Fresh Start
A breeze swirled around Daniel as he walked through the park that followed the Thames as it winded through London. He knew he should be tired. Things had been a whirlwind since he'd made the decision to fly to England. After passing the helm over to Wilhelmina, he'd gotten on the phone to arrange a one-way ticket to London and gone up to his mother's office in the Meade building. The moment he'd walked in she seemed to know what was coming.
"I'm going to London. Wilhelmina is in charge of Mode now."
Claire had walked over to him, took his hands in her own and squeezed them. "I wondered how long it was going to take you, Daniel. You are a smart, wonderful man, son, and I am so glad you are taking a leap of faith and fighting for what you want. I wish I'd fought more for your father."
"So you're ok with this? With Wilhelmina?" Daniel asked, almost shocked.
Claire gave a little laugh, "Of course, Daniel. All I've ever wanted is for my children to be happy. If this is what will make you happy, I'm happy. Wilhelmina and I…we'll get through it somehow. We may not be the best of friends, but the woman knows fashion and she knows how to sell a magazine. In this economy, she's what we need and we're lucky to have her."
"Wow," he replied. "Well…" he searched for the words he needed to say to his mother before he left the country. The last thing he wanted was for his mother to feel like he was deserting the family company.
"Daniel. It is ok. Go. Meade is still a part of our family and will continue to be so. You don't need to worry about that right now," she said, reaching up to kiss her son's cheek. "I love you. I'm proud of you. Call me when you get to London – just remember there's a time difference."
Daniel looked at his mother. "I have got to be the luckiest guy to have the greatest mother," he said as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, mom. Thank you."
Claire squeezed him back, her heart all at once breaking a little yet bursting with thrill and excitement for her son's future. "You're welcome. I love you too, son. I love you, too." A tear escaped from her eyes as she pulled back. She quickly tried to wipe it away.
Daniel took a deep breath. "Well, I guess I'm off then." He turned to go.
Claire smiled. "Yes, you are. Goodbye, Daniel. Good luck and be careful with her."
"Bye, mom. I'll try. I've got a wreck to clean up when I get there. I'll call you when I get to my hotel."
With that he'd left and now, here he was. He was in London. He was in Betty's new home. Her city. He was here and he was only just beginning to realize he was starting a brand new chapter of his life. The events that had led him to London… They were entirely unpredictable. Or were they? He wasn't sure, but he was there to find out if his mother was right. He knew what he wanted and it was two-fold: a chance, just a chance to find out if that little seed of feelings he felt for Betty were real and if she reciprocated those feelings but he was also there to earn something of merit completely on his own. He just…hadn't thought past those two reasons to come to London. He'd simply resigned from Mode, spoken with his mother and made his plans to head to London. Suddenly…he was there.
With a little "advanced planning" (stalking…such a negative word), Daniel had found out Betty was near Trafalgar Square heading back to her office from a lunch meeting. He had planted himself in Trafalgar Square just waiting to spot her in the crowd. A quick move of his arm and she was blocked. After her initial shock, he was so glad to see she wasn't seething with frustration and anger. She had still seemed a little distant though. He knew he deserved it. They closed their conversation with the promise and hope of a dinner together.
He stopped at a bench in the park as he thought through the morning's events. The more he thought about the evening to come, he began to get nervous. "A far cry from anything I've ever been when it comes to women and my past," he thought to himself with a slight laugh. He knew she was probably going to hold his absence at her going away party over his head for a good while. That was Betty for you. He had his charm he could work over on her. It might work…for a few minutes, but he knew she'd call him out eventually. Whatever the case may be, Daniel simply wanted her to know he was sorry and hoped she would forgive him. He may even beg if he had to. He knew he'd screwed up big time.
The fact that he didn't know if they were one hundred percent "OK" was what made him more nervous than anything else. When you think you're on the verge of having some serious feelings for another person, you want to know you're in good standing with them. He was concerned the scale wasn't tipped in his favor at the moment.
A couple walked by in front of him just then, arm in arm. The woman had her head against the man's shoulder. She looked quite well dressed for the afternoon. She turned her head and Daniel's eyes grew. He blinked his eyes a few times.
