A Second Chance

[Guest]

This thread is closed to Poganin and Ashkeyana0418 - hope you enjoy though!

Char profile:
Melissa aka Mel
25y/o
5’3”
Dark brown hair
Green eyes
Petite, but curvy – a little shy, a bit of a bookworm, but otherwise outgoing and usually fun to be around. Has been married to Michael for 5 years when he’s suddenly killed in a horrible car crash. Devastated, she becomes a bit of a recluse, shutting out friends and family, trying to deal with her grief, but finding it hard to surface from the bleakness she feels.

Beginning…

Melissa sat in her living room, the curtains drawn tight, letting very little light inside her normally cheerfully bright home. The shadows the filled the room seemed to fit her mood…bleak, empty and yet still hurting. A hurt that always seemed to grab at her heart and squeeze the breath out of her. This was one of those moments…in the 3 months since Michael’s death she hadn’t moved a thing. She left his clothes in the closet, pictures on the wall and sheets on their bed. She had refused to wash them until his scent was gone and now she missed it terribly. The house was a wreck. Clothes lay here and there, dirty dishes and glasses…she just didn’t care. Didn’t want to care, didn’t want to feel and yet feeling is all she seemed to do. Michael. Her heart hurt…her eyes stung with fresh tears that she tried furiously to blink back.

In her lap she held a small picture of her husband…her now dead husband, she reminded herself. Through the frame she traced his face slowly, remembering his beautiful smile and rich laugh. The way he knew without her saying anything that something was wrong and how he always made things better. Her Michael was gone…her mind knew it, but her heart refused to believe it. She was a mess, emotionally and physically. Her normally curvy figure had dropped about 20 lbs, leaving her clothes baggy and ill shaped. Where she spent time with makeup and hair, she now left her face bare and hair to it’s own demise. “I miss you.” She whispered, chocking on a sob and letting herself dissolve into a fit of tears. Clutching the frame to her chest, she double over in her seat and let out a heart felt wail. When would the pain ease…when would it go away?

The phone rang, startling her, but she ignored it. Breathing deep, she hiccupped and wiped her eyes, listening as the machine picked up. “You’ve reached Mel and Mike, leave your name and…” BEEP! “Mel…It’s Daniel, pick up, Mel. I know you’re home. Come on, Mel.” There was a silence, then a short grumble. “Alright, call me or I’m going to bug you until you pick up.” Click!

She was holding her breath. Having just realized this, let it out in a warm rush. Daniel. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since the funeral. Michael’s middle brother…they knew each other. Not well, mostly from what Michael told them about each other. He was always so much quieter and a little shy around her it seemed. She wasn’t sure and most of the time she just thought he didn’t like her, but now he was calling her out of the blue. He never called her. She wondered what he wanted.

With a deep sigh, she bit back another sob and stood, padding across the room, down the hallway into her room. Crawling onto the bed, she hugged a pillow close and closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.

 

[Poganin]

OOC:
Daniel, also called Dan or Danny by his family
24 years old
6'1''
Black hair, blue eyes
Daniel is a calm, introverted guy who just left the army. He is on good terms with his family and although he couldn't agree with Michael about his voluntary service, the two brothers usually spent time when he was on pass together. On the few occasions when he met Melissa he kept silent and to himself, abashed by her charms and envious that his brother found himself such a charming wife. After his death, Daniel finds himself in an uncomfortable situation.


IC:
It has been three weeks since his discharge and Daniel decided to take care of some private business before carrying on to do what Michael asked him to do. When his pass for the funeral had ended and he had had to return to his camp there was a letter waiting for him, fro Michael's lawyer. Apart from condolences he found a piece of paper on which, as it was explained was Michael's will. One short sentence actually: see to Mel's well-being.

Well shit, excellent, bro! You go and die on all your family and I am to take care of the wife who loved you more than anyone in the world and couldn't care less about me. How the hell am I supposed to do that?

Daniel was at a loss. Mel seemed like a nice enough woman, charming and pretty but they hed never talked much and all he knew he knew from his deceased brother or things their mother told him. He was no dashing lad however to know his way around girls and preferred to keep his mouth shut rather than say something wrong. Michael should have asked Lance, they youngest of the three brothers, to do it... the effects would probably be better.

