Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ Tell Me No Lies And Keep Your Hands To Yourself ]
"Doctor Crane, your brother is here to see you."
Niles folded his newspaper and placed it on his desk and pressed the button on his intercom. "Please show him in." He went over to open his office door.
Frasier was there with a coffee carrier and a box of baked goods. He followed Niles back into the office.
"Frasier, what a pleasant surprise. For what do I own this distinct pleasure?"
"I just thought that I would drop by with some coffee and cinnamon scones from Nervosa."
"I've already had my coffee this morning," he politely stated as he leaned to sit on the edge of his desk.
"Well then, I'll just pour this out." Frasier started to turn to head for the drinking fountain out in the lobby to empty the coffee into its drain.
Niles bounded from his desk. "Well", he said abruptly displaying his eagerness to stop the assault of his favorite blend. "I'd hate for it to go to waste."
Frasier had Niles take his coffee from the drink caddie and handed him the box of scones.
Niles carefully placed it on top of his desk and opened it, allowing Frasier to take the first one.
"So, how are things?" Frasier asked.
"I'm well. How are you with settling in?"
"I'm living with Dad and Ronee for the time being."
"And how is that going?"
"Well, I placed my Wassily in the middle of the room and faced it toward the TV."
"Touché!" Niles grinned. "Now I know that doesn't even begin to highlight his motif."
"Like the Mona Lisa at a swap meet."
"WOW! PAINFUL! Is it having any effect on him?"
"Not at all. That man has put a splinter in my side for the entire eleven years with that eye-sour of a chair of his. There is no way I can compare with that. And certainly not by placing something so nice in the middle of his home."
Niles nodded. "When it comes to revenge, sometimes the shoe just fits too comfortably on the other foot."
Frasier hoisted his coffee to him. "Well said."
"Listen, if you two start driving each other crazy again, you are free to stay with Daphne and me."
"How does Wednesday sound with you?"
Niles laughed. "I'll have Daphne prepare the guest room."
"It will just be for a week or so. Once I get hired back on at the station, I'll apply for my old apartment at Elliot Bay Towers."
"Well, it certainly is good to have you back."
"Do you mean it Niles?"
"Well of course I mean it. Why do you say it like that?"
"When I made the announcement that I was moving back to Seattle last night, you had an unexpected look on your face… there, there it is again. Niles, what is going on?"
Niles placed his coffee down. "Can I be frank with you?"
"Don't be stupid, of course you can."
"Lately I've been having lunch at home. I come home early and sometimes I don't come to work until late."
"It's just a slump…"
"Frasier… I appreciate you trying to keep the outlook positive, but I just don't have as many patients as I used to. I'm putting aside money for the kids to go to college, but without the work, my hand is forced."
"Niles, what are you saying? What are you planning to do?" There was a crack in Frasier's voice that exposed his concern.
"I've applied to positions out of state."
"Niles," his brother's voice had dropped considerably.
"Believe me, it's not what I wanted to do. I love it here. Daphne loves it here. This is the only place she's lived outside of Manchester."
"Oh Niles." Frasier felt guilty for he was only thinking selfishly of how nice it was to be back in the Emerald City to spend time with his family and now most of his family was considering moving elsewhere. "Can I help you?"
"Please Frasier, I'm a big boy now. I will provide for my family. I've applied to Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Boston."
"Boston?" Frasier's eye brow perked up.
"Oh Frasier, before you start rambling off a list of contacts in Boston, let me tell you that I am favoring Phoenix."
"The desert?"
"I know, it's a big change from Seattle."
"For how long?" Frasier's question seemed to be toned on desperation.
"Probably indefinitely."
Frasier faked a smile. "Well, we can still get together for several operas."
"Of course. And please don't mention this to anybody. Not even Daphne knows."
"Daphne doesn't know?"
"Oh, I know she loves it here. She loves raising the family here."
"Niles, don't sell yourself short. Daphne will understand. She loves you. Her home is where you are. No matter what."
Niles gave his older brother a hug. "Thank you Frasier. I'm going to go home for lunch and tell her right now."
"Niles, before you go…"
He stopped in his tracks. "What is it?"
"I have a confession myself."
Niles gave him his full attention. "Yes."
"Charlotte and I broke up."
Without another word, he hugged his older brother. "I'm so sorry." Then he tilted his head. "Wait a minute, last night you led us to believe she would be coming later."
"I know. I just felt like the news would crush Dad. I'll find the words and tell him tonight."