Chapter One: Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
Suddenly his eyes and jaw clenched as he breathed in sharply. Upon releasing his breath he opened his eyes and his mouth and as he did so, he was pulled back into the reality around him: the music around him was the opposite of what he had been imagining; the heavy beat of the loud bass drums and the distorted noise of industrial guitar chords came blasting out of his speakers. Just as he noticed the music, his mind returned to the movement coming from beneath the undulating blanket. Soon enough a naked goth girl came from under the sheets. Her hair was pitch black with three red streaks going through it. Her make up smudged at the corners of her eyes and mouth. He grinned.
“Wow. Simply amazing,” he said sitting up. She giggled as he wiped the cum from the corners of her mouth with his thumb. As he was pulling his hand back, she grabbed it and pulled his thumb in to her mouth. She slipped her tongue over it and every other one of his fingers one by one, flashing a smile as she let his hand go again. “You've come a long way since we first met kiddo. That was really... wow… I'm still speechless.”
“Well, I really missed you, didn’t I, Daniel? You were gone for such a long time. You know I can't be without you for that long,” she said, leaning in. His eyes were a piercing blue. She could stay lost in them for all eternity as she had already done many times before.
“What time is it?” he asked, lips parting from her blood-red, lipstick-covered ones, hand reaching for his watch. He licked his lips as he picked up his watch that was on top a pile of their mutual clothes on the floor. “Shit! I'm late for work!”
He gave her another quick peck and jumped out of bed. Being that it was still in his hand, the first thing he put on was his watch. After that, he started separating the clothes, passing her clothes and putting his under his arm.
“You never did tell me why you left,” she said putting on her black Hello Kitty bra.
“Didn't I? Mmm... thought I did, I was looking for my parents,” he responded, already zipping up his jeans.
“Wait what? Isn't Milo your dad?” She still only just put her matching black Hello Kitty panties on.
“I wish,” he scoffed, searching through his ties for one to wear with the white button up shirt he just put on. “Listen babe, you know I'm usually laid back about this sort of thing,
but you think we could get going already? I'm really late for work.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. Sorry,” she said as she stepped out of bed and struggled to slide into her tight jeans.
“Don't apologize hon, it's just I really don't wanna be late. They were already complaining about that before I left. You ready to go?” He asked her when he finished brushing his hair back with his soft hands. She had barely put on her black Jolly Roger shirt.
“Yeah, almost, final touches…” she trailed off as she bent over to pick up her black leather fingerless gloves that were still on the floor. “Need these,” she said putting them on.
“Great,” he said kissing her, “let’s go.”
He rushed downstairs and put his foot in one of his black motorcycle boots in the kitchen as she put on her coat. She came around the corner as soon as he finished putting on the other boot; he already had his coat on. Her bicycle was right outside is his backyard and covered in snow. He opened the door and walked out towards the back gate. She unlocked her bike and started pushing it towards the gate and Daniel as he patted his body.
“Fuck! I forgot my keys upstairs. Again. You go, I'll run and catch the bus,” he said hastily.
“Well, some things never change,” she said hopping on her bike and leaning in for a passionate kiss. “Welcome back Daniel,” she purred as she broke away and took off.
“Thanks Madeline,” he said smiling. “Hey Madeline,” he said calling her attention back to him. She stopped and turned to look at him. “I’m sorry that we never have time for a longer goodbye. Or hello for that matter,” he said with a pause in between. She nodded with a weak wry smile, put her feet back on the peddles and left. He ran back inside, taking his coat off and putting it on one of the chairs in the dining room, went back up stairs and looked out the window. He could still see Madeline riding away. While he was still watching her cycle he heard the doorbell. He checked his watch. “Like clockwork,” he whispered to himself smugly. He worked his way back down in good spirits and opened the door.
“Hey you,” he said opening the door with a smile.
The woman raised her eyebrows, hair falling over the pilot stripes on her lapels. “So you going to invite me in?”
“Just taking in the view Claudia,” he said moving aside and motioning for her to come in.
“I assure you, it gets better when I'm indoors.” she said as she took her coat off and he closed the door. “So did you enjoy your flight this morning, Mr. Hare?”
“I think the ride right now is gonna be better,” he said putting his arm around her. She grabbed the back of his head as she pulled him close for a deep passionate kiss while pushing him against one of the walls. He returned her kiss just as eagerly. He raised her skirt as she worked on the button of his pants. As soon as her skirt was high enough, he picked her legs up, she put them around him and he pushed her to the opposite wall. As soon as she hit the wall his pants fell to his ankles. She shifted her weight so that he moved back and he was touching at the bottom of the stairs with the back of his ankles. Still kissing her, he turned and slowly removed one foot from his pants and step by step went upstairs. While climbing the Mount Everest of steps a task Daniel had become all too proficient at he began peeling away her shirt and throwing it in the snow remains of those steps. She too had started work on his shirt, her dainty fingers fumbling with all the tiny buttons. When they reached the top of the stairs, they pin-balled their way to his room. When they finally smashed into the door, he fumbled for the doorknob digging into to his back. Upon grasping the cold brass, the two flew into the room amid a blue and black whirlwind of clothes. He barely managed to slam the door shut with his foot. Despite the bang of their fall, screams of pleasure tumbled down the stairs like an avalanche.
