A Second Chance

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel instantly began wolfing the burgers down and sipping the soda to spoften them a bit in his mouth. He didn't know that as he watched that Ted go to his car, Mel was doing the very same. He sighed when he saw the mark and looks of the Ted's wheels. It was the type of car women loved getting into and Danny could very well understand why Mel would want to go to dinner with such an elegant fellow, in a great car, and spend some quality time with him.

He sighed and returned to munching on the cheeseburgers. With the current problems on his head and lack of overflowing funds he's never be able to afford such extravagancies and provide Melissa with the type of entertainment Ted was able to provide. After this revelation Daniel realised that he wanted for Melissa all the best in the way of living. Only he had no means to assure that.

"Mhm," He mumbled, swallowing another mouthful. "Yeah. I think we should be socialising more with the people... Uh... I mean..." He realised that his innocent statement carried more meaning than he himself acknowledged.

 

[Guest]

"Yeah. I think we should be socialising more with the people... Uh... I mean..."

Mel turned slightly to gaze at Daniel. She wondered suddenly if he was getting bored with her company or if he just meant that they couldn't keep to themselves forever. Forcing on a smile, she nodded, "Yeah...guess we should I guess."

Rubbing her kissed had self consciously against her skirt, she wondered if Daniel would want to find a girl to date...she knew he didn't enjoy Karen, but there were plenty of other single, pretty girls to choose from.

"Well...time is going, why don't we head home? I'm sure you could use a good hot bath." She gave him a teasing grin and wrinkled her nose, "I know I could use you taking a bath." She giggled slightly and pinched her nose, pretending as though he reaked. In truth, he just smelled like man...even his personal scent seemed to be intoxicating.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

True, Daniel was tired, sweaty and his clothes were sticking to his body making him feel uncomfortable, especially so as Mel looked so elegant and stylish in her simple, yet very effectively chosen garments. He needed a long shower and then an hour or two of sweet doing-nothing. Having eaten all the burgers he had brought Dan sipped som coke and gathered all the plates and can they had on their blanket and got up.

"Yeah. Let's go home. I need to scrub sweat and dirt off myself. I'll join you in the parking lot when I throw all this away, okay?"

"Sure, I'll be waiting. Hurry up and watch out for you know who," she joked and with a smile went towards the car.

Danny found a trash bin and carefully dumped all plates, cans, plastic cutlery and other stuff. When he was rubbing his hands, watching the white wall of the church lit by the late afternoon sun he realised that the day seemed like a Saturday or Sunday to him rather than a regular Wednesday. Then something soft and nice smelling bumped into his from behing and covered his eyes.

"Guess who..." he heard Karen's husky whisper next to his ear and could swear she licked his earlobe. "Don't tell me you're leaving already!"

"Yeah, we are" he deliberately used plural in hope that she would get the hint but she only pressed her body into his, rubbing his back with her breasts.

"Awww, and here I was thinking that such a gentleman as yourself would walk a lonely girl home," she said still holding on to him.

"Not much of gentleman in a guy who's all dirty and sweaty."

"I don't mind you getting all sweaty, Daniel," Karen purred into his ear and feeling himself blushing he forced her hands off his head and stormed away to the car.

 

[Guest]

Sitting in the car, Mel didn't notice Karen's 'attack' on Daniel, but noticed that he looked rather flushed and irritated when he slid into the passenger side. "Hey, what's up?" She asked him as she started the engine and kicked on the AC before pulling out of the parking lot.

He grumbled something about Karen and Mel gave him a little sympathetic sound. "Sorry...I told you, she doesn't give up easily. It took Michael a while until he finally told her very rudely to step off in front of everyone."

She grinned at the memory and sighed. "Heh...you have Karen and I have Ted." She joked and then bit her lip suddenly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

At the mention of Ted Daniel turned a little in his seat and looked at Mel carefully. What was she trying to tell him? he wondered and thought for a moment. Could it be that he was making indecent proposals to her or making obvious passes? Well, he seemed to be a guy like that, with his clean clothes, expensive cologne and great car.

"What are you saying, Mel? Was Ted trying to... seduce you?" Danny asked cautiously, carefully choosing his words and trying not to run too far with his thoughts.