Dan picked up the receiver and dialled Melissa's number. He waited five signals and then the machine answered him. Damn, why wasn't she picking up? How can she separate herself from the whole world like this?

“Mel... It’s Daniel, pick up, Mel. I know you’re home. Come on, Mel.” But she didn't pick up, so he just sighed. “Alright, call me or I’m going to bug you until you pick up.” He left the number of the motel he was staying in and hung up.

He knew she wouldn't call though. Daniel swore and packed his bag, put on his M-65 jacket and left his room right into October rain. He checked out and took a bus to arrive at the place where Mel lived, now alone, with no child to remind her of her dead husband. Why such good men as Michael had to die when such bastards as his drill sergeant lived. This world was one big chunk of crap!

He walked up to the front porch, crossing the unkempt garden, overgrown with weeds and wild grass. He pushed the doorbell button but heard nothing from inside, dead or broken. Dan knocked on the door and waited patiently but no one answered.

"Mel, I know you're in there! Open up!" he called but silence answered him. "Shit! I'm not moving from here until you let me in!"

He sat on the stairs with a resigned sigh and lit a cigarette, watching the rain, blowing smoke up in the air. From his bag he took the latest issue of "Guns & ammo" and started reading. Maybe he was shy but he was stubborn too and he loved Michael too much to fail his last request.

 

[Guest]

Mel flopped back on her back and groaned. What on earth was all that racket? She wondered. Stretching, she heard her doorbell ring and froze, listening. Faintly she heard a voice calling her - vaguely familiar and then another knock. Damn it...family. They were always trying to get her to talk to them, to cry on their shoulder, to go out and try and get over Michael. Didn't they understand she didn't want to get over it. He had been her life, her love, her everything.

Lord she felt like crap. Easing off the bed, she slipped on her fuzzy slippers and a robe over the oversized t-shirt she wore. One of Michael's. Carefully she made her way to the front of the house and peaked out. Daniel. Her stomach did a strange dip, as it usually did when she saw him and she held her breath. Why on earth was he here!? Wasn't he in the army or something?

She blew out her breath, he obviously wasn't going anywhere and she couldn't just let him sit out there. Damn it again! With a resigned sigh, she unlocked the door and cracked it open. "Daniel? Why are you sitting on my front porch?" She asked, her voice horse, but still functional.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel could hear soft steps from inside the house but decided to pretend he didn't. He felt uncomfortable being here, doing what he was asked to do and the pictures of rifles in the magazine were something he was very familiar with, calming his raging nerves. He heard the door open behind him and he blew the last puff of smoke away, killing the cigarette on the sole of his shoe and threw the butt on the grass. No one would notice it in this mess anyway.

"Daniel? Why are you sitting on my front porch?" Melissa's voice was different from what he remembered, sounded like croaking to him, she must have been crying.

Danny got up and turned and for a moment thought he had made a mistake and approached a wrong house. He didn't recognise this woman for the Mel his brother had been married to. She looked bad which reflected how she felt and Daniel felt pity for her. He knew very well how much they loved each other.

"Oh, I was just reading to kill time," he answered, looking uncomfortably to the side. "May I come in?"

 

[Guest]

She looked him over. He looked the same as she remembered...maybe a bit thinner, buffer. She knew that he liked to work out, just like Michael had. They used to brag to each other about how much either one could bench press. She almost smiled at the memory and then shook her head, realizing she'd been staring at him too long. He looked uncomfortable standing there and she suddenly felt a pang of guilt. The yard looked like crap and the house looked even worse.

"May I come in?"

His question was innocent enough. She trusted Daniel...he was family, sort of anyway. Still, she held her ground, "Why are you here, Daniel? I didn't invite you, so what's up?" She asked, again feeling a bit guilty for acting so unlike herself.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel blushed, embarrassed, not knowing what to say to her, taken aback by such rudeness. He didn't expect Melissa to be so pushy but couldn't really blame her. She was grieving, she was in terrible pain, the loss of Michael having shattered her peace and life. He didn't really know what to say, she had no reason to let him in, much less listen to him. Probably all members of family have already been here or called her, offering help and consolation. He was just another pest who invaded upon her pain and tried to nag.

Dan sighed and looked at the street, wishing he hadn't have to come here and do what Michael asked him to do. She didn't need him and he felt bad intruding upon her.

