A Second Chance

[Guest]

As Daniel left, Mel moved over to the entertainment center and picked out a light hearted comedy/romance flick. They didn't need anything depressing to bring them down. Sitting silently next to Daniel with the bowl of popcorn separating them, she focused on the movie as it started.

She sighed softly and glanced at Daniel from the corner of her eye. She wished she could do more...hold him, cuddle him close or something...but she knew he'd probably be embarrassed if she made such a move on him. Especially after the last time.

Instead she dipped her hand down in the popcorn bowl and took a handful, munching silently.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan watched the movie with mild amusement but most of the time a smile played on his lips as the events developed. He tried to concentrate on the movie, just watch it and think of nothing else. But from time to time his and Mel's hands would bump in the popcorn bowl. Each time it happened he turned and smiled at her and saw her smiling back at him a bit.

The film was light and funny and Daniel enjoyed this entertainment as it helped him regain better mood. He laughed a bit from time to time and generally felt better once it was over.

 

[Guest]

Mel yawned and stretched, looking down in the bowl and noticing that all but a few kernels had been eating. She grinned and pushed it away and onto the coffee table. "Well, I don't know about you, but I think I'm ready for bed." She stiffled another yawn and groaned, "Yep - I think so..."

Standing, she brushed off a few stray crumbs and looked at Daniel who was still sitting, looking up at her. She smiled softly and ruffled his hair slightly, not being able to resist a little touch. "See you tomorrow, ready to garden."

He nodded and she waited a moment, then shrugged slightly and left, vanishing into her room. Behind her closed door, she leaned against it, her eyes closed. Urges to caress his hair, to hold him close and comfort him, to kiss him good night. She felt another pang of guilt as her eyes opened and made contact with Michael's photo. She sat on the edge of her bed and took the picture in hand, caressing Michaelf's face. "I love you much..." she whispered softly, emotion squeezing her throat. "Thank you...for bringing me Daniel."

Hugging the frame close, she forced her tears back and smiled instead, sliding the picture in her dresser drawer. "I promise to help him..." She said, to him or to herself, she didn't know and didn't really care. This was a new beginning.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

When Melissa left the room Daniel turned the VCR and the TV off and placed the casette back in the movies cabinet. Tired with the work, the sun and his feelings he chaked whether the front door was securely locked and lit the porch light. Then he retired to his room and took a long, relaxing shower that made him feel a little bit better, but only slightly so. He was still tense and nervous and unsure of himself. Oh well, the new day will bring its own answers.

Danny pulled on boxer shorts with white wales making merry in various places and went to bed. He had troubles falling asleep. He was very much confused about the turn of events and Michael's general ideas. Tumbling around on his bed, tossing this way and that, sighing in annoyance he tried to force himself asleep but the sleep wouldn't come for a long time. Finally, still annoyed with himself, his eyes closer around 2 am.

This time Dan overslept his morning jog and opened his eyes to Mel nudging his shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong with you? You ill or something? Rise and shine, it's 9 already!"

 

[Guest]

The next morning, Mel dressed herself in a pair of shorts again, knowing the the weather would be hot, but this time opted for a regular shirt with lots of sun screen. She Fixed breakfast and busied herself until she realized that Daniel wasn't coming back from any morning jog. The doors were still locked and there wasn't a sound to be heard in the house.

Carefully she made her way back into his room. He was fast asleep, sprawled out with half the sheets off the bed, one leg tangled and the other bare to her eyes. He looked so peaceful and so good. Long and lean, with his body only covered by boxers, she couldn't help but admire his frame, resisting the urge to trail hand over his skin. Just to know what he felt like.

Instead she nudged his shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong with you? You ill or something? Rise and shine, it's 9 already!"

Daniel grumbled and turned his head towards hers, blinking confused eyes, trying to focuse on her. "Hey sleeping beauty. It's 9 am and time to start playing in the yard."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel sat up grumbling and mumbling incoherently to himself and Mel, still half asleep and not really sure what was happening. Then he realised what she just said: 9 already! Damn... he overslept it big time. Pulling the sheets up to cover himself Daniel looked at Melissa and smiled sleepily.

