Don't Help Me, Please by Patrick Councilor
Niles was dressed in his new Polo shirt and khaki pants. They were just finishing delicious hamburgers at the Rock Bottom restaurant.
"That was some burger," Daphne said.
"Did you like it?"
"It was incredible," she said before dipping another French fry in ketchup and eating it.
"I am delighted you liked it." Niles motioned for the check. "It wasn't bad at all even with the thought that it could have been a lovely cut of steak."
She laughed. Then she said, "Oh my, it has stopped raining."
He handed their waiter his credit card and looked off into the room in deep thought.
"What are you thinking?" She took up his hand that was resting on the table and she kissed the back of it.
"You gave me an idea." He smiled at her. "Would you give me a moment? I have to make a phone call." He got up from his seat and walked to the restaurant's entrance to make his call. When he returned, he signed the check, then checked his watch. "Our ride will be here in about 30 minutes. How about some coffee?"
"That would be wonderful. And thank you for lunch."
"You're so welcome Daphne."
In a half hour, Daphne and Nile, waiting just outside the restaurant, watched a BMW series 428i convertible in a pearl white drive up. The driver jumped out. "Dr. Crane?"
"Yes, that's me." He stepped forward.
The man held out a mini clip board. "Just sign here and she's all yours."
Niles signed as Daphne came up and put her arm inside his.
"Will you have transportation?" Niles asked.
"Yes, I have another driver picking me up."
"Very well. And thank you."
As they moved toward the car, the gentleman opened Daphne's door. Niles tipped him.
In no time, the car was purring up Interstate 5 with the top down. Daphne had her hair pulled back into a ponytail and the cool wind was washing over them like refreshing water. She wrapped her arms around his closest arm and leaned his way as much as possible. She kissed his shoulder. Her hand trailed down to his and her fingers laced with his. Her heart thundered with joy. This was a great day. She pointed to the view of the Space Needle as the started to come upon it. Her smile was so beautiful. This is the way every day should be.
"This is wonderful." She yelled to be heard over the wind.
"You are wonderful."
"Where are we going?"
"Where would you like to go?"
"I'd like to go up north and then turn around and come back down the freeway."
"Just drive the freeway?" he asked.
"Yes, I just want to enjoy the moment. I wish it didn't have to end."
"Well then, we will drive up and down the freeway just as much as you would like."
She firmly held onto his hand with both of her hands. "I love you."
He took his eyes off the road for just a moment to glance her way. "What did you say?"
"I love you."
"Can you say that again?"
"You can't hear me?"
"I can. I just love hearing you say that."
She laughed. "I love you."
"I love you too Daphne."
They drove up passed the Space Needle and back down again. They did that twice. That's about the time Daphne asked, "I hope it doesn't start raining."
Just then the sky opened up and the rain came down. They were quickly getting wet. Niles was fumbling for the controls to put the top back up. He looked at her and she looked at him. They couldn't help but laugh. She looked so much like an angel… even when caught in the rain. As the car's top came up and sheltered them from the rain, Niles announced, "I can't believe you said the 'R' word."
She grinned uncontrollably at him.
He quickly leaned over for a kiss.
"Alright, let's find a place where we can get something hot to drink," she said. "Café Nervosa?"
"Definitely not," he replied. He didn't want to run into anyone who might end their afternoon abruptly. Let's find another nook."
"Alright then. Where to?"
Niles thought for a moment. "South Seattle has a 909 Coffee and Wine."
"Sounds wonderful."
Niles knew where it was and drove right to it. They held hands and pulled each other along as they tried to get in out of the rain. They were laughing when they entered the establishment. There, Niles ordered his coffee, but when Daphne ordered a hot chocolate, he changed his order to a hot chocolate.
They sat at a small table sipping their chocolates. Daphne reached out across the table and took his hand with both of hers. There it was, as plain as day. Niles' wedding ring.
"I'm sorry Dr. Crane," she said softly.
"Please call me Niles. You can always call me Niles. And what on earth is there to be sorry about?"
"I shouldn't have said those things today. I shouldn't have kissed you."
His smile faded suddenly. "Why would you be sorry for that? Don't be sorry. Please."
"You're still married."
"Yes… Daphne, that is true. But we are separated." He pulled out his phone. "Here Daphne, let me make this quick call." He dialed the number to his lawyer to see just how quickly he could get divorced from Maris. The lights flickered and there was a ringing sound. "What on earth is going on?" The lights and the phone ringing happened again.
Niles blinked his eyes open. He was on his back on the floor at his apartment at the Montana. What was going on? How did he get here? His cell phone was ringing. It was already in his hand. He accepted the call, but didn't attempt to sit up. "Hello?"
"Niles! Frasier. Daphne said that she just got a disturbing call from you. Where are you?"
"No-no, I have to get back to her." he said in a groggy voice.
"Niles, you ninny, pull yourself together and tell me where you are?"
Niles blinked twice. "I'm…"
"Yes." Frasier said impatiently.
"I'm on the floor."
"WHERE ARE YOU IN THE CITY, YOU LITTLE FOOL?"
"I'm at my apartment."
"I'm on my way. Tell me about your situation. Are you alright?"
"I can't talk right now Frasier. I have to get back to her."
"Wait! What?"
Niles looked at the smatter of blood on his hand and that was all he wrote. He found himself back on the raining streets of Seattle. Again he was in the khaki pants and Polo shirt he was wearing when he was in the 909 with Daphne. The rain was showering the streets. He looked this way and that, but Daphne was nowhere to be found. He ran down the middle of the street, in the down-pour, screaming out her name.