 

[Guest]

Mel would have looked at Daniel, but she was glad at that instant that she was driving. A hot blush worked it's way up her neck and to her cheeks. "N-no..." She stuttered softly. "I mean..." She giggled nervously and turned down their street. "I don't know Daniel. He was just being forward, that's all. At least in my mind he was. It was probably nothing though." She said, trying to blow the subject over.

Pulling into their drive, she stopped and turned off the car, flashing him a bit of a shy smile. "We're home. Lets go inside...you can take your bath and I'll make us something to drink."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

They entered the house and Daniel sighed contentedly, he would finally be able to take a shower and get rid of sweaty, dirty clothes and put on something fresh and clean. Oh yes, he almost shivered at the thought and quickly disappeared inside his room and undressing and throwing his clothes all around he entered his bathroom and got the water running to step into a steamy cabin. He groaned loudly as the hot water splashed against his skin. Quickly Dan soaped himself, washing his body and hair with great scrutiny and then just stood under the water, letting it take all the tiredness out of him.

When he left the bathroom and dressed himself he noticed he'd been showering for half an hour but he felt energised and invigorated now and left his room with a smile on his face.

 

[Guest]

While Daniel showered, Mel got them a big jug of lemonade and set out in the living room. When he took a while longer, she got back up and got a small tray, filling it with an assortment of cookies and a few pastries and returned.

Flicking on the TV, she curled her feet under her bottom as she got comfortable on the couch and flicked on the TV. Just then Daniel returned, smiling at her. Her heart skittered and almost stopped. He looked good smiling so sweetly and he smelled good too. She caught herself inhailing and forced on a smile to chase away her other thoughts.

"You look better. I got us drinks!"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Ooooh! Thanks!" Danny sighed and plopped in the armchair spreading his legs far and wide and smoothing the fabric of the black trousers he had put on along with a white t-shirt. He downed the glass in three gulps and helped himself to more. "I am reborn," he groaned and smiled, seeing as Mel was sitting so sweetly on the couch. He suddenly felt the urge to approach and hug her tightly. Instead he just sipped some more lemonade, confused with his feeling.

"So, what's the big plan for the evening, Mel?" He asked and blushed as his stomach rumbled. "Damn, there must some kinda hole in there..."

 

[Guest]

She laughed softly and grinned at him, "That's alright...plenty of food. I got us some cookies and such, but if you'd like, I can make you something else? Sandwiches or something...let me know. I'd be happy to get it." She said, feeling as though the words were coming out too eagerly and a little rushed.

Taking a breath, she forced herself to calmly continue. "No big plans here though...just thought we could watch another movie or something...or I could get out a game? Do you like cards? If a movie isn't to your liking." She said and found herself smoothing a hand over a pillow and plucking at some fuzzy spots as she waited for his answer.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"You just sit here, Mel. I can take care of myself just right," Dan said. He strangely felt full of enthusiasm and energy even though he'd just probably lost a few pounds. "Get those cards out and play some music and I'll be right back with some snacks."

Then he busted out of the room and for a moment busied himself with preparing a ton of bitesize sandwiches and took himself a beer too. Thus armed he returned to the room to see Mel shuffling a deck of cards. She made big eyes, seeing the food supplies and made a comment about his stomach but then she took a few and quickly ate them. Daniel alternated between a sandwich and a cookie as he watched her shuffle the cards.

"So what are we playing, hmmm?"

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled and finished shuffling the cards, looking as though she was thinking about the possibilities. "Well, to tell you the truth, I pretty much suck at any game of cards." She admonished with a playful smile, "So anything is fair game. How about Rummy?" She asked and set the cards down in front of him.

"I'll be right back. You think on it. Pee break!" She announced and got up, hurrying down the hallway with a short laugh.

Inside the bathroom, she quickly relieved herself and then freshened up. Glancing in the mirror, she brushed out her hair and smoothed her clothes over. OK...she looked all right. Not the greatest, but hey...it had been a long day.

Returning out the living room, she sat back down and pulled her legs under rump again, smoothing down her skirt. "Ready?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Taking the deck into his hand Daniel watched as Mel disappeared from the room and absentmindedly began shuffling it again. He wasn't good at cards but he and some buddies used to play poker to kill the time and lose their wages to one another. This seemed so distant now and long gone in the past. His time spent here at Melissa's place seemed like a different life to him somehow.

Rummy? Heck, he tried to remember the rules quick before Mel returned so as to spare himself the embarrassing time of being explained how to play it.

