Chapter 2

After Frasier left Keesha's shop, he drove to the Montana to visit Niles. His meeting and subsequent dinner invitation weighed heavily on his mind. It wasn't that he regretted making the date, quite the contrary. It was the overwhelming sense of joy he'd felt at having made the date that scared him. Because he knew he would eventually counter that feeling by listing, at least mentally, all the reasons why the date wouldn't work out and he would be alone once again. As it was, he had to acknowledge that he had made a date with someone far different than his usual pattern dictated. But that did not mean he was any less enthusiastic about what he had done. His decision, though, made him realize he needed his brother's perspective.

"Frasier," Niles greeted warmly, as he ushered him into his home. "I was just getting ready to go to your place for dinner. And to see Daphne, of course. May I pour you a drink?"

After Frasier declined, they each took a seat on the couch.

"What brings you here?" Niles asked.

"I need to talk to you about a date I just made."

"A date? That sounds promising. Anyone I know?"

"I don't think so. I just met her. She owns the antique store across town."

"Oh, yes. The one you've wanted to go to. So, how is it? How is she?"

"The store is very nice. I enjoyed looking around. In fact, I bought Daphne's birthday gift there. As for the owner, her name is Keesha Ward, and she's very lovely and very nice."

When Niles saw his brother's look of consternation, he prodded.

"And?"

"And...she's black, and I found her charming, and I asked her to dinner Friday night. There. I said it."

"Good for you, Frasier."

He gave his brother a skeptical look. "Do you really mean that?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I? I know you don't just ask any female out on a date. This woman obviously appeals to you."

"She does," Frasier acknowledged, relieved he could talk about this with his sibling. "I felt very comfortable in her presence because she made me feel that way. There's a genuineness about her that I find most refreshing."

"That's wonderful. I hope you two enjoy yourselves when you go out."

"Thanks. Me, too."

When Frasier still didn't look satisfied with their conversation, Niles asked if something else was bothering him. Frasier rose, and with his hands stuffed in the front pockets of his pants, he began to pace the length of the room. He halted at the foot of the staircase which led to the bedrooms and shrugged.

"I'm not sure. I'm very happy that I've met Keesha, but I want to be certain I'm doing this for the right reasons."

"What would make you doubt your motives? You either like her or you don't, right?"

Frasier pressed his thumb and forefinger to his lips as he considered his brother's questions. "Right. I know it should be that easy, but..."

Niles ventured a guess. "Are you concerned because you've never dated a black woman before?"

"Maybe that's part of it," Frasier conceded. "It's just...I guess I want to make sure I learned something from my experience with Mary Thomas when she filled in for Roz."

Niles nodded knowingly. "I wondered if you were thinking of her."

"I did handle that situation badly, as you and Dad so eagerly pointed out."

Niles shook his head as Frasier gave him a sharp look. "That was different. That was business. Your livelihood. Mary overstepped her boundaries on your radio show and you refused to talk to her about it. This is your personal life. I would hope you would be able to make the distinction and know if something wasn't working."

"You're right," Frasier said. "In the end, things worked out with and for Mary. This is an entirely different situation. I want to give Keesha a chance. I refuse to sabotage this before we even have our first date."

"Sounds good to me. Come on. Let's go to your place. I can't wait any longer to see Daphne."

After eating the chicken salad she had prepared for dinner, Keesha sat at the table of what amounted to her dining room and fired up her laptop. She had decided to go online to see what she could find out about one Dr. Frasier Crane. Not that she regretted her decision to go out with him, she told herself, as she typed his name in the search engine, but Keesha was a firm believer in knowledge. The more, the better.

