She stared at him in disbelief, for she couldn't have heard him correctly. Frederick had the most wonderful sense of humor and he was always making jokes.
But he wasn't laughing now, nor was he smiling.
"I don't understand." She said for a second time.
"It's over, Daphne. I'm sorry. I just... I can't see you anymore."
The words, although spoken softly, cut through her soul as she realized what was happening.
"You're... You're breaking up with me?"
He sighed irritably. "If that's the way you want to look at it, then... yes."
Hot tears filled her eyes but she refused to let them fall. "I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand, Daphne!"
His words were angry now, filled with annoyance. "It's over and that's all there is to it! Now, it's late and I'm sure you have... chores to do."
Hurt, she looked at her watch and then back at him. "It's after midnight." She said in a trembling voice. "Why would you think that I'd be doing... Look. If this is about my talking about Stephen, I swear, I won't say another word. I-."
"Goodnight, Daphne."
Wordlessly she opened the car door and she'd barely slammed it shut when he sped away, leaving her alone on the curb.
The hot tears slid down her cheeks and her chest felt so tight that it hurt to breathe. As she walked into the lobby of the Elliot Bay Towers, she was grateful that she had arrived home so late. Given Frasier and Martin's early morning regimens, they were sure to be in bed already. There was no way they'd be awake at this hour.
But when she opened the door to Condo 1901, she found that she was sorely mistaken. Her heart sank when she saw Martin sitting in his chair watching a baseball game with Eddie on his lap. And on his beloved Cocoa Chanel sofa was Frasier, engrossed in book of a subject that she was sure to have no interest or knowledge in whatsoever.
And perhaps that was the problem.
No one found her interesting in the least. She knew next to nothing about psychiatry, opera, wine or any number of things that Dr. Crane and his brother were always going on about. And she knew even less about sports, except that they seemed to be a ridiculous waste of time.
But why couldn't she at least pretend to be halfway intelligent so that a man, any man would show the slightest bit of interest in her? She should have seen this coming from a mile away, but she didn't. Frederick was supposed to be the one; the man she'd been waiting for her entire life. And now she had no one. The tears unexpectedly slid down her cheeks and she faced the doorway, brushing them away. When the door was closed, both men turned to look at her.
"Oh Daphne, I didn't hear you come in." Frasier said. "How was your date? You know, I really like that Frederick, and not just because he has a great name!"
She smiled, trying to avoid eye contact with her boss. "It was fine. We went to a lovely Italian restaurant. Very romantic."
"Well, I'm glad you've found someone who makes you happy, Daphne."
The words hurt and she forced a smile.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. Now if you don't mind, I'm a bit tired so I think I'll just go to me room."
Frasier looked at his watch. "Dear God, I didn't realize it was so late! This book is so engaging that the time just slipped away from me! I should be heading to bed too. Goodnight, Daphne."
"Goodnight, Dr. Crane."
"Are you coming to bed, Dad?"
"Later." Martin said absently.
"But Dad, it's awfully late and-."
"Frasier, are you crazy? I can't go to bed now! There's two men on base and Rodriguez is about to knock it out of the park!"
Frasier rolled his eyes. "Well that would certainly be a first. The Mariners actually scoring a run!"
"Hey just because you're jealous, doesn't mean you have to insult my team!" Martin snapped.
"Why would I be jealous of a bunch of overpaid swelled headed men who run around bases?"
"Because you... Aw, never mind! Just shut up so I can watch this and- oh damn! Pop fly caught by Merchoviz! Well, that's the end of that game! Thanks for ruining it for me, Fras!"
Martin rose from his chair, sending Eddie scampering to the floor. "Come on Eddie, let's go to bed and dream about the Mariners winning the World Series."
Frasier scoffed. "In that case I can expect you to wake up in about two weeks."
"I'm not even going to dignify that remark with an answer." Martin said as he brushed past his eldest son and headed for his room.
"That's because you know it's true!" Frasier called to him, just as his door slammed shut.
Daphne was used to their bantering back and forth when it came to Martin's love of the Seattle Mariners and she always found it amusing. But tonight all she wanted to do was cry.
"Well... Goodnight, Daphne. I'll see you in the morning"
"Goodnight, Dr. Crane."
She hurried to her room, covering her mouth when a sob escaped but then turned when she heard her name.
"Daphne? Is everything all right?"
Quickly she brushed away her tears. "Yes, I'm fine." She lied, trying desperately to control her trembling voice. "Goodnight Dr. Crane."
And before he could say anything else, she rushed into her room and when the door was closed, collapsed onto her bed, soaking her pillow with tears.