Digging Deep

DASHIELL

A smile curls my lips as I pour myself a glass of martini. Dakota had said yes to me. She has accepted my help. To say that I'm in a good mood would be an understatement.

"I haven't seen that look on your face in so long," my mother comments from her position on the couch. I turn to look at her, taking a sip of my drink.

"What look?" I say, sinking into the same couch.

"You're literally glowing again, and your eyes...they tell me that you've found happiness again. It's been decades since I saw that look in your eyes," she explains.

I grimace, taking another sip of my drink. All along, I'd believed that I'd hidden my loneliness quite well. Most people were fooled by the easy smile on my face.

"She reminds me of..." My mother's eyes turn sad. She's trying to consider my feelings. Years ago, I couldn't stand the sound of Alyssa's name. I guess my mother still remembers that. That's why she's the first woman I've ever loved. I would kill for her, just like I've done in t