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Chapter 8

The power had been on since Danny had woke up that morning. He wasn't sure when Rose snuck out of the apartment, but he had found himself all alone in bed.

He had spent his day drinking coffee and sketching in front of the television. He picked up his phone several times throughout the day, determined to send Rose the perfect text. But, he couldn't decide on what to say.

The weather was beautiful and sunny today. The sun seemed to reflect through the snow that hadn't melted away. According to his weather app, more was expected that night.

Danny sat on the sofa with his sketchpad in his lap. He rested his graphite-marked hand on his forehead and decided to flip through the channels. His name being said by a news reporter made him pause.

"Danny Morgan's tragic life just gets sadder with every new detail. Now emerging from the family of Danny Morgan's ex-wife, tales of how he fell into a depression during the last days of his daughter's life. What were his last words to her? Are the reports that she died in his arms-"

He pressed the power button before the reporter could finish her sentence. Tears threatened to overtake him. The reporter's words had felt as though someone had kicked him hard in the stomach.

He tossed his sketchpad and pencil on the low table next to him. He sat up, putting his feet on the floor, and held both of his fists over his eyes. He took several deep breaths to steady himself. He hadn't broken down in three days and was determined not to let this damn reporter force him into tears again.

Standing up, he gathered his coffee cup and walked back into the kitchen.

After he had gotten up that morning, he had taken a shower. His head was still a bit fuzzy until he was well into his second cup of coffee. He sat it in the sink and leaned against the cabinet.

He was dressed in a nice pair of trousers and an oxford shirt that he had tucked in. The top three buttons were undone showing the dark grey t-shirt. His sleeves were rolled up. He always rolled at least his right arm sleeve up to keep from smearing his drawing.

He half expected her to stop by. But, halfway hoped she didn't.

What would he say?

What would she say?

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at Lewis's number. Should he call and ask for Rose?

He sighed and flipped through the last people he had spoken to.

That doctor that Lewis had recommended. What was his name? Danny saw it listed under several calls to and from Russ. He saved the number under…"Lewis's Almost Kid."

He stared at his number deciding on whether to call him or not.

What would he say?

As he stood there, his breathing became more labored. He grabbed his chest and closed his eyes tightly. His body began to betray him as he realized he was having a panic attack. They had been terrible over the past few months, but nothing like the last few weeks had been.

He sat down his phone on the bar and leaned on his arms. "It's just your brain losing it, man. You're alright." He said as he tried to gain control over his breathing.

"Sam!" He suddenly remembered. "Sammy is his name."

What had Sam told him to do when this happened?

He closed his eyes tightly and tried to remember. His chest tightened even more.

"Ice!" He remembered and quickly turned to the refrigerator. Reaching into the freezer, he grabbed two handfuls of ice and held them for a few seconds.

His brain, shocked by the sudden note of cold sent to his brain, seemed to relax.

Danny moved to stand over the sink with both of his fists full of ice. After a few seconds, he was able to take a deep breath. His chest relaxed and his heart stopped banging into his ribs.

He leaned into the sink and watched the ice begin to melt in his hands. He took deep breaths as the cold began to bite his fingers. He studied how the ice looked as it ran down the cracks and folds of his hands. The panic attack seemed to be over so he dropped the ice in the sink and held his head.

"Come on, man. Get ahold of yourself."

He sighed and then decided to wash his cold hands to warm them up. He stood up, planted his feet, and turned on the water. He studied his hands as he ran water over them. Finally, it was warm enough that he added a squirt of dishwashing soap. He slowly washed them, turning them over and studying each finger fully. He rinsed them and continued to play with the water.

He put the stopper in the sink. He allowed the water to flow through his fingers as it gathered. He tapped his hand on the top of the water and smiled. Then he leaned over and closed his eyes. He thought back to a time when he used to have to hold up a toddler and help her wash her hands. She always asked him to play, "Splash."

The doorbell rang.

He pulled out the plug and turned off the sink.

