The Scarf
A Story by Randall
This is a short story I’m working on. Only up to twenty-one pages so far, taking my time with this one, very special to me.
Warning
This Story is rated Mature and may contain material unsuitable for readers under 18.
- Randall Dollaway
Started: 7 October 2025 Finished:
MKS
The Scarf
He picked up a Scarf for her thinking she would like this. Very colorful, nice floral print, soft to the touch, a very comforting feel about it.
“I’m sure she’ll like sir.” The saleswoman said.
“Do you really think so?”
“I can’t imagine a woman of taste not liking it. It has color, all the colors you would find in nature, it’s soft to the touch. When I put it on around my neck it has a very comforting feel.”
“It does look comfortable, and it looks good on you. Your face brings the colors to life.”
“Why thank you sir.”
“I’m just speaking the truth.”
“Well thank you for the truth, sir.”
She smiled at him. And thought, now here’s a man with good manners, good taste in clothing and perhaps a kind, compassionate man. I’m more than a little jealous of the woman he’s buying this scarf for.
“So, you really think she would like it?”
“Yes sir, if she has good taste in clothing.”
“You see whenever I buy her something she says she likes it but returns it and buys something completely different. That’s why I’m questioning you, I’m sorry, I’m not questioning your taste in fashion. Just hers I guess.”
“That’s okay, every woman has many different tastes in clothing.”
“But you like it don’t you?”
“Yes sir, I would wear this day and night it’s beautiful.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you for saying that you’re very kind.”
“I’m only speaking the truth.”
“All right on your say so, I’ll take this beautiful scarf.”
“Would you like it gift wrapped?”
“Please, I would appreciate that. And could you wrap it in gold or silver paper preferably gold she likes that color.”
“Certainly sir.” She turned to the counter behind her and began wrapping the scarf in a nice gold box with gold paper and a gold bow. “Bitch I bet she’s a gold digger.”
“Miss did you say something?”
“No, I was just saying, I bet she’s going to fall in love with this beautiful Scarf you picked out.”
“I hope so, I’m about at my wits end trying to figure her out.”
She brought the wrapped golden package over and handed it to him.
“You did a wonderful job wrapping it. It’s almost as if you used some pent-up energy to wrap it so tight.”
“I know, sometimes I get the same energy, usually after I give her a gift.”
“Well, thank you again for all your help…. I don’t even know your name in case I shop here in the future.”
“It’s Catherine.”
“All right Catherine, I’ll remember, it’s a beautiful name. Your parents must really love you to give you such a meaningful name.”
He turned and started to walk away.
“Sir what is your name?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. My name is Daniel.”
“Do you mean like the Daniel in the Bible?”
“If you believe in the Bible, yes. If you don’t then it’s just Daniel.”
“Alright Daniel, I’ll remember that.”
Daniel placed the golden package in the pocket of his overcoat. Walked over to the escalator, while riding it down, he turned and waved too Catherine. She tried not to look but she couldn’t help herself, she waved back. She watched him walk a little farther to the three exit doors. There was the one on the left, and the one on the right, and in the middle a revolving door. Or, as she called it the carousel door. Daniel walked up to the doors looking both ways. He entered the carousel door and began pushing. Catherine expected him to exit with the first revolution, but around he came again. Two revolutions, three revolutions, four revolutions, five revolutions, six revolutions, seven would be a record at that speed. Seven revolutions and he disappeared.
Catherine exited from behind the counter and ran down the up escalator reaching the left door opening it. There was Daniel picking himself up off the sidewalk, laughing.
“Are you alright?” Catherine called out.
“Never been better! I’m sure I set some kind of record for carousel doors.”
“You did, six was the record, and that was with injury.”
Daniel smiled at her. “Thank you for checking on me.”
“I’m glad you’re not hurt, and happy for you setting a new record.”
Daniel finished brushing his overcoat off, then turned to leave, then turned back.
“Catherine do you like Carousels?”
“I love Carousels Daniel.”
“I’ll remember that, Catherine.”
Then Daniel walked up North State Street to Randolph Street, disappearing from Catherine’s sight.
Catherine said aloud. I’ll remember you, Daniel.
- II.