"No way," he thought. "No possible way." He closed his eyes and rubbed his face, thinking the lack of sleep was catching up to him. He looked again. "Molly?" he said aloud.
"Yes, Daniel?" a voice said beside him.
Daniel froze. He knew that voice. His eyes shifted right to left. Surely he was imagining this.
"Daniel?" the voice asked again. "What is it?"
Slowly he turned his head to the side. Once again his eyes grew. "Molly?" he said incredulously. "What? How can this be? Not possible…"
She laughed. "Nope, it's me, Daniel."
He couldn't speak. There was no denying it wasn't Molly. Whether or not she was real or if he was on the verge of insanity...another question entirely. Yet there she seemed to be, sitting next to him dressed in that elegant red dress. The dress from The Closet. "How…?"
"You know, I'm not quite sure myself. But…for some reason I just know I'm supposed to be here right now. With you." she responded with a smile.
She looked beautiful, just as she had the night he'd taken her down to get that dress. "Well," he thought to himself, "If I'm going crazy, I may as well just go for it."
"Nice dress."
"Yeah, some rich jerk gave it to me for a charity event," she replied with a knowing smile.
"Hm. I heard the rich jerk was actually a pretty good guy."
Molly smiled and looked at him, "He was. He is. He truly was a good man. You ARE a good man, Daniel. I was lucky to have known him and have him in my life."
Daniel swallowed hard. This was getting intense very quickly. "Thank you," he managed to whisper.
Neither said anything for a moment. "I'm…I'm sorry I wasn't there…" Daniel told her, full of emotion.
"Daniel. Meade. Look at me. I. Don't. Blame. You. It's ok. We had our time and I will ALWAYS have those memories to hang on to. You will as well. In fact, I'm glad you weren't there bec-" He cut her off.
"What?"
"Let me finish," she replied. She moved her hand over his as it lay on his leg. "I think…that if you had been there… I just…I think it would have been ten times harder on you than it has already been."
Daniel thought for a moment. She was probably right. He'd already dealt with anger issues and fits of sleepless nights. He could only imagine what he would have been like if he'd been there to witness her last breaths.
"Maybe," he said, "Maybe you're right."
"Oh, you know I'm right, bucko," she said trying to lighten the mood. "I'm just glad you had someone there to help get you through this."
"Natalie?" Daniel laughed. "Really? Because she wasn't…"
"No, not Natalie. Though…talk about an interesting character. And what the heck was that with 'The Community'? Really, Daniel? Did you become that dense after I was gone?"
Daniel chuckled, "Well, apparently."
They both laughed.
"Well, regardless, that's not who I meant. I meant Betty," Molly stated.
His eyes snapped to hers, searching for meaning.
"Oh."
"You're lucky to know her, Daniel. She's been a good friend to you. You've been good to her as well."
Daniel looked up from staring at the ground as he soaked in her words.
"I could have been better. I was a real jerk right before she left."
Molly took Daniel's hands in hers. They were cold. It shocked Daniel a bit.
"Look at me," she said.
When he finally looked over at Molly she continued. "But you are here now. You can make this right, Daniel."
Daniel let out a sigh of frustration. "Sure, I can try. But Betty… I know I really hurt her whether she shows it or not." He paused, swallowing hard. "And…and I don't know if I can handle her holding disappointment and resentment towards me right now."
Molly smiled slightly. "And why is that?"
Daniel looked into Molly's eyes. They looked almost transparent. He felt a rush of a myriad of emotions - guilt, pain, angst, and sadness as he looked at her. He didn't think he could get the words out. "Because…because well…Molly, I…" He couldn't do it… This woman was his wife not all that long ago. How do you tell someone, your wife….your wife who is somehow here despite a tragic death…that you think you're in love with someone new?"
"Daniel," Molly stated quietly with a knowing voice. "It's ok. You think…you love her. Right?"
His eyes widened. "What?" How could she…? How could she know?
"Daniel Meade, if there's one thing you've never been good at, it's hiding your feelings behind a mask. Your face says everything. It's one thing I loved about you. And you know what? It's ok. THIS… Being here, coming after Betty. It's ok. In fact, I'm glad you're doing something about it."
