aspiringwriter's blog: "Short Stories and other Writing"

"The Ring"

Chapter 1

A Chance Encounter

It was a loud atmosphere the air filled with chatter and the clanking of beer glasses hitting tables or slamming against each other in the typical toast of hello or in a congratulatory manner recognizing an accomplishment one could only acquire at a bar. You could hear pool balls slamming against each other followed by grunts of discontent or loud sighs of relief when what was considered a tricky shot had a successful outcome. Everyone had their own reasons for showing up to the bar tonight, some were there to meet up with friends and drink away the stress of everyday life, some were there to try and find a body to fill their empty bed for one night and some were there just to be alone. Although going to a full bar on a busy Friday night was hardly justified as being alone it was Daniel's ideal place to go when he just wanted time to himself. Sure he could've gone home, he had no one at home, he lived in a quiet house on the outskirts of the city where no one would bother him but there was a difference between being alone at a bar and being lonely at home. Daniel was twenty nine years old and single. He was six foot, one hundred eighty pounds with a pretty solid build that could be described as toned and athletic. By most he would've been considered an attractive man but he was way too shy and reserved. When it came to talking to women he found himself getting a bad case of dry throat and could hardly manage a full sentence let alone a clever one. It's not that he had never had a girlfriend, in fact he was almost married once, but he had so many self esteem issues that every time he got close to a girl he would manage to screw up the relationship usually over some false accusation. He had all but given up on ever finding that special someone after his last relationship ended.

"Another beer Daniel?" Rick was a friendly bartender, the kind of person that calls his regulars by their first name and it didn't take long to become a regular in his book. Usually after the first night of sitting at the bar telling of one’s bitter relationship lost or bad choices leading up to a lonely mans existence and Rick knew your name. He had heard many of stories in his day. Daniel found him to be a good man, a profound philosopher and a pretty cheap psychiatrist. One that only asked for a full tip jar and always offered the right prescription. "How about a shot of Jack instead?" Rick already had the shot glass full and was sitting it down in front of Daniel. "Complements of the pretty lady on the end." Daniel looked up from his bottle in the direction Rick was pointing. With shot glass in tow he raised his hand in a toasting gesture and visually thanked the young lady with his eyes.

"Hey man, don't just sit there go say hi. I didn't spend the last five minutes working a tip out of her for no reason." Rick said as he walked to the other end of the bar with a drink order in hand.

Daniel may have been shy but wasn't ungrateful, so he got up grabbed what was left of his beer and made his way over to his new friend. "Hi," Daniel said as he stuck his hand out towards the young lady, "I'm Daniel."

"Hi Daniel, I'm Tiffany," she responded graciously accepting his hand as he gently shook it. "Have a seat; you look about as thirsty as I am."

"Thank you, and thank you for the shot. I was having trouble figuring out which glass had my sobriety in the bottom of it." Daniel sat down as he heard a small chuckle hidden under the breaths of the gorgeous young lady beside him. He found himself surprised to hear a girl chuckle; it wasn't something he heard in response to one of his jokes in a long time. "I don't believe I've seen you here before."

Tiffany laughed this time not even trying to hide it under her breath. "Wow, that’s an original pick up line."

Daniel felt his gut tighten up. "Crap, that was a stupid thing to say," he thought to himself. "Sorry I guess I'm good for one clever line at a time. I think I used it on the sobriety joke." Daniel was back to looking forward clasping his beer with both hands.

"No, I'm sorry. That was rude. I tend to get that way, It’s kind of a defense mechanism I built up. Too many guys just trying to be clever I forget that some guys are just trying to be polite." Tiffany could tell Daniel was nervous by the way he was clinching onto his beer.

"I don’t really come here for the same reason the rest of these guys do." Daniel loosened his grip on his beer before taking a drink.

"I can tell," she said gesturing to the bartender for another round. "So what brings you here?"

Daniel was the next to laugh, he couldn't resist the irony. "Now who's using cliché pick up lines." He looked at her with a friendly grin as they both laughed this time. "I would have to say, I'm here for the best advice this side of Los Angeles." His eyes moved over to Rick who was standing in front of them with two fresh beers.

"Hey, I'm not a free counselor just a cheap one." Rick tilted the tip jar in Daniel's direction.

"That’s what makes your advice the best." They all three laughed this time.

The night progressed quickly and Daniel soon realized he had to work in the morning forcing him to have to call for one last round. "It's getting late, how about one more beer before i have to head home and get some sleep." Daniel asked Tiffany. They had been sitting there for about four hours now just talking about random things from politics, to movies and sports, the conversations flowed like water from one topic to the next. Daniel was surprised at how easy it was to talk to her. Not once did he trip over himself or feel a case of cotton mouth threatening to ruin his ability to talk. This whole night was like a dream, here beside him sat an amazing woman with a sense of humor, and a bubbly yet hidden personality. He felt a connection with her that he had never expected to find. On top of the ideal blend of personality traits she was absolutely gorgeous. Standing at five foot four inches tall, one hundred and fifteen pounds, long dark hair and beautiful green eyes, this girl was too good to be true. As they finished the last beer Daniel felt a bit of disappointment when he had to say goodnight. "Thank you for keeping me company tonight Tiffany, I had a really nice time talking with you." Daniel said as he got up and offered his hand to her once again.

"Me too, it was a pleasure to meet you." Tiffany took his hand. He had a gentle touch that just made her feel comfortable. That was a feeling she hasn't felt in a long time, to feel safe and comfortable. She was a bit disappointed when Daniel started heading for the door even though she knew it was getting late she wanted to sit here with him for a bit longer. But at least he didn't try to take her home unlike most men. She felt relieved as well as disappointed.

Just as Daniel reached the door he stopped, "what are you doing man, just walk out go home get some rest! Don't set yourself up for disappointment." Daniel was talking to himself trying to convince himself to leave but instead found himself walking back to the bar where Tiffany was sitting. "She’s still sitting there; if she was interested she probably would've got up and left too. Instead she is still sitting there as casual as ever which means she was just being friendly." Even though everything in his gut was telling him to call it a night and leave on a good note he felt compelled to go back. "Tiffany...” he called out as he made it back to where she was sitting. “Crap,” he thought too late now.