Her search led her to KACL's Web site where she clicked on the link to Frasier's page. When his smiling face popped up on the screen, she sat back to study it. She acknowledged he was a handsome man with a very friendly smile and eyes as blue as the sky on a clear day. She also acknowledged she had enjoyed their brief but pleasant exchange. Still, something nagged at her. Should she have agreed to go out with him? He was a local celebrity of sorts and seemed very refine. She was sure he ate at the fanciest restaurants, probably with the best table always reserved for him. He most likely dined with many attractive women. She pictured sleek blondes, svelte brunettes and saucy redheads by his side. Is that what this was all about? She hadn't even gone out with him and already she felt insecure? Felt as though there was no way she could measure up? What was wrong with her? When had she lost her spunk, her drive, her positive outlook on life? One glance at the gold frame perched on the mantel in the small living room answered that question rather quickly. But she wouldn't dwell on her losses. Instead, she would begin to think positive again. Dr. Frasier Crane had shown what she believed to be a genuine interest in her; that hadn't happened in a very long time. Mostly because she hadn't let it, but today, she had. She had allowed herself to be receptive to his words and to the looks he had given her which had conveyed his interest. Maybe that was an indication she was finally ready to let go of some of the hurt and see what good things might be out there for her.

Scooting closer to the laptop, she accidentally clicked on the mouse which opened a link on Frasier's page. As if it were a sign from above, a sound bite from his show began to play.

"Hello, this is Dr. Frasier Crane," it began. "I'm listening."

Yes, she thought, as she played the soothing sound clip a few more times. She had been alone for too long. It would be nice to know someone was listening to her and that she could listen to someone else, too. Companionship. That's what she needed. No longer allowing herself to have second, third and fourth thoughts about her date, she pushed aside her doubts and decided no matter how things turned out; she would enjoy her time with Frasier on Friday night. Maybe it would even become the next turning point in her life. With one more long look at the photo on the mantel, she hoped this time the turning point would be a good one.

After dinner, Niles and Daphne took Eddie for a walk in a secluded area they had found where he could roam free and they could have some alone time without being seen.

"I hope this is going to end soon," Daphne said to Niles once they were alone.

"It will," Niles said, unable to stop himself from touching her.

"I appreciate your brother helping us celebrate my birthday, but I can't wait until we can be seen together in public with no problems."

"Me either," Niles said, glad at the moment that no one could see them as he pulled her close and lavished her with kisses which were returned with a fervor that nearly sent both of them over the edge.

"I'm happy for you, Fras, that you've met someone you want to go out with."

"Thanks, Dad. Would you mind if I played the piano for a little bit? I'm feeling restless."

"Go ahead. There's nothing to watch on TV."

Frasier made his way to the piano and began warming up. When he finally chose a song, Martin recognized it as a sad tune from his era of music.

"Why are you playing that song?" he asked, twisting in his recliner to face his son.

Frasier ceased playing and leaned his arms against the top of the piano. He sighed as he looked out at the nighttime view of the skyline.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

Martin stood from his chair and after reaching for his cane, he made his way to the piano. "You met someone, you're going on a date, and you still aren't happy? I don't understand it."

"It's not that I'm unhappy," Frasier tried to explain. "It's just that this feels different. I talked about this with Niles and thought I had put it to rest, but obviously, it's still on my mind."

"Why? Are you regretting that you asked Keesha to have dinner with you?"

"No, not exactly. I really enjoyed meeting her and the idea of us having dinner appealed to me."

"But now?" Martin asked, trying to understand his very complicated oldest son.

Frasier tapped his fingers on the piano. "I don't know. Maybe I was too eager to help, maybe I should have just invited her for coffee or a drink."

Martin shook his head and waved his free hand. "You're going to drive yourself and everyone else crazy thinking about this, aren't you? And for what? Because she's not the type of woman you usually date? Who said they all have to have porcelain skin? If you like her, and you must since you asked her out, then just enjoy the date. Don't worry about a bunch of stuff that isn't going to matter anyway. Give her a chance. Give yourself a chance, too. What have you got to lose?"

Any further conversation was halted by the return of Daphne, Niles and Eddie. When Niles saw Frasier sitting on the piano bench, he immediately requested that he play an upbeat song. Soon, Niles had taken over the piano duties while Frasier joined in on a chorus or two of some of his favorite songs.

Martin requested "The Best Is Yet To Come" and then winked at Frasier, who clasped his father's shoulder and gave him a nod of understanding and thanks.

Maybe the best was yet to come, Frasier thought, as he smiled and sang in harmony with the rest of his family.