Daniel couldn't believe what he was hearing. Surely this was some kind of huge joke being played on him. He thought back to what he'd eaten earlier in the day… Maybe his food had been laced with something because this was getting pretty trippy.
"You're kidding me, right?" he laughed slightly.
Molly shook her head. "No, Daniel. I'm serious. You need to move on. You need to find peace in your life. You made a huge step toward finding professional freedom and peace by stepping away from Mode. I WANT you to take this next step in your personal life. You need to find out if you really and truly have feelings…for Betty and if she loves you in return."
Daniel sat back in shock. They sat in silence for a few moments just watching people walk as the water of the Thames flowed past.
He couldn't believe what Molly was saying, but she seemed so content and at peace. He wanted that. Contentment and peace. And apparently…she was offering that to him. "I'd be a fool not to accept it," he thought to himself after several moments of contemplation.
He finally turned to look at Molly. Her hair was blowing gently in the breeze. She looked as beautiful as ever. He reached up to tuck a piece behind her ear. She smiled and leaned into his hand.
"So…this means you give me…us…your blessing to move forward?" he asked hesitantly.
Molly nodded and replied, "Yes. Absolutely. I give you my blessing, Daniel."
Daniel didn't know what to say. He simply leaned forward and hugged her frame. "Thank you, Molly," he whispered. His eyes began to tear up. "Thank you."
Molly squeezed him tight. "You're welcome, Daniel. Be happy. I love you…", her voice trailed off and suddenly she was gone.
"I love you too," he whispered to the wind.
Daniel sat there the rest of the afternoon finally coming to peace with Molly's death and beginning to think of the future.
Sitting at her desk, Betty was staring at her computer screen but not paying any attention to what was displayed. A noise repeatedly dinged that she had a message. She did not respond to it thus it continued.
Her mind was elsewhere. She knew there were many things to do – look over proofs, make sure shoots and contributors were on schedule with their input for the first issue of the new magazine, reply to emails from advertisers and interested parties, make calls to important contacts in London… The list went on. Betty's mind, however, was on something else entirely. Correction: make that someone else. A certain former playboy for whom she'd previously worked and had suddenly shown up in London that very day after a striking performance not too long ago as New York City's biggest jerk.
Betty replayed the scenario from earlier in the day in her mind. She was completely shocked to see Daniel. After the way things were left the night before she jetted off to London, he was one of the last people she expected to see.
"Not entirely true, Suarez," she chided herself out loud. Truth be told, being the optimist she was, she had been holding out hope for at least an email, a letter, a phone call in which things could have at least been smoothed out between them.
This was not at all what she expected. He completely threw her off. She didn't understand him. Adding to the mystique and mystery of his sudden appearance his reveal that he'd left Mode and Meade completely and she was mystified. Mystified, but all the same, he was her friend. That hadn't changed. He just had some serious explaining to do about a lot of things. To be concise, she was shocked to see him but curious and cautious to see what it all meant. She needed to find out who THIS Daniel Meade was. The Daniel Meade without Mode and Meade attached to him.
Ding, ding
Betty shook her head, focusing back on the computer.
MCKINNEYORIG: Hello from Scotland, Betty!
MCKINNEYORIG: B… Are you there?
MCKINNEYORIG: Ooooooh Betty…
MCKINNEYORIG: Are you ignoring your best friend? I'm hurt, Betty, really I am.
Ah Christina…
ButterflyB: Sorry, Christina. My mind is going in a hundred different directions. I guess I was "in the zone".
MCKINNEYORIG: Ah, there you are. Glad to know I'm not being purposefully ignored. How are you, friend?
ButterflyB: Presently… I'm ok. Things are going well preparing for the first issue. I'm just trying to stay on top of things but getting kind of…distracted.
MCKINNEYORIG: Distracted, eh? Is everything ok? Do I need to get out a bottle of whiskey and we can drink our sorrows away virtually? I'm always up for a drink, you know. J
ButterflyB: Haha. :-P No Christina. Plus, I'm at work.
MCKINNEYORIG: Well, you know… It was worth a try. So, what's going on?
