Exhausted from her afternoon in the park with Eddie, Daphne returned to the condo anxious for some rest and relaxation. But as soon as she walked through the front door, she knew that a relaxing afternoon wasn't going to happen.
"Back so soon, Daphne?"
At the sound of Sherry's voice, Daphne winced. Was the woman going to become a permanent house guest?
"Oh Daphne, you're back." Frasier said. "Listen, I have an early meeting at the studio and-."
"I'll get your lunch started right away, Dr. Crane."
"Thanks, Daphne."
She walked past Sherry and headed for the kitchen. At least in there she'd be able to get some peace and quiet. But only minutes after she'd started making the sandwiches, she heard Sherry's shrill voice once more.
"Daphne, this is what you're making for lunch?"
Sherry picked up the slices of bread that were carefully laid out and began rearranging them haphazardly.
"Sherry, please let me-."
"Now Daphne, if you're going to make lunch, you've got to do it right!" Sherry pulled apart one of the sandwiches. "What is this anyway? Tuna sandwiches and-."
She peered into the pot that was steaming on the stove.
"Tomato soup? What is this, grade school? Come on Daphne. Men need real food!"
Hurt, Daphne looked away. "Well I was just trying to make sure that Mr. Crane eats healthy!"
"Now don't you worry about him; Marty's fine. But he's not going to be unless you start feeding him better!" Sherry pushed Daphne aside. "Now you go on back to the table and I'll finish up in here."
Angrily, Daphne made a tuna sandwich and a bowl of soup and carried it to the table where Frasier touched her arm in gratitude. "Thanks, Daphne. I'm famished."
"You're welcome, Dr. Crane. And there's more where that came from."
"Hey! Where's my food? I'm starving!" Martin snapped.
"Right here, Honey!"
Daphne looked up to see Sherry walk out of the kitchen carrying an enormous triple- decker sandwich, pilled high with meat, cheese and slathered in fattening, cholesterol laden mayonnaise.
Martin's eyes widened at the sight. "Whoa! Now that's what I call a sandwich!"
"Much better than the one Frasier has, isn't it?" Sherry laughed.
"You got that right!" Martin replied as he took a bite of the massive sandwich.
"Mr. Crane you really shouldn't be eating that. Remember what Dr. Hunsberger said."
"Ah, to hell with him!" Martin yelled, startling her with the outburst.
"Leave him alone, Daphne! Your father knows what's good for him!" Sherry said.
The anger boiled inside of her and finally she just couldn't help herself.
"Honestly, Mr. Crane! I don't know what you see in her!" she blurted out.
When Sherry's mouth fell open, Daphne had to hold back a smile. "Now what is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, I think you know what it means!" Daphne retorted. "You're horrible, Sherry; goin' behind me back to give Mr. Crane food he really shouldn't have and bargin' in here like you own the place!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me! And you, old man... how could you go and tell her about me breakin' up with Joe?" At the mention of his name, her voice quivered and began to break. "Mr. Crane, don't you remember how much that hurt me?"
"Well, Honey, it's no wonder you can't find a man!" Sherry said.
Daphne gasped, unprepared for the harsh words.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Look at you! Your hair is a mess, you're not wearing makeup and your clothes look like they came from a cheap catalog!"
She could feel Sherry's eyes boring into her as the woman looked her up and down.
"Coincidentally, you could stand to gain a few pounds as well. Men like a woman with a little meat on their bones, don't they Marty?"
Avoiding eye contact with Daphne, Martin laughed and grabbed Sherry's hand. "We sure do!"
Daphne couldn't help but notice how quickly Martin resumed eating his sandwich.
Sherry stood behind Martin and slid her hands down his shoulders. Once more he laughed and leaned into her embrace, allowing her to kiss him deeply. The mere sight caused Daphne's stomach to churn and suddenly she wished she hadn't eaten lunch.
When Martin drew back, Sherry smiled and winked at Daphne. "Now see, Honey? That's how you get a man!"
"Right." Daphne managed to say. But the word was barely audible on her trembling mouth. Normally she was able to take any insults that her brothers dished out... and throw them right back in their faces. But Sherry was different. She looked up, painfully aware that Sherry and Martin were laughing. And she knew that deep down they were laughing at her as though she were some sort of joke. And although she was barely holding herself together on the outside, her emotions were shattered even further.