Unwillingly he met Melissa's inquisitive gaze and coughed uncomfortably.

"Look, I know you're not especially happy to see me and you'd rather be alone but..." it was no use making silly excuses and she was probably going to turn him down one way or the other. "...I'm here because Michael's last will was that I take care of you, Melissa."

 

[Guest]

She gasped, her fingers suddenly gripping the door. "What?" She whispered fiercely, "That's crazy! Why on earth would Michael do that?" New tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them back furiously. Her voice broke as she continued, "For god sake's! This isn't like in the old days when a brother dies, the next one takes over!"

She took a deep breath to calm herself, feeling herself slip onto the edge of hysteria. She swallowed hard and tried to collect herself. It was going to be alright, she would just have to talk sense into him or refuse his help. No way was she going to let him come into her world and mess around. No way, no how. It didn't matter that he was Michael's brother or that she had always thought him sweet in a shy/quiet sort of way. This was just too much.

Looking out at him, she finally opened the door, "You can come in, but you're not staying. I just can't leave you outside with the rain coming and going and it's obvious that you don't have a car, so...come in. But I'm not listening to this crap about Michael wanting you to take care of me. It's just silly."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Still standing on the porch Daniel opened right breast pocket of his jacket and handed Mel the letter from their lawyer along with Michael's note. He was beginning to regret ever coming here, from what Lance and other relatives had told him, Mel was more than unwilling to accept anyone's helping hand - so why should she be agreeing to let him stay.

"It's all in there. Go on and read it. And read what Michael wanted me to do. If you don't want me here, I'll go away right now, I don't want to force you to do anything... It's just that... I couldn't really go against his wishes... I loved him too, you know, and that's why I wanted to honour his request. If you think that unnecessary... well, I can't do anything about it. But read it and then look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't need anybody to take care of you -- and I won't bother you again."

 

[Guest]

With a trembling hand, she took the letter and walked over to her couch. The room was dark still, her drapes still drawn. Flicking on an end table light, she sat down and crossed her legs, tugging her robe close, covering her body.

She watched Daniel step into the house and ignored him a moment, slowly opening the letter. Michael's handwriting was plain to see...without a doubt, these were his wishes.

Dear Daniel,
I'm writing you this letter in the event that something should happen to me. I can't explain to you how much I love Melissa, but I hope that someday you'll come to realise what such love can bring. In the short years since we've been married, I fear that if something were to happen to me that she will be left alone. I know that if she died, I would probably crumble. I can't let that happen to her. She is my world, my everything and I want her to be happy even after my death, wether it be tomorrow or years from now. Something inside of me, tells me you're the one for the job. I love you, bro and am counting on you to help. Watch over her, take care of my woman. What's mine is yours bro, just take good care of her and Mel, if you read this, I love you baby. Now and always.
With Love,
Michael

Mel held the paper, her head bowed down and silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Michael. She sniffled and finally looked up at Daniel, folding up the letter and holding it close to her heart, "OK...so, maybe...I need a little help. It'll be temporary. I don't expect..." She paused, drawing in a breath, "I don't expect you to turn your life upside down for me. You can have the guest room, you can help around the house, but don't think that I'm going to be happy go lucky Mel anymore..."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan entered the house after Mel who went to the living room and sat down to read the papers he'd given her.

The interior was dark, gloomy and bleak and Daniel could feel the grief hanging in the air like a black shroud, obscuring the view, deepening the shadows and making the athmosphere heavy and quite scary. Inside it was even worse than the garden, the rooms haven't been dusted, carpets vacuumed, in the kitchen he saw a pile of dishes asking for washing and the air was stale... Daniel hung his head and shook it. This was such a sad place now and Michael had told him many times how much fun were regular evenings spent at home with his wife on chatting, watching movies or reading. It seemed as if death moved in after Michael had moved out.

Daniel hanged his coat and stood in the doorway to the living room, leaning on the door. He watched Mel finish reading the letter, tears flowing freely from her eyes. He listened to what she said and was relieved that she listened to reason and agreed for him to stay. He was relieved but even more uncomfortable, now that he realised that for some time he would be living with Michael's widow.

