Scarred for Life

  Nicole arched a rust-colored eyebrow when she didn't receive a response, especially in regards to her near death experience. She wondered if Danny was sleeping. She had learned that Dane took naps at the oddest hours. Often, she came home to discover Danny knocked out on the sofa with the television watching her, or the radio listening to itself, or Danny trying to make herself deaf with her headphones on full blast. So, the first place she checked was the living room, but found it to be empty…and spotless.

  "She's on another cleaning binge," Nicole deduced from the state of the living room. She was aware now that Danny got "the urge to do something," as she put it. "Doing something" typically involved cleaning from what Nicole could tell.

  The lawyer discovered Danny in the one room that she never seemed to get around to cleaning—the library. Whenever Danny went in there she got distracted and she started reading. As far as Nicole knew, Danny had yet to finish any books and never seemed interested in doing so.

  "Danny, what're you doing now?" Nicole asked with her hip cocked out to the side as she watched Danny just staring at the right wall of her expansive library.

  "You've got a lot of chemistry books here," the ebony-haired female answered, scanning the shelves. There were rows of chemistry books of all types.

  "I like chemistry. It's always fascinated me that nature can transform one thing into another and I love the idea of being able to transform one thing into another, scientifically anyway. My bachelor’s degree is in chemistry." Nicole stepped deeper into the room to stand next to the taller woman. Her hand went to the younger woman's shoulder instantly. A warm sensation raced through her and she would've bet money that she heard a low purr escape Danny.

  "No kidding." Dane looked Nicole up and down. "Hottest damn scientist I've ever seen."

  Nicole chuckled and waved the younger woman off. "Stop being silly."

  "You've got, like, a mint of chemistry books here. That settles it, I'm calling you 'Chem' from now on."

  Nicole’s brow twisted, utterly confounded by the nickname. "My name's nowhere near Kim. You're just desperate not to call me Nicole."

  "Not 'Kim,' but 'Chem' as in chemistry. And you're right, Chem, I'm not going to call you Nicole until you call me Dane," the taller woman proclaimed, folding her hands across her chest.

  "Well, then, I guess I'll just have to start calling you 'kid' until you stop with your ridiculous nicknames." Nicole mirrored the gesture.

  "You can call me kid all you like. I've heard much worse, Nick," Dane let the name roll off of her tongue, hacking out the "ck" at the end. Nicole's eyes narrowed on her.

  "You've won this round, kid, but mark my words, I'll be back. After I have a nice hot shower, my brain will reset and I'll be ready for the second round," Nicole countered with mock determination, shaking her fist at Dane.

  A smirk hung on Danny's mouth. "Ah, then I'll just put some food in you and all you'll want to do is watch a movie before going to bed. I've got your number, too, because I've already picked out two movies I know you want to see. I also have another movie I think you'd like. So I win, again."

  Nicole had to swallow down a laugh. "Damn, you know me so well already."

  "Yeah, I've been known to pay attention to a thing or two."

  Nicole smiled and went off to shower. She emerged from upstairs, dressed in her pajamas, which consisted of a pair of thin, long black pants and a matching tank top. She wasn't surprised to find Danny in the kitchen checking on a couple of pots.

  "Did you go shopping today? Is that why I nearly broke my face on your bike when I came home?" Nicole inquired as she went to inspect the pots to see what they were having. There was already a small, roasted Cornish hen waiting on the counter. It was to be served with green beans, yellow rice, and carrots. Her stomach rumbled, letting her know that it agreed with what was being prepared.

  "Yeah, I went shopping and I rented a couple of movies for us," Dane confirmed with a shrug of indifference.

  "You should've said something. I would've left you money." Nicole rushed to the fridge to see exactly what Danny's shopping trip involved. "Danny, you really should've told me. How'd you even manage to carry all of this back with your leg? Does your leg hurt? What about your hand? Did you hurt your hand or your leg? Is your knee okay?"

  Dane appeared dazed. Even after four weeks, Nicole knew sometimes she took Danny by surprise and overwhelmed her, especially when she showed concern. Nicole recognized the expression that Danny got when her mind needed to process things. When she first started bombarding Danny with questions, she'd go on for several minutes and panic when she didn't get an immediate answer.