Tiffany felt her sense of relief fade as she heard Daniel call out to her, "damn," she thought to herself. "I thought he was different guess he figures since we sat here and talked he can take me home with him." She turned around trying to hide the agitation in your eyes. "Hey, Daniel I thought you had to leave."

"I did, I mean I do. I was just wonderin..." and now the cotton mouth.

"Here we go," she thought to herself, "just be nice, let him down easy don't get worked up." She took a breath.

"Would you like to get some dinner next time, I mean would you like to get some dinner instead next time." Daniel felt himself starting to trip over his words.

"Oh my god he is so cute," Tiffany was again relieved. "He didn't ask me to go home with him, and he's so nervous. He's just adorable." Tiffany was so relieved she forgot to respond.

"Awkward silence,” Daniel thought to himself as he felt his palms get warm and sweaty. He waited a few more seconds that felt like an eternity. "I'm sorry, that was too forward. I'll just go. Thanks again for the drinks." He turned to face the door. "She sat there and didn't respond, I told you not to go back, so stupid...”

"Wait, I'm sorry hold on. You just surprised me, I'm sorry.." Tiffany was apologizing repeatedly as she stood up and grabbed a pen from her purse. She was equally as nervous as Daniel was and he could tell. "Yes, please that would be great." She wrote down her number on a napkin. "Call me tomorrow ok." Daniel took the number folded it up and stuck it in his pocket. He had to leave but he couldn't take his eyes off Tiffany so he stood there silently and felt himself get lost in her gaze.

"Ahem," Rick broke the silence again tilting the tip jar in Daniel's direction. "I'm not a free wing man either Daniel."

Chapter 2

The Strange Familiar Tingle

Daniel arrived at Chucky's at seven twenty, "ten minutes early," he thought. "This should give me enough time to get us a table and order some drinks." They had been seeing each other for about three weeks now; their first date was a glimpse into what their relationship would grow into. Everything went smoothly and they were getting along so well. For the first time in a long time they were both able to relax and just enjoy the company of another human being without having to worry about their own insecurities. Daniel felt himself growing more and more attracted to this woman and she returned the feelings. Just as the waiter brought two drinks to the table Tiffany came walking up.

"Can't you even finish the first drink before you get seconds." Tiffany walked up as Daniel rose to his feet to greet her. "Or am I just that boring you have to get drunk before you can be around me." She was teasing and Daniel knew it. He was surprised at how confident he felt around her.

"Oh did you want a drink?" he said with a grin. "Waiter, oh waiter..." he called out.

"Oh shut up," Tiffany laughed as he reached over and wrapped his arms around her and gave her a small kiss.

"You look great," Daniel gave her a quick scan with his eyes.

"That settles it, you did get drunk first." Tiffany responded. They both smiled at each other and sat down.

Dinner was quickly over and they found themselves just sitting there chatting. Over the last three weeks they had slowly been telling each other bits and pieces of their lives and they had talked about pretty much everything including his ex and hers. Turns out she was in an abusive relationship. She was married to him for three years the first of those years was what she described as a wonderful relationship but then one day it all just changed. He grew distant and abusive. The abuse started out verbal then turned physical. It took her about two years before she realized she couldn't live with it anymore. Something was different tonight though, Tiffany was talking but Daniel could pick up on a slight hint of unease on her part.

"What’s wrong darlin?" Daniel came right out and asked. "You seem slightly unsettled; I can hear the nervousness in your voice."

Tiffany really liked Daniel and for the last three weeks she had been harboring a secret. She had previously decided that tonight she would tell him; actually she decided that a few nights ago but kept chickening out.

"Well there's something I want to tell you, but I've been kind of nervous about it." Tiffany started in but couldn't lift her eyes up to meet his. She felt Daniel reach over and rest his hand on top of hers.

"What is it?"

"Well there’s a part of my life, a big part of my life I haven't told you about. I try to keep this out of my dating life for certain reasons, but I really like you and I feel like I can tell you anything." As she said that she reached inside her purse and pulled out her wallet. "I want you to meet someone very special to me." She opened her wallet to a picture and passed it over to Daniel. "This is my son Patrick."

Daniel wasn't sure where she was going with this at first but when she handed him the wallet a lot of things made sense. "No wonder she never invited me over and she was always checking her phone." He started putting pieces together in his head. This is about the time most men would call it quits and run the other direction and if it had been a different woman Daniel may have done just that but strangely he felt himself falling even harder for Tiffany. "Well that’s a relief," breaking the silence. "I thought you were gonna tell me you had a wart on your butt because too be honest those gross me out." He handed her the wallet back.

Tiffany laughed on the inside a bit and couldn't contain her smile. "That joke was in poor taste, but thank you."

"You have a beautiful son Tiffany. Maybe he can join us one night." Daniel smiled at her and she smiled back. It was getting late and Daniel had to work again in the morning. "Shall we call it a night?" He took her hand in his and gave it a kiss on the knuckles.

"Yeah, I think so." Tiffany wasn't sure how to respond to Daniel's reaction to finding out she had a son. So she stood up with him as they headed for the door. She reached for his hand to see if he would still want to take it and he grabbed interlocking their fingers. He looked her in the eyes and said "Let’s go."

They reached the front door and the cool air blew in sending chills up Tiffany's spine. She had not been this nervous in a long time and it was the first time she felt scared with Daniel. As they got to her car he turned her to face him and slowly walked her backwards till she was against the car. She felt her knees getting weak and was relieved she was now leaning against the car taking some of the weight off of her trembling legs. Daniel stood in front of her his hands on her waist and stared into her eyes. He didn't want to leave her, she looked so scared. "I had a wonderful time tonight, I'm sorry for reacting like that just now when you told me you had a son. I guess I was just nervous and didn't know what to say without sounding too cheesy."

