Taken Back by Patrick Councilor
His bedroom door opened and Daphne brought him breakfast in bed.
"Daphne, you didn't have to do this for me."
"I wanted to."
She set the tray on his lap. "Thank you for letting me stay. I've really enjoyed your company."
"Well thank you… Daphne…" He realized she was leaning into him; coming closer. Her beautiful eyes looked so longing into his. He was lost for words.
She brought her soft lips to his and but for a fleeting moment his heart was celebrating in a thunderous rhythm.
She drew back and looked away as if she was embarrassed about what she had just done. "I'm so sorry." She quickly left the room.
"No… Daphne. Don't be sorry." What had just happened? What wonderful and beautiful thing had just taken place. Oh my God, what incredible thing just happened? He touched his finger tips to his lips where her lips had been only a few seconds ago. He savored the moment.
He could hear her start to cry in her room. Niles set the tray aside and jumped out of bed. He sprang across the hall to her door and knocked. "Daphne. What's wrong. Don't be ashamed of what just happened."
"Please leave me alone," she called out. "I didn't mean to kiss you. I'm so sorry."
He tried the door, but it was locked. "Daphne, open the door. Let's talk about this."
But she was crying uncontrollably. She couldn't resist him and she was weak for that fleeting moment. She loved him so, but she didn't mean to due him any harm by forcing his memories back.
On the other side of the door, Niles was feeling just as bad. He felt that she had kissed him because of her grieving of missing Donny. Either that or she felt guilty kissing a married man.
"Daphne, I think we should talk about this. I think you would feel much better."
"Please just leave me be. I am so sorry."
He released her door knob and felt so guilty himself, because the only thing he could think at the time of her suffering was, "Oh my God, she is such a great kisser." "Alright Daphne, but I'm right here if you want to talk about it."
"Let's just pretend that it didn't happen."
"But it did happen," he whispered so softly that there was no way she could have heard. He returned to his room and sat on the bed, slowly sipping his orange juice and wishing that there was just a hint of his memory coming back. Damn that petty thief for taking more from him than just his money. Anger overtook him and he threw the glass of juice across the room.
"Is everything alright?" Daphne called out.
"Yes… Yes Daphne. I'm sorry… I dropped my orange juice. I'll clean it up."
His phone sounded from the top of his dresser. He retrieved it. "Hello?"
"Niles, it's Mel."
"Mel. Yes, thank you for calling." He sat back down on the bed.
"Your brother paid me a visit this morning."
"Oh?"
"Yes, he's been very busy this morning."
"How so?"
"Apparently, he wants a say-so in who you are seeing."
"What do you mean?"
"He wants me to leave you alone and never contact you."
"Mel, what can I say? I'm sorry. I can't believe he would do such a thing behind my back."
"Well, how do you feel Niles? Were you serious about what you said to me the other day?"
"Absolutely." There was eagerness in his voice.
"How about we meet for dinner tonight?" she suggested
"How about lunch?"
"Breakfast?"
"Well… I've already had my juice, but let me get dressed. Where do you want to meet?"