Danny nodded and scratched his chin. "I know, Melissa, I understand how you must feel. I promise not to be a burden, I'll try not to get in your way... Look, I probably am as much uncomfortable about this situation as you are confused with it but this is what Michael wanted, so it can't be bad for you. He..." Dan shook his head and stopped, it was no use speaking about this now. "I'm sorry. I'll go to the room now. Don't mind me."

 

[Guest]

'Don't mind me' he had said, leaving her alone to her thoughts. She almost laughed. How could she NOT mind him. He was going to be living in her home. The home she shared with Michael alone. Now Daniel was there...taking up space, making her home not so empty and yet it wasn't quite the same. She sighed deeply and leaned back against the couch. What a mess this was! How as she going to avoid family now. Her friends would probably never come back around, but family never gave up...most of the time. Now they had an excuse to come over. Especially Lance who adored both his brothers and was just as shocked and grief stricken as she at the news that his big brother had died. Only he bounced back and she wasn't quite so lucky.

"You know where everything is, just take what you like." She told Daniel before he left.

Looking around she felt guilt and shame. Their beautiful home was a mess. It had been one of Michael's pride and joys...buying her a house. Being able to provide for her needs and even in death he had left her a hefty sum of money to cover his funeral and any other expenses for quite some time. He was a planner, always had been.

When Daniel vanished into the guest room, she took the letter and returned to her room, shutting the door and crawling back into bed. Her eyes lingered on a picture of Michael by her bedside table and then her world went blank with sleep.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel unpacked his sack methodically, putting his clothes into drawers and hanging some in the wardrobe. The guest room had its own bathroom/toilet with a sink and a shower cabin so he wouldn't intrude upon Melissa's privacy. He sat on the bed and stared at the wall blankly.

This was crazy. Neither she really wanted him here nor he felt comfortable about this whole situation. What was Michael thinking? Asking him to help and take care of her... He must have known they were actually strangers to each other. They never spoke to each other more than a few polite sentences at family meetings and holidays. On the other hand Michael and Daniel were as close as brothers could ever be, they were brothers and best friends so there was nobody else Michael could have had such a request to make of. And Daniel could do nothing else but agree, he would do anything for Michael... but this just didn't feel right.

Silently he left his room and went to the kitchen. After the time spent in the army he just couldn't stand any kind of mess. He opened the window to let in some light and fresh air and started washing the dishes trying to do as little noise as possible. Mel did not come out of her room to scold him so he proceeded to dry the plates and cutlery and put them away in respective cupboards. He washed all tabletops with detergent and made the kitchen squeaky clean.

In the living room he opened the window as well and the place became more comfy at once. Danny collected the magazines and newspapers and put them in one place, generally ordering the room as much as he could without using the vacuum cleaner.

Daniel checked the contents of the fridge and was bewildered to see more than half of foodstuffs already unedible. He made a mental note of things to buy and on a notepad he scribbled went shopping, D. He put on his shoes and jacket and left the house for the nearest grocery.

 

[Guest]

Mel slept and then slept some more. When she woke up again the place was quiet. She seemed to have no real concept of time anymore. It was frightening, to think how many days had passed, but she really didn’t seem to care anymore. Then she remembered Daniel and sighed. She was hungry, but felt too sick to eat. She was thirsty, but really didn’t want to face Daniel at that moment and time. Unfortunately she didn’t have a master bathroom connected to her room, so she quietly slipped out and went to relieve herself. The light was blinding as she flicked on the switch and she winced. Glancing in the mirror, she froze for a moment and stared. She hardly recognized her own face. Her skin was pale with dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was a wreck, looking a little stringy. She turned to the full size mirror and let out a little groan. God, what Daniel must think of her. The oversized shirt seemed to dwarf her, consuming her now almost underweight figure. How Michael had loved her curves. Teased her when she thought herself too fat. Lovingly traced her slight pooch of a belly and dipped his tongue in her navel, calling her beautiful.

She sighed again and ran her hands over her now flat stomach. Her gaze flickered over to the tub and she pondered the thought of a hot bath. God knows when she’d last bathed and with a delicate sniff of her shirt, she wrinkled her nose. Not only did she look bad, but she smelled worse.