“So Daniel,” she said as she lit her cigarette. Barely able to do it though, her hands still quivering from the recent excitement. “You lived here long?” she panted. When the cigarette was lit, she laid her head on his chest.
“Eh, I've lived here some five odd years. Yeah...” he trailed off as he took the lighter from her and lit his own cigarette, “something like that.”
“Well you got a lovely place Daniel,” she commented as she looked around at the room. “Must have cost you a pretty penny.”
“Yeah...” He answered taking another drag. “It wasn't the cheapest place, that's for sure. Where do you live?” he asked her, filling the air above them with curling halos of smoke.
“I'm the kinda pilot who doesn't really stay in any one place; I live out of a suitcase, staying in hotels where the job takes me,” she told him, walking her fingers on his chest.
“I see,” he said looking at her, “Must be kinda weird not to have one central home though. Is it?”
“Well maybe a bit, but I do have an apartment in Chicago. I suppose you could call that home,” she said putting the cigarette back in her mouth for one last drag. “Mmm... so what do you do, I mean with a place like this you almost expect you to be much older and much, much busier.”
“Nah,” he started, shrugging and putting his cigarette out. “I got the place with inheritance money. I work at a bar here in town.” He took the ashtray from his belly and put it on the nightstand to his left.
“Right,” she said just before he kissed her.
“Speaking of work, what time is it?” He asked as he stood up to get his watch, which was still at the door. “Shit!”
“What's wrong?” she asked sitting up, with her firm breasts just above the covers.
“I hate to do this to you Claudia but I really got to go. I'm late for work,” he said already picking up his clothes. Claudia got her clothes and got dressed as Daniel went downstairs to get his coat and boots. In the meantime he checked his cell phone. No new calls or texts. He quickly wrote a text to Milo asking him if he could pass by.
“Hey Danny, did you see my-”
“Daniel,” he said, correcting her.
“Daniel. Not Danny,” he said with a fake forceful smile.
“Oh, right ok,” as she spoke, his phone made the sound of a new text. He flipped his phone open and checked it, Milo answered back that he expected nothing less.
“Mmm…shit, its work. I’m expected to be there already,” he lied.
“Right. well, you better get going then,” she said fixing her hair.
“Do you want anything? Water or something? I feel like a bad host.”
“Not at all Daniel,” she said smiling, “quite the contrary.” She kissed him as she released the last part of that sentence.
“Oh god, how I wish I had more time,” he chuckled with his arms around her. “But I really do have to go or I will be late. Already am, but I wouldn’t want to make it any later.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want such good thing to go to waste either,” she said pulling a card from her jacket. “That’s my number,” she said giving it to him. “Call me when you have time.”
“Well, time sure does fly with you” he said smiling and kissing her. “I really got to go to work,” he laughed.
“Too bad,” she said walking towards the door. When they got out, it was snowing again. “So where’s your car?”
“Don’t really own one,” he said abruptly.
“Why not?” she asked shivering in the wind.
“I just really hate cars,” he said shrugging. “No particular reason why.”
“So then, how do you get around?”
“I take the bus, train, you know, that kinda thing.”
“You’re a little weird, you know that?” she said leaning in to kiss him.
“Just a little?” he smiled and kissed her.
“So do you want me to give you a lift?”
“Nah, it’s alright, I just got to go fast or else I’ll miss my bus.”
“Ok. Well, I had fun. Give me a call sometime. I’m here until next Friday.”
“I’ll do that,” he said walking her to her car. “I had a great time Claudia. I will most certainly call you.”
“You do that; I’ll go so you don’t miss your bus.”
She closed the door and smiling, drove off down the snow covered street as he walked the other way with snow crunching under his boots. He smiled a bit as he thought of having snowball fights with Milo and his dad as a kid.
Daniel Hare had always had a good relationship with Milo, even while his adoptive parents were still alive, he already felt like his father. It only made sense that when they passed away five years ago, that he was left to be with Milo. Milo never saw it as anything new, his daughter, Katelyn, and Daniel were already close, almost siblings. It sufficed to say that Daniel was more than welcome in to Milo’s family. His actions had always been more than parenting when it came to Daniel. Despite his unusual situation, Daniel Hare was still able to find his home. He never felt out of place though, his adoptive parents made him undoubtedly welcome as well. With his parents being big celebrities, Daniel wanted for nothing. Moving in with Milo, didn’t change a lot. The large sum of money that his parents had made went directly to him. The only reason Daniel actually went to work is because Milo made him go so that he would understand the worth of money and wouldn’t be a spoiled brat.
By the time Daniel stepped out of the bus the snow had stopped. Walking to Milo’s house was a short five minutes from the bus stop. Milo was really laid back when Daniel arrived.
“Hey there, Daniel,” Milo smiled as he opened the door.
“Hey Milo. Long time, long time,” Daniel said giving him a handshake hug.
