Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ Chaising A Lounge ]
The section of the store showcased chaise lounges of many shapes and styles. Niles tilted his head to one side while viewing one of bold pattern of majestic gold and black upholstery. "Oh, what about this one?"
Frasier turned to brace his arm up with his hand under his chin while he considered it. "Well, it definitely has a luxurious tempo to it, doesn't it? In a Romanesque sort of way. It may be a little on the formal side if you're looking for more of a comfort motif for your patients."
"Too true," he said before moving along to the next.
"Remind me again why you are needing a new couch for your office."
"A patient of mine is buying me a new one."
Frasier shot him a look.
"I know what you're thinking, and this has nothing to go with my ethics. He is simply reimbursing me."
"Come again."
"Well you see, he has a case of pent up aggression. When I told him to try hitting one of the throw pillows on my couch, we had a breakthrough and he took it out on the entire couch."
"He destroyed your couch?"
"Oh yes, one breakthrough of pent up aggression has led to a series of sessions scheduled for destructive violence." Without skipping a beat, he gestured. "What do you think of this one?"
"That's nice." They looked over the one featured in a luxurious velvet.
"Oh, how did things go over at the radio station?"
"Not quite as well as I had hoped."
"Oh?"
"Brett Esther is the new acting station manager and the man has the etiquette of a bar-room bouncer."
"That bad?"
"Well, let's just say that he makes Bulldog look like a man of culture."
"I'm sorry to hear of course, but are you saying that there is no chance of you getting your old job back?"
"KACL is in early negotiations of being sold."
"Oh my. I didn't realize the station was in that much turmoil."
"Let me put it this way: Noel Shempsky was Esther's secretary."
Niles cringed in response. "Well, where do you go from here?"
"I'll have to apply to other stations. It does put me in a bind with Elliot Bay Towers. It's just as well. They couldn't even place me on the same side as my last apartment there. You don't mind if I stay a bit longer with you and Daphne, do you?"
"Certainly Frasier. Stay as long as you like. Our casa su casa."
"Thank you Niles. Oh, I did run into Regan, my old neighbor at Elliot Bay Towers."
Niles shot him a smile. "You did? How did that little reunion go?"
His grin told the entire story. "I have a date with her on Saturday."
"Bravo big brother. So… the rider dons his equestrian helmet once again."
"Niles, you scare me when you use polo metaphors with my love life."
He smirked as he glanced at another sofa. "What about Roz? I thought you were going to use your influence to get her a job back at the station."
"Yes, well… unfortunately, I will be starting out at another station at ground level." Frasier glanced this way and that at the lounges and then back at Niles. "Niles, what about you?"
He looked his brother's way. "What do you mean, what about me?"
"Is there any chance that you won't be leaving Seattle? I mean, I finally move back and it doesn't seem like home when you're about to leave. It's just not fair."
"Well, I haven't discussed it with Daphne yet. If she's not on board with this…"
"If there is anything I can do to help you stay… absolutely anything."
"Thank you Frasier. I wish there was something you could do. I'll be talking to Daphne about it tonight. You're meeting with your friend tonight?"
"That's right."
"What's going on Frasier? Look at our lives."
"I don't know. But I do know this…" He caught his brother's full attention. "A man of your caliber will always prevail."
Niles smiled. "And I know you will too."