The Adult Denby Fanfic Site

Complexity

Soon after Amanda had left, Diane set about cooking herself some dinner. Something easy was always best, and given the fact that she could barely cook just added to the undoubtedly un-gourmet feel of dinner.

Soon she was stirring up Hot Ramen in a pan, the chicken flavor. The phone ringing caught her attention, and she picked it up off of its place on the wall.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

"Hello?"

She hated prank callers.

"Send $2,000.00 to 3840 Market Ct. in Shingle Springs California, and Jill isn't hurt."

The dial tone caused her heart to skip a beat. She stared at the white phone in her hands for a moment, unbelieving. Something whipped her into action. She hit the hand up button, and dialled Harry's number.

"Hello?"

"Harry, get over here. It's important."

"Diane? God, I...ah, really wanted to say I'm-"

"Yes, I'm sorry too. Get over here, it's not safe."

"Shit, what is it?"

"I can't talk about it. Hurry."

"I'll be right over."

She hung up the phone, and started to pace. Obviously the person who called was in with Don, but she couldn't call Jill. What if they had her? Maybe this was a prank...even if it was, she couldn't take chances.

She bit her fingernail, and old habit that always presented itself when she was worried. Diane tried to be still, but couldn't. The only thing that jerked her out of her dream state was the overflowing water in the pot. She switched it off. Now she couldn't eat.

The doorbell rang for the second time that night. Diane hurried over, but caught herself and looked out the peephole. She could see Harry, dressed with his sweater not quite tucked in and unlaced shoes. His hair was still wet.

She quickly unlatched the door, and Harry burst in, catching her in an embrace. She let him hold her for a moment, letting herself slid into his arms with that wonderful intimacy they shared. But she broke it apart, not wanting to waste much time.

"Diane. What happened?"

"Okay, okay. You have to hide."

"What?! I am NOT going into hiding to do nothing while Jill's life and possibly now yours is in danger."

"Diane, Jill and I are cops, we can manage not to get killed."

"Your logic escapes me. You and Jill are cops huh? You can take care of yourselves? Has it failed to meet your fucking watered down mind that I am a cop too?"

"Your missing my point. They could have called me. They should have called me, because I was much closer involved in Don's shit. But no, they called you. You have to go into hiding. Get your stuff love, we're leaving."

"Where the hell do you think you're taking me Harry Denby?"

"My mothers house. Now get your fucking stuff together, and let's go please!"

"Your mothers house?"

"Yes. Trish Denby's house. Can we go now."

Diane didn't want to go, but curiosity about Harry's mother won over pride. She glared at him and slipped into the bedroom, slamming clothes into a suitcase as she went about the room. She dumped in her makeup case, and zipped it up. Slapping her purse over her shoulder, Diane left.

Diane stepped out of the car hesitantly. She was in front of a nice, English cottage style home, with lavender lining the gates and roses blooming full. The roses were in all colors, red and white and yellow and she even thought she saw a few black. She grabbed her suitcase and followed Harry up to the door.

A woman in her mid 60's answered it. Her hair was long, black, and a little was graying at the temples. Her face was kind, and she had Harry's eyes. She smiled at Diane and gestured for them to come in.

"Can I get you anything to drink love?"

"Yes, do you have any tea?"

"Sure. What kind?"

"Whatever you feel like making."

"Coming right up."

The woman's voice was kind, but very soft. Diane got chills running down her spine just listening to her. The interior of the house was as nice as the exterior, with old wallpaper and quilts everywhere. Wild flowers were strewn all over the room in hand made vases. Diane felt cozy here.

Trish Denby came out with a tray. On it were 3 cups of steaming tea. She put Diane's on the table in front of her, then handed one to Harry, and took one for herself.

"Sit please. From what my Harry told me you could be here for a while. I want you to be comfortable."

"I am ma'am, thank you."

"Call me Trish please."

"Trish."

There was a silence for a few minutes, and then Harry stood up.

"I had better get going. You may be here, but I still have to work."