She felt her eyes tear up, "its ok, you did great. A lot of men would’ve walked me to my car and never called back." She couldn't hold back the tears as she felt them start crawling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry." She said as she tried to wipe her tears away. She moved a hand towards her face but Daniel had already seen them. He gently placed his hand on her cheek and used his thumb to wipe the tear away. "Ever since Patrick's father I have had major emotional issues. I get scared and worried and i try so hard to be strong but...”

"Shh, it's ok." Daniel interrupted her. She felt his warm hand on her cheek and it felt good, it felt comfortable, just like that first night they met and he gently shook her hand. She felt safe. "I would never hurt you." He said as he leaned in to give her a kiss. She teared up again and they embraced. As the kiss broke Daniel heard her mutter the words. "I believe you." then she kissed him again but deeper.

"It's getting late." He said as he broke the kiss and opened her car door for her. As she got in and positioned herself behind the wheel again he asked her out. “Can I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course," she wiped her eyes once again. “Thank you."

"For what?" Daniel asked

"For accepting my son," she responded and looked at him one last time.

Daniel felt overwhelmed with a feeling he had not felt for a long time. His stomach started tingling; it felt like butterflies were playing tag in his gut. "Hey, I love kids," he responded. "Besides, you having a son just means you put out." He said with a smile hoping to break the tension.

Tiffany laughed out loud for the first time since she brought up having a son. "We have to work on your poor taste of jokes. Besides, you think I’m ever getting naked for you knowing I have a wart on my ass after what you told me in there."

Daniel laughed, "She really is the one." He knew from that moment what the feeling in his gut was. That strange familiar tingle, the butterflies playing, it was love and they both felt it.

Chapter 3

A Perfect Life

From that day forward Daniel and Tiffany were inseparable. They got together almost every night and constantly talked on the phone or texted during hours in which one of them were unavailable. It took about two week after Tiffany came clean about having a son and then one day while Danielle was at work his phone rang.

"Hey sweetheart," he answered. "Sorry but I'm really busy right now can i call you back?"

"Oh sorry. Yeah sure. I got off early and wanted to do something special for dinner tonight. Give me a call when you’re not busy okay." Tiffany sounded nervous about something Daniel thought. But not nervous like the night she told me about Patrick; it was an excited kind of nervous. This got Daniel to thinking about what Tiffany had planned and he started losing concentration on his work. Daniel was a real estate agent; he had been selling houses and business properties for six years now. The company he worked for was nationwide and he originally chose this company because they offered him the opportunity to travel. Once he made a name for himself as an agent he started taking on bigger jobs that allowed him to travel state to state scouting new potential property. It wasn't until he found a place near Los Angeles two years ago that he himself decided to invest in a home. Having the connections he had in his company he was able to find a nice quiet house going for pennies on the dollar in a rather reserved neighborhood just outside of the city. He then took a permanent position in the Los Angeles area working for a major corporation that owned a huge building in the middle of downtown L.A. Primarily his job was to lease out the office space in this building and find potential renters for the enormous banquet hall on one of the top floors. Then he met Tiffany, he felt like it was fate that he had decided to settle down here where is past was unknown to anyone. He could start over and forget about who he was and the things he once did, and most importantly move on from his last girlfriend slash fiancée who just up and disappeared one day without leaving as much as a note. According to her friends they had no idea where she went. Seemed like no one knew anything, so once he established that his newly acquired bachelor life was an absolute he took his broken heart and left. He wanted to make sure he never had to see any of those people again and furthermore wanted to ensure no one would ever find him either. He was actually glad he wasn't traveling as much anymore, half of his insecurities about his ex fiancée’s faithfulness were derived from his never being home. But now that he was always home it helped him keep his insecurities at bay of course it helped that Tiffany was by far the most wonderful woman he had ever met, he trusted her completely.

The first thing Daniel did when he got off work was call Tiffany, "hey babe sorry it was a long day but I found someone to rent the banquet hall for the weekend."

"That’s great honey," Tiffany was still chipper from earlier.

"Yeah, I had to cut the price a bit taking a chunk out of my commission. But I suppose some commission is better than no commission for the week." Daniel was eager to get home and change so he could go meet Tiffany for dinner. Every day was the same he woke up happy and in a wonderful mood. He spent all day looking forward to getting off work so he could see Tiffany again. They had not stayed over at the others house or taken the relationship to the next level yet but that didn't seem to bother Daniel he was just thankful for being able to hear her voice. She spoke often about her son now but had still been apprehensive about actually bringing Daniel home to meet him. It's not that she was afraid of how Daniel would react she was more afraid of bringing another man home and inviting him into her sons life. She didn't want her son to be drug from one relationship to another possibly getting attached to a guy she may never see again. But Daniel was different. "So what’s up? You mentioned something special for dinner"

"Well yeah, I was wonderin if you would let me cook for you." Tiffany sounded like she was nervous again.

"Of course, I love your cooking." Tiffany had been over to Daniel's house and cooked him dinner before she just had yet to invite him over to her house. "So what time should i expect you and should I stop at the store to get anything on my way home?"

"Actually, i was hoping you would come to my house for dinner." You could hear the smile in Tiffany's voice.

Daniel was caught off guard this time. "Wow, a... Are you sure?" Daniel felt himself stutter the words. "This was huge," he thought. "I'm going to get to meet her son"

"Yeah, I think I'm ready." Tiffany knew she was ready; she had been looking forward to this moment since the day she told Daniel about Patrick. She knew she was in love and she was pretty sure Daniel felt the same, although neither of them had said it yet.

"I would love to." Daniel responded. "It would be my honor."

Daniel and Patrick met for the first time that night. Patrick was 5 years old. He was born within the first year of Tiffany's first marriage which was partly why it took Tiffany so long to decide to leave. It was amazing to see the two of them together, Patrick did what Tiffany was afraid he would do for so long and got attached to Daniel quickly. Daniel was like a really big kid when Patrick was around. They played together wrestled together and even got in trouble together. Every time a mess was left the evidence would be traced back to both Daniel and Patrick who were always caught usually with the remnance of whatever they got into under their nails from where neither one of them seemed to ever clean their hands properly. "Must be a man thing," Tiffany thought.

