Alfredo's - Pretentious Volume 1

Chapter 7

Danny laid in bed, relaxing in the morning sunshine streaming through his window. As awareness blossomed he stiffened. It was too bright. His eyes opened wide, and he jumped out of bed, grabbing the iPod from the nightstand.

"Oh, shit." He could have sworn he set the alarm. It was after two; he should have been at the restaurant two hours ago. He ran a comb through his hair and grabbed a pair of slacks, stumbling as he pulled them on. He grabbed a white shirt, not noticing the marinara stain that ran down the front and bolted downstairs buttoning as he went. He ran into the restaurant embarrassed. Becky and Mama stared at him.

"You forgot your tie," Becky said, smiling. She kissed Mama and shook her head, laughing as she went out the door and watching Danny every step of the way.

Danny watched her go, what in the world was so amusing? Mama grimaced at his clothes. He caught his reflection in a mirror on the wall. His hair stood up in a multitude of places, and the tie he just hastily added lay crooked.

"Why didn't you wake me up, mama? Danny said in frustration. "My alarm didn't go off." He scowled; it wasn't Mama's fault he didn't get up.

Mama laughed. Danny stared, flustered, and she laughed harder. He waited for her to stop.

"What is so funny Mama?"

"You're an absolute mess, Danny. I turned the alarm off." She placed her hand on his cheek.

"Why?"

"Because you needed the sleep."

"What happened to responsibility first?"

Mama gazed at him in a measuring kind of way. "There needs to be balance too, son. You work hard. It's okay."

Danny started to argue but didn't know what to say. He stood for a moment, confused. "Thanks, Mama,"

"You're welcome. Now go home and get cleaned up."

Danny looked in the mirror again and cringed, no wonder they were laughing at him. He sighed and ran his hands down his face, hung his dirty clothes and found some clean ones. Mama would grab the soiled ones when she made a trip to the dry cleaners. They would be back in his closet, clean and pressed when he needed them. He had to wash his school clothes though. He frowned, wondering when he was going to have the time to do that. He showered and dressed and went through his ties settling on a red one because it reminded him of Aryn, and couldn't help smiling as he tied the knot. Aryn wore red a lot.

He heard Becky's bedroom door shut and knew she was home. It sounded like Mark was there too, unless she'd taken to talking to herself. He laughed at the picture in his head.

Becky was three years older, but people often mistook them for twins. She stood a few inches shorter but had the same black curls and blue-grey eyes from their father. Mama insisted Becky's were lighter, but Danny didn't think so. She wasn't quite as easygoing as he was, but more grounded, less busy, all girl, and maybe a little more thoughtful. But she resented things Danny took in stride sometimes. She was smart and compassionate, and always there for him. At least she was until she left for college. Mark adored her, and Danny always thought she brought out the best in him.

Finished with his tie, he grabbed his homework and was on his way out the door when Becky came out of her room.

"Danny. I'm going to do a load of laundry. Do you have anything you want me to throw in?"

"Seriously?"

"Sure, there's only one condition," she said with a devilish grin.

Danny smiled, just short of laughter. "And that would be?"