Appearances: Part 3 of 3

Dear Diary,

After a year and a half of dating, I asked Phoebe to be my wife. Her initial response was not what I expected.

“No.”

“No? Why not? Don’t you love me?”

“Daniel, I love you. I really do but I can’t marry you.”

“Why not, Phoebe?”

She began to cry.

“Baby, please don’t cry. What is it? You can tell me. It won’t change how I feel about you or the fact that I want you as my wife. What is it, Phoebe?”

Phoebe took a few deep breaths. “I’m unable to have children.”

“Is that it?”

She hesitated before answering, “Yes.”

I looked at her and smiled, “Phoebe, it’s ok. If we decide to have children, we can always adopt.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. Now, Phoebe Cannon. Will you marry me?

“Yes!”

********************

“Hey, Daniel! Let me get you another drink.”

“No thanks, Cuz. I’ve had too much as it is. I want to be fully alert for later on tonight.”

“I totally understand.”

Watching Phoebe on the dance floor, swaying her hips to the music, was torture and erotic at the same time. I could not wait to leave the reception and get her upstairs to the bridal suite—the things I planned to do to her.

I walked up behind her and put my arms around her waist. She tensed up.

“You ok, baby?” I asked.

“Yeah. You just startled me.”

I kissed her on the cheek, “How about we take this party upstairs…just the two of us?”

“I really want to spend a little more time with our guests.”

I turned her around to face me. “You sure you’re ok?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” She turned and walked away. She seemed edgy…almost terrified about going upstairs.

“Hey, Cuz. I’ll take that drink now.”

After an hour of watching my bride dance and mingle, I had had enough. I finished off one last drink and walked towards my wife.

“Time’s up.” I said as I whisked her away.

“But Daniel…”

I heard my cousin yell out, “Don’t hurt her too bad, playa!”

We finally made it to the bridal suite. I picked her up and carried her over the threshold and straight to the bed. I laid her down and began to kiss her.

“Daniel, wait.”

“Wait for what? I want you, Phoebe! Don’t you want me?”

“Yes but I’m not ready yet.”

Maybe I had too much to drink because I was not myself.

I ignored her pleas to stop. I had waited a long time to taste her nectar and I refused to wait any longer.

In the midst of the struggle I managed to free her breast from the dress. I thought she would submit to the passion once I began fondling them but she didn’t.

I didn’t understand why she still insisted that I stop but I wasn’t about to quit in order to find out.

I began to lift her dress. She fought me harder.

My hand touched her thigh.

“Daniel, Stop it!”

Her hip…

“PLEASE! DON”T DO THIS!”

Then I touched between her legs…

“DANIEL! NOOOOOOO!”

I jumped off the bed, staring at her in disbelief. She sat up and began to sob uncontrollably.

“Daniel…”

I signaled for her to be quiet. I had to process what just happened.

“Daniel…..I’m so sorry.” She whispered.

I paced the floor…refusing to look at her. I couldn’t believe it.

This beautiful woman.

This gorgeous woman who shared the same passions as I did…

this caring woman who I loved more than life itself…

the woman I planned to grow old with was actually…

a man.

********************

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I didn’t turn around. I already knew who it was. I finished my drink and stood up.

“Daniel Thomas. You are under arrest on suspicion of the murder of Phoebe Cannon Thomas. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney….”

~ Daniel ~