It was definitely the makings of a beautiful family. Soon after Daniel met Patrick he started talking children of his own. He obviously adored Patrick but having a child around seemed to spark a fraternal instinct inside Daniel. He wanted a son, but more than that he wanted a family and he knew who he wanted it to be with. Tiffany wasn't opposed to having more children but she wanted to wait until marriage and Daniel agreed. They spoke of a future together several times but not of actually getting married. Once they did have the conversation about being married in the future and that’s when Tiffany told Daniel that legally she was still married to her ex. Even though they had been separated for two years now she never had the money to pay for the divorce and he was not about to pay for it. This didn't bother Daniel too much, he actually understood. Considering the economy and the cost of a divorce it wasn't unusual for a couple to separate but hold off on the divorce papers until a more financially convenient time.

Even still Daniel found himself thinking more and more about a future with Tiffany. A month after Daniel met Patrick he was on his way home from work, and was lost in visions of a future with her. He remembered thinking she is "the one." He didn't realize when all of a sudden he found himself standing in a custom jewelry shop, he didn't even remember walking in to the store yet here he was standing in front of the display case staring at the most beautiful diamond ring. It was a three karat diamond embedded in a white gold band encrusted with several smaller diamonds.

"Would you like a closer look?"

He vaguely heard the sales associate in the back of his head as he said, "Yes please," and just like that the ring was placed in the palm of his hand. The moment the ring was placed in his hand it was as if time melted into the future and two weeks later he was on his knees proposing to the girl of his dreams.

"Tiffany, ever since the day you walked in that bar I haven't stopped smiling." Daniel said as he started kneeling in front of her. "You changed my life that day. Thanks to you I'm full of love and faith. This person you see before you is the man I am today because of the lady I met that night." He looked up until his eyes met hers. "I love you Tiffany." It was the first time he had said those words out loud to her but it was easy to say considering what was about to come next. “Will you spend the rest of your life by my side, as my wife?" Daniel pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it up showing Tiffany the ring for the first time.

Yet again Tiffany felt herself tear up at the hands of this wonderful man kneeling before her. She knew this day would come ever since the day she told him about Patrick and she was ready to accept his offer. "Yes," Tiffany said as she burst into tears, "yes Daniel yes." She dropped to her knees to meet him eye to eye and gave him a deep kiss. She was happy and for the first time since she met Daniel, the first time since she left her first husband she said the three words that she was afraid she would never say again. "I love you." The happy couple was to be married and life was perfect.

Chapter 4

A Tragic Departure

Three months had passed since Daniel proposed to Tiffany. He moved her into his house and she filled his place with all the knick knacks and decorations she could find. Before Tiffany and her son moved in the house just felt like a house to Daniel. He was content with it, but when Tiffany moved in and started decorating the house felt like a home. Daniel was no longer content with his house, he was happy with their new home. Tiffany was still legally married to her ex husband and was slowly building the courage to file the papers. Daniel was ok with being patient, he felt like there was no need to rush it, why rush when you have a lifetime ahead of you.

Daniel usually got home about six p.m. but this day he decided to leave a bit early. It had been a very successful week at work and his boss told him to go home and celebrate the fat commission check he would be receiving. Daniel was all too happy to leave early and get home to his fiancée. He knew today was the day Steven came to visit and Tiffany was usually in need of cheering up after seeing him. Steven was Patrick's father and Tiffany's ex. He wasn't sure why she would let him come over when she was alone knowing his history of getting abusive but she assured Daniel that he had been going to counseling and it had apparently helped because on the few times Daniel had met Steven he seemed to be a very well composed man and never once lost his temper. He trusted Tiffany so he had nothing to worry about.

As Daniel pulled into the driveway he saw Steven leaving. He was armed with flowers to help cheer up a fiancée that he knew would be a bit stressed out. As he walked in the front door he found his wife sitting on the couch with her face buried in her hands. She looked up with him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen. Daniel walked over to the couch and placed the roses on the table in front of the couch. She was usually stressed out but rarely ever in tears after Steven came to visit. Daniel sat down beside the love of his life and wrapped his arm around her. He could tell something bad happened by the way she wouldn't look at him when he sat down. Daniel brought a hand up to her head and let her cry into his shoulder while he ran his fingers thru her hair. "Its okay darlin," was all he could think of saying.

"No it isn’t,” he heard her mumble between her cries.

"Whatever it is we can work thru it, " he kissed her on the top of the head and placed his hand under her chin lifting her head so her eyes met his. He tried to lean in and give her a gentle kiss on the nose but she turned her head at the last second. He felt his stomach tighten up right before she spoke.

Tiffany couldn't even look at Daniel, "no..... we can't. Not this time." Tiffany said and Daniel felt his heart climb into his throat.

Steven had accepted a job a couple states away and told Tiffany he was taking Patrick with him. He said the only way she would see him again is if she came as well. Tiffany had told Steven about the divorce papers the week before and Steven blew up. He told her if she didn't go he would use her having an affair against her saying that because they were still legally married she was technically having an affair by living with Daniel and that his job paid enough to ensure he could get full custody of Patrick. Tiffany never filed charges on Steven when she left him so she couldn't use his abusive nature as a case to keep custody of Patrick. Tiffany didn't know what to do and since she only had one day to decide she chose to go with Steven for the sake of her son.

The next day Tiffany was already packed and loading her car when Daniel woke up. He walked outside in time to see Tiffany load the last bag in the trunk. "Please Tiffany; you don't have to do this. We can win the custody battle I won't let him take you away from me.

"I'm really sorry Daniel," was all Tiffany could muster up the courage to say as she grabbed Daniel by the hand and dropped something inside is palm. It was the ring he bought for her and for the first time since he put it on her finger she had taken it off. Daniel felt his eyes tear up and held Tiffany’s hand as tight as he could not wanting to let go.

"Keep the ring, I bought it for you and it will give me a reason to come for you." Daniel said feeling empty and broken. He placed the ring back on Tiffany's finger and kissed her on the top of the head. "I love you Tiffany." he turned away as she climbed in the diver seat of the car and pulled off. He told her to keep the ring and keep it she did; right on the finger he placed it not three months prior.

