37-Playoffs

Niles sat on the floor doing his best to concentrate as only a young boy of his age could. Next to him, his father sat in his favorite chair, yelling at the television. It was a familiar sight, for it was something that happened frequently; especially on Sundays when both Niles and Frasier were forbidden to bother their father for a few hours while he watched the game. Niles had no interest in such nonsense and neither did Frasier. Usually they passed the time playing with each other in Frasier's room. But things were different now. Frasier was older and he was no longer interested in spending his Sundays with his little brother. Instead, the second they returned home from church, he changed his clothes and dashed out the door, not to be seen again until dinner time. And so, Niles was left to spend the day by himself. He didn't mind it normally, but today he wanted someone to talk to. His father was out of the question. And his mother… well, he wasn't sure where she was, but he knew that if he went looking for her, she might get upset with him. She didn't like to be disturbed when she was working.

With a sigh he tried once again to concentrate on the directions of his erector set. But his father's yelling at the television made it nearly impossible. He had to know what was going on. Taking his life into his small hands, he stood and went to his father's chair, putting his hands on his father's knee.

"Dad?"

"What is it, Niles?"

"Can I sit in your lap?"

"What? No, son! I'm trying to watch the game! Go play with Frasier."

"He's not home."

"What?" Oh, well then, work on your Erector set."

"I was, but…"

"Come on, Niles, Can't you see I'm watching the game?"

"Please, Dad? I promise I'll be quiet. Honest!"

When his father's eyes met his, Niles displayed his most sincere smile. It always worked wonders at getting what he wanted. His father swore under his breath and sighed.

"All right, come on. But be quiet! This is a huge game."

Joyfully, Niles felt his father lift him into his arms and onto his knee. It sure was high up there. He could see the whole living room.

"All right, now be quiet. It's starting, okay?"

Niles nodded. His eyes went to the television, where the football players were running across the field, and the audience seemed to love it. He wanted to ask his father what exactly it was they were doing, but he knew that he'd get yelled at. His dad always seemed to get frustrated when it came to the subject of sports. He'd tried to get Frasier and Niles involved in sports, but it never lasted very long.

"Come on! Come on!" His father yelled to the television. "No! That's not the way you're supposed to do it!"

Niles just sat and watched in confusion, hoping that one day he'd understand. But he nearly jumped out of his skin when without warning, his father rose to his feet with Niles still in his arms, cheering and yelling.

Suddenly he heard his mother's footsteps. "Marty, what's going on in here?" She demanded.

"This is unbelievable! We're going to the playoffs!" he shouted.

"Oh Marty, really? That's wonderful! I always hoped that they'd do it for you!"

"Aw, come on Hester. This was a long time coming but it's totally worth it, isn't that right Niles?"

The extra kick was good and his father and mother began cheering and dancing around the room. Niles just stood there watching them until he figured that it was best just to join in. And so he did. The three of them went crazy, hugging and yelling and dancing and cheering.

It wasn't until the excitement died down when Niles looked at his father in all seriousness. "Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Sure son, what is it?"

"What's a play-off?"

~TBC~