Frowning, she turned on the faucets and let hot water run, steaming up the bathroom. Could she do it? Could she take that small step to feeling a little better? She wasn’t sure, but at least she could be clean. Stepping into the tub, she sank into the hot water. It stung her skin, but she seemed to welcome the pain. It was something. Lathering up, she washed her skin and hair and face, soaking a moment, but trying to make short work of the task. She applied shaving cream to her legs and under her arms and shaved her skin smooth, then rinsed and stepped out. Toweling off, she grabbed her robe and tied it securely around her body and wrapped her hair up in a towel before leaving the bathroom.

Still thirsty, she decided to venture to the kitchen and could hardly believe her eyes. The place was spotless. Her eyes widened a fraction as she looked around. Daniel…he must have. Then she noticed the note on the fridge and shook her head. Well, I guess he has to eat, she thought to herself and turned around to grab a glass from a nearby cupboard before poring herself a glass of water.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Going back to Melissa's home Daniel still couldn't understand Michael's motives. Having listened to her arguments he had to agree with her -- no one had the right to intrude upon her mourning over her lost love. Dan thought that even Michael had no right to decide for her although his request was dictated by his loving heart. In the end it was up to Mel to either let him stay and let him try and coax her back to life or show him the door and sever her ties to his family completely.

Madness - this word turned in Daniel's head over and over again.

Loaded with bags he opened the front door and let himself in. Quietly he entered the kitchen and setting the bags on the table he saw Mel sitting and drinking... water he hoped. Embarrassed about being practically caught red-handed he scratched the back of his neck.

"Um... I had a look inside the fridge and decided it needed new fillings... I hope you don't mind."

Shifting uncomfortably under her gaze he nodded to her and shrugged, then stared unpacking the bags and placing the foodstuffs in the fridge. It would do for a few days and then another trip would be necessary. If he had a car it would be easier and cheaper, going to a supermarket but sa he had to go by foot he could only bring so much with him. What he bought wasn't exquisite but it was nutritious and judging from Melissa's looks she hadn't been eating very well... There was no reason to assume she would change her mind but at least he could try. Daniel also bought a few yoghurts he knew she liked.

He threw the paper bags away to the waste basket, tried to smile at Mel who followed him with her eyes wherever he moved and he went to the hall to remove his shoes and jacket.

 

[Guest]

When Daniel returned with food, she didn't know what to say and yet her gaze was drawn to him. She watched him shift uncomfortably under her gaze, but was unable to break from looking. He moved around the kitchen, familiarizing himself with things and putting away groceries. She couldn't help but feel guilty again...she didn't want to make him feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. She knew that Michael loved his brother's just as dearly as he had loved her. His family had always been important to him and she had done her best to fit in. His parents adored her, his youngest brother, Lance had been close with her also. He was a charmer and loved to tease her until she blushed. They sometimes faught like cats and dogs, but in the end they always made up. Michael had found that situation amusing and often sat back and watched them banter. But with Daniel it had alwyas been hard to judge what was going on in his head. He was always so reserved, quiet, keeping to himself unless he was alone with Michael or Lance. Michael had mentioned that he was shy around girls, never having much luck with them. It didn't matter that she was married to him, Daniel just had bad luck with girls in general.

Sighing, she finished off her water and shifted more comfortably on the couch. Under her pillow she found the remote and flicked on the TV. Maybe some nonsense of TV would help her sleep in a little bit. Then again, she had slept so much lately it was a wonder she still could.

Flicking through the channels, she waited for Daniel to rejoin her and hoped that they would soon feel comfortable around one another.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel felt a sucking in his stomach and realised he still hadn't eaten today. For a while he busied himself preparing simple sandwiches and arranged them on a large plate, put it on a tray, added two smaller plated and prepared tea for two. Carefully he carried it to the living room and set on the table. He put one plate and glass in front of Melissa and took the second set for himself.

"Please, help yourself. Sorry they're so crude, they never let me do kitchen duty in the army. Probably they were afraid I would break all knives," Daniel tried to joke.

For a while he was eating in silence looking at the moving pictures without really seeing them and peeking at Mel from time to time. He wanted to talk to her but didn't know what to talk about, any topic he might choose could potentially only irritate her. Best keep quiet and maybe let her talk when she feels like it. No use prodding Mel to talk when she didn't feel like it, he would only make her angry and that was last thing he wanted. He was supposed to be helping her but Dan had no idea what to do. He did some cleaning, he did the shopping, maybe he could also order up the garden a little before fall overtakes the world completley. He was good with physical works but when it came to talking, to women especially, Danny lacked a bit.