  "Sorry. Too much, right?" Nicole asked with a sympathetic face. Sometimes, she worried that her distress would frighten Danny into leaving because of the look in Danny's eyes, like a deer in headlights.

  "Not too much, Nick. It's just I needed to catch up. It wasn't that hard to carry all of the bags. I was able to put a lot of it in my book bag. My leg's fine. I just needed to rest when I got in."

  "I wish you wouldn't do that." Nicole knew how damaged Danny's lame leg was. She disliked Danny taxing her leg with chores that could easily be done if she'd only wait for Nicole to come home.

  "It's all right. I need the exercise every now and then."

  Nicole couldn't argue that because as far as she knew, the only time Dane left the house was when she went out shopping. Other than that, Danny stayed in the house, cleaning or sleeping by the way Dane told it.

  "Okay, but next time you go shopping, tell me. I'll leave money for everything," Nicole stated in an attempt to lay down the law, but already aware of the resistance that she'd meet.

  "You don't need to leave me money. I eat more than you, so it makes sense for me to buy the food. I have money," Dane huffed.

  "Yeah, but I know you bought more than food."

  "Well, I bought cleaning stuff, yes, but I clean, too. I bought laundry stuff and things like that because I do the laundry. Speaking of laundry, I'm doing it tomorrow. You have everything in your hamper?" Dane's tone was like she was speaking to a small child.

  "Yes," Nicole laughed. She picked up a dry sponge and threw it at Danny as payback for the teasing.

  A musical laugh rang out from Dane.

  ***

  Nicole entered the house and was greeted by the sounds of soft, classical music. She wasn't surprised by it; such tunes had greeted her quite a few times when she had come home. The sight that greeted her when she walked into the living room also didn't surprise her; Dane was napping on the couch.

  "If I didn't see her most of the night, I'd think she works the night shift," Nicole remarked. That simple joke got the wheels in her mind turning.

  The attorney didn't bother with waking Danny. She took her shower and settled in for the night. She returned to the living room and turned off the radio. She then sat next to Danny and reached for the television remote. After finding something to watch, she shook Dane awake because she wanted company. After all, Danny made the most mundane activities infinitely more pleasant just by being there.

  "Huh? Wha?" Dane muttered as she rapidly sat up. She gazed around frantically with feral, wide eyes.

  "Calm down, Danny," Nicole said quickly. She knew from experience that sometimes Danny woke up disoriented. She thought it was just a quirk in her friend's personality, but she realized it could come from living on the streets. She hoped it was the former and not the latter, but she was too scared to ask Danny about it. She didn't want to find out that Danny had been maltreated living on the streets or something worse. It was that fear that also kept her from asking Danny about her nightmares, which she suffered from almost every night.

  "Nick?" Dane blinked hard and her grey eyes started to clear up. "When did you get in? What time is it?" She yawned and glanced at the clock. "I should start dinner soon…"

  "Don't worry about it, Danny. Sit with me and watch a movie or some game shows for a little while," Nicole requested and she noticed t
hat Dane was still trying to rise. She put her hand on the bare, copper-toned arm. "Kid, sit still for a minute or two."

  Dane shrugged and settled into her seat. "Whatever."

  "Are you all right? You seem grumpy."

  A scarred hand traversed Dane's hair. "I'm fine. Just a dream kinda bothered me. I didn't even mean to fall asleep. I was gonna pull out some DVDs for us to watch. You have a few good ones in there that haven't even been opened yet. I sat down for a couple of minutes and then I just passed out."

  Nicole eyed her housemate curiously. "Danny, do you think that you might have a medical condition considering how much you sleep?"

  "I don't," Dane grunted.

  "Maybe you need a hobby, something to do during the day when the urge to clean everything doesn't hit you. You need more than just the usual chores you do."

  "Ah, Chem, you forget my hobby of reading the first twenty pages of yours books." Dane smirked.

