The Knight of the Fallen Moon by Patrick Councilor
Frasier leaned back in his bubble filled tub and took in the fresh essence of Tahitian Vanilla. He looked back at the frosted glass behind him and admired how the leafless tree branched casted their shadows upon his window from the outside garden ledge outside the building.
Life was grand in the world that of Frasier. She flipped his switch and brightened this enchanting life. Her name was Ruby Mason. She was a brunette with long flowing hair which covered her shoulders. Her beautiful brown eyes smiled and her smile sparkled. She wasn't into opera, but it intrigued her and she was eager to experience it. She appreciated fine wines and found music in the darkest aspects of life. During a storm, she would want to curl up with a coffee on the couch and listen to the rain as if it was a beautiful symphony.
He had met her at the supermarket. She was in line when he went up to the cashier to complain that the butternut squashes were piled too high with the potential to cause bruising of the fruit. When the cashier tried to correct him, saying that butternut squash was a vegetable, Ruby came to his aid telling the cashier that any part of a plant that contains seeds is a fruit.
Frasier was so smitten by her, he almost forgot to thank her. He asked her out for coffee. With the time and place agreed upon, there was no awkwardness in asking for a phone number.
That afternoon, Frasier watched her walk out of the grocery store and he must have stood there for an hour just looking at the exit of the store where he last saw her.
They had met for coffee and had two dates since. Frasier was flying so close to the sun, that he thought he might get burned. But this time… This time of all times… he wasn't going to allow himself to over analyze the relationship.
Three three-wick candles were on the ledge of his tub. They were scented of Leather-sage. He took time to smell them slowly.
He took up his new lemon-sage bar of soap from Bliss and took a deep breath of it. What a wonderful day. He even started singing his favorite opera.
There was a knock at his bathroom door. Oh, good heavens. What could it be now? Another spill of beer on his living room rug? Why not rent a steam cleaner and fill the tank with beer to dye the rest of the rug the same color?
"Yes!" he called out.
"Frase, kick it up a notch. We'd better get going if we're going to have time to see Niles before you have to go to work."
"Right Dad. Thanks. I'll be right out."
Poor Niles, he thought.
Martin hobbled into the living room and stared into the eyes of his best friend. "Where could she be?" He looked at the tilted head of Eddie as if he was about to answer him. Martin got out some paper and a pencil and wrote something down and left it there on the table. He checked his wrist watch again.
The lights flickered the same time Frasier cried out from the bathroom. "WOW!" Was it a cry of pain or fright? Perhaps both.
Martin hurried back to Frasier's room. Frasier hurried into his bedroom from his bathroom wearing his robe..
"What the hell happened?" Martin insisted.
"Apparently my towel warmer has a short in it. It's just as frustrating as my new glowing clock that looks like it is mocking lightening rather than illuminating the time."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you."
Martin's face scrunched. "Well, why are you smiling?"
"Because nothing can take me down today. Ruby is the best thing I've had in my life in a long time. She is the most beautiful and positive creature I have ever had the fortune to meet."
Martin smiled so big it almost looked like he was going to break out laughing. "I know son. And I'm really happy for you."
He smiled back at his father. "Thanks Dad. Now get out so I can get dressed."
Martin started for the door.
"Is Daphne ready?"
"She's not home yet. I left her a note. She can meet us over there."
[HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER]
Niles lay in his hospital bed as his brother and father walked in. Frasier was holding a small collection of potted flowers and Martin had a comic book; more than likely an Archie comic book.
"Hey Frasier, hey Dad. You just missed Maris."
"No we didn't," Frasier admitted. "We saw her first and Dad made me hide with him by the vending machine until she passed."
"Hey now," Martin scolded his son, "if I wanted him to know that, I would have told him myself." He limped over to Niles' bedside and laid the comic upon his chest. "I got your favorite. The Archies."
"Thanks Dad," Niles said with a smile. "Oh, I just watched a football game on the television earlier."
Martin perked up. "Oh, yeah?"
"I don't recall who they were playing, but the Seagulls won?"
"The Seahawks?"
"Oh, yes, the Seahawks. It's the medication, Dad, I swear it."
Martin started to turn away in slight disappointment.
"Sorry Dad." Niles eagerly sought forgiveness.
Martin turned and patted his arm. "It's okay son." Then he turned to start toward a seat in the room. "Just fill me full of hope there for a second."
Frasier came forward and gave Niles a gentle half hug. "Niles, how are you feeling?"
"Much better. You know…" He stopped short. "Frasier, your Tahitian Vanilla must be going bad. I smell a hint of lemon-sage."
"Oh, my new soaps from Bliss. Thank you for noticing."
"Oh geez," Martin noted
"Oh, how are they?"
"Exhilarating!"
Niles started to say something, but froze at the sight of the figure in the doorway.
Frasier turned to see Daphne standing there with a bandage on her head. "Daphne! What happened to you?" He hurried over to her.
"I had an accident. Just a little bump."
"Are you all ride?" Niles asked as the medication started to kick in. "You poor thing."
"I'm fine. Me car's not though." She shamefully glanced Frasier's way.
"The Mustang convertible that I've recently purchased for you and have just made the final payment on?" Frasier's voice had a little frustration in it.
"I'm sorry Doctor Crane."
Frasier took a deep breath. "No. No, Daphne, the important thing is that you're alright."
"Of course," Martin chimed in. "Why didn't you call us?"
"I wasn't in much pain and didn't want to alarm you."
"No, you just didn't want to have to face Frasier for crushing his car," Niles blurred out in a sleepy tone.
"Doctor Crane!" Daphne said in an accusing manner.
Frasier gave her a hug. "Daphne, pay him no attention. He's doped up."
She looked at Niles. "I am sorry you have a bout of pneumonia Doctor Crane."
"You know, you win some, you lose some." Niles' head started to droop.
"We'll leave you be Doctor Crane," Daphne said before kissing his brow.
"Maris, that last lip augmentation is really praying off," he mumbled. "I could felt your upper lip this time."
