Scarred for Life

by S. L. Kassidy

  "You're too sweet, Danny. My day is going how it usually does. I received a new case. My father is forcing me to work on it," Nicole reported with a huff, knowing that she'd get some desired empathy from her friend.

  "Well, that sucks. You should tell him that you already have enough on your plate."

  "I tried," Nicole insisted weakly.

  "Yeah, but you didn't try in your I'm-not-taking-any-bullshit tone. I've seen how you talk to people, Chem. I don't understand how the hell you're a corporate lawyer with the way you do things."

  Nicole sank in her seat, looking much like a chastised child. "I'm…different…when I’m really working."

  Dane chimed in with a gentle, soothing tone as if she picked up on Nicole's mood. "Hey, you don't need to sound sad about it. It's good that you can be assertive when you're being a kick-ass spawn of Satan. I just want you to be kick-ass more often so you don't have to get saddled with so much shit. I mean, I've seen you do it a couple of times, but you need to do it more. Anyway, I didn't call to scold you or anything. I wanted to make sure you eat lunch. I packed you two puddings to lift your spirits."

  A smile lit up Nicole's face. "Thanks, Danny, although those things have a lot of calories in them—"

  "Dammit, Nick, live a little. Don't be a calorie counter for everything. If it helps, I'll go with you to the gym."

  Nicole laughed. "And do what? The last time you went, you almost killed yourself on the equipment because you don't know how to listen."

  "It wasn't me. It was my leg," Dane joked.

  "Yeah, it was your leg. Whatever." Nicole chuckled and rolled her eyes.

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaking of my leg, I'd like to tell you that it's feeling better. I went and taught my piano lesson, came home, and iced my knee. The swelling's going down. It almost looks normal…you know, aside from all of the scarred tissue and everything."

  "Well, let's work on what we can work on. When you start leg modeling, we'll get the scarred tissue."

  Dane burst out laughing. "You just made me spit out my apple juice."

  "Then my work here is done. Speaking of work, I need to get back to that since I now have more than I started with this morning."

  "I swear, you're the only person whose work grows the more she does it on a daily basis. Have a good day, Chem."

  "Bye, Danny."

  Nicole couldn't rid herself of the smile on her face. "That settles it. I have to do something extra special for Danny's birthday."

  ***

  "Danny, I'm home." Nicole called as she carefully entered the house. She didn't want to ruin the bouquet of yellow roses in her hand or the small white box that she was carrying. It was a difficult balancing act since she was carrying her briefcase, too, but she managed it.

  When there was no answer, she knew Danny was sleeping. She walked in to the living room and found Dane out like a light on the sofa, her eyes closed and mouth wide opened. Her leg was wrapped and elevated by a throw pillow. There was faint heavy metal music coming through the stereo.

  "And you say I'm precious," Nicole remarked with a smile.

  She put the box she was holding in the refrigerator before going upstairs. The phone rang as she reached the stairs. Luckily, she had a phone on the table right next to the stairs. She put down the flowers to answer.

  "Hello?"

  "I'm looking for Dane," a female voice stated.

  "She's sleeping right now. May I take a message?"

  The dial tone buzzed in Nicole's ear. She didn't think too much of it, even though she noted Danny knew some rather rude individuals. She made it to her bedroom before the phone rang again. Once again the person was calling for Dane and didn't leave a message. The pattern repeated itself a couple more times.

  I guess everyone's looking for her since it's her birthday. They probably all have big plans and things for her. Danny didn't seem like she was up for those plans since she was knocked out.

  After Nicole had finished her shower and changed in her house clothes the phone ringing halted her just as she sat with Danny.

  "Hello?" Nicole greeted the caller again, maintaining a polite tone despite the fact that all of the brash phone calls were grating on her nerves.

  "Is Dane around?"

  "She's sleeping."

  "Hey, is this the princess?" the caller inquired, sounding curious and oddly cheerful.