Daniel never had a chance to fight for her; she had made her decision before he ever got home yesterday. He stood at the edge of his driveway and watched as the girl he loved drove off into the horizon. The Daniel she loved, the Daniel he became, the Daniel that was so full of faith, so full of love.... that Daniel died that day.

Chapter 5

The Phone Call

Daniel found himself back to his normal routine pre Tiffany. He spent his days working accepting jobs that took him out of town and kept him away from the house that was once a home. On the nights he was in town he spent as much time as possible at the bar where he met Tiffany, sitting in the same seat she sat in on the night he met her. Rick was still the bartender and as friendly as ever. He tried consoling Daniel a few times but quickly realized it was just best to leave him be, enough nights and enough empty shot glasses and the pain would heal. It had been six months since Tiffany left, for awhile Daniel spent his nights expecting Tiffany to come back into the bar or come knocking on his door but she never came. Weeks passed and not as much as a phone call, eventually Daniel stopped looking up when someone entered the bar. He knew she wasn't coming back. He used to carry his phone everywhere making sure to never leave it more than an arm’s length away in case it rang he didn't want to miss the call but even that habit died. Now he left his phone all the time, in the car, at the office, or just forgot to recharge it letting it die. Daniel was back to being his reserved quiet self. He was back to the old Daniel and even Rick who had seen it all felt bad for him.

Daniel arrived at work and immediately put his phone on the charger. He had let it die again and although he knew Tiffany could never call again he still needed the phone for work so he plugged it in. As the phone turned on the voice mail beeped at him. He assumed it was a client so he picked it up and checked the mail.

"Daniel, my name is Detective Jon Sharp. Please return my call at.." Daniel quickly jotted the number down on a notepad and deleted the message. He felt a sick feeling in his gut, the detective worked out of the precinct where Tiffany and Steven moved to. Daniel dialed the number he had just written down.

"Detective Sharp," the detective answered the phone.

"Yes hello detective, this is Daniel you left a message on my phone last night." Daniel felt himself trembling with fear as he spoke. "Sorry my phone was dead I just got the message this morning."

"Thank you for giving me a call back Daniel, it took me some time to track you down."

"What’s this about detective?" Daniel inquired.

"Well I'm sorry to have to inform you but it’s about your ex fiancée Tiffany." Daniel felt his heart start racing. "We discovered the bodies of her and her husband about a week ago. We understand that you two were close." Daniel felt himself overwhelmed with a variety of emotions, fear, remorse, guilt, betrayal.

"Yes sir, we were very close. But that was a long time ago. She moved away with her husband."

"Have you heard from her since she left?" the detective was obviously fishing for something but Daniel wasn't sure what to say.

"No sir, she asked me not to call her, said it's best for her son if she goes with him." Daniel choked out the words trying not to get upset. The detective asked a few personal questions about their relationship and before the call was over he requested Daniel keep his phone handy in case he had any more questions. Daniel obliged and asked that the detective call him when the case has been closed.

"I'll keep you posted as best as I can Daniel, I'm truly sorry for your loss. I can tell you loved her very much." The detective hung up the phone and Daniel sat in his chair unsure what to do next. For the next few weeks Daniel waited for another phone call. Every day after was dragging on in slow motion while he waited to hear an update then the phone rang.

"Daniel its Detective Sharp," the detective finally called back. "I called to give you an update, I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you." Daniel found himself sitting on the edge of his seat his whole life revolving around the next few statements that would come out of the detective’s mouth. "It seems there was a civil dispute, a picture of you was found at the crime scene, which is why we looked you up into the first place. The way we have recreated the scene is Steven, Tiffany's husband found the picture of you she kept in a drawer and when he confronted her about it he lost his temper. It seems he had a history of violence and we believe he attacked her in a fit of rage." The detective heard Daniel gasp in disbelief. "I'm sorry I won’t continue if it's too much for you."

"No, it’s okay Detective," Daniel could barely breathe listening to the detective.

"Well it appears she took a couple of good hits to the face before she grabbed a knife and stabbed Steven several times in the chest and abdomen. Before bleeding to death he managed to hit her with a blunt object in the temple. She died almost instantly. We found the picture of you tightly clasped in Steven’s hand." Daniel sat and listened to the detective reenact the scene over the phone and when it was over again the detective apologized for his loss. Daniel felt relieved that the case was closed but overwhelmed with sadness over the loss of the girl he loved. He spent the last six months waiting on her to return to him, hoping that it wasn't actually over. He needed closer on the relationship to be able to move on at least that’s what his psychiatrist Rick told him. This was a pretty definitive closer. He would never be able to hear her voice again, he would never be able to see her or feel her skin against his. He could never have her again and now no one else could either.

Chapter 6

The Ring

About six months passed since Tiffany's case was closed and Daniel had found a sense of closer on the relationship. It was like he was reborn that day. He took all the self confidence her life and death instilled on him and began a new life. He was dating again although no one exclusive. He was determined to continue living his life.

Daniel was sitting at home watching television. He realized the home he was avoiding because it reminded him of her was still comfortable and it wasn't so bad being reminded of her every now and then. Occasionally he would pull out something very dear to her and hold it in his hands as he watched TV. He heard his phone ring and without checking to see who it was answered it.

"Hello.. Daniel is that you?" It was Tiffany's mother'

"Yes it’s me." Daniel responded while trying not to miss the show that was playing.