ButterflyB: Well, I'm not quite sure.
MCKINNEYORIG: Not sure? How can you not be sure if you KNOW you're distracted?
ButterflyB: I don't know. Some things are just…odd and unexpected.
For a few moments Christina did not respond and Betty was relieved.
MCKINNEYORIG: Ok, girl. Spit it out. What's his name? It's got to be a guy. You're on top of everything with your magazine. This has to be something personal. I'm right, aren't I? It's a guy.
ButterflyB: Well, yes. It's something in my personal life but…
MCKINNEYORIG: Sooooo, what is it?
ButterflyB: Ummm…
MCKINNEYORIG: Out with it now!
ButterflyB: It's Daniel.
MCKINNEYORIG: Oooh. Daniel. What's his last name?
ButterflyB: Meade.
MCKINNEYORIG: Daniel Meade? What do you mean? What is it about him that has you distracted?
ButterflyB: Um… He's kind of here…in London. I just saw him earlier today. He…wants to get dinner to talk things over. Apologize maybe?
MCKINNEYORIG: Wow.
ButterflyB: I know, right? I have no idea what is going on. I mean, of course I was glad to see him after being shocked initially. But what in the world made him think he had to come all the way to London to resolve things? I just… I didn't know what to say. So I told him yes, we could have dinner. What does that even mean?
MCKINNEYORIG: I think I need a drink…
ButterflyB: Well, that's not the biggest thing – he LEFT Mode. Gave it to Wilhelmina. Another HUGE shock.
MCKINNEYORIG: I think I have a new drinking game – every time you say shock, I drink.
ButterflyB: Oh, Christina. I suppose I shouldn't be SHOCKED by that. J
MCKINNEYORIG: Down the hatch!
ButterflyB: That isn't the biggest shock…mystery. He said something about staying around London for a little while instead of going back to New York.
MCKINNEYORIG: Staying in London? Whatever for? Should I prepare myself for another shock? J
ButterflyB: Yes.
MCKINNEYORIG: Bottle in hand. Proceed.
ButterflyB: He said… He left Mode because he realized he'd never earned anything on his own because even Mode had been given to him by his family (big SHOCK, I know). He said he wanted to earn something on his own. To work for it. And that I inspired him to do just that.
MCKINNEYORIG: Wow.
ButterflyB: I know. I mean, I'm glad I inspired him and it's so good to see how far he's come since I first met him. It just doesn't all add up, you know? He made a lot of BIG decisions so quickly. He left EVERYTHING behind. Why London? Why give up EVERYTHING in New York? He could have found something there, been near his mom.
MCKINNEYORIG: Yeah. I don't know, Betty. He might need some sense knocked into him. He's needed that more than once and you've straightened him out. Maybe your dinner will give you a chance to do that.
ButterflyB: Yeah. Maybe. I just want to understand. Our conversation was so short when I bumped into him – oh and speaking of, bumping into him – it was like he'd planted himself there purposefully. That's just…weird. I hope he's not on something again…
MCKINNEYORIG: Ah yes. We all know how well that goes with him. Maybe that's what's triggered his behavior.
ButterflyB: I hope not. And now that it's been brought up, now I KNOW I've got to go tonight. Just to make sure he's not making stupid choices. I don't want to see him regress to who he once was.
MCKINNEYORIG: I know. Be careful, Butterfly. J I'm sure you'll get the truth out of him somehow. You know him well; he can't hide too much from you.
ButterflyB: Got that right. He'd better be ready for an inquisition tonight.
MCKINNEYORIG: That's my girl. Take care, Betty. And let me know what happens…any shockers. J
ButterflyB: Will do. Thanks, Christina. Miss you.
MCKINNEYORIG: Anytime. Miss you too – we will have to get together soon.
ButterflyB: Absolutely. Talk to you soon.
MCKINNEY: Until next time…
Betty closed out of the conversation. She was hyper focused now. Ready to finish her day of work and then off to do something she was accustomed to – straightening out Daniel Meade's life. Not as his assistant, but as a friend who knew him well – probably better than he knew himself.