  Nicole's brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"

  "Shit, what was your name again? Nancy? Carla? Kim?" The guesses weren't said impertinently, but it still bothered Nicole that someone would call her house, call her something other than her name, and then have the nerve to not recall her name.

  "Nicole."

  "Right, Nicole. Well, this is Crow. Could you wake the party animal up? Everybody's ready for her to give the word, so we can go get fucked up," Crow said shamelessly.

  "Excuse me?"

  "We wanna party with Dane, so wake her up, please," Crow entreated.

  "I'll have her call you back."

  Nicole disconnected the call before she could get an answer. She disapproved Crow’s plan, and the fact that Crow was trying to involve Danny made her skin crawl. It was like none of Danny's friends paid attention when she told them that she didn't use drugs anymore. Danny didn't even drink alcohol, so she wouldn't want to be a part of the party her friends were trying to throw.

  Nicole went to the living room. She set the roses on the coffee table where Danny would see them after she got over the momentary disorientation that always accompanied her after sleep. Nicole sat down and moved Danny's head to rest in her lap.

  "Wake up, birthday girl," Nicole purred into an ear.

  A smile that could only be described as lecherous curled onto Dane's peaceful features. Nicole recognized the expression and decided that she shouldn't joke around with Danny in her sleep, especially since it made her heart flutter. She quickly shook Dane awake as she was turning, seemingly about to rub her face into Nicole's stomach.

  ***

  "What? What?" Dane shouted as she shot up from her comfortable rest. Her eyes scanned everywhere in a panic.

  "Danny, calm down." Nicole put a gentle hand on Dane's shoulder.

  "Nick?" Dane asked, rubbing her eyes.

  "Who else?"

  "Who else indeed?" Dane rubbed her face to get herself together. She shifted as she dropped her hand and she noticed something bizarre on the table. Rubbing her eyes again, she made sure that she wasn't seeing things. "Did someone at work give you flowers?" Fleetingly jealousy shot through her, but her companion's response chased the sensation away.

  "Those aren't for me, silly," Nicole giggled.

  "No? Then who are they for?" Dane scratched the end of her nose as her brow furrowed in confusion.

  Nicole smiled as she turned and regarded the flowers as if she had no idea where they came from or for who they were intended. "Well, the way I see it, they belong here and they're not for me. Only two people live here, so I'm guessing they're for the other occupant of the house."

  Dane rubbed her forehead with two fingers and then ran her hand through her thick, mane. "You brought me flowers? Why?"

  "How'd you know it was me? I might have intercepted the delivery man outside."

  "You're the only person that cares enough to do something like this."

  "Oh. No old girlfriends out there that might be thinking of you? No one missing a sweetheart like you?"

  "Cursing my name possibly. No one thinks of me using the word sweetheart and then thinks 'lemme send her flowers.' I don't think I've ever gotten flowers in my entire life," Dane grabbed the bouquet that was in a thin vase. She smiled, took a sniff, and delighted in the subtle aroma. "They look nice…" She wasn't sure what else to say, but from the shining look in her eyes, that was more than enough.

  "I'm glad you like them. For a moment, I thought you might not like flowers or something and that's why no one's ever given them to you," Nicole said breathing a sigh of relief.

  Dane flashed an en
dearing grin, lying back down and putting her head in Nicole's lap. "I love 'em. I'm kinda happy that you're the first person to ever give me some. It makes them more special or something." She blushed as she realized what she was confessing.

  Green eyes shined with delight. "I'm glad you like them."

  "Thanks. Why'd you get me flowers? I hope not because I do the cooking and cleaning around here." Dane flashed a semi-stern glare.

  "No, I got them because it's your birthday. Happy birthday, Danny."

  Before Dane could reply, Nicole started leaning over. Dane knew what was coming and was suddenly hit with the urge to turn her head slightly so that her mouth would occupy the space where her cheek was located. She resisted the temptation and Nicole's tender lips landed on her right cheek, sending a sweet, mellow sensation throughout her whole body. A jolt of electricity followed the mellowness as Dane realized Nicole's breasts were rubbing against her face. Fighting down the luscious feelings, she just reveled in the kiss.

