Quench Me
Parts 26-27
By Amy
"Michelle, what’s that smell?" Rick yells from the second floor.
I crept back into the house just after 6:00 this morning, so Rick has no idea that I was out all night. I tired to go back to sleep, but it was no use. Images of Danny flooded into my every thought, the warmth of his arms still surrounding me. Finally, at 7:30 a.m., I gave up trying to sleep, and decided to fix breakfast. I know in my heart that it’s time to tell Rick what’s going on.
"It’s breakfast, big brother," I yell back at him. "So, hurry up and get down here."
Although Rick and I rarely cook because of our hectic schedules, I’m actually pretty good at it, and my cooking always puts him in a good mood. I don’t think he’ll throw a big fit about Danny, but I want to butter him up as much as possible anyway.
Rick walks into the kitchen to the smell of omelets and fresh, homemade hot chocolate, just like my mother used to make. A smile crosses his face instantly, and I know that I’m already beginning to work him over.
"What’s gotten into you, Michelle?" he asks.
"Just wanted to spend some time with you," I answer.
"I don’t believe a word of it, Michelle," Rick says. "But I’ll take it anyway."
"Good," I say, handing him a plate with his breakfast on it.
I pour the hot chocolate into mugs, and join him at the table. "I haven’t cooked for you in a while," I say.
"What do you want, Michelle?" He knows me too well.
"Nothing, Rick," I say.
"Come on," he says. "I appreciate breakfast, Michelle. Just tell me what’s on your mind."
I can’t put him off any longer, and the stupid smirk on his face tells me that he’s about to break into one of his humor tirades, and I really don’t want to endure one of those this morning.
"I don’t always have an ulterior motive, Rick," I say. "But I do want to talk to you."
"About Danny?" he asks, shoving a bite of toast in his mouth.
"Yes, about Danny," I answer.
"I’m not oblivious, Michelle," Rick replies. "I’d have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to know that something big is going on between the two of you."
"Sometimes, Rick… deaf, dumb, and blind are exactly the words I’d use to describe you," I retort laughingly. I change my expression to one of sincerity, and ask, "How did you know?"
"It was little obvious that morning that I found the two of you on the couch," he says. "Why else would a guy come over late at night and just fall asleep on the couch?"
"Danny’s really wonderful, Rick," I say. "He’s nothing like what you’d expect, considering who his family is."
"I know, Michelle," he says. "Phillip told me a lot about him, and he told me not to worry. He thinks the world of Danny."
"I’m glad," I reply. "I know it means a lot to Danny that Phillip respects him and trusts him."
Rick puts his fork down and stares across the table at me. Despite our age difference and the personality clashes we’ve had, my brother knows me as well, if not better than anyone, and he’s keenly aware of what’s in my heart right now. "How serious is it, Michelle?" he asks.
Tears brim in my eyes at the love in his voice, as I answer, "Very."
He reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Are you in love with him?"
I don’t know how to answer him. I know that I am in love with him, but I haven’t said those words out loud, even to myself, much less to Danny. How can I say them to Rick?
He sees the look in my eyes, and says, "It’s o.k., Michelle. You don’t have to say it. I can see it in your eyes. I saw it in his eyes, too, the morning before he left for Atlanta."
"Rick, we haven’t really gotten to that point yet," I reply. "We haven’t said that to each other."
"Neither one of you ready to admit it?" he asks rhetorically. "I’ve been there before."
"It’s just happened really fast," I answer.
"Well, if this man is going to be a permanent fixture in your life, I think I need to get to know him better," Rick says.
"Please don’t start playing the over-protective brother, Rick," I beg. "I’m a grown woman."
"I promise, Michelle," he says. "I won’t give him the third degree. Just call him and ask him to join us for dinner at Company tonight."
I agree to ask Danny about dinner, and Rick and I finish our breakfast. Even though he’s a pain sometimes, I’m so glad that I have a brother who cares about me and is involved in my life. Rick’s presence doesn’t make up for the void left by my mother’s death or the gaping hole left by our father’s absence, but my relationship with my brother is a comfort, and Rick is a rock that I know I can always turn to.
As we clear the table of our breakfast dishes, Rick hugs me and says, "I’m really happy for you, Michelle. I’m happy that love finally found you."
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By the time Danny and I walk through the doors at Company, his hands are sweating and he’s fidgeting constantly. I spent the better part of the afternoon trying to convince him that Rick wasn’t planning on any kind of mission and that he just wants to get to know Danny better, but for all my efforts, Danny still looks like he might bolt from the restaurant before we even make it to the table.
It took him almost two hours to decide what to wear, and as I tried to help him decide, I told him that he was worse than any woman I’d ever known. He wanted to wear a tie, as if that would somehow impress my brother, but I told him that no way was I going to dress up that much, and he’d be totally out of place. He finally gave in and put on a pair of khaki pants and a black sweater, and chastised me for making fun of his wardrobe trouble. As I look at him now, I realize just how fabulous he really looks.
Rick is already there, waiting for us, and I tighten my grip on Danny’s hand as Rick turns around to say hello.
"Hi you two," Rick says.
He and Danny shake hands and exchange hellos, and I look on with a smile as the awkwardness of the moment shows on Danny’s face.
"I hope you haven’t been waiting long," I say to Rick, as Danny pulls my chair out for me.
"Nope, just got here," he answers.
"This is really nice of you, Rick," Danny says. "I appreciate the invitation."
Although Rick is enjoying needling away at Danny, he relents when he sees how uncomfortable Danny is. "It’s the least I can do, Danny," Rick replies. "You make my sister very happy."
Danny looks at me and smiles, gently patting my knee beneath the table. He turns to Rick and says, "The feeling is mutual."
Finally, Danny relaxes a bit, and he and Rick embark on a conversation of their own. I’m fairly quiet throughout the duration of our dinner, content to watch the budding relationship between the two most important men in my life.
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After dinner, Rick stands up to leave. "Well, if you’ll excuse me," he begins. "I’ve got an appointment with a newspaper and my recliner. You two enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Thanks for dinner, Rick," Danny says.
"No problem," Rick replies.
I get up from the table and put my arms around my brother’s neck. Softly whispering in his ear, I say, "Thank you Rick. For everything."
"Your welcome, Michelle," Rick whispers back. "I love you."
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"That wasn’t so bad, was it?" I ask, as I sit back down at the table next to Danny.
"Actually, no," he answers. With a sly grin, he says, "But I still think I should’ve worn a tie."
Running my hand along his shoulder, I reply, "I think not, Mr. Santos. You look like the man of my dreams."
My face is inches from his, and I wonder if I’ve crossed the line with that remark. My fears subside, however, as I see his beautiful smile spread across his face. "How can I argue with that?"
"You can’t," I answer, softly kissing his cheek.
"You’re car is still at my house," he says. "So that means you’ve got to come home with me, for a few minutes at least." His hand is now on the back of my neck, his fingers making minute circles on the tender flesh underneath my hair.
"And just what do you have in mind for those ‘few minutes’?" I ask.
"Well, if you don’t object, I’d like to dance with you again," he says, still creating fire on the back of my neck with his touch.
"I don’t object at all," I answer. "Let’s go."
And with that, we walk out of the restaurant, hand in hand.