Once Upon a Moon pt 2

Niles smiled at the enchanting new woman facing him. "Well" he said "If you are going to listen to my woes the least I can do is pay for that drink" then turning and nodding at the bar tender he instructed him to add Daphne's drink to his bill.

"Thank you" she said beaming at him. The dim lights reflected in her eyes and her smile warmed his mood. "So" she continued "what has you looking so miserable ?"

Niles took a large gulp of wine "Oh I don't even know where to start" he said with a sigh "I don't normally sit around in bars. As a matter of fact I can't remember the last time I was in one on my own like this"

"So how did you end up here tonight then?"

"My Father. He's across the street in Dukes. He's part of my problem I guess. He used to be a police man , then he was shot in the hip and was forced to take early retirement"

"That's awful, he must have found it very difficult" Daphne's eyes were filled with sincerity

"He did , I mean he does. He can be very difficult , he has problems looking after himself but he's so stubborn. Then there's my wife , he doesn't like her and the feeling is mutual I'm always being stuck in the middle. I should be at home now" he continued waving at the bartender he ordered them both another drink "She has some of her country club set over , I was supposed to have a meeting tonight, now while Dad was in Dukes, it was cancelled but instead of telling Maris and going home I ended up here. I just couldn't face it. I feel so guilty but part of me knows she'll be loving telling them I'm so busy with the practice that I couldn't be there." He looked across at Daphne looking for any hint of boredom in her face , he couldn't believe what he was doing . This woman he'd known for no more than a couple of hours was brining things out of him he'd never say to anyone. He knew he must sound like a terrible person yet she was listening so intently and there was no hint of judgement in her eyes "I must sound like an awful person" he said not wanting to meet her eyes

Daphne gave a little laugh shaking her head. "No you definitely don't" she said "No one knows better than me how families can get to you. I have 8 brothers and my family is .... well.... I suppose they most tactful way to put it is they're a little odd. It's part of the reason I'm here. At least you're sticking with your family I ran away."

Niles looked at her in astonishment "8 brothers?" he said "I'm stunned. I have one brother. He lives in Boston but he'll be back in a few weeks so I'm hoping things will get a little easier then. With Dad at least.2 Niles suddenly remembered the time, then looking across the street he saw his Father standing outside the door of Dukes looking very fed up. "Oh God" he said "I forgot all about him , he's waiting for me."

Daphne turned and looked out the window at the elderly man "He looks like a patient man I'm sure he'll forgive you" she said reaching for a napkin she scribbled on it and handed it to him "If you ever need someone to listen give me a call"

Niles took the napkin and put it in his pocket as he paid for the drinks "thank you" he said "and thanks for listening , some introduction to Seattle this is , a neurotic with family problems bending your ear. I must go , thanks again. And with that he lifted his belongings and left

Walking across the street he waved at his dad

"Where the hell have you been?" Martin shouted "It's Freezing out here"

"Sorry Dad" Niles replied hitting the remote for the car alarm and watched as his father got in "I was working in that bar across the street I lost track of time" he reached for the drivers door, he could hear his father grumbling

"That place , huh , it's all cocktails and piano music, it's not a bar and bar should have beer nuts and a dart board."

Niles was letting it all sweep over his head, he was looking back in the window at the empty bar stool where he'd been sitting. She was still there alone at the bar now finishing her drink. She was beautiful and he felt like her image was being imprinted on his heart, he'd never met someone so grounded , so real. He knew as long as he lived he would never forget her.

"Hey Niles!" His father was shouting "Any chance of leaving some time soon or are you planning on standing there all night?"

"Sorry Dad I'm coming" He drove away convinced he would never see her again and yet consumed by her image

**************************************

The next week passed in a blur , Niles tried to carry on as if nothing had happened but he couldn't get her out of his head. He was sitting alone he was sitting alone in the conservatory when Maris stormed in

"Well I hope you're happy!" she shouted jolting Niles from his thoughts

"What?" He asked a note of irritation in his voice. He hated it when she got like this

"We didn't get it. The Cathcart's are hosting the summer barbecue. James Cathcart was there when the Williams went there for cocktails."

"Oh is that all"

"All .... ALL !" Maris Shouted "I could have done it 100 times better than Juliet Cathcart and it's all your fault that we didn't get it. I can't believe you sometimes you are so inconsiderate"

Niles had , had enough , he looked at her , what was he doing , why did he put up with her. He stood up lifting his car keys off the end table "Oh do shout up2 he said shocking Maris so much that she stared at him open mouthed for a moment before she responded

"How dare you speak to me like that!" she said raising her voice again

"I'm going out" Niles said equally loudly "I've got to go to Dad's and to be honest right now I don't give a damn about the country club" He lifted his jacket and before she could speak again he was out of the patio doors and hearing for the car.

When he reached his father's apartment it was empty , he had no idea where Martin would be and he wasn't about to go looking for him. He made his way back to the car and reached into his jacket pocket for the car keys. As he pulled them out something came with . As it fluttered to the ground he bent and picked it up. As he got into the car he turned it over in his hand , it was then he realised what it was. He stared at the numbers in front of him and the gentle curves of her handwriting. Reaching for his cell phone he paused for a moment. Then as if his body was working of it's own accord he began to dial. Holding the phone to his ear he listened as it rang. One ring , two rings , on the third ring he was about to hang up when her distinctive English voice filled his ear

"Daphne?" He asked "I was wondering if you were busy?"