Danny quickly picked up a bar towel and wiped his hands and eyes as he made his way to answer the door.

A muscular man wearing a simple pair of jeans and a ski jacket stood there. He had wet hair from the melting snow. "I think you're right. That damn elevator has gotten slower."

Danny laughed and embraced his friend, "Russ, how the hell are you here?"

"Got up early this morning and hopped on a plane." He held a duffle bag on his shoulder and closed the door behind them when they walked back inside.

"Is it too early for a beer?" Danny asked him.

"Hell no." Russ insisted and sat down at the bar. He sat the bag on the chair next to him.

Danny handed him a bottle, "What brings you out to New York?"

"I was worried about you, Honey."

"Thanks, Dear." Danny smiled and twisted the top off of his bottle of beer, "No, really. Kids driving you crazy?"

"And the wife. Being six months pregnant and on bed rest is not for her."

"Already six?"

"Yeah. I needed a few days. She has two nurses and the mother-in-law."

Danny drew up his face. "Her Mom is there?"

"And I'm not. See how this works?"

Danny laughed, "Excuse me while I delight in your misery."

Russ shook his head. "Nah, she told me to come out here to tell you this in person."

"Uh-oh."

Russ smiled, "No, man. It's not bad news."

Danny leaned against the cabinets and crossed his arms. "You have the wrong address, man. I only get bad news. Remember?"

"Well, I'm trying to change that for you, Tiger. The hospital called and-"

"They'll get their damn money when I have it to send to-"

"Someone paid off the debt."

Danny shook his head. "What?"

"Yep. I had them fax me proof. I couldn't believe it either."

"Who was it? Why?"

"Some Foundation took it over. Something for….I don't know. Shit, I know I should have written it down." Russ looked at his phone. "It was on the e-mail, hang on."

"You said it was a Foundation?"

"Yeah. Who have you became friends with?"

Danny immediately thought of Rose Tyler. She clearly had the resources, but she had told him that she didn't know who he was. She wouldn't have known about that. Unless she had gone back to her place and Googled him.

He crossed his arms and thought. "Hmm. I don't know."

Russ's attention had returned to his phone. "Hang on. I knew I should have printed this out. Yes. The Potter Kroc Foundation."

He handed Danny his phone. "See? They called me this morning."

"Who is this? Sounds familiar."

"That wine that we drank for the wrap-"

Danny laughed in relief that it didn't say Tyler or Vitex. "Yeah. I remember that. Beautiful winery."

"Fuck the wine." Russ pointed at him. "You're glowing."

Danny took great pride in his Poker Face. But, somehow his oldest and best friend, Russ, could always tell.

"You've got that….just got laid….air to you." Russ sniffed. "Yeah."

"Am I to believe you are part dog?"

"Bloodhound. Tell me honestly, actually. No. Shut up." Russ decided. "Alright then, who is she?"

"Is that all of the news you had for me? You could have told me this over the phone."

"Paying off that debt is huge-"

"I agree, but-"

"This shit is boring compared to Danny losing his cherry. In fact, I think I'll write a script with that very title."

"It hasn't been that long."

"It has too. I'm sure it had grown back."

"Okay, maybe it had been that long-"

"It's been at least since…" Russ fished, not sure if Danny would answer.

Danny looked up at him, "Seven nights before she kicked me out."

Russ sipped his beer. "That's better than I thought."

"We don't have to do the math."

"Because you already have." Russ said. "Every man does. I know I do."

"How long for you then?" Danny asked.

"This child owes me. I've not been able to touch his mother for 34 days, no…35. And you?"

"I've never touched his mother."

Russ considered what he said.

Danny smiled, "Honestly. Never have."

"Good answer." Russ said, "But, we're talking about you. How long?"

"I stopped counting after the second year."

"So, that's a yes! Confirmed." Russ was excited for his friend. "Hell, that's what you need, Danny!"

"Damn. I wish I knew how you did that. You can always tell."

