Denial
A Story Every Day in 2024 Nov 11th 316/366
Dave's immediate response: to deny.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Dave continued to walk ahead.
"Stop."
Bethan was behind him and he was tempted to continue but he did as he was asked. He composed his face as she came level with him. She stood directly in front of him and scrutinised him.
"Tell me the truth, Dave," she said, quietly, standing inches from him, her eyes intent.
He looked at the woman who had once been his wife. Her eyes were sharp, fierce with inquiry as they searched his. It took all of his control not to relinquish the stance he was taking and confess all to her right there and then. Everything.
But how could he? How could he tell her? How could he confess that he had had Laney's camera all these years? That he had found it at the quarry? That he had removed it from there because he feared discovery? That he was a shallow, selfish man who cared more about himself than his daughter? That self-preservation at all costs was paramount to him? That he had lived a double life and that when Laney had disappeared, he had seen it as a golden opportunity to make his life more simple? To get rid of the extraneous wife now the daughter had gone and be completely committed to the one he had running parallel?
As it was, he didn't need to say anything because Bethan knew that he was lying and her disgust at his inability to be true at this time was palpable.
Dave saw the scowl cross her face and knew what he had to do.
"Okay," he said, slowly. "Okay."
"Okay what?" Bethan said, the attacking tone in her voice telling him that she was running out of patience with him. Still unaware of exactly what she knew, he decided that Laney, as always, was the draw that would keep her where she could best be controlled.
"I found Laney's camera."
The confession pierced Bethan's anger, allowing fear and surprise to flow through.
"When? And where?" Bethan's glare had softened slightly but she scanned Dave's face.
He had her where she needed to be.
"The quarry."
***
366 words
So perhaps Dave is not as bad as we thought.
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Be Honest
Dave thought about Bethan's question. Could he be honest? Yes, he could but he wasn't prepared for the fallout from that grenade and the damage that it could do him. Not a chance. Could he give her pieces of honesty? Yes, he could. There were things he could tell her that would give her bits of the picture he wanted her to see.
By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Comments (11)
I’m on the same page as Caroline, no redemption for him yet in my mind
I agree with Cindy. And potentially returning to the quarry makes it scarier still!
Great story...interesting..
Rachel, I have been away from Vocal, but had to check back on some of my favorites, and this is amazing. I don't know how you do it, but it's a gift and please keep giving it to us!
So suspenseful......we shall see just how bad Dave - or Bethan - can be.....
Ditto Caroline’s comments! Dave’s a bad egg & you’re an excellent storyteller!😊
Nope - disagree. I think Dave is every bit as bad as we thought! To leave his ex wife in the dark about their missing daughter.... unforgivable! You've written such believable characters - great stuff.
All humans are flawed. Dave is more flawed than others. What a way to keep the suspense going, Rachel!
The idea that he could have seen his daughter's disappearance as making his life easier tells us what kind of selfish coward he is. Maybe Bethan will throw him in the quarry.
Damnit I want to push him off the damn quarry.
Of course he is bad as as we thought! He already told where. Ask him to tell when