"I'm sorry, Mel. Just give me a moment and I'll be right with you."

"Ok, you have five minutes," she joked and left him.

The moment the door closed behind her Dan jumped out of bed to the bathroom to wash his teeth and shave. Then he put on the same cargo pants he had had on yesterday and an ordinary yellow shirt with long sleeves. This way he wouldn't get sunburns and could leave the front of the shirt open for ventilation. In less than five minutes he was in the kitchen.

Melissa was sitting at the table, sipping her morning coffee, and smiled at him from over her mug.

"So, how come you overslept?"

"I had trouble falling asleep," he replied grumpily. He was angry with himself for missing his jogging window.

"Any idea why?" she asked. If she noticed his lousy mood she said nothing about it.

"Yeah, I forgot about my evening smoke. I went to bed right after you left and couldn't sleep for severl hours... It just didn't occur to me that I completely forgot... Hey, I'm kidding here!" he laughed seeing Melissa's disbelief.

Daniel prepared himself two toasts and put some marmelade on them. "Sorry you had to wait for me, Mel. I'll be working twice as hard to make up for it!"

 

[Guest]

Mel chuckled lightly and set her mug down, "Well, it's really OK. It's not as though we're in a hurry...it was just strange having you sleep in when I'm used to you being up before I am."

She smiled and jumped when the phone rang. Both of them seem to freeze and finally Mel moved, going over to pick up the phone. She paused with the receiver to her ear and then spoke softly, almost cautiously, "Hello?"

"Mel girl!!! WASSUP!?!?" Came the vibrant reply.

Her lips twichted in amusement and she relaxed her body against the counter, eyeing Daniel who was trying to get her to tell him who it was. She grinned and shook her head, avoiding his gaze. "Not much and u?"

"What do you mean, not much?! We thought you had dropped off the face of the planet and that's all you have to say?!" Lance yelled back, but his tone was teasing as usual.

Mel found herself laughing, "Sorry...I'm doing better...thanks to someone."

There was a long a pause on his end and Mel was afraid that he had gotten the wrong idea. "Not like that." She murmured into the receiver.

Lance exhailed loudly, "Sorry Mel...it just seems weird...to think of you with anyone else. I'm not dumb, I know it'll happen eventually, but this soon was freakin' me out." He confessed and chuckled ruefully, "So...can I come visit?"

Mel shot Daniel a glance, but he was busy finishing off his toast and tapped his cigarette box to tell her he was heading out. She nodded and waited for him to close the door. "Yeah...you can come over. I'll be in the yard, OK? Oh and Lance...don't be too surprised when you get here OK?"

Not waiting to hear his answer or questions, she hung up and headed outside to meet Daniel.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

As Mel was speaking on the phone with her friend Dan prepared himself his last toast and went out for his morning smoke. He set the cup of coffee on balustrade and leaned on it, smoking slowly and nibbling his toast. The sky was clear and the air was brisk and fresh but Daniel sensed that there was a storm brewing just around the horizon and it would come to strike around mid-afternoon.

Mel came to the porch and crossing her arms looked at the garden and sighed lightly.

"Well, another day of work," she said smiling.

"Yeah. I hope to winish feeding... uh, finsh weeding that side today completely so that tomorrow I can do the same on the other side of the fence, make the kerb more presentable to the passers by. Is that alright, or shall I help you where you'll need my muscles?"

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled at the thought of Daniel’s muscles, “Well, as nice as that sounds, I think I can manage on my own for a bit. You go ahead and get the curb done. I’ll continue my attack on the front flower beds.” She said and began walking down the front steps. Glancing back, she flashed him a grin, “Hey…lets break around noon…grab a drink and some lunch, OK??”

With that, she walked off, her pony tail swishing over her shoulders and back as she made her way to the shed to fetch her tools. It took her a few minutes, but she soon had her gloves on, stools in hand and an arm full of seeds. Noticing that Daniel hadn’t quite moved yet, she hollered up at him, “I could use some fertilizer if you get the chance to drop some by me!”