"I'm telling you, man. It's a glow. I can see it all over you. Must have been good."

"It was."

"Well, of course, you're going to say it as all you, but…"

"Is your life so boring that you need personal details of mine?"

"My life is on bed rest. Do you know what that means? Pelvic rest, too. Carol is as pinned up about this as I am."

"That's the reason you have that houseful of children." Danny laughed and took a sip.

"Who was it? Get an escort-"

"I did not get an escort-"

"Hey, man. No judgment. I was offering to toss some money in to bring her back tonight. I've not seen you smile like this in….."

Danny tried to stop smiling, but Russ was right. Just thinking back at it, he couldn't help but smile.

"Too long. So it was just….good?"

"Is there really a such of a thing as bad sex?"

"Yes. There is."

"Well, yeah. But, this wasn't that. Well. Kindof."

"Kindof?"

"Well, it's strange."

"What?"

"The sex was great. I mean. Wow."

"Her technique or yours."

"It was such a great mix. And you know, your first time…how…you just don't have -"

"You were stoned."

"That probably helped," Danny admitted. "So was she."

"Well, whatever it takes. How did you leave it with her?"

"She left. Before I woke up."

Russ grit his teeth. "Yikes."

"I know. So, do I call her-"

"No. Don't text, don't call, don't do anything."

"This is really shit advice."

"But it's what you need to hear right now. We'll come back to it. I'm handling it."

"You don't have to handle every aspect of-"

"Nope. That's my job, that's what I told you I would do."

Danny sighed. "Alright."

"Okay, well my news is even better than getting laid."

"Doubt that." Danny rolled his eyes. "I don't know. Do you think it's too soon?"

"Too soon for what? Sex? No. Who is she?"

"I'm not telling you. Nevermind my problems."

"My life is now handing your problems for you. This could become one."

Danny looked at him, "You think?"

"Well, she knows what she's seeing in the news and such-"

"She didn't know who I was."

"Oh, bullshit-"

"Seriously. She asked if I was a therapist."

"You need a therapist! Seriously, Honey. I think it would help. How are you sleeping? Still like shit?"

Danny sighed. "What was your news then?"

Russ groaned and turned to unzip the bag he had brought with him. He pulled out a file folder and lay it on the bar. Opening it, he started going through everything. "Who was it, Tiger?"

Danny shook his head. "Nope. Won't get it out of me."

Russ shook his head. "Yeah, whatever. I know your kryptonite, Superman."

Danny chuckled at the comment. "Sadly, that's true."

"Alright Danny. There are two offers in here. One for your house and hers. Same deal we talked about yesterday."

Danny nodded in approval. "Alright."

"And…." Russ reached into the bag and pulled out another file, "The beach house."

"What about it?" Danny took the file.

"It sold this morning."

"You're kidding."

"Buyer really wanted it and paid $40k more to close next week. Spring Break."

"Bull shit." Danny insisted.

"Okay, all three places have now sold, no more medical bills, but wait…. there's more." Russ said, "This is the best part. Well, second best part. The first best part is you getting laid-"

"And the second best part is."

Russ grinned, "I sent that script that you and I did over to John last Wednesday, and-"

"John who? Wait? John?"

"And he wants to meet us. Tonight. Here."

"Here?"

"Well, no not here in the apartment. A restaurant here in New York. Want some Italian?"

"Really?" Danny laughed.

"He called right after you did, yesterday. Carol was already on my case to get out here. She offered to buy us tickets to the game."

Danny shook his head. "I don't really want to go out and be seen at a-"

"That's what I thought, too. You're here in New York to lie low. Even this dinner with John, you can bow out. He's not expecting you. But, it would be…"

"Gravy?"

"Totally. He's a huge fan of yours."

"Those aren't always the best people to work with."

"I've done three projects with this guy. You'll like him."

Danny shrugged his shoulders. "Alright. Are you making my professional decisions, too?"

"Yes." Russ insisted.

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