“Indeed. Get in here. It’s colder than a dead hooker’s ass out here.” Milo opened the door wider to allow him in. Daniel laughed and took off his coat and hung it on the coat hanger in the hall and started walking into the living room. “Can I get you anything?” Milo said, placing one of his big hands on Daniel’s shoulder and guided him to the living room.
“Am I lacing it today?” Milo asked him, trying to find out how bad his trip was. Daniel’s usual drink, was milk. On occasion he liked having his milk with vodka, A white Russian, or laced milk, as they called it. However the occasion had to be dark enough to maerit such an addition. If Daniel accepted Milo’s offer to lace his drink, Milo would have had a better idea of how the trip went. Daniel had come back from a three month trip around the states in search of what Daniel referred to as “his identity”. This meant, in clearer terms, that he was out looking for his birth parents. Milo knew from the moment he heard that Daniel had purchased a one way ticket to New York, where his adoptive parents were from, how it would end. It was more a question of when he would return and how Daniel felt about it. Despite feeling perfectly welcome in the home of the Hare’s and later to Milo’s small family, he felt like he had to know more about where he was coming from. He felt like he had to know what was so wrong with him that his own birth parents would have abandoned him the way they did.
However, Milo knew that. He knew Max, Daniel’s adoptive father, too well for that. Max would have covered every track. As a matter of fact, Max did cover every track. When Daniel first told Milo that he was planning to trace his parent’s footsteps and go to every location which his parents had called home to see if he could find an adoption home that might have handled his adoption, Milo knew Daniel was desperate. However, he knew he wouldn’t find anything. Max covered his tracks the best way he knew how; he made sure all the information about Daniel’s adoption was in the hands of someone he could trust, in this, and almost all other cases, he trusted the information to only himself. He had everything; birth certificate, adoption papers, but most importantly, Max got every file from the adoption home so that no one would be able to find out.
Max’s idea was simple; while other celebrities were adopting kids from Africa, South America and every other third world country they could find to improve that kid’s chances of living, Max decided that he would help with the problem closer to home. He and his wife, Josephine, adopted Daniel when he was only three months old. Nevertheless, they told him that he was adopted. Honesty was strong under their roof. They also told the media, so that they wouldn’t keep on poking and prodding to find out and rip the family apart. Max also wanted to prove to himself and everyone that Daniel may not have been conceived by them, but he certainly was their son; that was why he made the adoption home “lose” all the files on little baby Daniel. As Daniel grew up, Max and Jo Hare protected his privacy. The media kept on prying though, trying to find out more and more about the Hares’ son. At first Daniel went to stay with Milo and Katelyn every few months, until the media would cool down. When the battle for privacy became too difficult though, Max and Jo disappeared off the map and took Daniel on the road with them. Except for the occasional appearance in tabloid or two, the Hare family was never heard from again.
When Max and Josephine died in a sudden car crash in 2005, Daniel was sent to stay with Max’s best friend; Milo Mars. Together with Daniel came the information about him, with a letter asking never to let Daniel see the paper. Milo had always figured that went without saying. When Daniel told his plans about wanting to find out, he understood the genius that was Max Hare; his decision to hide all the information in the one place Daniel would never think to look was brilliant.
“Unlaced, I going to work later.” Daniel called to Milo as he sat himself on the brown leather couch in Milo’s living room. Milo’s cat, Fatty, had already jumped up next to Daniel and meowed at him to pet her. Meanwhile in the kitchen, Milo was surprised to hear him say that he was planning to go to work on the same day he had returned from such an emotional trip. Nonetheless, Milo got himself a glass of diet coke and poured a glass of milk for Daniel.
“Right. I didn’t expect you to be going back to work so soon, I thought you had at least another four days off,” Milo said as he sat on the couch opposite him.
“I do. I just figured, since I’m already back I might as well,” Daniel responded, taking a sip of his milk. Fatty meowed again.
“Fatty, beat it. Go on, get out of here,” Milo said waving his hand at her. “I swear; that cat never listens.”
“I still don’t understand why you hate her that much. She just wants some attention,” Daniel said, almost laughing. He continued stroking her, despite Milo’s discouragement.
“I don’t hate Fatty, I’m just playing around. You know that. Anyway, don’t keep building the suspense. How was the trip?” Milo asked hitting him softly on the shoulder with a magazine.
“It was alright,” Daniel started in a laugh, “Unfruitful though. I really thought I could find my roots. I went back to New York, threw Max and Jo’s name around, went to California, I went to Boston, I went to all the places I told you I would try. I got nothing. Frankly, Milo, it seems like either my parents did a good job of hiding where I came from, or I didn’t have all the information.”
“What about both?” Milo suggested. “Look, I know your dad. I knew your dad. When Max wanted something gone, it would disappear. No one would find it again.”
“But why?” Daniel asked. “Why would dad even want to cover this up? I mean, I always knew I was adopted.”
“With your parents being the way they were, all famous and all, they wouldn’t be able to hide it from you, not for all the drops of water in the ocean. The media knew before even I did.” Milo told him after taking a long sip from his diet coke.
