From my first novel Mary and Daniel.

Chapter 10: Daniel, on his way home to Michigan he meets Catherine and her son, little Daniel.

                              

    Daniel pulled out onto Highway 25 and headed south passing mailbox 170 and the driveway to heaven on earth.  He knew he would be returning in nine months, and he almost turned around and went back.  But he didn’t, he just drove slowly down the highway with tears running down his cheeks, thinking Mary would say he was silly for crying so much. 

    Daniel continued south to Casper passing through the city with little thought.  He was certain he had made the right decision to go the southern route home missing that God forsaken South Dakota. 

    Crossing out of Wyoming into Nebraska, Daniel noticed that each state had its own typography.  It seemed to start a few miles in, on each state, Nebraska another with rolling hills and flat prairie land leaving little to one's imagination but a blank boring canvass.  Daniel was sure that Nebraska had beautiful sunrises and sunsets, but everything in between, the start and end of the day would seem empty unless you liked wheat waving at you in the wind. 

    Daniel made it across Nebraska in good time pushing his VW Bug as fast as it would go.  Through Lincoln heading north to Omaha and across the Missouri River.  

    Daniel crossed over into Iowa from Nebraska.  You wouldn’t have known, if it wasn’t for the sign at the border, both states looked the same. Small hills but mostly flat, corn and wheat fields, about two steps above that God forsake state of South Dakota.  The home where the Buffalo used to roam, but no more, just farmers on tractors. 

    Daniel's VW Bug began to sputter; he pumped the gas pedal. Then he noticed the gas gage read empty how did that get past him.  He coasted off to the side of the road.  Well, might as well start pushing the old Bug, he figured he might be able to push it a mile or two as long as the land was flat.  There was a sign for a town of McClelland just three and a half miles.  Hope they had gas there.   

    He pushed the Bug a half mile when he started to sweat like a pig.  Although he had never seen a pig sweat, so he wasn’t sure who made up that saying, or if it was true.  Maybe, it was smell like a pig after you sweat like a pig.  Daniel began to think, the sun was baking his brains, thinking about a sweating pig, Mary would have called him silly. He walked to the back of the Bug and sat down on the bumper, God it was hot, hot as hell.  Maybe he had made a turn back north to that God Forsaken South Dakota, they probably had sweating pigs. 

    Daniel sat there staring at a group of ants at his feet, the ants were circling a Dung Beetle who was rolling a marble size piece of s**t.  He wondered if the ants wanted the Dung Beetle or the s**t, probably the s**t.  Just like humans wanting what the other guy has and willing to take it away from him.  

    Daniel thought, here was this Dung Beetle working hard and these little thief ants come along and take the Dung Beetle’s s**t.  It reminded him of Joshaua and the Israelites surrounding and circling Jericho for six days and on the seventh day circling Jericho seven times and blowing their horns bringing down the walls of the city.  Then God commanding Joshaua and the Israelites to rush in and slaughter the populace stealing everything not belonging to them.  

    Daniel couldn’t take it anymore; he picked up a stick and started to stick it into the dirt flicking the ants to the four winds.  

    Daniel yelled.  “You little thief basters, go earn your own s**t”.  

    He would show God how you stop a thieving b*****d, whether they were stealing s**t or a life. The Dung Beetle seemed to stop for a moment looking up at Daniel.  Then moving at a faster pace rolling his dung ball out of the reach of the scattered ants. Daniel continued to fling the ants until he was sure the Dung Beetle had made good his escape.  

    Daniel could feel the heat on the top of his head; it was hotter than hell.  He realized that the heat was getting to him he had to find shade.  That was the last thing he remembered until he woke up to the sound of footsteps and voices.  

 

    Daniel could hear three people talking about him, as he tried to open his eyes, but couldn't. He tried again but the salt from his sweat was just too much for his eyes, then he felt the coolness of water being poured on his face and eyes. Daniel’s sight began to clear; he could see the face of a young woman with tiger eye brown eyes, and strawberry blonde hair.   She was clearing the sweat from his eyes with water from a saddle canteen, while telling him he was going to be okay. Daniel had to believe her he was at her mercy, but what sweet mercy she was. 

    He looked just beyond her and saw an old man standing there holding the hand of a young boy.   

    The old man said.  “It looks like you were fighting ants”. 

    Daniel said.  “I was saving a Dung Beetle and his s**t from the little thieving ants”.  

    The young boy said.  “He was saving the Dung Beetles, S**t”. 

    Daniel smiled and said.  “You got that right young man”.  

    The young woman spoke up, saying. “Daniel, you no better than to talk like that”. 

    Daniel said.  “It wasn’t me; it was him pointing to the young boy”. 