And now he found himself in this crazy situation and he was at a loss about what he should be doing.

 

[Guest]

Mel's stomach sensed food and grumbled. She flushed slightly and decided that perhaps eating would be best. Picking up a sandwiche, she carefully bit into it, chewing slowly and trying not to rush it. She hadn't eaten in a day or two now and she didn't want to embarrass herself but spewing it back up.

Daniel sat silently, not disturbing her, but still taking up part of her space. She wasn't used to being with someone other than Michael at night and since his death, she had just slept or cried herself to sleep. This was different...kind of nice...she wasn't sure. She was feeling slightly confused.

"So..." she burst out suddenly, her voice soft, but a little better. "Are you on some sort of leave? I mean...with the army...um...how does that work?" she asked, feeling a little self conscious herself and unsure of how to start to get to know him.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel brushed crumbs from his lips and chased the bread from his mouth with a sip of tea, then he shook his head. Guess Melissa became bored with silence or tried somehow to get rid of this awkrawdness that was hanging in the air. It was as good a start as any, Danny decided, and maybe it would make them both more at easy in this new situation.

"N-no, I'm not on pass. I have served my time and got a discharge, 'we're proud of you, son' and all that. I'm a civilian once again, with a military training though, so I'm a little better than your average Joe when it comes to shooting or hand-to-hand combat. Guess I should look for a job now or maybe continue my studies... I still don't know what to do, you know..." Dan spoke slowly, not knowing himself if the last sentence regarded Melissa and Michael's request or his own life.

 

[Guest]

Mel finshed off two sandwiches and sipped at the tea with a soft sigh. "I guess that makes sense...Since..." She struggled, unable to say the words, but she felt he understood and so continued without filling in the gap. "I'm not sure what to do either. I've been too...preoccupied to really care."

Leaning back into the couch, she turned her head slightly and gazed at him. The family resemblence was strong. But all three brother's had slightly different coloring. Daniel seemed to be the darkest of the three, with short black shair and dark eyebrows and blue eyes. "I guess I need to give it some thought myself, although I'm set for a little bit."

Tucking her legs underneath her body, she set her tea down and got comfortable. They may as well get to know one another a little bit...especially if he was planning to stick around. The house was large enough, but not that large that they could just ignore each other and that wasn't what Michael had wanted. What had he wanted, exactly? She wondered.

"So...other than the army...do you have any other interests?" She hesistated a moment, "A girlfriend, perhaps?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel shook his head, embarrassed a bit and fighting the inevitable blush. Was Mel toying with him? Obviously she knew he was shy around girls which made his contacts with the opposite sex harder. Michael surely had told her that, adn if not him then Lance, that crazed prankster who just couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Come on, Mel, you're talking to a guy whom his own mother considered gay because most of the time he was hanging out with his buddies instead of inviting girl to the movies. Girlfriend... n-no, not really, not since the crazy days of college... And interests? Hmmm, now that you asked... it's harder than you would think... I dunno, I like to tinker with stuff, make it operate better, more efficiently... Outdoor acitivities... I like to read too..." This time he couldn't withhold the blush, "poetry of the romantics..."

He shifted in the armchair, covering his embarrassment by drinking some tea. "And you?"

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled slightly, catching his blush before he hid it behind a cup of tea. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen a man blush. Maybe even never. “Poetry…I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy who liked poetry. I think most think themselves too macho for it.” She commented lightly, “Daniel…I know very little about you, just so you know. Michael shared tid bits here and there, but I didn’t find it any of my business unless you told me yourself and we never really talked.”

She paused, clearing her throat, “I um…” Her mouth open and shut, as if struggling again to come up with an answer. Then she finally sighed again and stared down at her hands. “I really haven’t been up to much since his death.” There! She had admitted it finally…He was gone. Again she felt that tight pressure squeeze at her heart and lungs, trying to cut off her breath. Her hands came up to her chest as she fought for control. “I used to enjoy movies, cooking, walks, gardening, reading and writing…but I haven’t done any of that in a long while.” Her last words came out in an almost whisper. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, instead focused on the imagines on TV.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Well... I'm sure in time you will probably return to all those things." Daniel spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.