Daniel walked to his apartment building located at 60 East Randolph Street. Upon entering his building, he stopped to talk to the Doorman, Frank. Daniel didn’t know Franks last name it wasn’t because he was being uppity, he just never asked, and Frank never volunteered. Daniel did remember Fank mentioned he was married and had two kids a Girl and Boy. Other than that Frank was a man who created his own means. In other words, Frank was Daniels Bookmaker and not the reading kind, I guess I’ll just say it, Frank was Daniel’s Bookie. frank was a good Bookie he was happy and smiling no matter if he won or lost. A pleasant man to lose too or win from, Daniel figured he had lost enough to help put one of Frank’s two children through college. But it was only money, and it was for a worthy cause, and there was plenty to be made in the Stock Market if you knew what you were doing and didn’t get too stupid and greedy.
Daniel stood and talked to Frank for a while until his girlfriend came to the door. Daniel kept talking to Frank, keeping his attention to their conversation. Daniel looked over Franks shoulder and saw Natalie starting to pace back and forth in front of the door, she had lost her key again. Frank noticed Daniel looking over his shoulder and turned around.
“Daniel why didn’t you tell me your girlfriend was at the door?”
Daniel smiled. “Brother you’re going to get into trouble someday.”
Frank walked over to the door and opened it, letting Natalie in.
“Well, it’s about time didn’t you two see me standing out there?”
“I saw you there. But I was talking to Frank about something important.”
“What could be more important than letting me in?”
“Would you believe that Frank was telling me that he thinks the world is flat. And I say it’s square; we were both about to agree that it’s round when you showed up and distracted us, because you couldn’t wait one minute while we finished our conversation on the shape of the world. So, now Frank and I will have to have this conversation all over again. In the meantime, the world is having to just hang around in space with at least three shapes. So, you tell me which is more important, you waiting for a minute or the world?”
Holy crap, Frank had never seen Daniel so fired up in the three years that he had known him.
“Now go stand over by the elevator and wait for me since you lost your key again which cost me seven hundred dollars every time you lose a key, and they have to change the outer locks on the building and then give all thirty apartments times two, new keys so they can get into the building. Please, just go.”
Natalie walked away towards the elevator.
Frank looked at Daniel and asked. “Are you okay Daniel, I’ve never seen you so upset.”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. You’re the second person to ask me if I was all right today. A young woman at the store asked me the same question. And she had more insight into what Natalie is, not even knowing her. She called her a Gold-digging Bitch. She doesn’t know I overheard her, I didn’t want to embarrass her.”
“Sounds like a smart woman.”
“I think she is and she’s pretty too.”
“Frank do me a favor? I’ve made a decision.”
“Sure Daniel.”
“Here’s a key to my storage locker in the basement. Bring up three suitcases and whatever empty boxes you can find too my apartment. Natalie doesn’t know it yet, but she’s moving out this afternoon.”
“You got it Daniel.”
“Oh, and Frank please bring the biggest cart you have; I want this done in one trip.
“Daniel, do I have the biggest square cart for you, it’s not flat like the earth. That was good, I like the way you think.”
Daniel smiled and said. “I thought it was rather, creative Frank.”
Daniel walked over to Natalie leaning against the elevator door, talking to herself, catching only bits and pieces of her conversation with herself. F… Frank, F… the people in this Building, F… Daniel. Listening to her was like playing the old Hangman game, filling in the blank letters.
“Natalie! I wouldn’t lean against the elevator door it could open with no elevator being there.”
“Why would you care, Daniel?”
Daniel thought some people are just standing around leaning against elevator doors waiting to collect that proverbial Darwin award. He smiled just a little.
Daniel heard the Ding of the elevator’s arrival; he reached out and grabbed Natalie’s arm just in case.
“What are you doing Daniel?”
She was still leaning against the doors when they opened. Daniel yanked her back, pressing her against him.
“Not here Daniel, wait until we get upstairs.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“Where?”
“In there, Daniel turned Natalie around.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“That’s the point. It’s an empty shaft.”
Realizing what Daniel had done, Natalie wrapped her arms around Daniel, saying.
“You saved me, I love you, Daniel. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.”
“Frank, Frank!”
“Yes, Daniel. Holy Crap! I’ll call the “Otis elevator Man.”
“Better lock down all the elevator doors on each floor.”
“Natalie go sit down over there while I help Frank lock down the elevator doors.”
“I’ll do anything you say.”
“Okay, just stay right here, I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Frank, do you have a second elevator key?”
“Yes, right here.”