"It's Suzanne, Tiffany's mother."Daniel could hear the tears in her voice. He could tell she missed her little girl. "I'm sorry; I don't know why I called. I just miss her so much." Daniel could hear Patrick in the background playing. He just sat there listening to Suzanne talk not sure what to say. "She loved you very dearly; when she left you she left a big piece of her behind. I guess I was hoping to reconnect with that piece." Daniel was only half listening. "She never took the ring off you gave her, I think it's why Steven..." Suzanne gasped as she almost burst into tears. “She loved you so much; I tried asking the detective for the ring back. I thought it only right that you should get to have it, but when I asked he told me they never found a ring. I think that bastard removed it by force and I don’t know what he did with it." Daniels attention was now primarily focused on the TV show as he vaguely heard the pathetic sobbing in the phone. "She should've never left you," was the last thing Daniel heard as his lips curled up into a smirk and he hung up the phone. Yet again he felt himself overwhelmed by an emotion. But this time it wasn't fear, or sadness it was a new feeling a more gratifying feeling. He looked down in his hand at the article once belonging to his late ex fiancée that he chose to keep around to remember her by. It was vaguely heavy but a truly beautiful piece still covered in the blood of its owner. The feeling Daniel was overwhelmed with was definitely not fear or remorse, for the first time in Daniel's life he knew what it felt like to be avenged.

He stared in his palm at the shiny piece of metal and rock.... "it really was a beautiful ring. I'm glad I went to get it back."

"One More Song"

 

"One more song, it won't take long. I know you have to leave but let's take advantage of this night to play together one last time." The crowd roared as the last note of the final song echoed thru the coliseum. "Encore.., Encore...” The crowd wanted more.

"You want more?" Jason yelled into the microphone. He looked back at his band, this is everything they wanted, and all of their dreams come true. This moment was what they lived for, what they worked for and what they played for. Dustin twirled a drumstick in his fingers then in a swift moment brought it down crashing into the base drum causing the crowd to erupt into cheers.

"I... I can't deny..." as the song began the audience sang out in tune following the lead of Jason as he brought to life the C.D.'s titled hit "Bitter Sweet" that became a nationwide phenomenon hurling Atrophy into music stardom. You could hear screams from the women confessing their love for the lead singer, mixed in with bull horns..

"Bull horns?" Dustin was jerked from his daydream by the sound of a loud horn and bright flashing lights coming in his direction. "Oh shit..." Dustin swerved at the last minute to avoid an oncoming eighteen wheeler. Dustin was on his way to meet up with the rest of his band at Jason's house to record the final song for their C.D. He was so excited about tonight that he found himself daydreaming about what might be and didn't realize he had merged into oncoming traffic. Dustin daydreamed a lot, he was the drummer in the band and ever since he could remember music has been his life. He met Jason when they were still in junior high and they shared each other’s passion for music. Now three years later they were still best friends and on their way to completing their first record. It was going to be a night to remember and nothing would stop him from finishing this C.D

"Eh let it ring, Dustin just got here." As soon as Jason spoke Dustin came walking in the front door. "Besides I put it on silent for a reason, I don't want any distractions tonight."

As Dustin walked in he was greeted by his friends. "Hey man you made it." Jason offered is hand to Dustin who took it and pulled Jason in wrapping his free arm around him giving him a masculine half hug and pat on the back.

"Yeah man sorry I'm late. I hate driving at night, I can never see these damn roads." Dustin complained as he broke the friendly embrace. "Why do you have to live out in the middle of nowhere?"

"Because we live in the middle of pig fuck America." Jason responded as he offered his best friend a beer.

"It's ok nothing could stop me from helping you guys finish this C.D. Not even the dark beat up old roads in this redneck ass town. He graciously accepted the beer, "thanks I could really use one of those." Dustin said as he sat the beer down. "Where I'm going this stuff will be obsolete..." Dustin was referring to the cheap watered downed beer.

"Ok guys let’s eat, drink a couple beers and get this party started." Eric was carrying two large pizza boxes into the living room. "Clear off the table Matt.

Matt started gathering the sheet music and pages of song lyrics off the table so Eric could sit the pizza down. He stacked them up in a neat pile and noticed the lyrics of an unfinished song on the top sheet titled "Tragic Departure."

"What’s this Jason?" Matt asked referring to the song as he sat back and started to read it. "One more song, it won't take long, I know you have to leave but let’s take advantage of this night by playing together one last time. You mean so much to me...." that last line was slightly scribbled out.

"Eh just a song I started working on..." Jason said as he grabbed a piece of pizza.

"It's got potential man, might be our next big hit." Matt said as he too reached into the pizza box. "Hmm, meat lovers and vegetarian supreme, odd choices." he laughed. "Two completely different styles of pizza conflicting one another in both morality and taste, as different from each other as heaven and hell and I feel like I'm stuck in the middle..." he thought to himself before his eyes suddenly jumped to Dustin, who was sitting there lost in his own head again, taking another moment to choose Matt decided one of each would be best then leaned back in his chair.

"Well it isn't finished yet; I just jotted down those notes about five minutes ago before Dustin showed up. Not sure where it came from, usually I only write about stuff I know." Jason was the lead singer of the group and wrote many of the lyrics to their songs. He wrote a lot about his anger towards life which blended well into the style of music they were playing. A lot of drums and metal allowed for an angry melody with a mixture of screaming and soft spoken lyrics to give the audience an ability to jump from one emotion to another sporadically in the middle of the song. It was a different style of music a hybrid consisting of metal, emo and soft rock. Dustin felt it gave the listener the ability to really feel all of the pain and agony that was used to inspire the song and unlike other bands it didn't focus on just one of the emotions resulting from the story.

"Another beer anyone?" Eric stood up from the table and walked towards the kitchen.

"Yeah man, get a round for everyone. We're still waiting on David to show up anyway." Jason yelled back between taking bites of his pizza.

"Where is David anyway?" Dustin woke from his daydream. "Stupid bullhorns," he thought. "Are they gonna be echoing in my ears now for all eternity?"

"Bull horns??" Jason said slightly confused about the completely random comment.

"You don't want to know." Dustin answered.

David was the manager slash producer slash sound guy. He was the one that would be making sure the recording went smoothly. "He said he was just putting some finishing touches on the last couple songs we recorded and wanted to finish them before he got here so we could hear them." Eric walked back in the room with four beers and distributed them out.

"Nice, they will motivate us to finish this last one with few mistakes." Eric popped open the fresh beer and took a big gulp. "I can't wait to hear the whole C.D when it's finished."

