Chapter 11

We're only taking turns
Holding this world
It's how it's always been
When you're older you will understand

Trust Me by the Fray

~*/*\*~

Dani followed Jared slowly up the stairs that led to Sarah and David's apartment. She felt utterly mortified by this whole thing - and curious. Why had he brought her here? Did he know Sarah and David? Did he know about her job? Of course he did! She'd mentioned it - hadn't she?

They arrived reached another door at the top of the stairs and waited as Sarah opened it to the apartment. The trio entered the warm space. Dani took a moment to look around the living room and kitchen. A hallway led down to where she supposed the bathroom and bedrooms were. The space was inviting and held an eclectic taste of art, knick knacks, and books.

David looked up from the kitchen counter and smiled at Dani but looked curiously at Jared. Sarah walked quickly to her husband's side. "David, we have guests. This is Jar-"

"Jared," the other man interrupted and nodded to David, which earned him a suspicious glare from Sarah. "Nice to meet you, David."

"Likewise," David answered slowly sensing his wife's uncertainty. "Dani, what are you doing here? I thought you were at a slumber party."

Jared glanced down sternly at Dani, and she winced. "Yes, Dani. Please explain to your friends here why you were having a 'slumber party' in the park under a bench."

Sarah gasped and hurried to Dani's side. "Dani?"

The teenager avoided her friend's kind eyes. "I - I was - kicked out. Two days ago."

"Why didn't you say something?" David demanded.

"I didn't think you'd care."

"Where did you get that crazy idea?!" Sarah questioned as she gripped Dani's shoulders. "Of course we would! And do!"

"Have you tried going back to your aunts?" David asked as he too joined the group.

Dani glanced at Jared, who seemed to be keeping a distance from the group but watched with silent interest. Returning her gaze to Sarah and David, she answered, "Yes, but Veronica won't let me stay. She only let me come in to get my stuff - and only cause Jason told her to."

"Were you staying in the park this whole time?" The brunette asked worriedly.

Dani shrugged and nodded her head. Where else could she have gone.

"What about family? Is there anyone you could go stay with?"

"No," Dani answered softly.

"Well," David suggested, "you can stay with us - until we can figure something out." He looked down at his wife and nodded.

"No! I couldn't!" Dani protested looking from one adult to the next.

"You can and you will," Sarah asserted. "You can't stay in the park. It's not safe! Now," she glanced at Jared warily as she reached for the suitcases he still held. "Let's get you settled, you can take a shower to warm up. We'll talk once you're done."

Jared handed over the bags but made no comment.

Dani wearily followed, glad someone was helping her but still not wanting to be a nuisance. Sarah led her to what she said was the guest bedroom - usually reserved for her brother when he visited, but he wouldn't be by until after the school year. It was decidedly a boy's room, decorated in masculine tones. Sarah pointed out the bathroom right across the hall from the guestroom and left Dani to settle in.

~*/*\*~

Once Dani was washed, changed, and warm again, she padded down the hallway in her socked feet to the kitchen and living room area. David and Sarah looked up from the kitchen table as she came into view. Dani had the feeling of someone who had been the topic of conversation a few moments before.

Looking around as she joined them at the table, she asked, "Where's Jared?"

Sarah hesitated, but David answered, "He had to leave. He said he just wanted to be sure you were all right and taken care of before he had to head out again."

"How long have you known - Jared?" Sarah asked.

"A couple months," Dani answered. "I met him shortly after I moved to my aunt and uncle's house. How do you know him?"

Sarah looked down at her coffee mug in thought. "I - knew him when I used to live here as a teenager. Didn't think I'd see him again." Returning her focus on Dani, she continued, "He said that - if you needed a new place - if it wouldn't work out here - that I could call." Frowning, Sarah shook her head, "But I'd rather not go down that road again."

"Again?" Dani and David both looked at Sarah curiously.

Shaking her head to dismiss the thought, Sarah took a deep breath. "In any case, David and I have been talking. We're perfectly happy to let you stay here with us for however long you need. You can keep working in the shop - even run it while we're gone."

"Gone?"

"We decided it would be better if we both traveled together," David explained. "That way you can house and shop-sit. It would be extra money for you to do both."

Dani's eyes widened. "You don't have to do that! You shouldn't have to pay me for letting me stay here!"

"You'll need the money," Sarah explained. "If you plan on going to college - besides, staying with us won't be permanent. Maybe your aunt and uncle will let you come back. In the mean time, you will stay here."

Feeling overwhelmed and relieved, Dani swallowed around the lump in her throat. "Okay."

~*/*\*~

Dani sat in her new bed holding onto Didymus and staring quietly down at the book lying before her on the bed. She didn't know where to go from here. Her life and world kept changing. First her dad, then her mom, her home with her aunt and uncle, Eddie – everything seemed to be taken from her in some way.

A knock on the door alerted her that she wasn't alone. She looked up and called, "Come in."

Sarah poked her head in. "Hey, just wanted to check on you before I crashed."

"I'm fine, thanks again," Dani answered.

Sarah smiled and her eyes glanced down at the stuffed toy Dani was holding. A smile lit her face as she entered and joined Dani on the bed. "I see you brought Sir Didymus."

"I – I couldn't leave him there," Dani explained sheepishly. "Sorry I couldn't bring the rest with me. I honestly hope they don't get thrown out."

Sarah shook her head. "I thought they already had been, but I'm glad this noble knight was able to accompany you. Jared – he would probably have felt better knowing Didymus was with you."

Dani tilted her head. "Did – Jared give Didymus to you?"

"I – I don't know, honestly." Sarah frowned as she looked at the swashbuckling terrier. "I got a lot of presents growing up. I always thought my mom got them for me."

"Didn't he tell you?"

Sarah sighed and looked up at the ceiling in thought. "No. He didn't. I know he did a lot for me back then, but I don't know what all he did."

"You don't like him – do you."

Sarah looked over at Dani sadly. "Not particularly. I used to hate him. I got over it – with age. I certainly did not expect to see him with you today. Or ever again for that matter."

"He must still really like you to have brought me here," Dani fished.

"Well, he knows now that that ship has sailed. I'm happily married." Sarah chuckled.

"Did you love him?"

"I had a crush," Sarah acknowledged, "but nothing more. Now, off the subject of me." She gave Dani a level and searching look. "I should warn you to stay away from him. I should be telling you that he's not good news. But –"

"But – what?" Dani asked, feeling a bit defensive. Jared had been nothing but kind to her.

Sarah continued to search Dani's face but sighed after a few minutes and looked away. "You're eyes remind me of his," she muttered to herself. "But," she answered, "I don't think he'll intentionally hurt you like he did me – I think he's grown up." Standing with a groan, Sarah said, "Well, I'm tired. I need to get rid of this jetlag. You have school tomorrow, so don't stay up too long."

Dani settled down in the bed and turned off her bedside lamp as Sarah left and shut the door. She turned and looked out the window, hoping that maybe her owl friend may be nearby. Exhausted, she closed her eyes, and fell asleep to a tune she had never heard before and was lost in the images of people dancing in ball gowns and masques.