DANIELLittle Josh Devin is two weeks old today. The birth of the baby seems to bring on an extra shine in Stan's home. "You look awkward in that. " I say to Stan, half joking. He is putting on the apron Trace wears to feed the baby. My friend says nothing but grins at me. Stan, he looks out of place in all of this. He's that sort of guy  who belongs to a gym room or a tattoo parlor. He's clearly not suited for daddy duties, but I do not think he cares.  Today makes it two weeks since I asked Josie to leave my home. I do not like to remember it. I can still see her face wearing that hurt look and it makes me to realize how much of a monster I am. "You can take Daniel out of Florida but you can't get Florida out of Daniel. "It's Randy's voice i

JOSIE"Josie, there's a man looking for you. He is outside waiting. Would you want to see him? " Patty is asking me. I am at work. Winter is finally here and the smell of Christmas with it. Life also seems to be meaningful again since I stopped my wild goose chase with Daniel Winchester, it’s no use spending so much time cooped up in my teenage fantasy. I am excited about going to college in Spring. Utah is my first choice. "Wow, looks like you are becoming quite popular with the guys these days. Way to go Josie. " Stacey says. She's here so often chattering away, one would think she was also an employee at the restaurant. Its only lucky Patty does not care so much. "A man? I am not expecting anyone. "I say"Well, he's waiting and wouldn’t go away

JOSIE"Hello Josie, thanks for coming" The blonde-haired woman with a baby says to me. It's not hard locating this part of the hospital that has been kept for very sick people. "My pleasure, ma'am "I say and offer a stifled smile. This place has a feeling of death about it. There are tear streaks on the woman's face I am certain are as a result of continued crying. "Josie" Stan says to me. He walks up behind the lady and wraps an arm around her waist, It doesn't take me long to figure this must be his wife. "Stan, "I reply. He simply nods at me, not knowing the right words to speak. My gaze travels past Stan and his wife towards the bed. Daniel lies on the bed, tucked in between sheets. Little tubes co

"A gift from my Dad to you. "I say to Daniel. He doesn't reply instead he stares at me, open mouthed. "Not everyone in Riverside hates you, Dan. ""Come in" he finally says, and steps aside for me to enter the house. The Tow guys drag the rather large tree into the sitting room and set it up beside the window facing out front. Daniel isn't of much use in the dragging and heaving that ensues. The pain in his side isn't quite gone yet. "Thank you, gentlemen. "He says, tipping the guys off generously. They smile professionally and take their leave. I am left alone with Daniel for the first time since the day he asked me to leave his house. The atmosphere

Riverside has finally closed in on me. The silence and solitude I came here to find has slipped through my fingers. This is yet another surprise I didn't expect and while I am yet trying to process the shock the stranger brought to my home earlier. "How long? "I ask, the pain in my side has returned due to the speed at which mu heart is beating. "Three weeks now. ""Why didn't you let me know? ""I didn't know until very recently. "She said. This is the last thing I want. "What are you going to do about it? "I ask, dumbly"What do you mean Daniel? "Josie asks, drying the tears from her eyes.