"Yes, I did, Dad." Niles went on. "Daphne must absolutely hate me! I-I yelled at her a-and I criticized her, when I'm the one… Oh God, it hurts, knowing how badly I treated her… and you and Ronee!"
Another pause while he listened intently.
"N-nothing. I just… I can't really talk about it…."
"A-all right. I guess it would help to get some of it off my chest. Um… okay, it was a patient of mine. H-he came in last week because he'd just lost his father… "
"H-how old? Well, the man was about my age and his father was about yours. He started talking about his dad and about how they never really got along. And then something terrible happened…Um, well, it was a tragic accident that killed his father instantly..."
"Yes, I-I know. My heart ached for this man, but what really hit me was how much he was like me. And it reminded me of all the times..."
"But I-I can't help it, Dad. Don't you see? I've done nothing but disgrace you, Mom, Frasier, Daphne, Ronee and even David my whole life! Yes I have! And I'm so sorry, Dad!
I'm so sorry for my behavior tonight! I loved the gifts. The wrapping paper decorated with the little football balls and the baseball balls were wonderful and I can't wait to see what David looks like in his Seahawks jersey… "
"Well, I suppose you're right. I mean, David has never been so sick before and it scared the hell out of me! He was burning up and I kept thinking, what if I lost him? I would never-."
By now Daphne was crying openly, the tears streaming over her trembling hand that was still covering her mouth.
"Oh Niles…"
When Niles moved the recovered away from his ear, Daphne could hear the faint but muffled sounds of his father. And then Niles lifted the phone to his ear. "Okay, Dad. I'll try to get some rest. You do the same, all right? God knows I need rest. And Dad? I love you. I love you so much. Goodnight."
Heartbroken, Daphne watched as Niles returned the receiver to its base and laid his head on his desk, sobbing as though he would never stop. "Oh Niles, sweetheart. I could never hate you. I love you more than anything in the world." she whispered, waiting for just the right moment to approach him.
But she feared that the moment might never come.