"Oh, that's too bad. Oh well, at least Diane and I will get to know each other."

"Yes mother, and be kind."

Trish laughed and Diane smiled, but she really couldn't see what was so funny about it. Harry went over to the chair where she was sitting and gave her a kiss. Then he got up, gave his mom a hug, and walked out the door.

Diane was somewhat lonesome and nervous alone with Trish. Harry's words, 'be kind' were ringing in her ears. What had he meant by that? Probably nothing, the logical side of her brain countered. Harry was most likely being sarcastic. Diane sat up from the chair she had been in and moved closer to Trish, who sat reading a book.

When Trish noticed her, she looked up and smiled, putting the book down and slipping off the silver reading glasses. Diane saw so much of Harry at his best in that smile, chills ran down her spine.

"What is it Diane?"

"I um...was wondering...god, how do I say this?" Diane spoke to no one in particular with one hand to her forehead and a nervous laugh. "Trish, would you think it was rude it I asked about...about Harry's..."

"Harry's past," Trish finished for her. "Of course not. I'll be the first one to admit; us Denby's aren't exactly the most...revealing people but I can understand and even appreciate your curiosity. Harry's hasn't told you much about himself, has he?"

"Just about Rossy and...a few other things," Diane said, lowering herself in a chair next to Trish. "But no, you're right, not much."

Trisha sighed, but managed to keep the Denby smile in full bloom.

"Yes, it's to be expected of my Harry. It is to be expected. Well, what would you like to know?"

"I just...could you just tell me about him? What was he like before..."

"The drunken facade? The same. The same only different. Hmmm...I remember, when he was little, he kept saying that 'he wanted to be a police man, just like daddy."

"Roger was a cop?"

Trish nodded.

"Yes. A good one, I'll give him that. But no words can state the relief I felt when he died."

Diane's look prompted Trish to say more.

"Harry is predisposed at alcoholism. Roger and Roger's father were friendly with the bottle. Harry grew up with midnight arguments and helping me drag his dad into the bedroom. Poor thing. I suspect it did much damage to him. When Harrison was almost 17, his father, who had been hitting me all of our married life, minus a few good years in the beginning, turned on Harry. He hit him so hard he fell backwards and cracked a few ribs. Broke his leg, and cut his hand on the stairwell. That's what he fell backwards on the stairs. After that, Harry didn't take for anything. He worked on staying out of the house, even took some psyche classes at the junior collage. That's how he got into the field. And then Rossy. She had 4 abortions. Harry only knew about 3. Or even less maybe. The 4th was Harry's."

Diane's hand had crept up over her mouth. For a while, no one said anything.

Diane helped Trish cook. She didn't do much because...well, she couldn't do much. Cooking was not high up on her expertise list. She peeled the potatoes, and boiled the carrots, things she couldn't screw up even if she wanted to. The phone rang. Diane searched for it, because Trish was in the bathroom. She found it, on the other side of the bar counter.

"Hello?"

"Diane? Oh good."

"Denby."

"Yeah. How...how is everything?"

Diane contemplated how she should answer that.

"Things are good Harry, things are good. I uh, talked with your mom for a while. About a lot of things."

"Oh shit." A bark of laughter escaped Harry's lips. "What do you know about me now that you didn't before?"

"I...ah, nothing."

"Oh come on! 'Fess up..."

Silence.

"I'm waiting."

"Just a little about your collage years."

"Mmm. I'm afraid to inquire just what about my collage years."

"Oh, it's not bad."

"Well, that's a relief. Anyway, I just called to check up on ya. The whole 15th is being careful. And Amanda said she might check up on you."

"Well, that was thoughtful."

Diane switched off the carrots.

"Yes."

"Harry?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you. And I miss you."

"I love you too Diane. And I miss you."

Laughter on Harry's end.

"Well, bye bye then."

"Goodbye Diane."

Diane hung up the phone. Her face was lit up, and when Trish came back, she noticed it.

"Harry called?"

"Uh huh."

"Ahh. I see."

Diane didn't say anything.