A Second Chance

[Guest]

Mel picked out another pair of cotton bottom pjs, making sure it didn’t include hearts or pink. She giggled to herself, remembering Daniel’s reaction to the pair she had worn the night before. These were a pale blue and she picked out a worn out t-shirt to go with it. In the bathroom, she showered and dried herself off, brushing out her hair and applying a thick layer of lotion to her burned skin, hoping that it would start to hurt or itch too badly.

Clean and feeling free, she went to join Daniel. She found him in the living room, looking comfortable and eating his bowl of ice cream. With a mouth full, he pointed to her bowl and she smiled gratefully. “Thanx.”

Picking it up, she plopped down on the couch, wet hair sticking to her back and sides of her face lightly, her skin glowing with renewed health and a little sun burn. She smiled, scooping up a spoon full of strawberry and tasting it with a soft moan. “Oh! I’d forgotten how good ice cream is!”

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel smiled at her comment and continued chilling his mouth, shivering when his sweet tooth was being delightfully spoiled and indulged. He nodded vigorously as vanilla taste spread on his tongue and moaned in delight.

"Damn, how long has it been since I had ice-cream for the last time?! Must have been before the service. Holy...!" he shut his mouth with another spoonful and mirrored Mel's own satisfied grin. "All we need now is some stupid sitcom or a game-show... Nah," he put his bowl away on the table and crossed the room and turned the stereo on so that radio can play some music in the background.

 

[Guest]

She smiled and licked off some ice cream from her spoon and watched Daniel turn on the stereo. He looked even more appealing when he was relaxing and being himself. Who would have known that he would have been this way a year ago. Had always been so distant and a little cold.

Scraping the bottom of her bowl, she enjoyed the last spoonful of ice cream and sighed, rubbing her belly. "Mmmm...that was perfect. Thank you."

Music filled the room and she lay against the pillows of the couch, looking content and relaxed for the first time in months. In the back of her mind, she said a little prayer and thanked her lost love for little comfort he could give her. For the happiness he was trying to insure her while separated by death.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"No problem," Daniel replied picking up his bowl and sitting down to finish his ice-cream.

Melissa lay back on the couch, relaxing and resting after their day of work and he ate looking thoughtful but in his head was a strange emptiness. It was nice, being able to kick back like this after work, sit in a cool living room with calm music sounding around and a bowl of multi-flavoured ice-cream. Yep, it was fine.

On the other hand he still felt self-concious. This wasn't his house, it wasn't his garden he had been tending to, it wasn't his girlfriend resting on that couch.

And yet it felt so calm and homey this afternoon that Daniel felt guilty for no apparent reason and his spoon stopped halfway between the bowl and the mouth.

 

[Guest]

Mel was happy reclining on the couch, listening to music and letting her mind wander this way and that. She watched Daniel eat from time to time and was slightly puzzled when his spoon stopped half way between the bowl and his mouth. She couldn't quite read the look on his face.

Sitting up slightly, she gave him a bit of a concerned look, "What's the matter? Everything OK?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel let his hand return to the bowl and he sighed, lowering his head. He looked at the bowl with melting ice-cream in silence, feeling Melissa's gaze on him.

"I'm fine, Mel," he lied. It wasn't fine at all, even though he no longer felt shy around her, he was in an unfamiliar setting and felt as if he were trespassing even though Mel had invited him and Michael had asked him to do what he thought he was doing. "I guess the work tired me more than I thought it would," he lied again and tried a weak smile, dropping his gaze to the bowl again.