“Maybe so. But still it doesn’t make sense that he would hide this kind of information from me Milo. Dad must have had records; I haven’t found anything among his things.”
“Daniel let me tell you something; I don’t like to consider myself an expert or anything like that, but I have some experience, both in being a father and in being a son. I don’t even want to get too deep in to my relationship with my parents, but my dad wasn’t the greatest man in the world, as I have told you many times. He always made something very clear to me; he was bigger and stronger than me. Until the day he wasn’t anymore. That, as you know, was the day I left home. I can’t tell you how many times, while I was still raising Katelyn, he beat me. And let me add that the interesting days where the days when he was wearing rings. And my mother, well… as you know, she died when I was younger than you. But she, even she, had her own flaws,” Milo said, as Daniel began scoffing at the stories he had heard on far too many occasions. His mother was an alcoholic. She loved him as much as she could. As Milo got older, sometimes, it became a little too much for his taste. When the booze really began to flow, when Milo’s father was away on business trips, which was a lot, his mom would come home smelling of cheap liquor and not always knowing where she was, she would sleep with him. But she never really saw him as his own person. Not as an individual. Milo was never anything short of an extension of his mother. Everything he ever did was for her benefit, never for himself. She was encouraging like every mother should be, but nonetheless; it was never without an ulterior motive. When she passed away things didn’t get better. It was pretty much then that Milo’s dad became violent. All of this, Daniel had heard numerous and numerous times.
“But of course Daniel, you’ve heard all of this before. But let me show you something a little closer to home; Katelyn. I was 16 when I had Kate. Her mother, Clara, didn’t want to have her. I did. I tried convincing Clara to keep Katelyn. She was clear about the fact that she didn’t want an abortion, but none the less she couldn’t deal with the shame of having a kid at 14. I was in a bad place back then, both me and Clara, but most of all our relationship. We had been together for just a bit over a year when Clara became pregnant. We were at the point of breaking up. Despite everything Clara didn’t want to have an abortion. She decided that she would bring Kate to term and when she was born she would give her up for adoption.
“To show that I was committed to making me and her work, I insisted on another option. I insisted that when she would have Kate, that I would have her. Back then I needed a kid; I needed a little fucker to keep me in line, Daniel. I needed to have something I would love so much, so unconditionally that eventually I would be a ‘good’ person. I also hoped that if I would show the commitment to having that baby, Clara wouldn’t leave. I was wrong. I did everything to prove that we would work; I bought baby clothes, a crib, the whole nine yards. Daniel I was flat out broke, living alone with my dad then but I needed to make it work. Thank god for your dad or else I would still be fucked. But understand, I don’t for one second regret what I did. Did I want to spend my money and time elsewhere? Not to mention the fact that your dad was giving me money the whole time to take care of Kate. You think I liked that? Of course not! But it’s what needed to be done. And now look at her. She’s off being smart, going to college, taking backpacking road trips in Europe, the whole bunch. Damn smart kid and better than both of us nitwits combined,” Milo told Daniel
“Ok, sure, that’s great Milo, but what does that have to do with me finding my birth parents?” Daniel asked giving Milo a sour face. Daniel wasn’t one for pity, especially not when Milo was involved. But he also knew that Milo wasn’t one to want pity.
“My point is Daniel, regardless of having both parents, and our real parents for that matter, you had people who loved you. Unconditionally. Max and Jo loved the living shit out of you. And for better fucking reasons than me. They had a choice to have you. And they wanted you. Believe me, they wanted you. You shouldn’t go out looking for your real parents Daniel because let’s face it, you bloody well won’t do better than Maximilian and Josephine Hare. They loved you and they cared for you and they gave you everything they could. You had two very loving parents, Daniel. No need to go find more.” Milo said, looking straight at Daniel, Daniel was dead quite when he heard that.
“For a second there Milo, you almost sounded real sentimental,” Daniel said with a sardonic grin. Milo scoffed. “Touchy-feely even.” To that, Milo faked a shudder.
“Speaking of Katelyn though, how is she?”
“She’s fine. Haven’t seen a lot of her since you left though,” Milo said.
“Why not? Where is she? Is she staying over at Joey’s?” Daniel asked Milo. “I didn’t really think her the type to stay at anyone’s place, let alone Joey Parrish’s.”
“Nah, not staying over at Joey’s,” Milo said draining his coke of the last sip. “She’s in Paris. Or at least, last I heard she is.”
“Paris? What’s she doing in Paris?” Daniel said leaning forward.
“Oh, I thought she told you, she left just after you did. Random backpacking across Europe and all that. She said, and I quote, ‘It’s just something I need to do’. So yeah she left and I was just left here at home with Fatty,” Milo explained.
“Well she does have a point; it kinda is the kinda thing you got to do at least once in your life. Kinda.” Daniel said smiling. At this point, Daniel’s phone went off again, it was a text message from Madeline. She was bored in class and was wondering what he was up to and if he was up to doing something later when she was done with school.
“Kinda, yeah,” said Milo. “Madeline?”
