chapter 2

Daniel awoke to a ray of light, shining through the curtains in his eyes.

His head hurt as he sat up; it felt like he had a hangover. He tried to shake off the cobwebs in his mind before he stood up.

He dragged himself into the bathroom. Looked into the mirror to see his hair looked like a brown q-tip. He turned on the water, placed his hands beneath the faucet then ran it through his hair and combed it back. It still looked messy but much better. He then splashed water on his face then rubbed it. It felt like sandpaper because of the five o’clock shadow he was sporting. “God, you’re a mess.” He grumbled to himself.

He journeyed back to his bed to lie down and figure out what he was going to do. How was he going to get her back? But How? Buying her roses won’t work, he knew that for sure. He could try a romantic jester. But what kind?

His first order of business is trying to find Shari. He turned his cell phone on and called her, but it just beeped three times than disconnected. He tried two more times with the same results, she must have his number blocked.

Daniel thought for a moment. He could go to the restaurant where Shari’s best friend, Cybil Jenkins works. She wasn’t fond of him, for obvious reasons, but desperate times call for desperate measures. To coin a football term, it was time to throw a Hail Mary.

---

Daniel slipped out of his ratty blue jeans he slept in and put on his black jeans, then put on a LA Kings hockey jersey over his tank top, then like a flashhe went out the door and got into his dark green 76 Nisan Skyline. It wasn’t much to look at; there were numerous dents and scratches. But it got him where he needed to go, well most of the time anyways; Now and then he had to get a tow to the auto shop. He prayed this wouldn’t be one of those times. His prayers were answered when it started right up.

Once the car was warmed up he pulled out of the parking lot and headed to Perko’s cafe, the restaurant where Shari’s best friend worked.

When he pulled into the back of Perko’s Cafe it took him a moment to get out of the car. He had no idea what he would say to Cybil, or how she would react to seeing him.

He walked around to the front of the restaurant. Immediately he saw Cybil cleaning a table through the window. He was so nervous, it felt like he was paralyzed. Finally, he took a deep breath, opened the door, and went inside. As he approached Cybil she said, “ Stalking me now?”

Before he could reply Cybil walked to the next table.

“I’m not stalking you,” Daniel replied nervously. He cleared his throat. “I was just wondering if you know where Shari is?”

Cybil whipped her head around. “And why should I tell you?” she barked.

“Look I know you don’t like me. And I can understand why.” Daniel said in a soft tone. “But I love her, and..”

Cybil cut him off. “And what? How many times have you accused her of cheating on you?”

“Look I know I’ve been a fool. I and...”

Cybil cut him off again.” And you’re an a*****e.” She turned and started to walk away. Daniel grabbed her arm. “Please. I need to know where...”

“Frank,” Cybil yelled.

Before Daniell realized what was going on he was yanked up by his collar.

“I think you need to leave.” The man said in a gravelly tone.

Daniel looked and saw a stout man with a round face that had a dark beard speckled with gray staring at him. He let go of Daniel’s jersey and pushed him lightly back. He had about a foot and fifty pounds on him.

Daniel gulped. “I don’t want any trouble.” He had his hands up as if ready to shove or hit Frank if he moved towards him.

“Then I suggest you leave.” Frank pointed to the exit door. “Or you’ll have big trouble.”

Daniel burst out of the restaurant and quickly scurried to his car. He took a moment, took a couple of deep breaths while he let his heartbeat slow down. His hands were shaking like they were cold even though they weren’t. He thought for a moment deciding where else he might go. Then a thought occurred to him. The bank Shari worked at was down the street. Maybe one of her co-workers knows where she is.
He turned on the ignition and darted out of the Perko’s parking lot.

In such a rush he forgot to look before pulling into traffic. He heard a tire screech, he obscenities being yelled. But he didn’t care. He hit the gas. He was a man on a mission.

Daniel pulled into the Bank Of America parking lot, got out of his car, and walked into the Bank, He looked over his shoulder before he entered, He didn’t even know why. Nerves were the only answer he could come up with.

There were three tellers at the window helping customers. One white, one look edoriental, and a short black lady on the left end. He walked towards her because he knew of her. They had only met once but Shari talked about her all the time, the crazy adventure of Shari and Camilla. Camilla Friedman, that was her name.

He stood in line; there were three in front of him. Nerves began to get the best of him again. He didn’t know how much Camilla knew about him, but he figured as close as she was to Shari it was no doubt a lot.

Camilla glanced at him while assisting the last customer before him and rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, She knows plenty” Daniel thought to himself.

“Next,” Camilla said.

Danny walked up slowly. Before he even got to the window Camilla said firmly. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to talk to a customer?” Daniel said jokingly. Camilla didn’t look amused.

A moment of silence hung in the air before Daniel cleared his throat. “I was wondering if you might know where Shari is?”

How should I know? “Camilla replied. “Maybe off somewhere cheating on you.” She displayed her wide smile.

Daniel could feel his face turn beat red. He took a moment to calm himself down. He put on a fake smile. “Very clever. But I guess I deserve that.”

When Camilla didn’t respond Daniel continued. “Look, I really need to see her.”

Camilla put on a stone face. “I don’t think so.” “Please I...”

Camilla cut him off. “ Look I have customers waiting in line. If you don’t have any transactions that involve this bank, please step aside.”

“I am begging you.” There was desperation in Daniel's voice. “I need to talk to her.”

He saw Camilla reach under the counter. Before he knew what was happening a security guy was in his face. “Is there a problem?”