Daniel had called Betty's office later in the afternoon to discuss dinner, but she'd been busy. Her assistant had taken a message and had told him that her boss, Ms. Suarez would be there. He smiled. Betty being called someone's boss and Ms. Suarez at that. How far she's come.
Presently he stood near Canary Wharf where he was meeting Betty. He felt his phone ringing in his pocket. He pulled it out and opened it not minding to look at the name.
"Daniel Meade here."
"Daniel? It's Betty." She sounded in a rush.
"Betty? What? Why are you? Is everything ok?" he asked, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. Was she backing out on him? Was she safe?
"Daniel, I'm fine. I just… Ow. Ow."
She was in pain. "Ok, where are you? You're not ok."
He heard her sigh. He knew that sigh well. She was probably rolling her eyes as well. "I'm FINE, Daniel. I just broke a heel, that's all. I'm going to be a few minutes late. I'm not very far away, but I'm buying some shoes at this very… Oh, thank you..."
She was paying. He breathed a sigh of relief and began looking around for her.
"Ok, like I said. I'm not far away and you could probably spot me a hundred miles away at this point."
Daniel laughed. "Why is that?"
"Oh trust me, you'll know it's me when I get there," she replied sounding very exasperated.
Daniel turned to look down the road. Several yards away a figure stood in the middle of the street trying to gain their bearings once more as they looked up and down the street. Clearly not a native Londoner…yet. The figure stood wearing a black skirt and bright blue shirt. As for the shoes, they weren't what one might expect on one who appeared to be going out for the night. Nope, brightly colored neon green converse certainly did not fit that category.
Daniel just watched her, shaking his head and smiling. Ah, this was the Betty he knew. That was his Betty. Same as ever.
She turned her eyes stopped on him. She noticed him chuckling to himself.
"Very funny, Daniel, I know. Can we just keep the laughing at a minimum? Please?" she asked as she came closer.
"Nice to see you too," he laughed.
She looked up at him. "Fine. I'm sorry. It's good to see you. But you owe me now. I broke a shoe and now I'm starving, so feed me. Then we can chat once I have something in my system."
"Yes, ma'am. Right this way," Daniel responded, offering her his arm.
Betty looked at him for a moment but then wove her arm through his. "Where to, boss?" she said absentmindedly.
Daniel laughed, "Boss? Betty? Really? I should be saying that to you."
She started to laugh, "Ah, sorry. Old habits die hard, I guess. But really, where are we eating?"
"It's a place called Wahaca. Mexican. Hopefully it's good."
"I'll be the judge of that." she replied with a smile.
They entered the restaurant and were seated at a table near the back along the wall. There were windows that looked out to the Thames. It was a beautiful view.
The waiter soon came and they ordered their drinks, red wine for both plus water for Betty.
As Daniel watched her peruse the menu, he realized how nervous he truly was. She hadn't completely forgiven him. She'd never said the words "It's ok, Daniel. We're ok." He swallowed hard, realizing he was still on thin ice with her. "Liquid courage, my friend. Down the hatch," he thought as he reached for his glass. "Refined liquid courage, that is."
As he brought the drink to his lips, he thought he heard Betty mumbling something and he strained forward to hear her.
"Focus, Betty. Focus. Its just Daniel. You're here to make sure he's not on anything, make sure he's straightened out. Figure out why in the heck he is here of all places…"
She continued with her words, quietly behind her menu but what he heard was enough to cause him to drop the glass. It went down right beside him, the red liquid almost bouncing out of the cup and into the air as if in slow motion. Thankfully, most of it landed on the floor beside him, but his shirt was not spared several from splatters.
"Damnit," he shouted, now getting angry with himself.
Betty hopped up. "What happened? What is it, Daniel?" Then she saw his predicament. She tried not to laugh.
"Trouble holding your alcohol, Daniel?"
He looked up at her attempting to keep a straight face. She had a look of innocence on her face, feigning a serious expression.
"I mean really, can you be taken out anywhere in public?"
"You'll pay for that," he replied, unable to contain himself anymore. He joined her in laughter. It was good to hear her laugh.
Their waiter arrived then and took their orders.
"Really," Betty prodded. "Are you ok?"