“Ditch her! Dude, seriously. You can’t keep that up.” Milo told him, Daniel just shrugged. “No seriously. Daniel, come on, ask yourself, how is that working out for you?” Daniel opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off. “No. I don’t want to know, that’s a question for yourself. But really, keeping that up is really gonna blow up in your face sooner or later. She needs to move on and you, well you most defiantly need to move on to bigger and better things. Don’t tell me you plan to stick with your ex.”
“No ‘but’s Daniel, keeping your fuck buddy is great but it’s been five years. You’re gonna have to let go sooner or later.”
“But tell me something else.”
“Any…‘adventures’ while you were out there?” Milo said, raising an eyebrow and smiling.
“Milo, please, come on. I would have thought that you would have had better faith in me. Of course there was. In just about every city there was one.”
“Yeah well, I did twins in San Francisco,” Daniel said smiling again. Milo laughed. “and actually I just did the pilot of my flight coming back here.”
“The pilot? That’s a new one. Flight attendants I would have expected but, pilot… hmm. Interesting. Any good?”
“Not bad at all, very controlled. Flight attendants are walking clichés, but hey, I did one when I got in to New York.”
“That’s the way it should be, my boy.”
“But man, you know how much I love telling you all the fine print, but I really better start going. It’s already past six,” Daniel said, “I still wanna touch base at work. Catch up with Harry, maybe even see if there is someone lonely there tonight.” To that Milo chuckled while he stood up and took Daniel’s glass from him. “Hey Milo?” Daniel said, softly.
“Thanks for being there. I mean after they died. And before. I mean when they were on tour all the time, staying with you really made all the difference. But most importantly that thing with-”
“There’s no need to say her name,” Milo cut in.
“Well regardless, thanks. You know you have always been like a father to me right?”
“Daniel, please,” Milo started, smiling. “For a second there you sounded real sentimental.” To that, Daniel chucked a pillow at him.
“No but seriously, since Max died you’ve really been like a dad to me. Not that you weren’t before, but you know what I mean. Your fatherly advice has always been more than helpful. I don’t think I would have gotten through what happened back then with-” here Daniel stuck up a finger motioning to let him finish instead of allowing Milo to cut in again, “her.”
“Well that must be why Max left you with me then: my ‘fatherly’ ways.” Milo said teasing him. “Here, you want some fatherly advice,” Milo said, as he led Daniel to the kitchen. “Eat your cereal in the morning.” Milo smacked a box of honey comb cereal on to his chest.
“Was that cereal, or serious?” Daniel laughed.
“Not sure I get it, but you got it ‘dad’.”
“Good. Now come on lets go.” Milo said, laughing.
Daniel got his coat and started going towards the door, Milo opened it for him. Milo always opened the door for him when he would leave, not only him but any guest really. Milo was slightly superstitious but extended his ritual towards all
“Hey Milo, do me a favor?” Daniel said putting the box of cereal under his arm and extending his other hand to shake Milo’s.
“When you next talk to Kate tell her I said hi, and ask her to drop by when she arrives.”
“You do that.” Milo said following Daniel a bit. “Still no car huh?”
“I don’t think I’m gonna get one. You know how much I hate them.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever. Get over it. You really need one.” Milo complained at him. “Do you need me to give you a lift to work?”
“No thanks, I’ll take the bus again.” said Daniel as Milo shook his head is disappointment. “See you later Milo,” he said as he waved him goodbye.
Daniel walked to the bus stop. While waiting for the bus, he let Milo’s words sink in. Truly Milo had a point. He was really blessed for having had Max and Jo Hare as parents. He couldn’t be sure that it was going to be enough for him, but it was going to have to be. He tried finding his birth parents, but it appears that someone wanted to make absolutely sure that he wouldn’t. To Daniel it didn’t matter if it was the Hare’s or his biological parents, either way, some way, Daniel was going to find out.
The bus arrived and took him to the college, where Daniel worked at a nearby bar. The owner, Robert Bennett, had, for lack of creativity, named his bar The Bar. It was a good enough name though, certainly effective. It was pretty much the only bar anyone ever went to. Sometimes, although rare you would catch someone going into ‘Phil’s’ down close to the movies, but really it was mainly The Bar that people went to. And being that it was next to the college, clients were a dime a dozen. When Robert opened the bar it he was just a bit over 20. Since then he had himself three wives, all of which he met there. He had one daughter, Harriet, who Daniel had always had a weird feeling towards. He never understood why, but for some reason, he wasn’t attracted to her. The feeling was mutual.
When he got there, the place was crawling with new faces. He had left just before the new school year started. With each new school year, meant a new batch of girls - girls who didn’t know their ass from their elbow. Daniel was lucky; working in a college bar was the easiest way to pick up knowledge without actually going to the classes. Not to mention the fact that it was the most facilitated way to pick up girls.
