Behind The Glockenspiel
He watched the man, the clerk at the antique store, put the money in his hand like it was all in slow motion. The money had transferred hands and the clock was no longer his. Farewell Maris, he thought, but the thought was overridden. What if he had kissed Daphne that night? What if, for sake of argument, he had leaned over and kissed her with her eyes closed?
He knew the answer, didn't he? It was almost like flipping a coin into the air. If it were to land on heads, Daphne would have called out his name in such an accusing manner. She would be riddling him with questions in order to maintain… no, repair their relationship. She would clearly state that he was a married man thus indicating how much she disapproved of his actions. She would insist on getting back into her damp clothes; the outfit that she wore there that wouldn't have been completely dry. She would state the reasons why they would only be friends at best and request that they not see each other for quite some time.
If the coin landed on tails, would there be hope? On the contrary, if the coin landed on tails, Daphne would have pushed him away and perhaps a slap to the face would have followed. She would have gone from feeling so comfortable with him to feeling just the opposite. She would have insisted that she leave immediately and she would have walked down the driveway in the rain to her car. She would have driven back to Frasier's during the storm. Every time he would come over, she would feel like covering up. She would feel betrayed and disrespected. The feeling would be overbearing and she may even quit and move out to be out of his life forever. The hypothetical thought made him shudder and feel sick inside.
If the coin landed on its edge… although the chance was oh so slim… if it did indeed land on its edge… then Daphne would have brought a hand to the back of his head and she would have kissed him back. She would have yearned for his touch. "Doctor Crane, what is the meaning of this?"
He would look into her beautiful eyes and try to find the words. "Daphne Moon, I am in love with you. I have been for quite some time."
"I know."
"You do?" He would be taken back.
"I had one of me visions. We were making out all night long. Only it wasn't here. It was at your brotha's place."
"How do you feel about us, Daphne? You must know how I feel about you. Can you see it in my eyes? Can you feel it in my heart? But I need to know. I need you to tell me."
"Doctor Crane, it doesn't matter how I feel."
"Daphne, it matters… it matters oh so much… it matters to me. It means everything to me."
"But you're married Doctor Crane. You have a wife. This isn't right."
"If you think there is the slightest chance for us, I will divorce Maris. I will. If you give me the slightest chance, that's all I ask and I won't need a second chance and I would love to prove just how much I love you."
"I can't."
"Daphne. I'm going to need more than that. The way you were kissing me just now, I have to know… I have to know why?"
"I can't deny me feelings for you Doctor Crane, but if I said yes, I would forever be the woman that broke up your marriage."
"No-no…" He would take a deep breath. "Daphne… Oh, Daphne… if you could just look inside my heart right now, you would only find yourself in there. Maris and I are married, it's true. But she is just my wife. She has never really been a friend to me. With you, it's not just an obsession or fascination. Oh, Daphne Moon, can't you look deeper into my eyes and see that Maris is the other woman… I mean, she is second to you." He would take her hand and place it to the center of his chest. "Can't you feel my heart thundering in my chest for you? I love you Daphne Moon. I cannot deny it any longer."
She would get up from where she was laying on the rug and start to tear up. "I'm sorry Doctor Crane. I can't be the cause of your failed marriage. I couldn't live with that guilt."
"Then… I'm still going to divorce Maris." His face was flushed with emotion.
"You're what?"
"I'm going to divorce Maris. Even if you and I don't have a chance to be together, you have showed me the true meaning of love and that is something that Maris and I just don't have."
"Doctor Crane…"
"No, don't try to talk me out of it. What Maris and I have is convenience that is legalized by a marriage certificate. Daphne… you will NEVER be the other woman, regardless of what happens after my divorce."
A tear would run down her cheek. "Doctor Crane, perhaps you should think this through."
"I have. I can't stop thinking about it." He would retrieve his phone and activate the speed-dial to Maris' cell. "Maris, this is Niles. Yes, well I've been doing some thinking. I've thought long and hard about this. I'll sorry, but I am not happy in our marriage and I will be filing for a divorce… Yes, I am so sorry to tell you over the phone like this, but I needed to tell you immediately. We need to discuss this just as soon as you retur… Very well, if that's the way you want it, I can't blame you. Good-bye Maris." He would hang up.
"What did she say?"
"She wants me to move out before she returns tomorrow. It's not irrational, considering."
Daphne would walk into his arms to give him a hug. "I'm so sorry Doctor Crane."
"Don't be Daphne. I'm the one starting the proceedings. And I don't want you to blame yourself. You just opened my eyes on what love should be. Perhaps someday…"
She would press her lips to his and show him all the passion that he desired from her.
"My God… Daphne. Does this mean…?"
"You get your divorce. Then give me a ring on the phone. You've got me numba."
"Oh my God Daphne." He kissed her again.
"We'll have no more of that until after the divorce. But be ready, I'll be wanting to make up for some lost time."
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" The clerk at the antique shop brought Niles back to reality.
"No. I'm sorry, my mind must have been somewhere else." Then he smiled. He thought about going home and gluing four quarters together. You see, there would be a much more probable chance for four coins glued together to land on their sides when flipped.