“No. I was just looking for Shari.” Daniel replied sheepishly.

The security guy looked towards Camilla. Camilla mouthed something.

The security guard grabbed him by his jersey and forcefully dragged him to the door.

“You don’t understand,” Daniel said urgently.

“Oh, I understand plenty.” The guard opened the door and shove him out. “Come in here again and you’ll be getting a free ride in a police car, sporting a fat lip.”

Daniel sighed and got back in his car.

As Daniel pulled out of the bank parking lot something irked him. That security guard looked familiar, but he couldn’t remember from where. He tried searching through his memory bank but nothing came to mind. But he knew that he recognized him. The thing that stood out was the fact that it was not in a good way. Something about that guy seemed off. Of course, it could just be because he was thrown out of the bank by him. But Daniel knew it was more than that, He just couldn't figure out why.

After driving around aimlessly Daniel decided to pull into a hole-in-the- wall bar on 9th street. There wasn’t even a name on the outside, just a neon light that said “Beers and Cigarettes.”

He walked in a looked around. It was very dim in there. Daniel saw maybe three people. A man and woman in a corner booth laughing and drinking, he could only conclude they were a couple. That made Daniel even sadder. There was also a man sitting at the bar with a glass half full of what looked like beer. He had black hair Slicked back. He was wearing a leather Jacket, Blue jeans, and brown leather boots.

He sat down. The guy next gave him a nod then turned to his glass and took a swig of the liquid.

“How’s it going?” Daniel asked politely.

The guy looked at him and belched then looked away.

“I’m sorry,” Daniel said apologetically. “I didn’t mean to bother you.” The man glanced over and then focused on his beer.

“What’s your name?” Daniel asked while extending his arm for a handshake.

“Jeremy.” The man grumbled.
“I’m Daniel Ascot,” He replied. “ How’s it going?”

Jeremy Sat for a moment then turned towards Daniel with s quizzical look. “Daniel Ascot. Why do I know that name?”

“I’m a reporter for the Modesto Bee.”

Jeremy looked at him for a moment, His eyebrow arched up.”Wait. You interviewed that lady who witness the bank Robbery.”

“Why yes, I did,” Daniele said with a tiny smile. “You read it?” “Yeah, I read it. “Jeremy retorted in an angry tone.

Daniel didn’t know how to respond. Suddenly Jeremy grabbed his jersey pulling him forward. They were practically nose-to-nose. “ That b***h fingered the wrong guy.”

The smell of his breath almost made Daniel puke. He pulled himself from Jeremy’s grip. “What are you talking about? She saw the guy when he took off his mask. She saw him clearly and positively identified him.”

“I’m telling you, she got the wrong guy.”
“And just how do you know that?” Daniel said sharply. “Because that guy is my best friend.”

Daniel was speechless. He starred at Jeremy, at a loss for words. Finally, he said. “Well I know is, she identified him.”

“Well I know is, if I see that b***h again she’s going to pay.”

Danny shot off his seat. “You hold on a sec,” Danny said loudly. “That’s my girlfriend. You mess with her you’re the one that will pay.”

Jeremy Snickered. “Yeah right.”

Danny started to speak but Jeremy cut him off. “Look little man, you have no idea who you're messing with. Now walk out that door or that lady, what’s her name? Sharri, will be identifying you at the morgue.”

Danny started to say something but decided was best to walk away, so he did.”

Daniel walked out of the bar and headed towards a hotel across the way. Because He didn’t feel like going to his empty apartment. He couldn’t believe what he had just done. Where the hell did he get the courage to stand up to s guy that he had no doubt, could pummel him? They say love can make you do crazy things, and they were right. As he walked he kept looking back over his shoulder. Every time he did he saw Jeremy glaring at him through the bar’s doorwindow.

He went into the hotel lobby, if you could call it that. There was nothing but a ratty couch and chair that sandwiched a lamp that had no shade.

He walked up to the counter and paid with a credit card. When the manager handed him a key Daniel asked if he could have a beer sent to his room. He gave him an extra forty dollars when the manager said they don’t have that kind of service.

He went right to his room, he glanced over his shoulder before entering it, there was Jeremy still glaring through the door.

He stepped into the room and double-locked the door. Daniel went to the bed and laid down, it was very lumpy but will have to do till now while he figures something out.

There was a knock on the door. Daniel went to the window and pulled the curtains back. He saw a man with a blue blazer holding a case of beer. He let him in. Once the man left Daniel made sure the door was locked and sat the case of beer on the nightstand sat on the edge of the bed. He stared at it for a moment as he tried to think of his next move. When nothing came to mind he opened the case and took out a beer. He twisted the cap off and guzzled the first bottle. He repeated it two more times. He then laid there with tears in his eyes until he fell asleep. 

Reviews

[Corset]

another great chapter it's got a firm lasso on the reader, I got to this line and omg so funny as is but maybe think romantic jester should be "a romantic gesture", but the visual it brought when in the thick of the story gave me a thoroughly sound giggle..(.i'd love a romantic jester, and I bet Shari would too!)

[Coyote Poetry]

A very strong chapter Dale. You are create a good story line. I liked the honest conversation and the appearance of the dangerous man. You have my attention now. Thank you for sharing the entertaining chapter.
Coyote

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Thank you again. I am so happy when people enjoy my novels. I put all my heart, soul and mind into it.

[Coyote Poetry]

I am enjoying Dale and you are welcome my friend.