Love Leads The Way
Part Four
By Pepper
Danny knocks on Rick and Abby's door. He hears a yell, sounding like Rick, then the door is jerked open.
"Hi Abby," says Danny, smiling down at her.
"Hello Danny, come on in!" she says, breathless, stepping back to let him pass. "We were just waiting for you. Rick's up in the attic looking for God only knows what. Something Michelle wanted I think."
"Okay Abby, thanks," says Danny heading for the stairs.
"Damn it!" Danny hears Rick say as he starts climbing the steps to the attic.
"Rick!?" Danny calls up the stairs. He hears a crash, and another curse.
"Yeah, Danny! Come on up!" Rick calls. Danny enters the attic with some trepidation.
"Hey Danny, how are you doing?" Rick asks, obviously still looking for something in all the many things in the cluttered attic. "I'm trying to find...aha! Here it is!" he exclaims, reaching under some old clothes and pulling out an old wooden box.
"What's that?" asks Danny, looking at the box curiously.
"This," says Rick, passing Danny the box. "This is just some things Michelle wanted. I think I'll let her tell you why." Rick looks at Danny for a few moments as Danny turns the box around in his hands.
"Can I get you something? A soda?" Rick asks Danny, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Uh, no I'm fine thanks," says Danny, looking equally uncomfortable.
They head down the stairs to the kitchen. Abby anxiously jumps up from the table and looks at Rick. He shakes his head and looks down looking ashamed. She gives him a pointed look and crosses her arms in front of her. He sighs and looks at his feet.
Meanwhile Danny is still looking at the box, having not opened it yet.
"Well," he says, sounding slightly embarrassed. "I guess I'll be going."
"Wait Danny," says Rick, reaching out and taking Danny's arm. "Why don't we sit for a minute. I need to tell you something."
"Um...okay," says Danny, taking a seat at the table, looking slightly confused. "What is it?"
Rick sits down in front of Danny with Abby at his side.
"Danny," Rick starts. "I just wanted to tell you...that...that Abby and I, both, want to say..."
"Honey," Abby says. Danny glances over at her, looking more and more confused. "Just spit it out!"
"Okay, HONEY, I'm trying to say this," says Rick, getting slightly irked. "Danny. We just wanted to tell you that we appreciate all you have done for Michelle. We know that you love her very much and have done everything in your power to be everything she deserves. I just wanted to tell you that, that, I'm glad you came into Michelle's life and...and this family. I know she loves you very much and that is good enough for me."
"Yes Danny," Abby adds, very sincerely. "I know I may not have ever said this, but I really like you Danny and I'm glad you and Michelle have each other."
Danny blushes, clearly puzzled by their heartfelt, affectionate words. "Well, I...I'm glad that you've come to accept me in your sister's life," he stammers. "I love her very much and...and I hope that we...that we can become even closer."
"I'm sure we will," says Rick, finally looking Danny in the eye, clearly being earnest.
"Now!" says Rick, rising from his seat, smiling and obviously relieved. "I believe my sister has big plans for you today. I believe Abby and Aunt Meta have some things for you to take with you."
"Oh yes," exclaims Abby, scurrying into the living room. She hurries back carrying a large box and dragging Meta behind her. Inside, Danny sees several CDs, a CD player, and a few of Michelle's favorite books of poetry. He looks up at Abby and Meta curiosity evident in his eyes.
Abby smiles, realizing that he has no clue what is going on.
"It's okay Danny," she says, softly. "You'll find out soon enough." She smiles at him and even winks. He smiles back, not sure how to take all this sudden affection.
He heads out to his car, after telling everyone goodbye and getting hugs from Abby and Aunt Meta and shaking hands with Rick. He sits in his car for a few minutes pondering what just happened to him.
"What the hell is going on?" he asked himself for probably the millionth time since the first note this morning. "Well there should be another note around here somewhere..."
He looks through the big box but doesn't see any cards.
"Maybe it's in this old box Michelle wanted so bad."
He pulls out the old box, astonished by it's intricate carvings and how ancient it seems.
"I wonder what's in here," he says as he opens the box.