World of If

A Long Story

Danny was just getting ready for bed when he and Dahlia were able to talk alone. Elsie had made up a bed for him in the back room (minus the duvet) and he was just pulling a clean shirt over his head (he had been thankful he had been able to do laundry) when Dahlia poked her head in the room.

"Can you at least tell me what's going on? Why you're acting all weird."

Danny sighed and sat down on the couch. Shoving a pillow out of the way he motioned for Dahlia to join him.

"You better sit down."

Dahlia raised her eyebrows.

"That bad, huh?"

Danny didn't reply but Dahlia did as he asked then looked at him expectantly.

Danny sighed again.

"The short version is I'm running from the law."

Dahlia made a face and her eyebrows raised again.

"Anything my cousin and I need to know about?" She asked.

Danny gave a short humorless laugh.

"No, nothing that bad. You know that law the US passed last year to cut down on abortion rates and hold men accountable for unwanted pregnancies?"

Dahlia nodded slowly.

It was all over the news, it was a big deal, even the politicians here had a thing or two to say about it."

"Well, Danny blew out a breath, "I got my girlfriend pregnant, I didn't even know about it until last week, the condom broke or something like that and everyone told me to get out of there... I don't even think anyone wanted to turn me in."

"So that's why the guy at the border was suspicious of you and why you look like you fell headfirst into a vat of dye." Dahlia grinned and Danny laughed despite himself.

"I mean it was an accident, I'm not saying I wouldn't take care of the kid, but the law isn't on my side no matter what I do even if I were to go back. I don't deserve to lose my right to have kids in the future because of an accident."

"So what are you going to do now?" Dahlia asked, although Danny was quite sure she already knew the answer.

"Start over. Find a place and get the job."

"Good luck with Christmas coming up," Dahlia replied, "no one's going to be hiring until after the first of the year."

"I know, but if I could even just find part-time or a temporary position until then... That be great."

"I'll help you as much as I can until I go back to Detroit." Dahlia answered. "There might be a few stores around here hiring help for the holidays until you can start putting out applications."

"Thanks," Danny replied, giving her a warm smile, "I appreciate it, really."

"Anytime, stowaway." Dahlia replied lightly as she sauntered from the room.

For the first time in a week Danny found himself looking forward to tomorrow.

The next morning after breakfast Dahlia took Danny around town. She pointed out things as they drove along, the shopping center and various nearby businesses she knew were hiring.

"You can pick up a few applications today if you like, I have to get a few things for dinner anyway."

"It's just like the States." Danny mused, "They even have some of the same take out places."

Dahlia laughed. "Yeah, that surprised me to the first time I visited. I bet you're sick of takeout though."

Now it was Danny's turn to laugh.

"Darn right! I can't say a doctor would be happy with my diet the past week."

"How about we go out somewhere, a nice somewhere." Dahlia suggested.

Danny smirked.

"Are you asking me out?"

"What if I am?" Dahlia asked with a grin.

"I would probably say yes." Danny replied with a laugh.

"Okay then, but not tonight though I just bought a roast for dinner and that isn't going to cook itself and I'd rather not leave Elsie hanging."