A New Experience Part 9
On Tuesday Danny got his things ready early. He was so hoping to be in the same group as Charlie and Steven at baseball. He ran downstairs, Granddad George wasn't up yet so he went out into the back garden and threw his ball about.
"Danny breakfast," a voice called. If that had been Jack, Danny thought, he'd have been shouted at for being outside. The General sure made great pancakes and he tucked into some more. Looking at him George wondered where he put all the food. Jack used to worry when he was grown up that Danny didn't eat enough, now he put away enough food to feed and elephant.
"I've got my things ready, you are coming with me aren't you?" Danny asked.
"Of course, I'll even help out if Mrs. Anderson wants."
"Great. Mrs. Anderson is really nice. Jack enjoyed helping her. She's very pretty as well."
"Is she?"
"Yes and she knows all about baseball."
"You're really enjoying this?"
"Yes. I was never any good at sports before, I never got picked for teams. I was always the Geek."
"You're not just doing this because Jack likes sports though, it doesn't matter if you play sports or not."
"I know. But I want to be good at it. I'm going to try ice hockey as well."
Danny talked the whole way to the Mountain. George couldn't believe the change in the boy/man. He would always stand up for what he believed in as an adult but you had to draw him out in ordinary conversation. Now he just never stopped. He talked about everything and anything. Jack was certainly doing him good.
"If I don't see you at lunch time, I'll pick you up at 1500 hours."
"Okay," Danny jumped out of the car and ran off. He was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled back. A large truck just missed him. Airman Miller had a hold of his shoulders. George ran up.
"Danny, what have you been told?" he said.
"Sorry, I was just so excited. I didn't see it. Thanks Sandy."
"Take my hand," George said. "What would your dad say if he came back and you were in hospital?"
"No." Danny screwed up his face," I'm not a kid."
"Now," George said putting on his best General voice. However that didn't really work anymore, on Danny or Jack. Danny just gave him a big smile and pleaded," Please Granddad, I'll walk beside you, I promise."
"Alright but you move away from my side and I'll take your hand." Airman Miller smiled, Danny certainly had the General wrapped around his little finger. "What's so funny, Airman?"
"Nothing sir," he said wiping the smile off his face. "See you at lunch time, Danny."
"Yes Sandy." He stayed beside the General all the way down. No point annoying him when he'd just got him on his side.
The morning seemed to take so long. He so wanted to get out and play. This was a weird feeling. He'd never been one to play sports. He was always the one watching from the side.
He managed to get some work done before Sandy came for him. He had a great time.
At 1500 hours George picked him up and drove to the school grounds. Danny introduced him to Mrs. Anderson and he explained that he would help out if she wanted.
"Wasn't I right about her being pretty," he said to George. Mrs. Anderson smiled. Unfortunately Danny's quiet voice wasn't that quiet.
"Yes, Danny you're right."
Charlie and Steven came running over.
They were told their teams and that on Saturday there would be a game. Danny was so glad he was going to be in Raptors with Charlie and Steven. "We should design our own t-shirts with a Raptor on them. Then he went on to explain what Raptors were.
"Danny, it's time to practice now."
He ran over to practice batting. "He has a good eye," Mrs. Anderson said to George.
"He should have, he practices every lunch time. Some of the airmen and women from the base play a game each lunch time with him."
"He's dedicated."
"He's like that with everything," George said. "Always has been."
Mrs. Anderson looked at him curiously. "You make him sound like he's older than he is."
George realized his mistake," He's very like his father."
Then they both heard, "Daddy!" and Danny sprinted across the field into Jack's arms. Jack swung him around.
"Maybe I should go away more often if I get a greeting like this."
"No!" Danny said. "Missed you," he said snuggling into Jack's neck. "Granddad didn't say you were coming."
"He didn't want to disappoint you if I didn't get here. I only arrived back just after you left. The doc rushed me through."
General Hammond came over," Good to see you back, Jack. I'll get back now."
Danny grabbed his hand. "No, stay please." He looked over at him with his big blue eyes.
"Alright son, I'd love to. But you'd better get back, they're waiting for you."
"Oops," he said as he jumped out of Jack's arms.
"See he's got you right where he wants you, sir." Jack said laughing. Am I the only one immune to that boy and his looks he thought.
Danny played well. He ran over to them after the practice. "You'll both come to see me on Saturday."
"You kidding. As Teal'c would say, undomesticated equines wouldn't keep me away." Morag came over.
"Would you like me to take Danny home with us?" she asked.
"No, I'm just going home." He picked Danny up and settled him on his hip. George went over to his car waving at Danny.
Jack walked over to Mrs. Anderson. "Do you need any help on Saturday?"
"Yes, that would be great."
"Danny go get those things for Mrs. Anderson," he said as he put Danny down. Danny went to get the bibs and bats. He heard her laugh and he turned round. He liked Mrs. Anderson but he didn't really want Jack to get too friendly with her. Jack could have asked him if he wanted to help not just told him. Jack and Mrs. Anderson looked very friendly together. Jack better remember she's Mrs. Anderson he thought. He carried the things over to her and dropped them on the ground.
"Can we go now?"
"Yes, we'll just take them to the car."
"What're we havin' for dinner?" he asked.
"Thought we'd have pizza, I've asked Mrs. Anderson to join us."
What? Danny thought. That's not fair, he's just home. "Won't her husband be expecting her?" he asked.
"I'm a widow. He was killed in the Gulf fighting."
"Sorry," Danny muttered.
They drove home. Danny was very quiet. Jack just thought he was tired after all the excitement. The pizza arrived and they sat out on the deck eating it. Jack pulled him into his lap. "You behave for Granddad George?" he questioned.
"I always behave. Granddad George doesn't treat me like a baby."
"And I do?" he asked tickling him.
"Yes, sometimes," he giggled squirming in Jack's lap.
"That's a dad's job. Granddad's get the nice jobs and dad's get the difficult ones like putting people to bed at the right time."
"But Jack."
"Now squirt." He pushed him towards the door.
"I'd best go," Mrs. Anderson said. "See you on Saturday and thanks for the pizza."
"You're welcome. We must do it again," he said as he escorted her to the door.
Danny had his bath and got his pyjamas on. "Do you like her Jack?"
"Yes, she seems very nice. She likes The Simpsons."
"Are you going to ask her out?"
"Danny I've only just met her." He considered the question. "I might."
That night in bed Danny could only think about one thing. What if Jack really liked her, maybe went out with her or worse having her over to the house. Yuk! He didn't want Jack to start seeing any one, they were fine as they were. It would spoil everything.
He heard Jack at the door and shut his eyes. Jack came in, he brushed the hair out of Danny's eyes," I missed you buddy," he said bending down to kiss his forehead. Two small arms went round his neck. "Thought you were sleeping?"
"Not tired," he said yawning widely.
"Of course not." He tucked him in. "Was staying with General Hammond alright?"
"Yes, did he bring my bag?"
"Here's your camel," Jack handed it to him.
"I wasn't looking for it specifically." He put it under his covers. What did Jack think he was, a child.
"It doesn't matter, you're allowed a toy."
"Jack I'm 36," he yawned again. He was making Jack tired just watching him. He snuggled down in bed, the camel tucked under his arm. He was soon fast asleep.
TBC