“Okay I’ll take one you take the other I’ll start at the top, and we’ll meet in the middle.”
Daniel ran up the stairs and worked his way down; Frank worked up. And Natalie sat in the chair making phone calls to all her friends telling them her life had just been saved by the man she loved. Frank and Daniel met on the tenth floor of the eighteen-story building. Then, walked down together.
“Do you still want me to get the suitcases, boxes and cart?”
“Yes Frank. You know she’s really a nice girl, just a little spoiled and self-centered. I called her brother to have him come pick her up and take her to their parents’ house in Oakbrook. Cell phones are a blessing sometimes.”
“She’s always been mean to me.”
“That’s because you’re not a people person Frank.”
“You’re full of shit Daniel.”
“See what I mean.”
“Well, maybe your right.”
“Anyway, Natalie just needs to go home to her parents and start life over again. Maybe she’ll learn you can’t walk on people like their dirt.”
“Take your time bringing the cart up, I have a feeling it’s going to take a while to explain all this to her.”
“Alright Daniel.”
III.
Daniel walked over to Natalie thinking she is a sweet girl when she wants to be. He just didn’t have enough sugar in his pocket to make her sweet enough for him. I’m sure there is someone out in Oakbrook or Hinsdale who will have enough to sweeten her up.
“Natalie, let’s go upstairs we have to talk.”
“But the elevator is broken.”
Daniel looked at her and thought. Jesus help me.
“Natalie we’ll take the stairs.”
“But that’s six floors.”
“Not if you count the basement that makes seven. But we’re already up one floor so six floors to go up isn’t as bad as seven.”
“I guess you’re right. Maybe we can stop on the fourth floor, and I can show you something special.”
“Nope, we’re going all the way to the seventh.”
“I thought you lived on the sixth floor?”
“I do but I’m counting the basement now.”
“Oh, okay.”
Daniel grabbed Natalie’s hand, pulling her out of the chair, half dragging her to the stairwell door. He opened the door and said.
“Do you see Jesus in there?”
“No.”
“Then you’re good to go. I’m right behind you.”
Before Daniel let the door go shut, he heard Frank laughing. He looked out at Frank.
“Frank, bring your brother with you when you come up with the cart.”
“I don’t have a brother…… Oh, that brother. Okay Daniel.”
Daniel shut the door.
- IV.
Daniel and Natalie began walking up the stairs. Daniel at a quicker pace than Natalie, who was dragging her feet. Suddenly Natalie sprinted past him, he had never seen her move so fast. He kept the same pace thinking about what he was going to say to her. Then he felt a piece of cloth land on his face. It was a blouse. Damm it, she’s stripping down this is not going to end well. A skirt floated down thru the center of the staircase, caught it, then a Bra, he caught one of the straps. He knew there was just one more article of clothing coming his way.
Daniel stood ready, it shot past him like it had been launched like a rubber band between two thumbs. Well, that’s on its way to the basement. Daniel then moved onward and upward three steps at a time. He finally reached the fourth-floor landing. Natalie was Dancing about with a smile taunting him. Daniel knew he had to pick the right words, or this was going to turn bad.
“Natalie, I’m breaking up with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m Gay.”
“Bullshit, I know better than that Daniel.”
That didn’t work. She continued to dance towards him; she knew, his human weakness.
“Look Natalie, I met someone else. I’m in love with her.”
“When did you meet her?” As she danced closer.
“Today, I met her today.”
“You can’t fall in love that quick.”
“I did.”
“What if she doesn’t love you? What then?”
“I wouldn’t stop loving her. I would work harder to convince her that I was worthy of her love. But I wouldn’t stop loving her ever.”
“Natalie, do you understand?”
She stopped Dancing.
“I think so. Couldn’t you love me that way?”
“I truly wish I could. But the heart wants what it wants. It won’t, accept anything less.”
“Will you call me if it doesn’t work out?”
“I’ll call you to see how you are.”
“What’s her name Daniel?”
“Catherine.”
“That’s it, no last name?”
“That’s it, that’s all I know, Catherine.”
“Daniel you’ve really fallen in love?”
“I have and I’m falling upwards.”
“Daniel you can’t fall up.”
“Just watch me, I’m falling clear to the top.”
Daniel and Natalie walked up to the sixth floor or seventh if you count the basement. Daniel opened the exit door to the hallway. There stood, Mrs. and Mr. Matthews, right in the doorway. Natalie was still only half dressed. Daniel quickly took off his overcoat and wrapped it around Natalie.
“Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Matthews.”
“Daniel, Natalie.” Mrs. Matthews acknowledged them.
Mrs. Matthews asked. “Natalie are you alright?”
“Yes, Mrs. Matthews. Daniel and I were just dancing on the 4th floor landing.”
“Oh, I didn’t hear any music.”
“I sing to her in French.”
“What do you sing, Daniel? I’m a retired music teacher.”
“La Marseillaise.”
“Isn’t that the French National Anthem.”
“Yes, but all you really need is a Dirty Wooden Nickel in your pocket and you can dance to anything.”
“A Dirty Wooden Nickel”? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of that.”
“Ask Mr. Matthews he may know.”
“Please excuse us.” Natalie and Daniel slipped into the hallway and the Matthews into the stairwell. As the door was closing, Daniel heard George Matthews ask.
“Karen, do you remember when we use to dance on the landing?”
Daniel didn’t hear her answer as the door closed. But he knew she was about to learn what a Dirty Wooden Nickel can mean. Daniel smiled.
“Daniel what are you smiling at?”
“Nothing, Natalie, and yet, everything.”
“Sometimes I just don’t understand you, Daniel.”
“You’re not supposed to Natalie. You need to understand yourself first.”
Daniel and Natalie walked down the hallway to Daniel’s apartment number 603.
Daniel unlocked the door and turned the alarm off with the code #’s 1234567 simple. I’ll leave that one alone, that would just be mean, and I’m really not mean-spirited Daniel thought.
“Natalie since we’ve broken up there has to be changes around here.”
“What do you mean changes?”
“I called your brother Robert to come and pick you up and take you to your parents’ house.”
“Which house? My parents have three houses, Lake Geneva, Bern, and Oakbrook.
“The last one. Robert will take you to the last one.”
“But I thought I would stay here with you until you figured out Catherine’s last name and if she really loves you.”
“That’s not how it’s going to work Natalie.”
“Natalie, If and I say If we had stayed together, we would have ended up hating one another. I can’t imagine hating you, but that’s what would happen. So, I think it’s best that we end it now as friends, do you understand?”
“Is Catherine, about the same age as me?
“Yes, but some people mature faster than others. It doesn’t make you any less of a woman than Catherine. Just different and one that I’ve fallen in love with. Please tell me where’re going remain friends Natalie, I do want that.”
“You promise to call me, so we can talk?”
“Yes, I promise to call you. Because that’s what friends do.
“All right Daniel I’ll take your promise and hold onto it.”
Daniel hugged Natalie. Then he saw her smile.
“Natalie, please keep your hands above my waist.”
“Sorry Daniel, old habits are hard to break.”
“Don’t apologize Natalie, some old habits are good.”
“Let’s go pack your stuff, I’ll help you.”
Natalie and Daniel had just about everything packed up, when they heard the apartment door open.
“Daniel, Natalie are you here?”
It was Robert, Natalie’s brother. Daniel thought he sure got here fast.
“Robert, we’re in the back bedroom.”
“Are you two dressed?”
“What do you think Robert?” Natalie called back.
“Because I know you that’s why.”
“Daniel let’s get naked quick.”
“Not today, Natalie remember what we just talked about?”
“Robert, you can come in we’re dressed.”
Robert just cleared the doorway when Natalie jumped on him hugging and kissing him like they were children playing in the backyard. Frank stood just outside the door watching, suddenly turning away. Daniel realized Natalie hadn’t replaced a certain article of clothing, which was now in the stairwell at the basement level. Daniel smiled, poor Frank being married and all that, I’m sure he promised his wife not to look at another woman.
“Daniel, are sure you want don’t want me to take the cart back downstairs?”
Daniel didn’t even have to think about it. He knew he had fallen in love with Catherine.
“No Frank, you did good in both instances. The cart, and that your wife would be proud of you.”
“Someone get my sister off me. Bitch tried to shove her finger up my nose.”
“Sorry Robert, I showed her that. Remember Natalie shoved up deep then pull it out fast and run.”
“What the hell are you teaching my sister that for?”
“Self-defense Robert, teaching her to defend herself against all of you hoodlums’ in Oakbrook and the suburbs.”
“F— you Daniel we aren’t hoodlums’.”
“I bet hangman use to be Natalie and your favorite game, when you two where children.”