The title of the record was called "Bitter Sweet" named after the song they were set to record tonight. It was written by both Jason and Dustin about two years ago after one of their best friends was arrested for murder. Nathan came home to his fiancée one evening and caught her cheating on him with another guy, so he killed them both in a fit of rage. Jason and Dustin had visited him in jail a few times and after hearing the pain in his voice while telling the story they were both inspired to dedicate a song to him. "It's been a long two years since we wrote that song eh Dustin." Jason broke the silence.

"Yeah, it has. I wonder how he’s doing." Dustin was referring to their incarcerated friend.

"He said he might get out on good behavior, his lawyer petitioned for a parole hearing on account of his temporary insanity plea. They have high hopes. But it may still be awhile before he sees the light of day."

"He taught me how to play the drums." Dustin started reminiscing. "He is an amazing drummer."

"Yeah, he would be the only suitable replacement if you ever left us." Jason agreed. Just then they heard a knocking on the door.

"Alright!! David's here." Matt jumped up to open the door.

"Hey guys sorry I'm late, where’s Dustin?" Nathan said as he walked in carrying his laptop case and a bottle of rum. Dustin just waved from where he was seated at the table. "Oh, sorry didn't see your car I guess. Anyway I got the songs finished guys, I'm anxious to get started so here you guys listen to this and I'll go make sure the studio is set up." He handed Matt the C.D. and sat the rum down on the table. "Putting the finishing touches on those songs got me excited. This is going to be great guys." He started towards the back room where the makeshift studio had been set up. "Don't touch the rum, its our celebration drink for after we finish." He paused before walking thru the door and looked at Jason who was already eyeing the rum.

"What?" Jason responded with a smile.

Matt put the C.D. in the radio and pressed the play button. As the songs played thru Dustin made his way over to his best friend and sat beside him on the couch. "You’re going to be famous," he said as he sat down.

"We’ve come along way, we’ve been putting this together for three years now, ever since we first met at Nathan's house." Jason looked over at his best friend. Tonight was going to change their life forever, he wasn't sure why but for some reason he had a feeling tonight would be a defining factor on their path to making it big as a band. Looking at Dustin Jason found himself overwhelmed with an odd feeling causing his stomach to tighten up. He had a sudden urge to give his friend a hug and tell him he loved him. "Were both gonna be famous man, I promise I'll never leave you behind."

"Dustin catch," Eric walked in with yet another round of beers. "Ya'll look like you’re about to kiss. I know you two have been friends for a long time but I didn't sign up to play in a band with The Village People." Eric could feel the awkward tension in the room and was hoping to bring the party back to life. "Pre victory cheers guys, everyone raise your beer." Eric stood in the middle of the room as he spoke. "Ever since I met you guys it's been all about the music. I know I'm the newest member but I feel like I've known you guys forever. I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a chance. Matt your one of the best guitarist I know. It's crazy the things you can do with those fingers."

"Yeah, that’s what your mom keeps telling me." Matt blurted out and everyone laughed.

"Jason, you are a talented writer, a good singer and an even better friend, and Dustin..." Eric paused, "well you're the one that brought me into this band. I owe a lot to you. I love you guys." He raised his beer.

"Okay my turn guys," matt stood up, "I have to say ditto to everything Eric just said, I just want to add that the two of you, you guys started this band, you always had this remarkable and inspirational vision for not only yourselves but the rest of us. I can't ask for a better group of musicians, no scratch that a better group of friends to take this journey with."

Dustin looked at everyone and stood up beer in hand. "Atrophy will be a huge success; this is just the beginning of your journey guys. Let’s go leave our mark on the world before it’s too late."

"Cheers to that." Jason stood up and they all tilted their beer towards each other in respect. "It’s still early but let’s finish this before we are all drunk." They all took a drink and walked towards the studio. Dustin was the last to leave the room. He sat his beer down on the couch where he was sitting and took a look around the room. "So many memories here," he thought as he walked out of the room.

"Just in time guys," David was putting the finishing touches on the sound board. "Okay were gonna do this the traditional way. First we record everyone together then we will go back and do everyone alone so we can clean up the sounds and then edit it. So let’s get started."

The band entered the enclosed room. It was a small room set in the back of the house Jason's mother was always very supportive of her sons musical talent and allowed him to build a make shift studio in the spare bedroom. The sound board where David was set up was actually in the hallway just outside the room and the spare bedroom was all padded with foam to try to contain the noise as best as possible drowning out any outside noise that may interfere with the recording of the band. They all got in their position with their instruments and waited for the sign from David saying he was ready.

"Give me a sound test starting with you Dustin." David spoke into an intercom that was set up to allow him to communicate with the band inside. Dustin answered back with a mini solo that sent a wave of excitement thru the rest of his band mates. "Okay your good, Eric you're up." One by one they went thru the sound test and everything was going smoothly. "Okay guys we're all set, I'm getting the best reception ever tonight. You must have some kind of angel working on your side. In three... two... and..." As David counted down Dustin began drumming building the rhythm for the guys and the song began. "This is incredible," David thought. "It's all so clear and smooth, at this rate we won't have to do much editing." They had been playing this song together for two years and purposely chose to make this the last song they recorded knowing how much energy and emotion they would be able to put into it.

"Now close your eyes, I have a gift. I’ll buy your love with pretty shit. Hold out your hand now here take this. You won't believe what I had to do to get you it. You stupid bitch, please don't run. I know the ring is stained with blood, but it’s the one you really loved. It’s the one I used to propose to you last month. Oh wait I'm wrong. That ring was left on the nightstand, beside the bed we once slept in, the bed where we had sex the same bed I caught you in. I...I can't deny..." Jason was singing the song with so much emotion. Every word came out perfectly and blended so well with the music.

Dustin was lost in the moment, “three years we've been playing together and he gets better every time we perform this song. I’m glad I could be here for this moment. Thank you god for this..." He knew the song was almost over, he was running out of time before he had to go. He didn't bother to tell the guys that he was limited on how long he could stay tonight. He didn't want to upset the mood; he just wanted to enjoy it while he could. It's not that he wanted to leave but he had no choice he had somewhere else he had to be. "So stupid, if only I had paid more attention to what I was doing I'd be able to stay."