"Me? Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be? Why do you ask? It's me. Daniel. I'm perfectly fine. What makes you think I'm not ok?" Daniel replied, failing on an epic scale to appear in control while inside he was practically living in a world of chaos, not knowing what to do or say next.
"Ok, ok. You're fine. Sorry I asked," Betty replied. "New topic. How is your mother? Does she even know you're planning on staying around here?"
"Yeah, of course. She's great. She knows I'm here," Daniel said. "In fact, she thinks it's great."
"She does, huh? How is she handling Wilhelmina being in charge of Mode? I can only see cat fights at every turn with the two of them."
Daniel laughed. "Well, yes, I'm sure there will be those every now and then. It's the oddest thing though, Betty. Wilhelmina and my mother were civil with each other at every meeting I attended with the two of them as Mode prepared for my departure and Wilhelmina's takeover as editor. I really think they can take the magazine and even the company to the next level with their partnership."
"Wow. I'd say I'm shocked, but somehow I can see them doing great things together, as you say. Provided Wilhelmina doesn't get into any more of her schemes, that is. And speaking of schemes, where did all of the shifts leave Marc?"
"Oh. Marc, he got promoted to creative director. I think he'll do a tremendous job in that position."
"That's phenomenal. I'm so happy for him. He really deserves it. He's a good person," Betty said, thinking back on all Marc has actually done for her and her family, especially Justin.
"He is. But anyway…"
"Wait… Daniel. I have to ask you something," Betty began. Her demeanor changed and she was looking directly at him. Time to get to the point. She didn't want to beat around the bush anymore. Time to get down to business.
"What is it, Betty? It's like you've gone into business mode or something. Focused and you're not going to stray from the point. Then again…I know you and when you want to know something or do something, there's no stopping you. Let's have it…" Daniel replied, hoping there was still some liquid courage bubbling up inside him.
"Well. It's about your mother. At my going away party at Mode…"
Daniel dropped his head into his hands. "Betty, I am so sorry about that. I was such a jerk. I don't know what else I can say. Seriously. Lived with feeling so guilty for shutting you out that night and I know I shouldn't have…"
"Um, excuse me, sir," a voice said. "I have…your meal."
Daniel shot up in his seat, embarrassed. "Oh, right. Sorry. Thank you."
The waiter placed their food in front of them. Daniel avoided looking at Betty as best he could.
"You really are becoming a drama king, you know that?" He heard her say, stifling a laugh.
Daniel closed his eyes, trying to hide his smile. "Says the woman wearing the bright green converse."
He finally dared look up and he saw the laughter in her dark brown eyes. They both burst out laughing, the second time that evening.
Finally gaining control of themselves, he finally decided to let her approach the question once more. "So what is it you were asking? About my mother?"
"Right. Um, she said… She told me that you losing me was…" Betty paused mid sentence as if she were trying to regain her thoughts, keep her words on the right track. Looking up from her food, she finished. "She said losing me was hard for you. And that you didn't know why. Yet."
Daniel put down his silverware and swallowed hard. How was he supposed to respond? His mother knew him well. She was certainly right. It was hard.
"Daniel? What did she mean?" Betty asked, looking genuinely puzzled by his mother's statement.
"Oh, you know my mother. You know I got the drama from her. And hey – I did say I couldn't live without you, right?" he laughed, trying to breeze past her question.
"Daniel, come on. Spit it out." Betty said, crossing her arms. The inquisition had begun.
Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well… I mean… Betty, I guess. I told you I didn't want to hold you back and yeah, it was hard, especially having you resign and leave so soon."
"I'm sorry…" she began.
"No, no," he interrupted her. "I'm the one who is sorry here. I should have been more supportive and have shown up at your going away party. Betty, you deserved better and I apologize. After all, you're the one who inspired me. Remember the blobby awards? You do intimidate the heck out of me with all you've done with your life in such a short time. You're the reason I'm here…" his voice trailed off.