    The young woman said.  “No not you, I’m talking to my Daniel”. 

    Daniel heard, my Daniel and just one tear came to his eye and ran down his cheek. 

    The young woman caught his tear before it could drop to the ground.  She balanced his tear drop on her fingertip, looking closely at it.  Then she brought his tear to her lips and then the tip of her tongue.  

    She exclaimed.  “Bittersweet tear”.  As she looked at Daniel. 

    Daniel looked at her and knew, she knew the feelings he was having. 

    The old man said.  “We’ll get him in the truck and take him up the road to the restaurant, I’ll send Louie back with the tow truck to get his car. 

    “S**t, Dung Beetle S**t”. 

    The little boy had found a new word and was going to use it to the full extent. 

    “Dung Beetle s**t”. 

     Daniel had to smile; this little boy must be about three years old. He was going to be a hand full.  But after all his name is Daniel.   

    Daniel’s smile got bigger, then he realized the young woman was looking at him with a stern look for teaching her son a new word. 

    Daniel looked at the young woman and said.  “You have to admit your Daniel has got Moxie, just like Daniel in the Lion's Den in the Bible”. 

    The young woman said.  “Daniel if you say that word one more time, I’ll paddle your little bottom”. 

    Daniel said.  “Don’t hit him, he’s just testing you and he’s learning”. 

    The young woman looked at Daniel and said.  “How would you handle him?” 

    “I would hug him”.   

    “And give him attention, and an explanation.” 

    She said.  “He’s only three-years-old”.   

    “Yes, your right”. Daniel said. 

    “But someday he’ll be fourteen and he’ll remember you striking him”. 

    “Wouldn’t you rather, he remembers you hugging him”. 

    The young woman’s stern look softens and becomes a little smile in Daniel’s direction. 

    Daniel said.  “Thank you”. 

    “For what.”  She said. 

    “For that little smile, and I think your Daniel is lucky to have you for a mother”.  

     She said.  “What’s your name?” 

     “Daniel”. 

     “No, your name”. 

     “Daniel, it’s really Daniel”.  

     The old man chuckled and said.  “Imagine that two Daniel’s in the Lioness’s Den”. 

     The young woman ignored the old man. 

     The old man said. “Let me introduce you to my Granddaughter, “Catherine” and you’ve already met her son Daniel and I’m George.”  

     Daniel nodded his head and smiled.  “It’s nice to meet you, “Catherine” and your son Daniel. 

     The old man said.  “Let's get loaded in the truck and go to the Restuarant”. 

     They loaded four to the front seat, the old man driving, Catherine in the middle, Daniel had the passenger door and little Daniel laid spread across his mom and Daniel, real cozy. 

     Daniel sat back and held onto little Daniel as the old man shifted thru the three on the tree like he was in the LeMans race in France.  Daniel was impressed. 

 

    Riding down the road Daniel looked over at Catherine, she was looking at him holding little Daniel.  Daniel smiled at her; she smiled back and said.   

   “You know Daniel, you remind me of someone I knew once”.  

   “I’ve heard that said before”. Thinking Mary once said that to him. 

   “But I have a pretty common face”.  He said. 

    Catherine said.  “Your face is far from common, I mean.”  She paused. 

    Daniel said.  “You mean my broken nose and scar on my forehead”. 

    “No, Daniel, your broken nose and scars are just stories added to your face”. 

    “They lend to your character, where you’ve been, who you are”. 

    Daniel said.  “Catherine, I don’t mean to be forward, but you are beautiful. You have no scars, and your character lies within this little boy, he’s all yours. 

    Catherine looked at Daniel, a tear escaped from her eye.   

    Daniel reached over and captured it on his fingertip, bringing it to his lips and then to the tip of his tongue. 

    Daniel said.  “Bittersweet Tear, full of Character and love.”  

    Catherine laid her head against her son Daniels, shoulder. 

    Daniel thought another place, another time, “perhaps”. 

    They traveled another two miles down the road in silents, the old man swerving off the road every once in a while, onto the shoulder's dirt.  Daniel imagined the old man hated ants and was trying to run them over, protecting the Dung Beetles of the world.   

    The old man pushes the brakes on and down shifted the truck pulling into the restaurant parking lot skidding to a stop right at the front door.  

    The old man announces.  “Well, we’re here the whole family safe and sound”. 

    Daniel looked out the front windshield, there was a Coke a Cola sign shining brightly in the window.  Daniel thought, I’ve seen a sign like that before, Oh sure, that God forsaken South Dakota campground.  I wonder if that raspy voice man will ever make it back to Fish Creek Wisconsin, and find a 29 hand Woman, who knows how to play cribbage. 