  "You're just too much, angel," Dane whispered as Nicole pulled away.

  It was Nicole's turn to blush. She looked so cute. Dane made a mental note to compliment Nicole more often.

  "So, plenty of people are calling for you. I'm guessing your friends have a big night planned for you." Nicole managed to keep her tone neutral.

  Grey eyes rolled and were accompanied by a scoff. "Like hell they are. They're calling because they think the Great Dane's gonna throw a party like I used to, complete with enough drugs and alcohol to get a small state fucked up."

  "Really?"

  "That's the only reason. That's how I used to celebrate."

  "You used to make enough money to blow it all on drugs and alcohol? A musician can really make that kind of money without being famous?" Nicole inquired in disbelief.

  Dane snickered. "I was a local celebrity. Clubs used to beg for my band to play. All kinds of people tried to butter us up, wanting to sign us and all kinds of shit. We made enough money to blow it on pussy, beer, and blow more often than not. Hell, sometimes, clubs provided those things for us. My happy birthday to me used to be a big party in a club with all the free drugs and alcohol they could do. It felt like I had friends." The apathetic speech was capped with a shrug.

  ***

  Nicole was about to comment on how lonely Danny always seemed, but she stopped herself. She didn't want to seem rude or insensitive, but it seemed to her that Dane knew plenty of people, but she didn't seem to have many friends. Suddenly, Nicole remembered something that Dane told her when they first met, "my friends call me Danny." But, no one called her Danny. Everyone called her that ridiculous nickname.

  "Danny, does everyone call you Dane?"

  "Everyone except for you."

  "Even your family?"

  "Everyone except for you."

  Nicole nodded, but she didn't want to admit it to herself. It seemed narcissistic to her to even silently admit what she thought the information meant. It was as if she were Danny's only friend. If nothing else, Nicole was ready to silently admit that she meant something special to Danny to be the only one that called her Danny.

  "Do you have any plans for your birthday?"

  "I was planning to hang out with this girl." Nicole felt disappointment flash through her. "I figured we'd watch a movie or two on the couch. I'd make her dinner. Then I'd keep her company while she did some homework and I'd send her to bed at a decent hour."

  Nicole laughed. "You do that every night. It's your birthday, Danny. Surely you want to do something more."

  "I don't mind, Chem. I just want to stay in and be around you. It'd actually be the best birthday I've ever had."

  Nicole momentarily paused and her heart beat significantly faster than usual. It was onerous not to think that she was special to Dane when Dane said things like staying in and being around her would be the best birthday she ever had. She blinked a few times, clearing her mind, before she was able to speak again.

  "Even if that's true, I want to do something with you. Now, I thought you would have plans with your friends, so I made us reservations to eat tomorrow at 7:30. Is that good for you?"

  Dane ran her hand through her hair. "Um…you know I don't have clothes for that…"

  "Let me worry about that. Is it okay for us to go out for dinner?"

  "As friends, right?"

  "Of course. You think I'm going to make a pass at you, Miss Dane?" Nicole's eyes shined as she lightly scratched Danny's scalp with her manicured nails.

  "Well, I am irresistible," Dane laughed.

  "I can tell by all of the phone calls you keep getting."

  "Well, for the rest of the night just ignore numbers that you don't know. Let's watch some movies. I'll make us some popcorn."

  "Yay," Nicole cheered like a child. "My hero."

  Dane laughed as she got up to go make popcorn. Nicole decided to put on a DVD rather than scan the television for something. They curled up on the couch like they did every night and watched movies together. Nicole cooked since it was Dane's birthday.

  "No," Dane gasped as Nicole came toward her with a cake while singing the birthday song.

  Nicole continued singing the song as she put down the cake. The icing, scripted in beautiful cursive, read, "Happy Birthday, Danny." Nicole ended the song and stared into shimmering silver eyes.

  "Hopefully we'll share more birthdays." Dane stood there totally dumbfounded by what was happening. "Danny?" Nicole said, waiting for the birthday girl to blow out the candles. But, Dane didn't move.