"Hello! Earth to Daniel! What's wrong with you? Woolgathering?" Mel punched his shoulder over the table. "I've been here for two minutes and you're just spacing out. Thinking about Karen I bet," she said and laughed as he blushed.

"Sorry, I was trying to recall how to play Rummy. All I played in the army was strip poker," he said and winked. "You deal!" Daniel cut the deck and handed it back to Melissa.

 

[Guest]

Mel laughed, "Strip poker huh!?" She took the cards and giggled, beginning to deal. "Well, I'd offer to play, but I'm afraid I'm just too shy to get down and naked and I know I'd be naked because I'm horrible at cards!" She grinned, blushing at the mere thought of getting naked in front of Daniel.

Done with dealing, she took up her cards and studied them, glancing over them at Daniel with a naughty little look. She laughed and wiggled her brows at him, feeling a bit silly.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He tried hard not to laugh at Melissa's attitude but couldn't contain himself and chuckled, hiding his face behind the cards. He checked his hand... only chaotic crap, nothing to play seriously with. He tried concentrating and rearranged the cards a bit but no better picture formed. He peeked up at Mel who was studying her hand as intently. Danny laughed which made her look up.

"What?"

"Oh nothing, your face was so studious for a moment it looked as if you were tackling some diffucult math problem. Pity you couldn't see yourself," he laughed again and tried copying her expression from the moment before.

 

[Guest]

She giggled at him and pointed a warning finger at him with a teasing smile. "Don't make me, mister!" She said, trying to contain her laughter, which wasn't easy to do right about that moment.

Glancing at her cards, she sighed, looking pitiful. "So my cards suck. Perhaps we should just deal again? Or play Monopally?" She suggested with a sweet, innocent smile and bating her eyes at him.

Daniel laughed, making him even more appealing. "You just want to win!" He joked and she nodded.

"Well of course silly!! I'm a sore looser...I pout and whine and cry...it really is pitiful." She replied in an equally teasing tone.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Well, okay, if anything can spare me the sight of you throwing a fit because you simply lost at cards, I will go for it. Let's play Monopoly, at least you don't have to remember the rules for it as everything is pretty obvious there -- GET RICH!" he shouted putting his cards down and putting the deck back into a drawer.

As Melissa got up to fetch the box with the game, Daniel came over to the stereo and fiddled with the CDs, finally decided on one and let it play in the background. When he returned to the table Mel was just sitting down, her skirt puffing around her legs whi reminded him for some reason of a picnic in a meadow or on a hill. Weird! He watched as she spread the board, shuffled the cards and dealt them starting money. He watched as she moved her head to the side when she was reaching for something, how she moved her lips when she counted the money off; he observed her hands and finger as they moved this way and that.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Daniel?" Mel asked him suddenly, blushing a bit.

He turned his head down in embarrassment of being caught staring.

"Nnnno, nothing. I'm sorry... I just..." he felt like a teenager suddenly.

 

[Guest]

She grinned and patted her face. "What? Do I have a booger on my face or something?" She joked, grinning, "Food? Dirt?" She questioned, giggling. She was feeling good as she shuffled out money to both of them and then sat back.

"Shall we throw to see who goes first?" She asked, taking the dice in her hands and giving them a little shake. He nodded, so she threw them down. They bounced, almost ending off the table and on the floor. "Five!" She exclaimed and pulled a face. "That sucks...I have horrible luck."

With a wink, she handed them to him, her fingers brushing against his open palm, soft and warm. She shivered, but managed to keep her thoughts to herself at the small contact. "Your turn."

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel tried not to concentrate too much on the touch of Melissa's fingers on his palm and blew on the dice, rolled them between his hands and let them roll on the table.

"Twelve! Holy...!" he chuckled when he saw Melissa make a gloomy face when she saw his result. "Well, it seems I'll be the first one to have me a small fortune and donate it all to charity organisaitons. Well, let's play and I hope not to skin you alive with my high rates. Dice, roll and bring me fortune," Daniel chanted as if casting a spell and rolled. "Oooh! Waterworks! What do you say I buy them and reroute some clean, fresh water to Uganda? Or Sudan?" he joked merrily and poked the dice in Melissa's direction. "Your turn and I hope you go to jail!" He stuck his tongue at her with a wink.