     Daniel, Catherine, and little Daniel went into the restaurant to sit down to supper.  The old man went looking for someone named Louie with a tow truck to go pick up Daniel’s VW Bug. Daniel told the old man it was just in need of gas, and he would go with Louie to pick up the Bug.   

    The old man said. “No problem he would go with Louie and pick up the VW Bug and bring it back to Daniel”.  

    Daniel said.  “Just be careful the little Bug was more powerful than what you think”. 

    Daniel sat down at the table.  “Well Catherine, what's good to eat here?” 

    “Well, Daniel usually gets a Baloney sandwich with butter, a touch of mayo and mustard”. 

    “That sounds good.”  

     Daniel looked at Daniel and said. “Daniel, I love a good Baloney sandwich, just like that.  And you know, sometimes I’ll have the cook fry the Baloney sandwich with a slice of cheese on it”. 

    Little Daniel looked at his mom and asked.  “Can I have a fried Baloney sandwich like my Daniel”? 

    Catherine looked at her Daniel. “What do you mean my Daniel”?  

    “Not your Daniel mom, my Daniel”. 

    Daniel said.  “Sounds like he likes me”.  

    Catherine said.  “This sounds like an Abbott and Costello skit”. 

    Daniel said.  “You mean who’s on first, what’s on second, I don’t know on third”? 

    “Daniel asked.   “Who is Abbott and Costello”? 

    “Daniel said.  “They were a comedy team”.   

    “Oh”  

    “Well, I want what you're having my Daniel”. 

    “What do think Catherine, can Daniel have what I’m having”. 

    “I guess so, I’m confused what are you having Daniel”. 

    “A fried Baloney sandwich with a slice of cheese”. 

    “You two Daniels’ can have anything you want”. 

    “Hear that, we two Daniels’ can have anything we want”. 

    “Catherine does that mean you’ll share me with your Daniel”?  

    “I’m not sure I want to share you with my Daniel”. 

    “So, you want me all to yourself”?  

    “That’s rather selfish isn’t it”? 

    “That’s not what I meant”. Catherine said. 

    “Catherine,” you’ll let me know what you do want.  I’m only going to be here one or two days”. 

    Daniel put his arm around Daniel and took Catherine's hand in his. She didn’t pull her hand away, but she did drive a fingernail into the top of his hand and then gave him a little wicked smile. 

    The waitress came over and asked what they were having for supper? 

    Daniel looked at Catherine and asked her. “Would you order for all for us”?  

    Catherine said.  “Sure, Audrey, my two Daniels’ will have, each, one fried Baloney sandwich with a slice of cheese on them, and a family size bowl of steamed broccoli and carrots”. 

    The two Daniels made an “ececk” face at the broccoli and carrots. 

     “And I’ll have the Chicken dinner plate please. 

      Audrey said.  “Catherine, you work here you know we only have a chicken dinner plate on Sundays, it’s Monday”. 

    “Oh”. 

    “I forgot”.  She paused. 

    “I’ll just have what these two yahoos’ are having”. 

    “My Daniel what’s a yahoo”? 

    “A yahoo is someone, who is loved”. 

    Daniel smiled at Catherine; she took the pressure of her fingernail off the back of his hand and returned his smile. 

     The three of them sat watching out the window, the sun setting with thunder clouds gathering on the horizon. 

    Catherine said.  “It looks like a good rain coming, angels are crying”. 

    Daniel remembered, he knew and loved one of those Angels. 

    He also wondered when his two realities would sit down and talk it out.  And which one would win.  Here, he had sitting beside him, two more reasons to exist.  Perhaps his two realities were waiting for him to join the conversation. 

    Daniel started the conversation with Catherine again. 

    “So, Catherine you work here.” 

    “Well sort of, my grandfather owns the restaurant.  I just help him run the place; I can watch Daniel during the day.  He has a little play area over there.  That way he stay’s playing, and I can make a little money.” 

    Daniel wondered where Mr. Catherine, and Daniels’ father was? 

    Daniel thought I could get my nose clip off asking that. Well, I only have one nose, and it’s broken anyway. 

    “Catherine, where is Daniel's father?”  

    “You sure ask a lot of questions for someone just passing through.” 

    “Your right, I guess it seems, I’m a little nosey.” 

    “But I’ve found unless you ask, you’ll never know what the possibilities are.” 

     Catherine said.  “Makes sense, but your still nosey.” 

    “I’m just interested in you Catherine, you and your, Daniel, there’s nothing wrong with caring about two people.  Is there?” 

    “No, But I barely know you.” 

    “Well, we can change that.  I’ll stay for as long as it takes for you to get to know me.”  

    “Don’t you have someplace to be.”    

    “Yes, but I can be late starting back to school.”  