 

[Guest]

She had a hard time believing him...he had been fine just a moment ago when his whole demeanor had changed. Sitting up and straightening, she gazed at him with a small smile. "Hey...I know that this has been a weird week...you know, moving in here, dealing with me and my emotions and your own and Michael's request. But...if we're going to make this work, we're going to just have to be open with one another." She sighed softly and wiggled her toes in the soft, plush carpet. "I know I wasn't all that welcoming at first, but I realize now I was being a bit silly. I want you to be comfortable here for as long as you stay..."she let her words drift off and stared down at her toes a moment.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"I know, Mel, I'm sorry. I just need some time... to come to terms with..." he stammered, "my own feelings. I never thought it would turn out like this... Hell, I never imagined... This is just too weird for me to accept like this... I know it's hard on you too... Having me here all of a sudden and dealing with all this. I thank you," he blushed a bit still gazing into his bowl.

Then he got up and picked Melissa's empty bowl and took them to the kitchen.

"I'll go take a nap before dinner if you don't mind," he muttered.

 

[Guest]

"Yeah...um, that's fine." She said softly and let him take the dishes away and then leave for his room. When he was gone, she sat there a moment, feeling oddly heavy. She knew something was wrong, but couldn't put her finger on it. So instead of worrying too much about it just yet, she got up and went to the kitchen where she cleaned up the dishes and ran the dishwasher, then began pulling out things to take breakfast pastries. She set herself to work and made danishes and croissants and such for breakfast. While those were baking, she moved around and dumped ingreedients into her crock pot to make a stew, setting it on low so that Daniel would have time to sleep before dinner.

She hummed softly, working this way and that until the kitchen smelled heavenly. The air kicked on , cooling the heat of the oven, crock pot and dishwasher. Taking a small break, she grabbed a drink and sat in the living room again, glancing at a picture of Michael. She sighed softly and smiled at it. It was time to move on...time to pack a few things away and keep his memory alive...in her heart.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

With a heavy sigh Daniel plummeted on the bed, making it creak and squeak under his weight. He covered his eyes with his forearm and tried to chase away the sudden sadness and feeling of helplessness and nihilistic hoplessness. He sighed again but wasn't able to let go of this dark cloud that tumbled this way and that in his head. Suddenly it all felt so unreal. Why was he feeling attracted to Mel? The woman whom he barely ever talked with or dared meet her eyes. Now all of a sudden he was sleeping in her house, working in her garden, eating in her kitchen, shopping with her...

Daniel realised he had never been to this house while Michael was alive, never visited him and his wife. He felt a pang of guilt that he came here only when Michael was gone. He felt so stupid. Mel wouldn't bite his head off and yet he felt intimidated. He always wanted to visit Mike's new house, see how he had been living but every time Melissa popped into his head and he would resign. Such a foolish reason caused by his shyness. Now it was too late.

Danny turned on his side pulling the cover around him and sighed once again. He closed his eyes and tried to drift away into sleep.

He woke up two hours later and sat up, rubbing his cheek, moving his tongue around in his mouth to remove the aftertaste of sleep. He didn't feel any better after his nap but he felt rested. He could also feel stiffness in his back after being crouched for half a day.

Mumbling something to himself, still half-asleep, Dan left his room.

 

[Guest]

Mel was in the kitchen again when Daniel got up. The pastries were all neatly placed on several decorative dishes, with lids over each to keep them fresh and tasty. Dinner was almost ready, bubbling in to crock pot and smelling heavenly.

She puttered around, cleaning and organizing, setting the table and bringing out bread and butter, putting out forks and knives and then vanishing into her large walk in closet/pantry. Flicking on the light, she searched for her storage boxes and halled a few of them out, ready for later in the week when she woudl finally break down and clean out some of Michael's stuff.

With a yawn, she propped her hands on her hips and stared out the window, watching the sun set and evening take over...

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Still sleepy and with a silly expression on his face Daniel entered the kitchen, pulled in there by tempting smells of dinner. Mel was standing at the window, looking outside at the sunset and the garden they had only just begun to clean up. He crossed to the gurgling pots and inhaled deeply. It smelled delicious! He felt his mouth salivating. Hearing him behind her Mel turned around.

"Oh! I didn't hear you come in, Daniel. You scared me!"

Dan raised his head and smiled in apology.

