The Existence of Reconcilable Differences

Chapter Eleven

Two days went by and eluding him had continued, regardless of their eventual run-ins. All she saw herself doing was crashing into his bedroom, tearing her clothes off, jumping on top of him, and proceeding to give him her wet, burning lips... it was a recurring vision that she craved to manifest into the physical.

Daydreams are just daydreams, so they steered clear of each other harder than they did before. Dani would often hide in her room, and come out only to go to work, practice, or the bathroom. She lied and said she had caught a really bad cold to have Mary bring her food. That act didn't last long.

"Dani!" Mary called from the stove. Dani walked into the kitchen to find Gunner sitting at the table savagely chewing on beef jerky. He was supposed to be at work.

"Oh–oh, hey." She stuttered, trying not to look at Gunner.

"Hey honey, feeling better?"

"I'm feeling... okay-ish."

"Well, it's better than nothing. So, I'm leaving in an hour. Be good to each other, okay?" Mary eyed Gunner.

"Sure." Dani cooperated.

"Yeah." Gunner slugged through his reply.

"The food is stocked, if there are any issues the numbers are on the refrigerator door–"

"We're adults. We can handle ourselves." Gunner spoke for the both of them, shutting his mother down but causing her to smile.

"Well, then... if you say so. I've got to pack a few more things. Dani, can you finish the dishes for me?"

"Sure, Mom."

Gunner relentlessly stared at her from the kitchen table. He waited for her to turn around and give him eye contact. But she resisted and scrubbed the plates down like he hadn't been behind her.

Finally, he blurted, "We need to talk."

"About?" She asked, in a flat tone.

"Who's going to take out the trash?"

Dani finally turned to him, "I'm washing dishes and you're chewing on meat – don't you think you should?"

Oddly, a twinkle in his eyes caused him to look amused.

"No."

"And why is that?"

"Because you're already cleaning and... I don't feel like doing it."

Dani turned back and scoffed. "Yeah, and Mary said for us to try not to kill each other. You're not making it any easier for me to suppress the feeling of putting you through a fucking meat grinder."

"Likewise. But for me, I'd just snap your neck." Gunner plucked up and walked to the filled garbage. With the jerky sticking out of his mouth, he lifted the trash out without a problem and stormed out of the kitchen.

"Dick," Dani muttered.

Dani's stomach was growling like a werewolf who knew the full moon arrived; she wanted to cook but she wasn't sure where Gunner was in the house. The last of her stomach yelling at her sent her out of bed and down the steps.

From a distance, she heard the television and the scent of steak whisked into her nose the closer she grew. She cautiously stepped into the kitchen to find Gunner sauteeing carrots, onions, and peppers as he took another large gulp from the nearly finished Jack Daniels bottle.

"I'm guessing all of that food is for you," Dani said with her arms crossed.

Gunner swung the fridge door open and pulled out a beer.