“What does the hangman game have to do with Natalie trying to shove her finger up my nose.”
“Nothing Robert, just an observation.”
Frank, Robert, and Daniel started loading all of Natalie’s stuff onto the cart. When they were near the end of stacking her things on the cart, Daniel looked around the apartment. It was two thirds empty. Natalie had only lived with him for three months. If she had stayed another three months, his things would have been squeezed out of his apartment. The four of them took the cart to the freight elevator, loading it on, then rode it down. Natalie exclaimed.
“Daniel I’ve never been on a freight elevator.”
“That’s because you’re a classy woman.”
“Daniel if Frank and Robert weren’t here, I’d jump your bones right here.”
“That’s what I mean Natalie you’re a classy woman.”
Robert had thought ahead and brought one of his company Van’s along with a driver.
“Robert I’m impressed you’re quite the planner.”
“I know my sister, you’re lucky, another three months and nothing in your apartment would be yours.”
“You’re probably right. Natalie, can I have a hug?”
“Of course, Daniel.” She hugged him.
Daniel saw that wicked little smile.
“Natalie, hands above the waist.”
“Oh Daniel, you’re no fun.”
“Bye Natalie.”
“You will call me? You promised me.”
“Yes, first thing in the morning.”
“Not too early though.”
“Ten O’clock, okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Bye Frank, sorry I treated you so mean. But your just not a people person.”
Daniel looked at Frank and smiled.
“Thanks for telling me, you’re not the only person who’s told me that. I’ll have to work on it.”
Daniel watched as Natalie and Robert drove off with her moving van following, headed due west to the wonderful Village of Oakbrook.
“Frank, thank you for helping Natalie and me out. I really appreciate it.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
Daniel put his hand in his overcoat pocket he felt the oblong box with Natalie’s gift.
“Damm, I forgot to give Natalie her Gift.”
“You bought her a going away present?”
“No, it wasn’t a going away present. It was just a present.”
“You sure spoiled her.”
“Maybe.”
“Well Frank, I don’t mean to pawn Natalie’s gift off on you. But would you like to take it home for your wife?”
“What’s in the box?”
“It’s a Japanese floral print silk scarf.”
“A scarf, like one you put on your head?”
“Yes, but it’s longer and you can wear it on your shoulders or put it around your neck.”
“My wife doesn’t wear scarfs.”
“Well, take it home to your daughter. Does she wear scarfs?”
“Yes, she’s into fashion. Didn’t I tell you, she’s going to school for a degree in Art and fashion design. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.”
“I remember you saying she was in college. So, why don’t you take it home for her? It’s very beautiful, the saleswoman even agreed with me.”
“How much do I owe you, it’s got to be expensive?”
“For a friend absolutely nothing Frank. You know, the saleswoman gave me a card to go with the gift.”
Daniel reached into his other pocket and pulled out the card.
“The edge is a little bent. I was setting a record on a Carousell door. I made seven revolutions before it threw me out.”
Frank laughed. “My daughter calls them Carousell doors too. She says people are always trying to set a new record on revolutions, most of the time they get hurt. I think she said as of today the record stands at six revolutions at top speed, and that was with injury.”
Daniel looked at Frank and thought I’ve heard that same line from Catherine at Fields earlier this afternoon. Must be a common line; there must be hundreds or maybe thousands of Carousell doors in Chicago.
Daniel laughed. “It threw me out like the Whale spit Jonah out after three days. But she did say I set a new record for seven revolutions.”
“I’ll have to tell my Kate that I know the guy who set the new record for Carousell doors when I get home.”
“I’m sure she’ll be impressed Frank.”
“I don’t know if she’ll believe me, I’m telling her stories all the time. She’s getting old enough to know the truth from little white lies.”
“Tell her anyway, maybe she’ll want my autograph. And Frank, the scarf, tell her it’s from you, okay.”
“I’ll have to make up a little white lie for that.”
Daniel handed the golden wrapped package to Frank. The one that Catherine had wrapped so nice and tight.
“I’m going out to eat. I’ll see you tomorrow. Make sure it’s a fantastic white lie Frank.”
Daniel began walking west on Randolph then turned left onto State Street. Where to eat? Someplace good.
Daniel hailed a cab. “Evening.”
“Where to Bud.”
“The names Daniel.”
“Ya, that’s what I said Bud.”