"And I know we talked very little, basically only exchanging niceties during holiday meetings. Tell you the truth... I always envied Michael that he met and married you... the way he spoke about you. I was jealous but at the same time I was always happy for him, that he found so much happiness with you. Look, I would like to get to know you better so that I can understand you and your needs, so that I can be of some use to you besides taking space in your home. Mel, I don't know if I should be telling this... probably everyone else already told you the same thing... I want to help you in any way I can... but it feels like my presence here might only make matters worse... I'm sorry, I must admit, that this is uncomfortable... after all, we're almost strangers... I'm sorry. I'm babbling. I'll shut up now."

 

[Guest]

She was surprised by his honesty and fell speechless for a moment, taking in the words. He had been jealous? Finally she swallowed hard and gave him a tremulous smile, “Thank you…for being honest. I know that this is uncomfortable. I didn’t start out being real nice anyway…I’ve just been upset and everyone kept pestering me. I apologize for that. Please…you’re welcome here. We’ll just have to take it one day at a time. Besides…” She took a deep breath, puffing out her cheeks as she blew out a long breath, looking down at her hands. “I’m going to need your help.”

When he gave her a curious look, she forged on. “I haven’t been able to pack anything away…pictures, clothing, personal things…u know…I just can’t do it.” She stated and stood, “Just think about it and if you can help me, maybe sometime this week." Emotion was beginning to clog her throat again, so she quickly wished him a good night and made a hasty exit, closing the door to her room before tearing up all over again.

She gasped for a breath and shook her head, God! Why was this so damn hard!? And why did she feel a flutter of hope when he had mentioned his jealousy? It was confusing and not something she wanted to think of and yet couldn't help.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

When Melissa left, Daniel took a beer from the fridge and sat in the room alone, watching a talk show on TV but paying little attention to the words spoken. He felt a little better now that she admitted she would actually need his help at least a bit. He didn't think it would be something so private as going through his dead brother's things, arranging and packing them away. He thought maybe she'd ask him to paint the house on the outside, weed the garden or cut the vines. But going through Michael's stuff... Crazy. What the hell were you thinking, bro?

Daniel switched the channels, looking for some movie to watch but he found only sitcoms and Casablanca. He saw Casablanca more than enough times. Dan turned the TV off, put on his jacket and went out to the front porch and sat on the stairs, lighting a cigarette with a zippo with Fuck Communism engraved on it.

"Fine mess you've pushed me into, bro. Shit, what were you thinking, Mike?" Danny shook his head and smoked in silence, thoughts of this insanity filling his head. He was a soldier, not an advisor, his experience in contacts with other people very limited, and when it came to women, limited even more. And all of a sudden he was supposed to help Melissa stand back on her own two legs. How was he supposed to do that when he didn't even have a girlfriend? He didn't even know how to speak to women properly...

Daniel finished his smoke and retuned to the house, deciding to go to sleep.

 

[Guest]

Alone in her room, Mel snuggled down into her bed and fell to sleep, exhausted from having to deal with such strong emotions. She tossed and turned most of the night and finally struggled out of bed around 6 in the morning. She yawned and stretched and padded into the bathroom where she forced herself into the shower. Little steps, she told herself. Taking care of herself was one of them. That meant daily showers, food and some form of activity. She had to get passed this, she told herself and she didn't want to be a total drag to Daniel.

Hot water hit her body and she sighed, letting it sooth her aching muscles. She lathered up, washed her hair and then rinsed before stepping out and wrapping a towel around herself. Wiping down the fogged up mirror, she then applied herself to the task of brushing her teeth, her hair and then applying deodarent. Feeling better, she smiled faintly and returned into her room where she put on a pair of old jeans and a top, having to rummage through her things to find a bra and pair of panties. Her mind was rolling, thinking, toiling and finally she sighed and went to the kitchen. Perhaps she would make Daniel breakfast since he had made dinner...sort of anyway.

She moved deftly through her things, still feeling a bit numb and sore inside, but keeping her feelings in check. She found eggs, juice, milk and an unopened box of pancake mix and bacon. With everything out, she began to cook, going through the motions, but not enjoying it as she had in the past. Still, it was the least she could do.