I was completely and indescribably happy. For the first time in a very long time, I took charge and broke down the walls that I had worked so hard to build up. I felt free; I was happy and I was in love. I don’t remember feeling this way all those years ago; barriers in place I never would have allowed myself to get this close to anyone before. I had missed out on so much behind those walls, I never imagined or has even dared to leave the confined space of my so-called “sanctuary” because I believed I was doing myself a favor; thinking that the whole world would hurt me if I strayed but I was wrong. The whole world was full of possibilities, people were kind and Daniel was nothing like my father; and as it turns out my father is nothing like he used to be. He was a changed man and I am a changed woman.

I shivered and Daniel sat right up to look at me.

“Are you okay?” He asked slightly concerned.

“I’m fine, I smiled, I am just a little cold is all.

“Why don’t we get dressed and go out for lunch. My treat.” He said.

“That sounds nice, I am getting a little hungry.” I replied as my stomach grumbled in agreement.

"Yes, I can see that." He chuckled.
We got up and rummaged through the pile on the floor for our clothes.

“What do you feel like?” He asked.

I thought about it for a moment.

“I could go for a cheeseburger. I need some carbs after that workout.” I smiled.

“I would love a cheeseburger, he smiled back, there’s a great place on Bury New Rd called Solita in Prestwich.

“Sounds great.” I replied.

We were in the car a few minutes later on our way to Prestwich; a small town located 3.3 miles from the Manchester city center with a population of some 30,000+ residents; small on comparison to Manchester’s some 500,000+ residents. Daniel reached out to hold my hand, stroking my palm with his fingertips making me forget my thoughts. I smiled to myself and looked out the window allowing a new thought to take over. I was replaying the day in my mind, from my bedroom to Daniel’s apartment and more specifically the sofa. I had to open the window letting the cool air hit me in the face to force myself back to reality.

He hadn’t noticed, or if he had he chose not to comment. I would think by now that he would be all too familiar with my zoning out. My mind was always wandering, stuck somewhere between down to earth and out to lunch. I don’t believe I am crazy but sometimes I like to think of a universe full of sunshine and lollipops; figuratively speaking of course, I really don’t like candy. The ticking of the signal light echoed in my mind and I realized that I was doing it again as I tuned back into my surroundings noticing a white vintage looking building to the right with the name "Solita" printed on the hanging sign above the door.

We parked close to the entrance, got out and entered the restaurant. The intoxicating aroma made me realize just how hungry I was. We were greeted by a young woman with a dazzling smile and wavy chocolate brown hair that flowed halfway down her back.

"Good afternoon, she said flashing her smile, table for two?"

"Yes, thank you." Daniel replied.

She grabbed two menus off of the front desk and sauntered gracefully through rows of tables made up with white tablecloths and place settings for four. She led us to a secluded corner with smaller tables set for two.

"Here we are, she said gesturing towards one of the tables and handing us our menus, Can I get you something to drink?"

"Guinness for me please." Daniel responded.

They both turned their attentions to me.

"I would love a glass of your house Merlot." I replied with a friendly smile.

"Coming right up." She said and percolated off towards the bar.

"How are your parents?" Daniel asked opening his menu to view the lunch specials and I did the same.

"They are well, thank you for asking." I smiled.

"Is it awkward being there. No pressure but you are welcome to come and stay with me." He said and I caught a hint of hope in his offer.

"I am okay there. It is a little weird being back in my childhood bedroom that has not changed since the 90’s. it’s kind of like being in the twilight zone or having been picked up in the future and dropped in the 19th century." I laughed.

"Yes, I can see how that might be strange. The only memories I have from my teenage years are up here, he said tapping on his forehead, and some old baseball trophies collecting dust in a box in my storage room."

"I remember those old trophies, they used to be your prized possessions; funny how things change." I expressed.

"Well we all have to grow up sometime I suppose and little league champion doesn’t have quite the same ring when you are a thirty-year man." He chuckled.

"No, I suppose not." I agreed with a laugh.

"Guinness and a glass of house Merlot, the waitress said returning with our drinks and placing them down in front of us, are you ready to order?" She asked notebook and pen in hand.

I quickly skimmed through the choices. I had been so busy talking that it slipped my mind to look over the menu.

"I would like the classic bacon and cheese platter with french fries please." I said after little review. You can never go wrong with bacon and cheese.