  "Don't be a smartass. I think you need something to occupy your time throughout the day. I mean, you've been here for a month and you've traveled outside a total of two times to hear you tell the tale, and that's only because you grocery shop. I'm sure it's not healthy to be isolated inside this long. I come in and I find you sleeping on the couch more often than not."

  "Not true. Sometimes I'm sleeping on the floor." It happened when she rolled over on the narrow sofa and fell over the edge. She never bothered with picking herself up whenever it happened.

  "Well, have you considered getting a job?" Nicole was certain Danny needed something to immerse herself in if there was nothing medically wrong with her to explain why she slept away the day. It didn't seem right for someone so young to sleep all of the time.

  There was a flash in Dane's eyes and a storm seemed to gather faster than what Nicole would've thought physically possible, Dane was on her feet and glaring down at her as if she had just committed the ultimate sin. Nicole's heart sped up and her stomach flipped.

  "What the hell are you trying to say? You think I'm just a bum—a freeloader. Can't hold a job? You're saying that because Dipshit said something to you? Well, fuck you and fuck him twice as hard. You want me out just fucking say so. I don't need this bullshit. You're gonna listen to whatever that asshole says about me and then make it seem like I'm a fucking deadbeat. Yes, my whole fucking family thinks I'm nothing but a fucking fuck-up, but that doesn't make it true. Where the fuck do you get off listening to Dipshit anyway? What the fuck?" Dane hollered as she tore out of the living room.

  "What the fuck indeed…" Nicole muttered in shock. She blinked hard twice and realized she was staring at air. "Danny, wait." She shot up from the couch and went to the den.

  "This is bullshit…" Incoherent mumbles were heard.

  "Danny, wait. I haven't been talking to Tyler." Nicole shouted into the room. She was standing at the doorway where she could make out a figure collecting things throughout the dark room.

  ***

  "You expect me to believe that shit? If you want me out of here just say so. You don't need to talk about me to that dipshit." Dane marched over to the doorway with her book bag and guitar case in hand. Why couldn't Nick just leave it alone? I…liked it here.

  "Danny, damn it, will you just listen to me," Nicole screamed, pressing her hands into Dane’s chest to keep her there.

  Grey eyes bored into Nicole. "Why should I?" Dane snarled. She felt stupid for thinking that Nicole was different when apparently Nicole was just like everyone else.

  "You're being unreasonable. I wasn't speaking with Tyler. I haven't spoken to him since I threw him out. I make it a point to avoid him at all costs. I don't think you're a deadbeat and I don't want you to leave." Nicole's voice shook.

  "Then what the hell was that shit?" Dane motioned to the living room with a sharp cut of her hand.

  "Come, sit with me and we can talk about this. Don't just leave like this. I don't want you to leave." Nicole’s hands gripped Dane around the shoulders, making it apparent she didn't plan on letting go.

  Dane's frown looked like it could have cut a diamond, but she gazed into Nicole's eyes…those extraordinary eyes that seemed to keep her in check. She sighed and ran her hand through her messy hair. She marched to the living room, unsuccessfully trying to control her heavy limp because Nicole was following her.

  "How's your leg?" Nicole asked quietly.

  "It's fine," Dane snapped as she flopped down onto the sofa. She dropped her guitar case and backpack. Her leg was fine now that she was sitting down. Her knee was throbbing, but she ignored the pain to focus on the anger coursing through her.

  "Danny, please, calm down. I only suggested that you get a job so that you get out more. I worry about you being in the house all day without anything to do," Nicole clarified before Dane went on another tirade. "I haven't said a damn thing to Tyler. I don't know why he might talk about you or say abominable things about you, but I wouldn't believe anything he said anyway. You know that. I just think you need something to do."

  "I don't want to do anything," Dane stated blandly, turning her head to look away from Nicole. She might stand a chance in the argument as long as she didn't look Nicole in the eye.

  "What about when you get those urges to 'do something?’"

  "It's not that often."

  "I still think that you need something to occupy your time. I just don't think it's healthy that you stay in the house all day, mostly sleeping until I come in. I don't want you to go stir crazy or get cabin fever or anything like that," Nicole said in a tender tone. She reached out and cupped Danny's face, gently turning her head so that Dane was looking at her. The pads of her thumbs were soft and rubbed against Dane's slightly chubby cheeks.