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Roger that," Daniel shouted back and finished his cigarette noting that he had onlt two left. Tomorrow he would have to find a kiosk during his morning run and buy a new packet. Draning the cup of cofee he grunted in acknowledgement of the new day of work and went to the tool shed.

Inside he put the gloves on, selected the tools he would need and took with his the big bad of fertilizer, which he carried over to Mel who was critically watching the flower-bed as if she wasn't sure where to begin.

"Here you go!" Dan said putting the sack on the ground next to her and saluted her. "If you need anything else, captain ma'am, just call me."

She laughed, "Ok, Daniel."

Nodding to her Danny went to the place where he had finished his weeding on the previous day and again set himself to do the boring work.

 

[Guest]

The morning began rather slowly…it was quiet and a bit boring as Mel toiled in the dirt, mixing in fertilizer and then planting seeds. She sighed every so often…the sun was rising high and making the late morning warm and sticky. Sweat began to trickle down her back and she swiped her forehead, taking care that sweat didn’t get into her eyes. So enthralled with her job, Mel didn’t notice the creeping car that made it’s way into the drive, Lance behind the drivers seat. He noticed instantly that Daniel was busy working in the yard and was slightly shocked and amused by the sight of his brother on his hands and knees pulling out weeds.

Then he spotted Mel and after saluting his brother and making a hushing movement, he parked his car and silently crept up over to Mel. She stretched her arms up and grumbled to herself when suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her from behind, startling a screech from her lips. Lance laughed as she tried to rear back and slap him. “Easy does it, Mel!” He grabbed her around the waist, but she twisted and toppled him over.

Laughing, she punched him playfully and then gasped in surprise as he reversed their positions and straddled her hips, pinning her to soft grass and tickling her sides with a wicked grin on his face. She laughed and yelped, screeching for help and gasping for breaths. They made quiet an interesting site until finally Mel lay helpless, exhausted on the grass.

Lance, still laughing, got off of her and plopped down on the grass, waving for his brother to join them. “Hey man! I didn’t expect you to be here! I could use some help, you know? Perhaps you pin her down for me and I’ll continue my assault.” He joked with a wink.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel was dumbfounded by the sight of his younger brother drive up and enter the premises. He hadn't changed at all: no respect for his elders, treating the whole world as if it were his home, paying attention to nothing but his own whims and crazy ideas. He decided to ignore him, apparently he came over to visit Melissa but the fact that he also found Daniel here was sure to spawn a string of questions and inquiring telephone calls. He felt a ball of bile rise in his throat and he spat on the ground and stood up, removing his gloves and throwing them on the grass in anger.

He moved towards the house to take some drinks, trying not to give in to his annoyance. But of course Lance had to have his own way.

“Hey man! I didn’t expect you to be here! I could use some help, you know? Perhaps you pin her down for me and I’ll continue my assault.”

"If I pin Mel down it will be for my own purposes. How about you learn to do things yourself instead of relying on someone else to do the dirty work so you can come in and sip the cream!? Shit!"

Danny walked all the way to the house and took the remaining two soda cans from the fridge and his cigarettes from the jacket. He desperately needed a smoke to calm his raging nerves and hands shaking in anger. He couldn't stane the sight of this shithead. Not after what he had done to him and to Michael and what plans they had had together.

Coming back on the porch he saw the two of them sitting on the ground and chatting.

"Here!" he threw the can to Mel and sat on the steps, lighting his cigarette and deliberately avoiding looking at his brother.

 

[Guest]

"If I pin Mel down it will be for my own purposes. How about you learn to do things yourself instead of relying on someone else to do the dirty work so you can come in and sip the cream!? Shit!"

Mel was shocked at Daniel's angry words and felt a pang of guilt for having invited Lance. What was going on here?! She wondered to herself. Lance only shrugged and grumble something under this breath, then went onto being his usual charming self. Laughing and flirting like he always did, which Mel usually ignored or laughed off. Lance had always been Mr. Smooth Player.