The song ended and David spoke thru the intercom. "That was perfect guys, ok Dustin you stay inside, we will record you first solo then we will feed your recording to the others while they play giving them a beat to use." As he spoke everyone was in the midst of giving each other props for a great first run thru of the song.

"He won't have to do much editing after that guys, good job." Jason offered his approval as they walked out of the room.

Eric went for another round of beers before Dustin's solo and passed them around making sure to go back inside the padded room giving Dustin a beer. "Good luck man." He said as he walked out of the room. Dustin sat the beer down on the stool in front of the drum set before repositioning himself.

"Okay Dustin and three... two...” again Dustin counted down David's timer with his foot pedal causing the hammer to bang the base drum with each tick and then he started.”He's playing flawlessly tonight; he's incredibly focused on what he’s doing." David was talking to Jason who was sitting beside him listening to the recording as Dustin played.

"Yeah, I can't put my finger on it but something is different tonight. It's like he's living for this moment and this moment alone." Jason was mesmerized with what he was hearing. "This is going to be the best song we have recorded so far.

David continued recording everyone on the solo sessions amazingly no one had to redo a set. Usually it took a couple of play thrus, either someone skipped a beat rushed a beat missed a line or just didn't like how it felt so they asked to restart. But tonight they played with remarkable accuracy following the beats perfectly and keeping up with the rhythm. It was time for the last recording. "Okay Jason you're up, I'll feed you a line of all the solo sessions combined to give you a full band in your ear just sing naturally."

"Yeah, yeah man. This isn't our first time remember." Jason said as he walked inside. Dustin took Jason's spot beside David so he could listen to Jason's solo recording.

"I... I can't deny how I feel inside. But you took that all away, when you walked out yesterday. You lied; you said that you would stay. I don't know how things ended up this way. Just die stop fucking with my life, it eats me up inside knowing your alive. I want you gone."

"David, I know we don't give you much credit..." Dustin spoke softly, "I just wanted to say thank you, and you’ve done a great job with all of our music. I can't tell you how much I truly appreciate everything you've done for the band."

"Don't worry about it man," David was focused on the lyrics making sure Jason didn't slip up or miss a line. David actually had an important role in the music making. He almost had to memorize every line of music and the lyrics so he could pick out any missed beat or forgotten line. "I'm just glad I can help, you guys are really good." He went back to listening to Jason.

"But you took that all away when you walked out yesterday. Don’t cry. You said that you would stay. It’s all your fault we ended up this way. This ring was his. It’s the one he wore that night when he took away my life. When he fucked the girl that said she'd be my wife. He deserved to die. And so do you..."

Eric and matt were sitting in the living room listening to the C.D. David brought over while Jason was finishing the last solo. "Hey Jason’s phone is ringing again grab it and see who it is." Matt gestured for Eric to pick up the phone sitting on the table.

Eric walked over and picked up the phone off the table. "Wow, he has twenty three missed calls and a text message all from Dustin's mom." He pressed the button to receive the text message. Eric looked up from the phone and walked over to the window.

"Well what's it say?" Matt inquired taking a sip from his beer and sitting down on the couch. "What the fuck," he said as he sat down on something hard.

As he reached under him to find out what it was Eric looked away from the window. "Have you seen Dustin's car?" Eric looked back at Matt sitting on the couch as he pulled a beer can out from under him.

"An unopened beer?" Matt remembered watching Eric toss a beer at Dustin when he was sitting there earlier.

"You played me for a fool when you convinced me to love you. So just give in. Accept the fate that you will get." As Jason was singing he looked over and noticed an unopened beer sitting in front of the drum set still sweating.

Matt was confused about the unopened beer he found on the couch and glanced over towards the table where they all ate earlier that night. They had not bothered to clean up their mess after eating and sitting on the table was three dirty plates clearly eaten off of and one clean plate where Dustin had been sitting.

"Feel the pain I will inflict. This is how the story’s meant to end. In a violent act of bitter sweet revenge" Jason finished singing the song while staring at the beer can. He felt a cold chill climb up his spine.

"That’s a wrap, good job Jason that was perfect." David said as he took his headset off.

As Jason walked out of the recording room his face was white. "Jason, man Its Dustin's mom she’s been calling all night." Eric approached Jason as soon as the door closed behind him. "Where’s Dustin?"

"He's right here beside me," David said but when he turned no one was there.

"What’s the text message say Eric?" Matt called from behind you could hear an eerie tremble in his voice. Eric handed the phone over to Jason.

Jason's mind wandered to the last moments he was in the recording room right after he finished the last line of Bitter Sweet. Dustin walked up to him and handed him a beer. "You’re going to be a musical phenom one day. Don't let fame get to you. You’re the closest thing to a brother I ever had, I love you man." Jason looked down at the phone and read the first text message out loud. "This is Dustin's mom, please return my call. Dustin has been in an accident." That text message was received forty five minutes ago. Just as Jason read the message he received another one and looked up at his band members. His mind replayed the evening in his head in slow motion. All the things Dustin had said.

"Nothing could stop me from helping you guys finish this C.D. Bull horns haunting him for an eternity, your the closest thing to a brother I ever had."

Everyone fell silent not sure what to say. "I love you too brother." Jason said under his breath before reading the second message out loud. "Jason, I'm so sorry. I tried to call but you didn't answer." Jason could almost hear the tears behind the tragic words in the text message. "Dustin didn't make it, the doctors said he went peacefully."

Jason felt himself tear up as everyone else tried to wrap their head around what exactly happened that night. In the background you could hear the unedited song kept in rhythm by a drummer that could only be described as divine. A song that was recorded not moments ago and Jason found himself thinking back to a moment earlier that night when he was by some unknown reason inspired to write a song he thought he knew nothing about.

"One more song, it won’t take long. I know you have to leave but let’s take advantage of this night to play together one last time."

Jason could no longer hold back the tears as he looked up towards a place he hoped to one day be reunited with his best friend. "Thank you for giving us one more song Dustin. I'll miss you."