We're on Equal Footing

Professor Lockwood had indeed been a well-respected gentleman, if the crowd gathered at the funeral parlor was any indication. Phoebe and her mother linked arms as they greeted and thanked those who came to pay their last respects.

When Phoebe spotted Daniel, she dropped her mother's arm and dashed up to him. She clutched his sleeve and broke into tears, wailing with grief. At some point, her legs caved under her weight, and she nearly toppled over.

Daniel hurried to pull the weeping woman into his arms and murmured soft words of comfort. He glanced at me. "I'll stay with Phoebe for a bit. Go on without me."

I nodded wordlessly and approached Professor Lockwood's portrait. I lowered my head in silent prayer, then made my way toward the ashen-faced old woman standing by the side. "Mrs. Lockwood, my deepest condolences."

Mrs. Lockwood dried her tears and gripped my hand, nodding with forced bravado. "You must be Daniel's girlfriend. Thank you for coming to see Macon. We heard you were getting married soon, but Daniel's a good kid.

"He said he'd put off the wedding for half a year out of respect for Macon. I'm sorry if you've had to put your plans on hold."

I said nothing as emotions swirled within me, but I kept my expression placid. I did not bring up the ridiculous affair that Daniel and Phoebe were having, but Mrs. Lockwood must have caught the look in my eyes.

She drew a deep breath and added, "Macon and I practically watched Daniel grow up. Macon was his mentor in all the ways that counted during his university days until he accomplished his doctorate's degree.

"Daniel had great respect for Macon, hence his decision to put the wedding on hold. I hope you won't hold it against him."

The woman was pleading with me, so I squeezed out a tight smile and said, "I understand where he's coming from." No point blaming Daniel for his decision when I had already promised to marry someone else.

Mrs. Lockwood nodded. "And please excuse Phoebe. She clings to Daniel far too often for her own good, but I can tell he doesn't think of her as anything more than a friend. His heart lies with you."

My own heart leaped to my throat as I regarded Mrs. Lockwood with shock. "Me?" I repeated incredulously, searching her gaze for an answer or explanation.

Taken aback by my response, Mrs. Lockwood hurriedly explained, "I'm not lying, child. Macon and I used to think Daniel was too engrossed with books and academics to fall for anyone. But since you came into his life, he would bring you up in his conversations with us from time to time.

"He would tell us where he ran into you or what you whipped up for him in the kitchen, or even what you did to get his attention during your pursuit of him. He sounded as if he were grousing, but we could tell he was in love with you. He just didn't know how to show it."

I felt like my head had just imploded. I might have felt happy or contented if Mrs. Lockwood had told me this months ago, but now, I couldn't help but find her reassurance ironic.

If Daniel truly loved me, why did I never feel it? If he cared about me at all, why would he agree to have a child with another woman?

I took a deep breath and willed myself to calm down. My relationship with Daniel had been doomed since the day he and Phoebe agreed to have a child together.

As Macon's protégé, Daniel was the last to leave the memorial service.

I stood before the funeral parlor as Daniel's black Mercedes G-Wagon pulled up before me. As I reached out to open the door on the passenger's side, I peeked through the rolled-down window to see Phoebe weeping herself silly in the car.

Mrs. Lockwood flashed me an apologetic look from the backseat.

I silently opened the door to get in, only to hear Phoebe say, "Danny, could you drop me off at the cemetery to see Dad? Just you and Mom."

Mrs. Lockwood frowned in disapproval. "Phoebe!"

However, Phoebe started bawling. "Dad's gone, and all I want is for those closest to me to visit him with me so I can talk to him. Can't I have that?"