She watched as Daniel returned from inside the house. "Here!" He threw a can of soda to her and sat on the steps, lighting his cigarette and deliberately avoiding looking at his brother. Mel frowned and hushed Lance who seemed to be too caught up in his own bullshitting to care what was up with Daniel.

Never having the heart to offend, she lay a hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, Lance...maybe you should go or something...Daniel is pissed about something and..."

"Oh Mel, just ignore him. He's just being an asshole, like always."

Mel was shocked and blanched at Lance's words. Suddenly angry she leaned in close, her face a little flushed with sudden passion. "Don't call him an asshole, OK? If it wasn't for Daniel, I'd still be locked in my room, in the dark, wasting my life away on memories and dreams that won't come true for me and Michael. So if you're going to be a dick head, you can leave. I thought seeing you would be fun and good for us all, but I didn't expect this sort of attitude!"

Lance gave her a slightly startled look and then let out a grunt, bowing his head a bit while he sat there, knees bent and spread, his arms balanced onto of his knees. With a sigh, Mel got up and walked to Daniel, sitting next to him. He didn't speak or look at her, so she nudged him gently with her body. "Hey...I'm sorry. i didn't know there was something between you two...that was him on the phone earlier and I..." She sighed again, shaking her head, "I thought it would be good for you to see family and for me too. I'm really sorry Daniel."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel blew a lungful of cigarette smoke, trying hard to control himself and not explode. He was surprised, he wasn't ready for such a confrontation yet, it was still too early and he didn't have enough evidence. Seeing Lance carefree like this after what he had done was like a sudden bitchslap that stunned him, leaving him at a loss for what to do or say. As Mel sat next to him, Danny cradled his hands between his knees to stop them from shaking, he didn't want her to see how very angry he was with Lance.

"Hey... I'm sorry. i didn't know there was something between you two... that was him on the phone earlier and I..." Mel sighed and shook her head, "I thought it would be good for you to see family and for me too. I'm really sorry Daniel."

He pulled a puff and shook his head, looking somewhere to the side, tears of anger and despair again threatening to spill.

"No, I should be the one apologising, Mel. After all, he came to see you and I just got in the way of your meeting. Sorry for spoiling you reunion. I'll go out for a moment and leave you two alone. I'll buy some soft drinks as we're fresh out and my smokes are almost out too. I'm sorry. Carry on..."

He tried to smile at her but his mouth wouldn't obey him. Daniel entered the house and changed into his jogging suit, taking some money with him he left via the kitchen door so that he didn't have to look at Lance again and jumped over the fence to the street. Falling into his steady rhythm he let the run drain his anger.

How dared he?! Dan wondered. How dared he show here, so carefree and joyful after what he had done. And feeling so innocent as if nothing had happened, pretending to be in the right. The self-righteous bastard! Daniel cursed under his breath and increased his tempo.

 

[Guest]

Mel watched Daniel leave and wondered what was going on. Why was he acting this way and what had happened. As far as she had known – all three had always been so close. She sighed heavily as he left and wandered back down to Lance who grinned up at her. “Hey beautiful.”

She smiled a little, “What’s going on Lance?”

Lance shrugged, “I don’t know…I guess he just wasn’t happy to see me. No biggy, don’t worry about it.”

Mel frowned, how could she not worry about it? She didn’t like rifts keeping people apart. Lance stood, straightening his tall, lean frame and pulling Mel into a big bear hug. This wasn’t uncommon, so she let herself be drawn in and hugged him back, resting her cheek on his chest. “If you say so…but I guess you should stay away until I figure out what’s what around here, hmmm? Tell everyone I said hey and we’ll talk later.”

“Is he staying here?” Lance asked, curiously.

Mel sighed and nodded against his chest, pulling away now to look up at him. “Yeah…but no questions OK. Not right now. I’ll explain later.”

