Bridges: A Daphne White Novel by Maria Murnane

Author:Maria Murnane [Murnane, Maria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“There she is.” KC pointed across Columbus Circle to the southwest entrance of the park. Skylar was sitting alone on a bench as people flowed by in both directions.

“You want me to give you two some space?” KC asked Daphne.

Daphne reached for KC’s arm. “No.” Together they crossed the busy street, and then Daphne tentatively approached the bench, KC trailing a little behind her. Daphne sat down on one side of Skylar, KC the other.

“Skylar, I lost my mind in there,” Daphne said, tears again welling in her eyes. “I don’t know why I said those nasty things to you, and you have no idea how sick I feel about it. Please, please try to forgive me. I’m so incredibly sorry.”

Skylar stared straight ahead for a few moments, then turned to face her with a pained look that Daphne had never seen. “Do you really feel that way about me? Do you really think I’m trying to . . . beat you? That I’m a . . . snob?”

Tears begin to slide down Daphne’s cheeks. “No, Skylar. You’re the most generous person I’ve ever met. You’re smart and talented and loyal and kind, and you’ve worked your tail off to get where you are. You deserve everything you have—everything. You’re wonderful, and I hope Emma grows up to be just like you.”

Skylar began crying too. “Then why would you say those things to me?”

Daphne looked at her hands. She had never seen Skylar cry before. “I think . . . I think . . . I’m jealous,” she said in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. “Seeing your life up close this weekend, your career, your success, everything you have, it makes me feel like I don’t . . . measure up.”

“Measure up? What are you talking about, Daphne? We’re friends. This isn’t a competition.” Skylar looked at KC. “Do you feel this way too?”

KC quickly shook her head, clearly eager to stay out of the conversation.

Skylar turned back to Daphne. “How can you even compare our lives? That’s like comparing apples and television sets. Yes, we chose different paths, but that was a decision, not an indication of intelligence or ability.”

“I’m not so sure about that anymore,” Daphne said.

“Stop it. I went to school with you for four years, remember? Don’t you think I know how bright you are? How talented you are? You could have had a huge career if you wanted it.”

Daphne felt more tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m not talented.”

“Of course you are. Why would you even say something like that? Remember what a star you were becoming at that magazine before you got married? Those awards you won? And look at what you’ve done now, even after years away from writing. You authored a book, Daphne. And it’s good. Do you know how many people dream of doing something like that? Of being able to do something like that?”

Daphne shook her head. “It’s not going to get published.”

“You don’t know that,” Skylar said.

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