Daniel had been working at The Bar since he was 18. It was one year after his parents had died. He was still living with Milo. But he wanted out. The way he figured it was simple; his way of dealing with things at the time was to sleep with lots of girls until he forgot what he was dealing with. He was fresh out of high school and he had already worked out what made girls tick. But he couldn’t keep bringing girls back to Milo’s place. In his eyes, despite having lived there most of his life, he was still only a guest there. So he decided it was time for him to move out. He asked Milo if he could, as Milo was not only his guardian but also his closest friend he took his words above most else. Milo agreed it was time for him to have his own place, but he wasn’t going to get it that easy, most 18 year olds have to learn what it’s like to work for their things. So Milo made a deal with him, he could move out, as long as he got a job and kept it. Daniel thought it was a fair enough deal. So without further argument Daniel found himself a job at The Bar. He’d been working there ever since.
He worked his way to the bar in The Bar. Harriet was on a roll. It was a Friday night at The Bar, and apparently it was the last day of exams as well. That meant that students were thirsty. Very thirsty. It was clear the bar was understaffed. It was usually just Harriet and Daniel. Robert barely worked there anymore since Harriet became old enough to mix drinks, and that was just fine, but apparently they hadn’t gotten anyone to replace Daniel while he was gone. So Harriet was running up and down the bar like a busy little bee trying to take everyone’s orders. When he finally worked his way through the thick mass of students, he hit the bar hard and called her.
“Hey waitress! I need three glasses of double whiskeys with coke, and one big ass glass of milk,” he called, hoping the glass of milk; his signature drink would get her attention. She turned in surprise.
“Rabbit!” she called back, relieved as ever. “Get your lazy white ass back here! Can’t you see we’re overflowing with people today? Snap to, man!” Daniel smiled and shook his head as he laughed and jumped over the counter.
“Alright folks,” he said as he got up from under the counter where he just put his coat and scarf. Facing the tsunami fearlessly, he carried on. “So what do we have? Let’s take those orders eh?” and he started taking the dry thirsty wave’s orders.
It really was one of the busiest nights there, but with Daniel and Harriet behind the counter, the night went by fast. Soon enough the tsunami became a simple ripple. And after that there was barely anyone left to serve. Daniel enjoyed working there, and it certainly helped not being at all interested in the one female co-worker he had. As things began to cool down, Harriet was able to approach Daniel to talk about his last three months out of town.
“So,” she started with a sigh, “you’re back early. I thought you were only going to start on the first. Uh… next Wednesday, right?” she continued, still pouring a drink for some customers.
“Yeah I know, I was only meant to start then. But I got back today so then I figured, what the hell, why not?”
“That doesn’t sound like you, Rabbit. Why the sudden change of heart?” she asked, reaching for another glass.
“Meh, there was no fun in staying at home listening to ‘Mad Madeline’ tell me how insanely in love she is with me, and then in the same sentence contradict herself.”
“You really ought to cut the poor girl some slack. Why do you need her around you like that? I mean, come on, you don’t even like her.”
“What makes you say that?” he asked while washing a beer glass.
“Hmm… I wonder,” she said sarcastically.
“What? Come on what is it?”
“Might be the same reason you’re named Rabbit ‘round these parts.”
“And here I was thinking distance makes the heart grow fonder. Obviously not in your case Bennett,” he commented in kind.
Suddenly, a big man with a buzz cut came towards the bar with a petit blond girl attempting to reason with him.
“Hey! You Daniel?” he called trying to quiet the protests of the girl.
“Hi. Yeah,” he told him, tilting his head so he could see the girl better and waved. “Oh hey Tammy.” She smiled shyly.
“So you know her. Good to know. Saves me asking that one,” said the behemoth.
“Yes I know her. You must be Xavier. Her boyfriend. Right? ”
“That’s right. I’m her boyfriend,” he repeated looking tough. “Now I’m just gonna ask this once, asshole; did you sleep with her?”
“Yes,” Daniel said, not missing a beat. Tammy looked shocked. “Yes I did.”
“Oh boy,” Harriet said, looking away, “He’s not even here for a whole day and he’s already managed to put himself in trouble,” she whispered to herself.
“You…” Xavier said, looking as if the boogie man just slapped him around. “You slept with her? You’re not denying it?”
“No. Why would I?” Daniel said bluntly.
“You must have some balls on you. I can’t believe you. You sleep with my girlfriend, knowing about me and then you still have the balls to just come up and tell it to my face? You’re not going to deny it or anything?” Xavier asked looking really surprised. Tammy was even more surprised, not to mention confused.
“No. See it’s a lose-lose situation; you asked me if I slept with her, just because I managed to show her the way to the college last night. If I say I didn’t, you wouldn’t believe me and you would punch me on grounds of being a liar and for sleeping with your girl, both of which would be more than valid reasons. If I say yes, then you punch my lights out for sleeping with your girl, but at least I get to keep my honor and not to mention I get to live up to my reputation and nickname, the ‘Rabbit’.” Here he paused and turned to Harriet who stared at him with bug eyes. “Thank you Bennett,” and then he turned back to Xavier. “So you see, there is no way for me to win. Either way I still end put puking blood by the end of the night. But in one of those ways I still end up with a little more than with the other.” Xavier was baffled. Trying to understand what just happened, he tried again, this time slowly.