Lance opened his mouth to ask more, but she hushed him and pushed him away with a playful poke. “Go! I have work to do and you are stalling my progress.” She forced a smile on and motioned him away. “Go on now…”

Lance watched her a second and then shrugged and waved, jogging back to his car. Mel sighed in relief and watched him get in and drive off. So today hadn’t turned out that well. Dragging herself back inside, she headed for the shower to wash away the grit and grime of the day.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He was just leaving the kiosk with a big bag containing two six-packs of coke and three freshly baked rolls and a pack of cigarettes in his breast pocket when he noticed Lance's car sweeping round the corner and moving his way. Daniel watched the shithead drive, music booming loudly inside and even though his brother didn't look at him, he noticed the big, satisfied and triumphant smile on his lips. What the fuck was he doing? That was some spunk to act so cool in front of both him and Melissa. How vile and twisted can man get?! Dan cursed aloud for the tenth time since he had left house and started running back, the hot sun making his track suit drenched with sweat he barely felt or paid attention to.

When he reached Mel's house she was nowhere to be seen in the yard so he thought that she had probably retired to take a shower or prepare a quick lunch. Closing the door behind him Dan slipped the cigarettes into his jacket and put the drinks into the fridge. He heard a faint hum of water running, which assured him that Melissa was inside. He went into his room and peeled his sweaty clothes, throwing them into the laundry basket. He took a quick shower and put his working clothes back on. He was far behind on his work and wanted to finish his part before sunset. If it hadn't been for that bastard Lance he would have been almost done by now. Shit!

"Daniel, are you in there?" he heard Melissa call from the corridor.

"Yes, I'm back. Come in!" he answered and pulled his shirt on.

 

[Guest]

"I'm making lunch...when you're ready, come into the kitchen!" She hollered at him and went to the kitchen to begin making sandwiches, taking out a big bag of chips to go with the ham and cheese sandwiches she was building.

Hearing Daniel come in, she turned to him, noticing that he was still in work clothes even after showing, while she worn a pair of faded jeans and a baggy shirt. "Hey...um, I hope you don't mind. I'm going to stay inside and do a little cleaning, so to speak. You're still going to do yard work?"

At his nod, she pushed his plate onto the kitchen table and sat down with her own. "OK...well, I sent Lance away. Told him to steer clear for a while until you were ready to see him and I also told him not to ask me questions until I was ready to answer...I hope that's alright."

She took a bite of her food and eyed him curiously.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel eyed the lunch plate as it were about to grow arms ang legs and crawl away or open three eyes and petrify him. He made no move whatsoever to begin eating. He raised his eyes and met Melissa's questioning gaze.

"I'm sorry I exploded like that, Mel. I spoiled your day," he sighed and continued. "He came to visit you not me, this is your house and not mine, I am a guest here and so he can come whenever you want him to come. I've nothing to say to this."

He took a bite of the sandwich and munched on it for a moment. Mel spoke nothing, clearly waiting for him to continue.

"And I won't be ready to see him, Mel. Not for a long time... Perhaps not ever. So next time tell me and I'll go to a pub or something and spend an afternoon away so that you two can get together." Seeing that she wanted to say something or ask a question he raised his hand to stop her. "Please, don't ask me now. I'll explain everything once I'm ready... I'm sorry."

He was genuinely sorry for spoiling the afternoon with his sudden outburst of anger but he just couldn't control himself. Lance was one of the reasons Daniel hadn't returned home after his discharge.

 

[Guest]

Mel nodded, "Alright...that's a deal, but Daniel..." She said softly, playing a hand against his momentarily. "This is your home as long as you're here. I don't want you acting like you're a guest...I want you to make this your home until you want to leave, OK?"

Pulling her hand away, she ignored the tingly sensation that always seemd to wash over when she touched him or was near and bit down into her food again, chewing thoughtfully and trying not to pry.

"Well, I'm done on my little end of the yard...seeds are planted, but there is still a lot left. Just don't get over heated, OK?" She said, trying to revert back to their earlier convorsations...neutral ground is what they needed right now.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel finished his lunch and chased it down with a glass of orange juice and put the plates and glasses away into the dishwasher.

"I'll get down to it then. I'm a little behind the schedule with this," he muttered. "I'll see you later then." He gave Mel a smile and a nod and left for the yard to try and finish his work.

