Niles walked into Café Nervosa, pleased to see that his brother had already arrived for their 10:30 coffee. It was going to be a good day. He could feel it. Already Niles had gone through two early morning appointments and both patients had shown significant promise. Niles dared to hope that by the end of the year (although December 31st was still many months away); his patients would be on the verge of major breakthroughs. And that was every psychiatrist's hope. He couldn't wait to tell Frasier. His older brother was the only one who would truly understand.
A renewed excitement filled him and he hurried into the café, eager to tell his older brother the news. But the instant his brother turned around, Niles' enthusiasm began to falter. Frasier wore an expression that Niles knew all too well. He was perturbed, which meant that any hopes of lively conversation would be impossible. However, Niles was determined not to let his brother's dismal demeanor dampen his good mood. With a smile plastered on his face, Niles went to the counter and ordered his usual drink; a half caf latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon. Taylor, the barista, smiled and handed him his drink, making him smile at the sight.
It was perfect.
"Have a nice day, Dr. Crane! It's nice to see you again!"
Perhaps it was silly, but the barista's words touched him deeply. "Thank you, Taylor. It's nice to see you too."
He carried his drink to Frasier's table and sat down. To his dismay, Frasier's mood hadn't improved since Niles had arrived just moments before. In fact, it almost seemed as though his older brother was ignoring him.
"Hello Frasier." Niles said, making sure that Frasier heard the disdain in his voice.
Slowly Frasier turned his head but when the Crane brothers made eye contact, there was no smile in greeting, nor any indication that Niles was welcome there. And how dare his brother roll his eyes as though Niles' presence was a nuisance?
"What fresh hell is this?"
Niles' mouth fell open in horror and he stiffened as a disturbing memory washed over him. Frasier had said those exact same words years ago when Niles had come to Café Nervosa to talk to Frasier about their father. He'd suffered a fall in the bathroom which led to the their father moving in with Niles which led to the hiring of a home health care worker, which led to-
"NILES!"
Startled, Niles blinked to find his brother glaring at him. "What?"
"What are you doing here?"
Taken aback by his brother's snide question, Niles cleared his throat. "Well, it is 10:30 in the morning and we do meet here for coffee EVERY DAY!" He shouted. "Are you all right?"
"No I am not, Niles!" Frasier shot back.
Niles gave his older brother a satisfied grin. "Well, at least you admit it! What is with you anyway?"
Frasier exhaled, as though annoyed to no end with his little brother. But Niles could have cared less.
"All right Niles, if you must know, it's Daphne!"
