Kaleidoscope

Chapter Thirty

Danny stood in front of the mirror, rehearsing.

You see, Kim, my sister was always such a nag. Nothing I ever did was good enough.

That would be a little blunt and he knew Kim would have a soft spot in her heart for someone who had been through what Theresa had.

My family is a bit of a mess. After the accident, my dad had an affair and left my mom and he never seemed to give a damn about anything I did.

Whoa. Now he was slamming his dad. There didn't seem to be any way to expose his life without hurting the people in it.

My family is a little complicated. There's always been competition with my sisters. But, the thing is, I never really thought there was. I think it was all in Theresa's mind. She pushed me hard when I was in high school but I always did okay. Did you know that I got a soccer scholarship to UMass? I really surprised my family because they never knew I was good enough to get one.

Too much info too fast.

Nobody in the family ever cared what I did. Once Jen left, Theresa was always the focus.

Now he was just having a pity party. He'd just have to see what direction the conversation took him. Maybe he wouldn't even have to get into so many details.

Failing to formulate a plan, he got dressed and went into the kitchen to see if he could borrow the car. Rose, suspicious of his disappearances, asked where he was going. Danny surprised her by telling her he had a date.

"Well, tell me about the young lady, Danny. I didn't know you were seeing anyone." Rose's hopes swelled with the thought that this is where Danny was going all the times he left the house when he wasn't going to work.

"There's not too much to tell, Mom. It's just somebody I met when I was at school who lives around here. I bumped into her when I went to the concert the other night. We're just going to a movie. So, can I have the car for a few hours?"

"Of course," Rose answered. "Have a good time. Maybe we could meet this young lady some time."

Danny's radar went up. There was no way he was going to bring home someone who looked just like his sister and expect it would go well. He might have to face that someday, but for now, he couldn't wrap his head around such a meeting. Not only would it tear his mother up to see the image of her daughter walking, he didn't know how Theresa would react.

"I think it's a bit early for that, Mom," was as far as he wanted to take that subject.

The drive to Kim's house was shorter than he would have liked. He needed more time to prepare. He was amazed that they were so close to each other all these years, but since they were in different school districts, they had never met. He felt like a kid again, nervous for his first date. Despite the heat in the car, he was chilled.

Kim's house sat tucked into a cul-de-sac and he found it easily. There were cars in the driveway so he suspected her parents were home. That shouldn't be awkward—he'd met them before. Nonetheless, he had to summon up his courage to get out of the car. He parked in the street and sat for a minute. Finally, he got out of his car and walked slowly up to the front steps. The porch light was on welcoming him. He placed his finger over the door bell, trying to calm his shaking hand. He knocked instead.

Kim answered the door, her hair gently pulled back from her face, exposing her stunning green eyes. Danny stood transfixed momentarily, then pulled himself back into the present moment and greeted her with a smile. Her smile in return dispelled any anxiety he was feeling. For a moment, he thought of his sister, and quickly brushed her image away. This was Kim.