    “Oh, so you go to College?” 

    “Well, it’s a University, and I’m a Junior.” 

    Daniel thought that’s a lie, you're going straight to hell.   

    Then he thought, wait a minute, I told just half of the truth, I can aways tell her the rest later.  And besides, Mary thought I was older in the emergency room until his father set the record straight. And Mary still fell in love with him. 

    “So, your about twenty years old?”   Catherine asked. 

    “Yes, about that.”  Daniel figured about, could mean a difference of four years younger. 

    After saying.  “Yes, about that”.  Daniel began to feel like that little ball of s**t that Dung Beetle was rolling.  

     Daniel thought he had to set this lie aside and tell Catherine the truth. 

    “Catherine, Daniel dropped to one knee and looked up at her. 

    Catherine stopped him and said.  “You're not going to ask me to Marry you?”  

    “No Catherine, but I would, if I thought you might say yes.” 

    Catherine smiled that little wicked smile and said.  “You're not getting me that easy.  I made that mistake once before.” 

    “Again, no.  I’m down on one knee to ask for your forgiveness.  I lied to you about being a Junior at a University.  I’m a Junior at an Academy.” 

    Catherine said.  Do you mean like the Navel Academy or West Point?” 

    “No Catherine, I mean like High School.” 

    “Well.” She paused, looking for words.  

    “That means you’re nothing but a lying kid, sixteen at best.” 

    Daniel looked at Catherine, He felt as though she had just taken a knife and carved his heart out of his chest with those words, “Nothing but a lying kid.”  

    Daniel stood taking a step back from Catherine. 

    Daniel said. “You said, my broken nose and scar was just a testament to where I’ve been and done.” 

    “Well, here’s some more scars.” Daniel opened his shirt and showed her the four scars running down across his chest from the Mountain Lion attack. 

    “Those are just the scars that are showing, my heart has been butchered because I lost my Mary, and her opinion as to whether I'm a man is the only one that counts with me.” 

    “And I can tell you I’m more of a man than the guy who walked away from you and Daniel.”  

    “So, you can take your sixteen years old and just a lying kid words and put them, put them.”  Daniel looked down at little Daniel, he couldn’t finish his words. 

    Daniel was trembling so bad, he hadn’t felt like this since the day he lost Mary.  Daniel turned and walked away from Catherine and Little Daniel.  

    But stopped when he heard.  “My Daniel where are you going?” 

    Daniel turned and knelt down in front Little Daniel.  

    “You do what your mother tells you to do.  Your, her little yahoo and she loves you.” 

    “But you're her yahoo too.” 

    “Maybe, just maybe Daniel.” 

    “I have to go now.”  Daniel handed Little Daniel’s hand to Catherine. 

    Standing up, Daniel walked to the door.  The old man, George was standing there.   

    Daniel stopped and said.  “George I’m sorry, I fouled things up pretty bad.”  

    George said.  “It’s not all on you Daniel, I’ll talk to her.” 

    “Thanks George, I’ll go settle up with Louie.” 

    Daniel walked out to his VW Bug; Louie had the front hood open, filling the gas tank.  Daniel grabbed his Gus off the front seat and put it on, the Angels were starting to cry. 

    Inside the restaurant, old man George looked at Catherine and said.  “I heard what Daniel said about Sam walking away from you and Daniel.  He doesn’t know that you never told Sam about Daniel, and the fact that he never passed back through here.” 

    “I’m not saying he’s perfect, he knows when he’s wrong, but he also knows when he’s right.   

    “And his Mary he talked about, found something in him that you need to find.”  

    “Go out to him now, before he leaves and you lose him.  Find what he has inside of him.” 

    “Go on.”   

    “I’ll take care of our Daniel.” 

    Catherine walked out of the restaurant, up behind Daniel, and said.  “Are you the cowboy who owns this fancy Blue Bug.” 

    Daniel turned around and took off his Gus.   

   “Yes Mame, would you like a ride?” 

    “Where would you take me?” 

    “Wherever you want.” 

    Daniel reached out and pulled Catherine to him, kissing her, and her, him. 

    Louie pulled the gas nozzle out of the fill tube and shut down the front hood of the Bug. 

    “Well Cowboy, you are all filled up, you can kiss us goodbye.” 

   Catherine and Daniel both looked at Louie and smiled.  

   “Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”  

    “It’s okay Louie, I came out to kiss him goodbye.  But I decided I want Daniel to stay as long as he can, to get, to know the man, that I believe he is.” 

    Daniel looked Catherine in her tiger eyed color eyes, pulled her close and kissed her again and her him. 

    Daniel then asked.  “Catherine, what do you want to know about me?” 

    She said.  “Everything, I want to know everything.”