The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 38: Tell me everything

Danny and I texted and called each other often during those two weeks. He put in his leave notice, got everything settled with his new boss, and packed to move.

The sooner he's back with me, the better.

I'd been having some irrational and intrusive thoughts. The kind that said something bad would happen to him because the universe was conspiring against us. That our happiness was too pure for this world and would be squashed. That we were offensive. That we were fated to live apart and to be sad.

Like I said, intrusive thoughts.

Finding love is scary because you know how precious it is, and how easily it can be taken from you.

"I can't wait to see you tonight," Danny said over the phone. "I can't wait to hold you and kiss you. I can't wait to feel you."

My knees buckled at his tone. "Where are you right now?"

"North Carolina. I left at five this morning."

"Gross."

"Eh, I'm used to getting up early. Have you left yet?"

"I will be soon. Just packing the last of Rojo's things."

"Okay. Have a safe drive. I love you, MJ. Tell Ashley-Claire I say hi."

"I will. I love you too, Danny."

We hung up.

I sighed, and then looked around at my apartment. I'd rearranged and downsized my belongings so it wouldn't feel too crowded with Danny's stuff. It was exciting, and a little scary.

Rojo and I went down to the car and began our trip. I took off Friday and Monday for a long weekend. Before arriving at my aunt's house, I was going to stop and see Ashley-Claire. I wished I was staying in the city so I could see her more, but now both my mom and my uncle were living on Long Island.

My uncle tried moving back to Queens after he had recovered from his injuries, but unfortunately, New York isn't a great place to live if you are disabled. My uncle got tired of constantly having to call restaurants and stores ahead of time to see if they had wheelchair access and the apartments that provided ample space were too expensive.

He eventually moved back to Deer Park.

Though he was sad to leave the city, he did meet someone and get married. Her name was Ava, and she was a wonderful addition to our family. I had two more cousins now.

Ashley-Claire shared an apartment with one of her bandmates in Red Hook. It had been months since I'd seen her, and we were way overdue for a hang-out.

My gaze swept the neighborhood. It felt good to be back in New York.

After Ashley-Claire buzzed us in, Rojo and I went up four flights of stairs and found her waiting in her doorway.

"Hi Babe!" she said moments before she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Hi, Ash." I squeezed her back.

"I've missed you. I bought some sandwiches for lunch from the deli down the street."

"I've missed you, too." I entered her apartment and shut the door behind me. "Lunch sounds great, thank you."

She squeezed my hand, then let go to pet Rojo. His tail thumped loudly on the wooden floor as she cooed, "Such a good boy!" over and over.

"He's such a great co-pilot. I love taking road trips with him."

Ashley-Claire stood up and began walking down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. "I'm dying to hear about everything that happened between you and Danny," she said as she looked over her shoulder.