Kaleidoscope

Chapter Sixty

Kim and Danny's relationship flourished, and soon plans were underway for them to return to school. Kim's parents had gotten her a car, and she offered to take Danny back up with her, providing their belongings all fit in the trunk and the back seat. They shared in the driving, with Danny only occasionally thinking of Theresa each time it was Kim's turn to drive. But, in therapy he had finally accepted that Theresa's accident was unavoidable and just a tragic twist of fate.

Kim's first stop was at the Fraternity House to drop Danny off. She had been to the house the previous year but this time Danny was able to show her the room he would be sharing with one of his brothers. It was a typical man cave, filled with old hand-me-down furniture, a far cry from Kim's more upscale living arrangements.

"Hey, Danny, nice to have you part of the big house," said Josh, his roommate. "Let me know if there is anything I can help you with."

"Josh, this is my girlfriend, Kim. Kim this is my roommate, Josh."

"Nice to meet you," said Josh with a wink and a nod to Danny which did not go unnoticed by Kim.

"Nice meeting you, too, Josh," she answered, a grin crossing her face.

Danny put his things down and said he would go back to Kim's place to help her get settled. That brought another grin to Josh's face. As Danny was about to leave, Josh pulled him aside and told him what a lucky guy he was. You have no idea, Danny thought, as he once again thanked God for bringing Kim into his life.

Kim's apartment mates were sitting on the front porch when she and Danny pulled up. Hugs went all around as the girls greeted each other after a summer away. Danny helped her bring her things in from the car and in to her room.

"Just leave my suitcases on the bed, Danny, and I'll get to them later, she said as she flung open her gauze curtains to let the sun shine in. The brightness brought a smile to her face as she watched Danny hoist the heavy bags up. He came over to her, took her in his arms and kissed her.

"What was that for," she asked, after relishing his affection.

"You just make me happy," he answered looking into her mesmerizing eyes.

"And you make me very happy, too, Handsome. Now, you'd better get back to your house and get unpacked before I won't let you leave. How about meeting at the Student Union for a burger later?"

"Sounds like a plan," he answered, squeezing her just a little bit tighter. "I'll come over around 6 to get you, okay?"

Kim bit her tongue, wanting so badly to tell him she loved him, but she had to be sure of his feelings first. He turned to go and she pulled him back for just one more kiss.

"See you later, Gorgeous," he said as he walked out of her room.

Kim flopped down on her bed and thought about how far she and Danny had come. Two years ago they had played their little dance in English class when she tried so desperately to figure him out. She studied the little roses on her wallpaper as she thought about his downfall and all that had precipitated it. She was in his life now, and planned to remain there, for better or worse. He still had his demons, but she was determined to help him fight them.

She roused from her thoughts to a gentle knock on her door, finding Tess standing in her doorway.

"You and Danny certainly look content."

"Come on in, Tess," Kim offered as she scooted over on the bed to make room for her good friend.

"We are content, Tess. Things couldn't be any better. I have so much to tell you about this summer and Danny's sister's wedding and his other sister, Theresa, and his whole family. It's just been a whirlwind." And the two girls sat on Kim's four poster bed and shared their lives with each other. The only thing Kim kept to herself was Danny's struggle with drugs. It was not her story to tell.

Kim and Danny's relationship did, in fact, get serious. One evening, as they sat on the back steps of his Fraternity house, TVs blaring inside and more than one sonorous belch emanating from the space, they entered into a deep conversation.

He gazed into her emerald eyes, took her face in his hands and kissed her.

"I love you, Kim," escaped from his lips.

"I've wanted to hear that for so long, Danny. I love you, too."

Danny's shoulders relaxed, releasing all the tensions he had built up before saying the words.

"What are we going to do when you graduate, and I still have another year here. Are you still planning on law school?"

"I am, and I'm trying to get in here. If not, I may go back home and go to Georgetown if I can get in. I'll be taking the LSATs next year, and that will answer a few questions about my chances. That, and my GPA will be the determining factors."

"I want you near me, Kim. I need you more than you know. Let's pray that you're accepted here for law school so that we can be together."

"But what about when you graduate? Where will you go for Physical Therapy school? Have you given it any thought?"

"I've looked into a few programs, and there is one in Boston that is good. I know that isn't here, but it's not that far away. But, it's very difficult to get in. They only take a handful of people each semester. I may have to be a PT tech first while I wait for acceptance. But, this is still two years away for me. A lot could change between now and then."

"Nothing will change with us, will it?"

"Never, Kim. I will always love you. Let's get out of here, away from this bedlam. Can we go back to your place for a while?"

"My roommates will all be there. And we have an unspoken rule that we won't entertain our boyfriends in our rooms if the others are there. It's just too awkward."

"Can we just sit outside then?" He sounded like a little boy.

Kim grabbed his arm and led him away back to the serenity of a girls' apartment, a far cry from the bedlam of a Fraternity House.

"How do you stand all that noise all the time, Danny?"

"You get used to it. Plus, the guys are great. We look out for each other, and it's a good feeling."

The night air was chilly with a whiff of a breeze as they slowly made their way across campus. Lights were pouring out of windows as one after another place housed students from the University, all hunkered down studying. Or in some cases, sound asleep over their books. Kim and Danny were so comfortable in each other's company that Kim found it hard to remember back when things between them were so strained. They had come so far in their relationship and their honesty with each other, and she trusted him with her life—and her heart.