk to you and Mama again, I just wanted to hear your voices."
"Well, you've heard them. Don't call again, Daryn. Don't do this to your mother." Her father's voice was stern, but there was a hint of sadness in his words. Before Daryn could say anything, he spoke again, in a hushed whisper. "I know what you are, Daryn. I didn't know it then, I didn't want to know. But I realize it now. I won't tell your mother or your sister, it would break their hearts. Just stay away, for good this time." And without warning, the connection was severed and the line went dead.
Lowering the phone into her lap, Daryn shut it off and stared at it in silence. Swiping at her eyes, she glanced around to make sure that no one had seen her crying. The happy tears had stopped suddenly, and all that remained was a painful lump in her throat. She'd chosen her words carefully, so if anyone had happened to overhear the conversation, nothing on her end seemed suspicious. But her father's words still echoed in her mind. I know what you are. Swallowing hard, she stood and dropped the phone into the neighboring trashcan. Moving slowly, Daryn headed down the sidewalk, in the opposite direction of Sanctuary. She needed some time away, some time to press this all down, before she could go back and face everything.