  Tears silently slid down copper-toned cheeks. "I never had a birthday cake before…" she said in a shaky voice, words barely escaping her trembling lips.

  "What?" Nicole screamed incredulously.

  "Never…"

  "Oh, god." Nicole was totally speechless as she pulled Danny into a hug. Nicole gently rocked Dane as she silently cried, hoping the motion would comfort Dane and calm her.

  Nicole had never heard of someone never having a birthday cake. Briefly, she was infuriated with everyone that had known Danny before her and neglected such a sweet woman so openly. She promised herself that she'd make sure that never happened again as long as Danny was with her.

  "I hope you'll have many more birthdays and birthday cakes in the future. For now, blow out the candles and we can eat some."

  Dane nodded and did as she was told. They both had a slice of cake and Nicole complained about how long she was going to be in the gym working off all of the junk that she consumed all day. Dane laughed and teased her. They retired just after ten.

  ***

  "Nick, you really didn't have to buy me an outfit to wear out," Dane said as Nicole handed her a plastic bag.

  "I did. You can't wear shorts and a tank out to a real restaurant."

  "You could, but you'd look like an ass."

  "Well, I'd rather go out without you looking like an ass. I don't want to be an ass by association."

  Dane was laughing as she went to shower and got into her new clothes. Nicole also went to shower and change. They met back in the living room and Nicole had to smile when she saw Dane. She fought off the urge to whistle.

  "You're so handsome."

  "You're good," Dane commented, looking down at her outfit. It was nothing too fancy, just khakis and a black oxford shirt.

  "Well, it wasn't too hard. You're not that much taller than me. I merely had to figure out what style wouldn't be too offensive to you. I decided on the plain items just to be safe," Plain worked exceptionally well. Nicole feared that if she had gone with something fancier, she would've done nothing but gawk at Danny for the entire night.

  "No, no, no, this is more than fine. It's comfortable and not showy. Just my speed." Dane brushed imaginary lint off her shoulder. The movement caught Nicole's eye and made her realize that she was staring.

  "You don't want to be showy? You go outside everyday in shorts and a tank top, no matter the weather. If it's raining or cold, what do you do? Put on pants under the shor
ts. I'm sure a couple of people have stopped to stare at you, sweetie." Myself included apparently. She shook the thought away.

  ***

  Dane felt underdressed, even in her new clothing as they were seated immediately at a table by the window. The view was of the city's largest park complete with a lake spread out before them.

  "Wow, you were able to get this in a day?" Dane asked incredulously. She wondered what kind of pull Nicole must have in order to get such a table so quickly.

  "Well, my firm does a lot of business here for casual meetings with clients and everything…"

  "Oh, Nick, did you do something bad and it wasn't during work?" Dane smirked.

  "Hush." Nicole playfully swatted at the younger woman. "So, how does it feel to be fifteen?"

  "I don't know, you tell me," Dane countered smugly.

  Nicole laughed. "All right, you got me. Okay, for real, how does it feel to be twenty-five?"

  "Glad I made it this far. Nick, I meant it when I told you this is the best birthday I've ever had. Hell, I'm surprised I lived through some of my better birthdays. I don't even want to get into the birthdays I had when I was little. Some years I didn't even know I had a birthday. So, to answer your question, it feels good. It's a fuck load better than when I turned twenty-four. Thank you for this."

  "It's not over. Let's make it through dinner and then you can thank me." Nicole smiled and Dane was at a loss for words for a moment.

  Dane nodded and ordered her mind not to think about any hidden meaning to those words. There's no hidden meaning. This is a dinner between friends. Dane was starting to think that she needed to go out and get a girlfriend. She felt like she had to be in need of a mate if she kept having inappropriate thoughts about Nicole.

  Nicole had a bottle of wine brought over. They indulged in one glass of wine; Dane didn't even finish hers. Dane was pleased that no one came out singing "happy birthday" to her in the end.