Betty's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
Daniel laughed nervously. "Um, what I meant to say was you're the one who inspired me to start over, to come here. Like I said earlier this afternoon. I want to accomplish something with my life, but on my own, not because of my name. I wanted to start over somewhere new, but I couldn't just throw a dart and go anywhere. I knew I'd need a support system and I just happened to know that one of those important people in my support system just happened to be living out her dream in London which is not so far away from Paris where my sister and DJ and well…it just seemed perfect."
Betty looked taken aback. Flustered might be the right word.
"Betty? Are you ok? Say something."
She blinked her eyes and willed words to come out. "I…I don't know… I don't know what to say."
"Well, I just have to say thank you. Thank you for getting me off my rich rear end and for the encouragement to try something new."
Betty's expression softened. "You're welcome, Daniel. I know there's something out there just waiting for you to dream up and make a reality. And…it's also good to know you're not on drugs or anything."
Daniel took a bite of his food. "Excuse me? Drugs?"
"Oh you know… Going off and resigning from Mode, traveling across the Atlantic, leaving everything in New York behind… You've been known to jet off to other countries before in the midst of a crisis you just didn't want to face. Need I remind you of Rio and your cheeto tan?"
"Ok, ok. I don't have the best history of making good spur of the moment decisions. But, I feel like this is a good one. A step in the right direction. I will admit though, I'm a bit lost on the next step now that I am here."
Betty smiled knowingly. "I know that feeling. I'll tell you what a wise teenager once told me. It may be hard to know when or where to take the next step, but when it is time, you'll just know."
Daniel leaned forward, his eyes looking directly into hers. "Thank you, Betty. Really. I wouldn't be here without you. Finally making something of myself…making myself better."
"You're a good person, Daniel. You'll find what you're looking for. I know it's out there somewhere, just waiting."
Neither said anything for a few moments and Betty grew uncomfortable. "Ok then.
I'm finished, are you? It's time to go," she said in a rush.
Daniel barely had time to finish his last bite of food before she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the restaurant.
Clearly, something was bothering her now. He could tell. As she dragged him out along the street, he hoped he hadn't said too much. He didn't think he had. Was telling a girl who you hadn't seen in several weeks and had been a jerk to the last time you saw her that she is the reason you are in a new place too much? Really? He hoped she wasn't about to shut him out with a bunch of fake conversation as she'd done in the past when she was upset with him.
While he'd been lost in thought, she'd brought them into a bar and now he found himself standing near a stage with a mic in his hand.
"Come on, we're up," she said with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Wait, what?" he asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. He looked around at the bar…
"Come on, Daniel. Let's go."
"But…I can't…"
"YES. YOU. CAN. Now move your butt up those steps! NOW!" she commanded, taking charge of the situation.
Reaching the center of the stage, she nodded her head at the man in the booth nearby.
The beginnings of a familiar song began to drift across the space.
Betty elbowed him and he stood up straight, a smile beginning to spread across his face. He looked down at her as she began to sing…
"They say we're young and we don't know, we won't find out until we grow. Well I don't know if all that's true, cause you got me and baby I got you…"
She turned to look at him, a forgiving look in her eyes. He smiled back, a sense of relief overflowing inside him. They were ok. She forgave him. This was her way of telling him things were going to be just fine between them. They both sang…
"Babe, I got you babe, I got you babe."
Daniel laughed and continued the song, remembering the last time he'd sung this song or even heard it for that matter. Snails. Paparazzi. Giselle. Pizza. The bridge. Better than a model. That was a good night. One he'd never forget. This was a good night. Things just might be looking up. He had his best friend, back by his side.
They say our love won't pay the rent
Before it's earned, our money's all been spent
I guess that's so, we don't have a pot
But at least I'm sure of all the things we got
Babe
I got you babe
I got you babe
I got flowers in the spring
I got you to wear my ring
And when I'm sad, you're a clown
And if I get scared, you're always around
Don't let them say your hair's too long
'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong
Then put your little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb
Babe
I got you babe
I got you babe
I got you to hold my hand
I got you to understand
I got you to walk with me
I got you to talk with me
I got you to kiss goodnight
I got you to hold me tight
I got you, I won't let go
I got you to love me so
I got you babe
I got you babe
I got you babe
I got you babe
I got you babe
Next eppy coming within the next 3 to 4 weeks thanks please and alert :)