“So wait, did you or did you not sleep with my girlfriend?”
“No,” said Daniel, grinning, but still just as bluntly. Harriet was blown away. Xavier and Tammy were too.
“Wait. So you… didn’t.” Xavier asked slowly, still not completely understanding the situation.
“Then… why did you say you did?”
“Simply to get your attention,” Daniel said, blunt as ever. “See, now you have no idea where I’m coming from,” he grinned.
“Ok, now… wait a minute. Did you or didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t sleep with your girlfriend. We met at the airport, I saw her trying to find her way to the college, I helped and we talked on the bus, end of story.” Daniel explained, this time less bluntly. “She’s still your girl, I’m not a liar and you still stood up for your own honor. This…” he said putting both hands down on the bar “is a win-win-win situation.” Xavier didn’t dare blink; he couldn’t completely understand what was happening. He was completely flabbergasted. “Here, sit down, have a beer,” said Daniel, pouring a beer in for him. “On the house.”
“Yeah… thanks,” Xavier said, accepting the very welcome beverage.
“How about you Tammy, can I get you anything? A wine maybe?” Daniel offered.
“White, please.” She nodded and reached in her purse.
“Please, don’t even think of paying for this, it’s on me. By the looks of it, you’ve had a rough night,” he said handing her the drink. “Now you two talk things over. Have a nice night. I’m here till one if you guys need anything,” he said leaving them. Tammy blushed as he winked at her.
“Phew. That. Was. Close.” He said leaning on the counter, next to Harriet.
“What just happened? How did you manage to escape an ass whopping that would have kept you in the hospital for at least three weeks?” Harriet inquired, her jaw still glued to the floor.
“It’s easy. See the dirt on his fingers? See the grass stains on his knees?”
“Yeah,” Harriet just nodded, but still looked at him with bug eyes.
“He’s here on a sports scholarship. Hell, Harriet even you could tell that,” he said again very nonchalant.
“I could tell that from his size.”
“And his hair cut,” Daniel added.
“And his hair cut,” Harriet concurred.
“Well a guy like that, on a sports scholarship, opening with questions like that, well it suffices to say the guy isn’t going to be the sharpest tool in the shed. Give him a bit of a surprise and he will be so confused he will forget what he was doing in the first place.”
“That…” Harriet started “… makes sense. I guess.”
“Good,” he stated, “I would hate to have to explain it to you too.”
“So now really, did you sleep with her?” she asked him as she poured herself a glass of water.
“Nah.” Daniel said shortly.
“Really?” Harriet asked in surprise.
“Yeah…” He started, “Not yet, I didn’t really have the time.”
“The Rabbit? Didn’t have time? Yeah right,” she scoffed as she gulped down the water.
“I was tired. Come on Harriet, cut me a break. It was a long fucking trip alright? Nothing went the way it was meant to.”
“Couldn’t find them huh?” she asked not too surprised. Daniel just shook his head and got up to get busy. “Where did you look?”
“Everywhere. Fucking everywhere Harriet.”
“And Milo didn’t have any answers?”
“Nah. He couldn’t find my adoption papers.”
“Well, if your own adoptive father doesn’t know where your papers are, than there’s not much more you can do.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“I always am. What about Katelyn? She doesn’t know anything?”
“Katelyn wasn’t even born when I was born, let alone adopted. No she doesn’t know anything.” Daniel said, looking frustrated and troubled.
“I don’t know what else you could do Rabbit. You gave it your best shot.”
“Yeah. Maybe,” he started as he looked off into space while drying a cup. “But maybe my best is not good enough. I have to try harder.”
“I hope you find them,” she said putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Why are you looking for them anyway? Are you sick or something?”
“No, nothing like that. Just wanted to know who they are, why they left me, you know, the usual.”
“Right. Well, I think that you should just be happy with Milo as your dad.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I am happy with Milo. More than happy. I just wish I knew what happened, why I was so unwanted by my birth parents.”
“You shouldn’t worry about that, I would just think about how much you are wanted by Milo and Katie.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he said putting the glass on the bar.
The evening soon came to an end; it barely felt like work for Daniel. As closing time neared, Daniel already began cleaning the tables and putting the chairs up. He always left the sweeping for Harriet. She lived just upstairs. She figured it was better that way anyway.
“Hey Harry? You really think I’m not into Madeline?” he asked Harriet.
“Well how the hell am I supposed to know? I never met her. But from what I hear from you, I don’t think you do.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well like I said Rabbit, you have that name and reputation for a reason,” she shrugged as she said that.
“Well, we’re not really together and besides I think everyone should-”
“Let me stop you right there,” she interrupted him, “you really care about what I think? Really?”
“Exactly. You’ve never cared before, I highly doubt you’re gonna start now.
“Yeah well, guess what Rabbit? I always am.”
“You always are,” he said in unison. “By the way Harriet, where’s Robert?”
“Hmm,” she sighed. “He’s on vacation with his new wife.”