"That sounds great, I will have that also." Daniel said.

"Admirable choice. It is nice to see that some people still enjoy the classics; they are always a favorite of mine. I will be back with your meals shortly." The waitress replied and turned around to leave again.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of a delicious meal (the cheeseburger was amazing), and gratifying conversation. I missed talking to Daniel and I forgot how easy it was. I had avoided conversation with anyone unless it is was absolutely required for fear of drudging up the past, but Daniel was part of my past and sitting here talking to him now I forgot why I ever wanted to forget.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was ten minutes to four. I told my parents that I would be back this afternoon. I should give them a call and let them know that I am all right. I excused myself to the ladies room and dialed my parent’s number.

"Hi, I said as my mom answered, it’s me. I just called to check in. I know I said I would be home this afternoon but I lost track of time. Daniel and I went out to lunch in Prestwich but I will be home by 6. I hope that is all right." I said.

"That’s fine sweetheart. Are you still with Daniel now?" She asked curiously.

"Yes, we haven’t left the restaurant yet but Daniel is picking up the check as we speak." I replied.

"I would like to meet him or be re-introduced since you say I have met him before. Would he like to come to dinner this evening?" She asked.

"Oh, that’s very nice of you to invite him, but maybe another night? We had a late lunch and all, I don’t imagine either one of us will be hungry again until much later." I told her.

"Okay dear, some other time then I suppose. I will see you tonight, at 6:00?" She asked double checking.

"Yes, I will be home by 6:00. I will see you soon." I answered.

"See you soon dear." She said and we hung up.

"Is everything all right?" Daniel asked when I returned from the ladies room, presumably noting that I had been in there for a while.

"Yes, I was just speaking to my mother. I told her I would be home this afternoon so I wanted to give her a call to let her know that I would late. She invited you to supper this evening, I mentioned and as if by reflex Daniel let out a big sigh and rubbed his full stomach, but I told her another night would be better since we had just finished eating a late lunch." I finished and he let out a sigh of relief.

"I would love to see your parents again but sadly if I ate another bite anytime soon I am afraid the seam would pop on my pants." He said slightly embarrassed.

I agreed, patting my own waistline.

“Shall we get going?” Daniel asked.

“We shall; I told my mother that I would be home by 6:00. I answered.

“Let’s get going then, we don’t want to keep the lady waiting.” He smiled.

“Definitely not.” I smiled back.

We grabbed our coats off the wall hooks beside our table where we had hung them up before dinner and headed back to my parents’ home in Middlesbrough. It takes exactly 1 hour and 33 minutes to drive from Prestwich to Middlesbrough, if you drive at a steady pace of 112 km/hr, which Daniel does. I should get to my parent’s house just in time to see the oven clock (that I know my mom is watching) read 6:00.

The drive home was long but I was distracted. I wonder if Daniel ever gets bored of driving with me? I am always lost in some other world, some deep entrancing thought that completely blacks out everything else; as if the rest of the world no longer exists while I am there. I guess that is why I was so good at hiding, so good at pretending that I didn’t care about the world because all I had to do was think about anything else and the world disappeared. A trait that might be convenient at times but you tend to miss an awful lot without even trying.

I stared out the window for the most part the whole way, thinking about Daniel, even though he was sitting right beside me and all I had to do was look over and actually talk to him. It’s not that I didn’t have a good time or that I was trying to shut him out; it’s just sometimes I feel more comfortable inside my thoughts rather than out in the open. It’s something I need to work out, especially now that I am with Daniel. I can’t live out our entire relationship inside my mind. I need to work on my communicating skills but I think I took a pretty big step with that today already so I am quite content to sit in silence for the moment.

Before I knew it we were coming to a stop in my driveway. I looked up at Daniel and smiled. He didn’t seem to mind much that I was silent for most of the drive.

“Thank you for lunch, I had a really nice time.” I said shyly although I am not sure why. I definitely had no reason to be especially after what we did this morning on the sofa.

“It was my pleasure, He smiled, maybe we could do it again tomorrow?”

I know he meant lunch but it still made me blush after my last thought.

“I would like that.” I replied.

He leaned over and kissed me; my heart skipped and butterflies soared in my chest. It was high school all over again, no even better, it was love. I said goodbye to him and regained myself stepping into the cool air. I stood there and watched him drive away already wishing for tomorrow to come.

Next Chapter: Chapter six: Look at me now