"I'm sorry. These delightful aromas woke me up and I had to investigate. What is it we're gonna eat?"

 

[Guest]

She smiled sweetly, "Nothing real special...I made beef stew for tonight's dinner and then - " She motioned to the assortment of pastries, " You may sample any of those and tell me what you think. Since I don't know your tastes yet..."

She moved to the fridge, "Want a drink? Soda, tea, juice...?"

He still looked sleepy and still not quite as at ease as he had been before eating the ice cream they had shared earlier. She wondered what was going on in his mind and if it had something to do with Michael. After all, she hadn't even seen him shed one tear at the funeral. Lance had broken down as anyone else, but Daniel had been a rock.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Um, yeah, juice would be great. Thanks," Daniel answered with a smile and took the glass Mel offered him. Taking a sip he put it on the table and helped her pour the stew.

After taking the first spoonful a blissful smile lit his so far gloomy face.

"Mel! This is great. It tastes even better than it smells! Michael mentioned that you were a great cook but this... Heck, it's better than mom's!"

With a renewed appetite Danny wolfed the dinner down, patted his stomach and looked at the pot.

"Um... Any chance for a refill?"

 

[Guest]

She smiled, only half way through her bowl of stew and nodded, "Yeah, help yourself. I'll never eat it all." She said and took a swig of her soda. "I've always loved cooking. I used to bake a lot for church events and fund raisers and such...it was neat. Maybe I'll get back into that...I don't know."

She sighed contently, feeling full and winced a bit as she leaned back against her chair. "Ow! I think I got more of a sunburn than I bargained for. My shoulders and arms, where my tank didn't cover are sore. You're lucky...you already had a tan and you don't look prone to sizzling under the sun." She giggled softly, hoping to lighten his mood a bit.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel helped himself to another plateful of this delicious stew and wolfed it down with equal appetite, almost licking the plate clean. It's been so long since he'd eaten home cooked meals... He was astounded his stomach contained so much food. He leaned back in his chair and smiled contentedly, patting his slightly protruding stomach.

"Yes, well... khm... Thanks, Mel. I can't remember the last time I've been so full. It's so easy to make a man happy," he chukled. "Anyway, let me help you clean all this up in return."

Standing up he looked down at her and frowned in concern.

"Maybe you should put some lotion on those shoulders of yours? And give it a rest tomorrow, not go out into the sun?"

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled at up him and then got up, moving to help him clean up. "I'll help...I don't mind. As for the shoulders, I'll put alloe on tonight and then in the morning some sun block and a shirt over it. Should be alright..."

Together they loaded the dishwasher...Daniel rinsing dishes and Mel putting them into the washer. With that little task done, they both selected a pastry and retired to the living room. Mel set her danish down, "I'll be right back...let me get that alloe before I forget...perhaps you could help me apply it to the backs of my shoulders...I can't reach that far around or over."

The thought of Danny touching her again made her shiver, but she reminded herself that it was just a small task she couldn't do herself and his help was appreciated.

"Be right back!" She called out over her shoulder and vanished into the bathroom to find her bottle of alloe.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Even the mere thought of touching Melissa just to put some lotion on her, made him embarrassed. Good thing she left to fetch a bottle so he had some time to regain his composure and fight the blush that crept onto his face once again. Daniel wiped his hands over his jeans and took the lotion from Mel as she entered, rubbing the alloe into her arms. Gracefully she sat on her heels before him and lifted her t-shirt making him swallow hard as he saw her naked back. Dan's gaze naturally drifted down, following the curve of her waist.

He squeezed some lotion on her shoulders and gently massaged it in, trying not to irritate her skin. He put some more on Melissa's back below her neck and massaged it in as well, blushing when the thought how smooth her skin was and how it glistened came into his head. Good thing she wasn't watching. His fingers worked, making sure the lotion was evenly spread and all of her slightly burned skin was moisturised.