“Yeah? Good for him, he should take some time off. Where did he go?” Daniel asked ignoring the new wife part.
“Hawaii,” she said sourly.
“Hawaii? In the last week of November? That’s a bold move, no matter how you look at it,” Daniel smiled as he shook his head and put another chair on a table.
“That’s what I told him. But he never listens to me.”
“Well, he said he was going to be back before you got here. But no one could have expected that you would have come to work four days early,” said Harriet.
“True. That really doesn’t sound like me.”
“But then again you’ve been doing a lot of things out of character since you got back Rabbit,” she told him.
“Yeah I’ve noticed it too,” he said curiously.
“As soon as I find out, you’ll be the first to know,” he said putting up the last chair.
“You do that. You do that.”
“Hey, Bennett, I’m pretty much done here. I think I’ll take off. Or do you want me to do anything else?” he said.
“No it’s ok. Will you be here tomorrow evening again?”
“Yeah. Sure, why not,” he called back as he put on his coat.
“Then I’ll see you then.”
“See you Bennett,” he said opening the door.
“See ya Rabbit. Welcome back.”
It was chilling outside. Daniel got his phone to text Madeline back. “I’ll be home in about 15 minutes if you still feel like coming by,” he wrote, he was about to press send when he heard someone call his name. It was Tammy. She was running towards him with two paper cups of coffee. He quickly deleted his text and put his phone back into his coat pocket.
“Daniel!” she called out to him. He turned with a smile.
“Hey,” He said with a smile. “What are you still doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Xavier?” he asked her. His breath fogged up.
“Me and Xavier broke up,” she said nodding.
“Really? Well that’s a shame. I mean you came all the way out here for him to break up with you? Now that’s just rude.”
“By the way, this is for you, I don’t know how you like your coffee, but I got you a cappuccino,” she said as she handed him one of the cups of coffee.
“Oh, well, thank you Tammy,” said Daniel. “It’s exactly what I need.”
“You’re very welcome. But,” she said continuing, “actually, I was the one who did the breaking up.”
“Oh? Well, I’m sorry to hear that. When we talked on the bus you made it sound like this was a serious thing,” he said as he took a small sip from his still hot coffee.
“Don’t be. I mean sure, it was serious,” she explained. “but he doesn’t trust me. And that doesn’t exactly work in a long distance relationship.”
“Yeah. I can imagine,” he told her. “actually, I think you have more reason to be untrusting of him.”
“Well, what’s he studying, English?”
“No, actually he’s majoring in sex ed. He just picked it so that he could do some easy class and focus on his stupid football career.” she explained
“Yeah, I figured as much. That was going to be my second guess. Well the girls in that class, they… well let’s just say the Immaculate Conception wouldn’t be that immaculate there. And he doesn’t exactly look to me like the type that-”
“He isn’t. He has a history of being unfaithful. He cheated on me back when we were still dating in high school.”
“So why did you put up with him?” he asked. “I’m sorry, do you mind if I ask you that?”
“Oh yeah, sure thing. No I don’t mind. I don’t know, I just can’t help myself around him,” she explained.
“Yeah, I know that kind of guy.” Daniel said. “It’s legitimately disappointing.”
“But so this time was just the final straw for me.”
“What was?” he asked her, taking another sip.
“Just the way he treated you. I mean he was going to hurt you. He didn’t trust me. Not that that’s anything new though. I told him that you just helped me find my way to him. But he didn’t believe me. And I just… ugh. I couldn’t take it,” she said.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. But so wait, how are you gonna do things? I mean, where are you going to stay now?”
“I don’t know, I guess I’ll find a hotel somewhere or something,” said Tammy.
“Nonsense. You’re coming to stay at my place.”
“No. I couldn’t,” she kindly refused out of politeness.
“I insist. I wouldn’t want you out looking for a hotel at this time of night, not to mention the hotels around here aren’t the cheapest from what I hear. Come on, I’ll get you some warm milk.”
“You sure? I would want to be any trouble.”
“I’m sure. You would be more trouble if you would still go looking for a hotel. I wouldn’t be able to sleep from being so worried about you, besides, it’s partialy my fault you’re in this mess” he insisted.
“Good. Shall we?” he asked her, as he stuck out his arm so she could link hers into it.
“We shall.” Tammy said. Daniel looked behind him and saw Harriet open the door.
“Night Rabbit,” she called out. Daniel shook his head and smiled.
“Why do they call you that?” Tammy asked him, cuddling next to him.
“It’s mainly because I uh…” he smiled, “I eat lots of carrots.” he said nodding.
“Right,” she said, untrustingly.
“I’m sure you do,” she said as they walked in the black and white scenery of the wintery night.
“You tired?” he asked her.
“Not really. I could stay up a bit. Especially if there’s warm milk involved.”
“Good,” he said with a smile. He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
Despite it already being two in the morning, the night was but young. Little did Tammy know how tired she would be by the end of it. They walked to Daniel’s house and he paid close attention to the sound of the snow crunching beneath their feet. It was a sound he loved quite a bit. But not nearly as much as a sound he was going to hear lots later on that night.
