The Neighbor

Chapter 28: The End

"Don't forget to bring me home something, "Kyle said. We were at the busy airport. I didn't have much time before they started boarding the plane but I had to say bye to my brother. After all I wouldn't see him for 3 months.

"I won't forget, "I said, "and is that really all you have to say? Your little sister is going to California for three months and all you care about is presents?"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, "he said, "Savannah wants something too."

"Kyle!" I complained.

"I'm kidding, "he said, "I'll miss you Danny."

"I'll miss you too, "I said, smiling.

"But if you wouldn't mind-"he started.

"I'll get Savannah something, "I sighed.

"Thanks sis, "he said, "and hey, try not to get too egotistical while you're out there."

"Wow, you really believe those stereotypes don't you?"I joked.

"Yes I do, "he said proudly. He looked at me for a second then hugged me. "Just look out for yourself, "he said.

"Right back at you, "I said.

"Danny!" Brendan shouted, "The plane's boarding!"

"I got to go, "I said. I grabbed my bag, said good bye to my brother, and ran to the gate. I got one last look at my big brother before I followed Brendan down the long hallway to the plane.

-------------------------------------

California was just as glamorous as I remembered it and twice as busy. We got stuck in traffic for three hours. By the time we got to Brendan's mansion I was starving.

"Do you want to go out for lunch?" I asked.

"I'm sorry Danny but I have to meet with my manager and make plans, "he said, "but I promise tomorrow we can hang out."

"Okay, "I sighed.

"Hey why don't you go have lunch with Kiera?" he asked.

"The maid?" I said.

"Yeah, you guys can go shopping and do whatever girly things you want, "he said.

"Okay, "I said, "but you better hang out with me tomorrow."

"Promise, "he said.

I jumped out of the limo and walked up to the mansion alone. It was intimidating when you really looked at it. The balconies were empty, most of the lights were off, and the stone gargoyles at the front seemed to glare at me.

"Danny!" a lady shouted.

"Hey Kiera, "I said. She was about 24 years old. She was of average height and skinny. Her blond hair was pulled back into a pony tail. She wore a light blue tank top and black shorts.

"Does Mr. Jones have business today?" she asked.

"Yeah, "I answered. It was slightly funny to hear someone call Brendan "Mr. Jones." Especially since I knew the real him, the 5 year old that was on the inside.

"Oh well I guess that's just more girl time for us, "she said, "What do you want to do?"

"I'm kind of hungry, "I said.

"Well then let's go get some lunch, "she said, "it's on me."

Brendan's other chauffeur drove us into L.A and we had some lunch. We went to a small Italian restaurant that wasn't very busy.

"People will recognize you now so we have to go to small restaurants like this, "Kiera said, "I hope you don't mind."

"It's fine, "I said, "I love little restaurants like this." After we had our lunch of salad and pasta we drove to the outskirts of L.A and shopped at some old vintage stores. Afterwards we went to Salvation Army and tried on the ugliest dresses we could find. It was surprisingly fun.

When we were leaving Salvation Army Kiera got a phone call.

"Sorry, I have to take this, "she said, "stay here." She stepped away to talk in private and I leaned against the wall. I didn't know how much time passed before someone tapped on my shoulder. I expected it to be some fan who recognized me as Brendan Jones's new daughter. What I didn't expect to see was the bag of dirt himself, Todd Mahonny.

"Danny, "he said quietly.

"Todd, "I said with resentment.

"Since when do you call me by my first name?"

"Since I was adopted."

"Right." He stood there looking slightly awkward.

"Well is that the only reason why you came over here?" I shouted.

"No, "he said, "I just saw you and figured I should come over and say hi."

"Hi, "I said.

"Hi, "he said. He didn't say any more. Just "hi." It made me want to scream.

"Is that really all you have to say for yourself?"I shouted, "This is the first time you've seen me in three years and all you have to say is hi? No hey how has your life been? It's not like I would know, you know since I abandoned you!"

"Danny it's not that simple, "he said.

"Isn't it though?" I shouted, tears in my eyes, "you left and know you just show up out of the blue and what do you expect? You want me to hug you and laugh and forget any of it ever happened? Well I'm sorry Todd but that isn't how it works. You left and for the rest of my life I'll remember that."

"Danny I'm not asking you to hug me or to forget this happened, "he said, "I came over here to ask....if maybe....is there any scenario where you might consider, even for a second, forgiving me? Is there anything I can do to get you to forgive me?"

I stood there and stared at him. I stared into his dark eyes that were like reflections of mine. I felt the warm evening wind dry the tears off my cheeks. The sunset was probably beautiful but I couldn't see it.

"No, "I said, "I can't forgive you. You left me to live a life of misery. Over the past year I finally got to see what a real father looks like. I'm not going to leave my new father, the one who loves and cares about me more than anything, for you, the man who gave up and left without a trace. Who would you want to live with? Who do you think is a better role model?"

"I'm sorry you feel that way, "he said, "and if you ever think of something I can do for you, you let me know. Goodbye Danny." He turned and began to walk away.

"Wait, "I said. He turned around hopefully and stared back at me. "Can I ask one question?" I asked, the tears returning.

"Anything, "he whispered, tears in his eyes as well.

"Why did you leave?"