Daniel tried hard not to look lower than her shoulder blades but just couldn't resist. Finally he closed the bottle and handed it to Mel over her shoulder. He touched his cheek and realised it was burning.

 

[Guest]

Mel pulled her shirt down and stood, placing the bottle on a side table and sat down on the couch, smiling at Daniel was blushing a little. He avoided her gaze a moment and she almost laughed at how cute that looked, but contained herself. "Thanx...that feels so much better."

She curled her feet under her bottom and hugged a couch pillow close to her chest, picking up the remote. "So...want to watch some TV or listen to more music?" She asked him, trying to ease his discomfort. Obviously he either was shy around her or all girls in general. From what Michael had shared, it was most girls.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel sighed, trying very hard to fight his embarrassment and discomfort or at least not show them but he was failing miserably. Stretching his legs and crossing them at the ankles he tried to relax.

"I think we can watch something... Maybe there'll be a movie or Jerry Springer at least... I don't know really. I never watched much TV besides music channels," he spoke, not really looking at Mel but intently gazing at a small hole in his sock.

He was making such a fool of himself, he just knew that. But he couldn't help his being on the shy side. He had been feeling quite comfortable with Mel already but when he saw her naked back and touched her skin some strange constraints gripped him and he reverted to his old, calm, silent, shy self.

 

[Guest]

Mel flipped on the TV and began flipping through channel. There really wasn't anything on and she wasn't in the mood to watch much of anything, but she found a good music channel that was doing a marathon of music videos and left it there for the time being.

Clearing her throat, she tried to make light convorsation, racking her brains for something. "So...do you miss being in the army, Daniel? What made you join?" She asked curiously, hoping he'd open up again and feeling a bit frustrated that she couldn't seem to quite reach him all the time.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel shot her a quick glance and sighed, wondering how to answer and what to say. It was quite an easy and simple question but what was he to answer. Why do men serve in the army?

"Hmmm. I don't miss the army as such. I mean, there is only so much crawling and doing silly exercises one man can stand. And being humiliated and called a pussy sure doesn't help. But I sure am going to miss the guys. Male bonding, you know."

Why was Mel interested in such things? He though it to be the last subject she would pick up. And yet... Probably wanted to know him better, and he couldn't blame her for that, now could he?

"But why did I join? I don't really know. I guess I wanted to try something new. I can't remember anyone in our family doing the service so I thought what the hell... Apart from some discipline I learned to drive anything that has wheels and an engine... Lawnmowers included!" he joked.

 

[Guest]

She giggled at his joke, "Well, hey - that's something, huh?" She grinned at him, shifting to get more comfortable. "So..." she laughed at herself before even asking the question, "What's your favorite color?"

When he gave her a funny look, she giggled and shrugged, "Hey -we may as well start getting to know each other now before it's christmas time and I buy you a red shirt when you like blue." She teased.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel was a bit shocked by Melissa's question but her explanation made him relax. She was right, they couldn't go on trying to guess their preferences and whatever bits and pieces of information Michael might have relayed were insufficient. He frowned, trying to give a straightforward answer.

"You know, I'm not really sure. I never gave much thought to this. But I do know I hate olive... Hmmm, I like yellow I guess and red," he grinned. "Warm colours... Um, yeah, I thinks that's right."

He saw her nod and smiled.

"Okay, since we're gonna play 27 questions, it's my turn. What dp you prefer: pants or skirts?"

 

[Guest]

She grinned and giggled at him, then tried to look all serious and down to business. "Well...I prefer pants actually. Jeans to be exact...dressing up is fun, but more so I find if you do it for certain occasions...church, dinners and such...besides, I really don't like baring my body all that much. I'd rather die than put myself in a bathing suit." She joked and laughed.

Pointing a finger at him, she looked thoughtful, "Your turn...hmmmmm...lets see here." A cheeky smile lit her face as one question most women seemed to want to know popped right into her head. "Boxers or briefs!?"