 

[Guest]

Mel grumbled under her breath and stuck her own tongue back at him. Taking the dice, she rattled them about and threw them down. It was a pitiful number that led her to a pitiful piece of property, but she still baught it.

They played for several hours, teasing and poking fun at one another. Mel pretended to be sulking most of the time and warned him off with her fingers a few more as they laughed and giggled.

Before long, it was nearing midnight and Mel stretched and yawned. "Ok OK...you have kicked my ass!! It's not over yet, but I'm beat. How about we call it a night?" She suggested, wanting to crawl into bed and snuggle down under the blankets...with Daniel, if truth be known!

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

As they kept on playing Daniel watched the pile of his money steadily growing whilke Melissa's expression was steadily growing less and less happy. But the game turned out to be a pleasant one and they both had a lot of fun. On the whole the Wednesday was a very good day and by midnight Dan began feeling sleepy as he was tired with the game and the time spent in the open air. So when Mel proposed to call it quits already with his becoming a tycoon Danny willingly agreed.

"Yeah, I am already having problems with keeping my drooping eyelids open wide," he joked quoting Shakespeare. "Thanks for the game and his whole day, Mel. I had lots of fun today," he added reaching and squeezing her hand in a friendly gesture that made a shiver run up his spine and the small hair stand up.

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled and was mildly surprised and pleased when Daniel reached over and squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back, then braught it to her lips and gave it a soft kiss before releasing it. "Just leave everything here...it'll keep. We can always play more tomorrow." She said and stood, stretching. The gesture made her blouse pull up and tight against her breasts and belly until her arms slid back down.

"Oh yes...it's bed time...past bed time." She joked and yawned. "Good night Daniel...hopefully tomorrow will be just as good."

Ruffling his hair as she passed, she made her way to her room, closing the door with a soft click. Still smiling, she undressed slowly and then shrugged on an oversized t-shirt before crawling into bed and loosing herself in sweet dreams of him.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel smiled and watched Melissa go and he got up himself, turned off the stereo and the lights and went out for a customary smoke. He puffed on the cigarette slowly and silently, smiling to himself after this most fulfilling day. He stretched and groaned as his pack popped here and there. Finally he returned inside, turned the porch lights on and locked the door carefully. In the kitchen he poured himself a glass of juice ad downed it with a smile. Mel looked so sweet and warm today he still felt like knocking on her door and hugging her goodnight. He chuckled at his foolishness and rinsed the glass and went to his room.

The minute he put his head to the pillow he was fast asleep.

 

[Guest]

As the night wore on, Mel tossed and turned. What had started out as a nice, sweet dream about Daniel had somehow turned into a nightmare about Michael. She had experienced this nightmare time and time again after his accident. As if reliving the news over and over again until she woke up crying, her body jerking with each sob.

Tonight was different. It all started out the same...same scenes replaying in her mind, but as she approached the open casket of Michael and peered inside, it was Daniel laying there. Jerking up, suddenly wide away, a startled sob tore past her lips. She was hot and sweaty, trembling all over. "Not again." She whispered and clenched her fists in frustration. Fear gripped her, making her realise how much she cared for Daniel...even if it had been just a short amount of time. She had sorta known him for 5 years, but these past couple of weeks had really opened her eyes.

Getting out of bed, she padded to the bathroom and washed her face with cold water and let herself cool down. Still upset, she dreaded the thought of going back to sleep. The dream usually always returned.

With a sigh, she stared at Daniel's door a second and then slowly padded towards it and carefully opened it up. She couldn't make him out under the pile of blankets. Tip toeing in, she made her way to the bed and eased onto the side of it. For a moment she just stared at the top of his head sticking out from the blankets and then gently reached forward and shook what she felt sure was a shoulder. "Daniel?" She murmured softly.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

He was in the middle of baking the biggest cake for a cake baking competition when the judge came over to him and shook his shoulder and told him he'd been disqualified. Well shit! Only the judge kept on shaking and squeezing his shoulder and finally woke him up. He heard a soft "Daniel?" in the darkness and gasped in surprise, looking in the direction of the voice. He saw Melissa sitting on the edge of his bed looking sadly at him.

He sat up, sobering and shaking the remains of the dream off completely and looked at her intently. She looked strange, her eyes wide and her face somehow changed.

"What is it, Melissa?" he asked in whisper, taking her hand in his involuntarily. "What happened? Did you hear something? Want me to check?"