Just Hit 'Send' By Grasshopper

Just Hit 'Send' - The Interim Years by Grasshopper Ch. 2

His wheelchair pulled as close to the cliff edge as Easy would let him, Danny watched the sun set, fully expecting to hear a loud hiss when it hit the water. "Terry, everything's wonderful," he laughed, turning his head to smile up at his friend.

Terry was so pleased to see that smile on Danny's face. He had been quiet and thoughtful on the drive up and Terry didn't know if he was sorry he had agreed to move. "I hope you'll like it here. My mom is off in Europe and we can just kick back and enjoy ourselves."

"But, this is great. The house is unbelievable and this view, My God!" The house sat on the high cliffs of the Columbia River, the storm gods whirling and spinning their thunderbolts and misty clouds of rain along the corridor of polished bluffs and rocky ledges. Danny had never seen such beauty in nature, such an imbalance of his senses.

They had left San Diego in cutoff jeans and t-shirts and now, here he was, half frozen, bundled in one of Terry's hooded USC sweatshirts, the mist in the air dampening his eyelashes. He had begged Easy to wheel him to the very edge of the high bluff so he could see the storm gods at work.

He felt for Easy's hand, pulling him down close. "I wish Jordy could see this, Ez."

"I know. He will one day," Easy soothed. He was so conflicted about this move. Danny needed to continue his therapy and he relied on Terry. Easy felt loyalty pulling him in both directions. He owed Jordan his very life but he could see what Danny was going through. He just hoped he could be the right friend for both of them. If they were meant to be together, then life would work out that way.

"Let's go get you warmed up and some supper going," Terry said quietly. He could feel Easy's questions and wished he could answer them but on the other hand, perhaps Jordan hadn't been the right person, the right catalyst to make Danny live his life. Time would tell, and Terry would be right by Danny to help him.

They walked back up the stone path toward the back deck that opened into a huge open house made of wood and glass as if the gods had thrown one of their crystal toys and it had landed on this barren cliff.

"I love the stained glass," Danny praised the play of colors as the sun shown its last through the violets and lavenders and azure blues of the high windows. "I feel like I'm in a movie."

Terry grinned. "What can I say? My mother marries well. Now, let's get you to your rooms." He pushed Danny's chair up the wooden ramp behind the huge banister to the second floor.

"Is your mom in a wheelchair?" Danny asked. "I can get around so easy here with all the ramps."

"Nah," Terry blushed, "I um....kinda added these before you came."

"Ohhhh," Danny sighed, his face a conflict of pleasure and worry.

"No problem, Dan. I just wanted you to be comfortable."

"Thank you, Terry." He reached up and pulled Terry down for a sweet hug.

"I don't want to be trouble for you."

Terry just smiled.

**

"Well, Markie. I don't know what to tell ya," Easy muttered into the phone later in the night.

"What?" she asked, catching the tone in his voice.

"Dang if the guy hasn't added ramps and shit to his GORGEOUS house to make our boy comfortable."

"Oh."

"Yeah. We may be in big trouble here. How's the Man?"

"He's doing okay. School started Monday and he loves it. The lesson plans and schedules and papers to grade have already got him running. Between being Teacher and Daddy, Jordy hasn't had time to think a lot."