  Dane closed her eyes briefly, reveling in the touch more than she thought possible. She took a few calming breaths. "I'm not."

  "Okay, okay. I'm sorry I brought it up. I just thought it would be good for you. I thought that a job would occupy your mind and take up some of your energy, so you don't sleep the day away. I mean, I really don't think that's healthy." Nicole slid her hands from Dane's face down to her arms, undoubtedly noticing that the contact kept Dane composed.

  Dane’s hand traversed through her hair again. "Sorry I blew up at you. It's just I haven't had a real job in…well, ever. I’ve spent my whole life hearing shit about getting a 'real' job and doing something 'useful.' I had a job, a damn good job. A job I loved with all my heart. Just can't do it anymore," Dane said with an anguished sigh and her eyes clouded over with despair.

  "Oh…what job did you used to have?" Nicole asked, moving her hands to rest on Dane's bare forearms. She caressed Dane's arms, letting the younger woman know that she was there for her.

  There was a long pause before the words found their way out of Dane's mouth. "Well, I was a musician. I've been making a living as a musician since I was fifteen. I made some really good money from it…"

  Nicole glanced down at the floor. "So, that's why you're traveling with a guitar case, but you don't have a guitar in there." She had gotten a glimpse a couple of times and saw that it had junk in it. Dane described it as junk, anyway.

  Dane stared at her guitar case. "Long ago it held my life, my dreams. Now, it holds crap." Sounds like my life still.

  The lawyer nodded. "What happened to the guitar?" she asked quietly. Stormy slate eyes begged her not to pry too deeply.

  "Sold it. I didn't need it anymore."

  All four eyes went to Dane's left hand. A scowl cut across Dane's face and a lump settled in her tight throat. Suddenly, Nicole's lighter hand took that left hand. Dane glanced up, seeing a smiling face and shining green eyes.

  CHAPTER 7

  "Danny, you need to get off your leg for a little while," Nicole chastised Dane as she watched her limp around the living room, straightening up.

  "I'm fine, Nick. You don't need to worry about my damn leg so much," Dane replied before banging her knee against the dark wooden wall unit that held Nicole's vast entertainment
center. "Shit!" Bronze hands went down to her bare, scarred knee showing below the hem of yellow basketball shorts. Grimacing, she crouched over in pain.

  "Danny, are you okay?" Nicole hastened over and leaned Dane into her. She instantly started caressing Dane's arm as she pressed the taller woman against her for some comfort and support.

  "Fuck," Dane hissed through clenched teeth.

  "Come on, let's go to the couch."

  There were no protests or smart remarks that time. Nicole gently placed Dane down on the couch and propped her legs up on the coffee table. Nicole began massaging the injured part. Dane winced as she watched Nicole tenderly work out the agony from her body.

  "That's what you get. You should've listened to me and just sat down," Nicole boasted, a teasing smile lighting up her face.

  "Nobody likes a braggart," Dane huffed. She turned her nose up, pretending she was offended.

  "Ah, you love me." Nicole grinned teasingly.

  The former musician held her head up higher and crossed her arms over her chest. She pouted, exaggerating her mood further. She had to work hard to keep it up thanks to the magical fingers rubbing her knee. She felt like warm jolts were passing from Nicole's fingers into her body. Suddenly, she flinched and looked like she had been punched in the face. She turned her attention back to Nicole, who regarded her quite curiously.

  "What's wrong?" the attorney asked with concern. "I didn't hurt you, right?" She changed the pace of her fingers. The massage was lighter now, but it was still delectable.

  "There's something I should tell you. I probably should've told you a while ago, but it never crossed my mind." It never crossed Dane's mind because Nicole had never touched her in such a way and caused steaming ripples of pure pleasure to course through her body like a gentle stream.

  "And what is that?" Nicole's eyes focused on Danny as her fingers continued their job.

  "I'm a lesbian." The statement was bland, but out there and waiting for a reaction.