Getting down on all fours Dan got to work, mechanically repeating identical motions over and over again until sweat was dripping form his head in the heat and ha barely felt his hands anymore. Losing himself in work was good, he didn't have to think.

 

[Guest]

As Daniel worked in the yard, Mel busied herself around the house. She cleaned and dusted first, then began to slowly take down pictures of Michael. She left a few around because he was part of her past a part of Daniel also...she didn't want to forget him, just not be so constantly reminded.

She studied each picture and gently traced his face each time before packing it up. She tackled the living room and then her own room and stored the pictures away in one free closet that they kept all extra things in.

Then she made both her bed and Daniels and flopped down half way through the afternoon with a tired sigh...

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

It was around 7 pm that Daniel finally managed to weed the narrow stretch of the yard around the kerb that acted at the base for the fance. It was the time when the sun wasn't pounding so harn enymore but now the earth radiated the accumulated heat back up -- so the temperature hadn't changed at all. When the sun had hidden itself behind some trees Dan had taken his sweat-soaked shirt off and threw it on the ground. He had been frantically working for five hours now and was tired, aching all over from the unnatural position and his backbone creaked whenever he moved.

Satisfied with his work Danny got up, pressed his hands to his kidneys and bent backwards with a sudden yelp of pain as his back snapped and cracked when the vertebrae popped into their right positions. Walking slowly he gathered all the tools, groaning as he had to bend forward to pick the up, and making sure that nothing was left behind he kicked his shoes off on the porch and entered the house.

It was silent and cool inside, he heard some faint radio tunes playing in the background and saw Melissa read a magazine in the living room.

"I'm finally done, Mel... I'll just go take a shower," he mumbled, weary and tired. All he wanted or needed now was a shower and a beer.

 

[Guest]

Daniel looked a mess and still out of sorts when he returned into the house. She let him walk by to take his shower and got up herself, going into the kitchen to check on dinner. She had just put in some chicken and made a mix of rice and vegies on the stove. Nothing fancy, but good and enough to fill both of them up.

She then returned to the living room and wondered if she should try and talk to him. She didn't want to upset him though, so with a resigned sigh, she picked up her magazine again and changed the tunes on the radio to something a bit harder and lay back, browsing through the various ads and info...

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

A little refreshed with the shower but nevertheless still tired and weary, Daniel put on fresh underwear, his worn jeans and a white tank top. Sighing and stretching his arms far to the sides he left his room, slowly walking along the corridor and following the trail of pleasant scents coming from the kitchen. He just wanted to sit down now, fill his belly and then lie down and rest until evening when he wold be able to go to sleep and regain his strength for the next day of work and hopefully some peace of mind so that he would be able to concentrate on what's important and not his anger at Lance.

Entering the kitchen he called, "So Mel, what's coo..." but she wasn't there.

"In here!" she called from the living room.

"Oh, sorry, with so many delicious scents coming from in there I tought you would be attending the pot and tempting me," Daniel smiled. "What's cooking?" he asked sitting down heavily.

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled at him, "Well, you did just walk right by me, so I guess that's a good sign that you like my cooking." She laughed softly and sat up, "It's just chicken with a rice medley of sorts. Nothing special." She said.

Tossing her magazine aside, she gets up. "Ready to eat? Why don't you set the table while I get things out of the oven and off the stove?" She asks and passes him by, ruffling his hair as she trails into the kitchen.

And so they went on until the end of the week. Mel didn't bring up Lance again or pry into Daniel's thoughts. She didn't want to tick him off or bring up bad memories. Instead the two busied themselves around the house and yard. By the weeks end, the yard looked great. No flowers to view as they planted seeds in all boxes and flower beds, but it was neat, tidy and well kept. Mel also busied herself around the house, packing up Michael's things. Clothing, books, anything that she didn't care to use and that didn't mean much to her she packed away or gave away to people that could use it more than herself.

It was as though a strange weight had been lifted. She was happier, more out going and enjoying Daniel's company...