Daniel smiled, all cabbies are the same.
“Devil Dawgs on State.”
The Cabby laughed, saying. “Best damn hotdogs in Chicago.”
“If you say so Bud.” Daniel smiled.
“Okay Daniel, the names Budowski.”
“Polish”
“Yes, Polish and Proud, from the Polish Triangle.”
“Okay, Mr. Budowski onward to the best hot dogs in Chicago.”
Frank was finishing up his shift at the Door. Turning over his keys and a list of today’s events. His relief was a man by the name of George Kommanos a big Greek fellow who could have be a Spartan at the time of the Greek Empire. Daniel always told Frank he slept well knowing that George the Spartan was standing guard over the building at night.
Frank left the building walking east to the bus stop and waited for the northbound bus to Lakeview. The 6:00 pm bus arrived at 6:10 as usual, running on its own schedule. Frank thought 10 minutes wasn’t too long to wait, but if you added up all the ten minutes over the years, that was a long time waiting. Frank thought now the 30 minute ride home, time to think of a fantastic white lie, as Daniel said. Frank leaned his head relaxing against the window of the bus, putting his mind to work creating a fantastic white lie for his daughter Kate.
The bus jerked to a stop, Waking Frank up from his well earned slumber. The bus driver announced the stop. “North Sheffeld and West Addison.” Frank exited the bus and walked east on Addison, to North Wilton then South on Wilton to 3541 Home Sweet Home. He could hear the night game in progress at Wrigley Field. Frank thought this is the year the Cubs would go all the way to be the world, Champions.
Frank walked up the front stoop, stopping at the mailbox. Opening the box and reaching in pulling out two pieces of mail, one junk the other a water bill. Frank thought. Doesn’t anybody write letters anymore?
“I’m home!”
“Dad, am I glad your home. Mom said I couldn’t go to the Wrigley till I talked to you about my grades.”
“She’s right. Let’s go sit in the living room.”
“Now what’s this about your grades?”
“Mom says that I’m failing economics and if I don’t improve in the class, I can’t play pickup games at the park or go to the Cubs games.”
“I completely agree with your mom.”
“Dad, you know I’m doing my best in school.”
“I’ll tell you what, I have a friend who’s a stockbroker. I’ll invite him over for supper some night and you can talk to him about Economics and see if he would be willing to help you to better understand it.”
“Alright, but what about tonight?”
“Well tonight, you can go to that pickup game. But just this once, I’ll cover you to your mom. Give me your word of honor Frankie you’ll sit down and listen to this friend of mine.”
“Alright dad, I give you my word of honor.”
“That’s good enough for me. Now go, or you’ll be late for the game.”
“Frankie where’s Kate?”
“She ran upstairs to her bedroom.”
Catherine ran up the stairs to the second floor landing, checking her figure in the full length mirror looking at herself, wondering if what everyone in her life had been telling her was true. That she was Beautiful. She felt, she needed to hear it from the lips of a man she wanted and had picked to be with her in life. A man like the man she just met today, Daniel.
But how would she find him in a city of nearly 3 million people? How would he find her? Then she remembered he knew where she worked. He would have to find her, he said he would remember she liked Carousels. He would just have to find her. But she would look for him also.
She began to think, she should have chased him down the street like a whore in pursuit of a John. Throwing her dignity in the gutter making love to him right on State Street. So, all would know he belonged to her, and she belonged to him. She never felt this way about anyone. Was it chemistry, was it lust, was it love? She didn’t even know his last name, but she knew she wanted it for her and for the name of their children. She felt she didn’t want to be his Madonna placed upon a pedestal. She wanted to love him in every way and have that same love returned to her in every way she could dream of.
Catherine opened her secret journal and began to write, of all the ways she would love him. She was ashamed of none of them and wrote them out plainly, so even the Madonna would get down from her pedestal and beg to be part of their love. Oh, if Daniel only knew of the love she held for him, he would tear the World apart looking for her.
“Kate, are you in your room?
“Just a second, Dad.”
Catherine jumped up off her bed with her secret journal in hand. She knew just where to put it, out in the open with all her school design books. Sometimes it’s best to hide secrets where no one would expect. Out in the open. She jumped back onto her bed.
“Come in, Dad.”
Frank opened the door with a smile on his face, thinking of the nights when he would check on Kate, making sure she was safe and asleep.
“Kate, I have a present for you.”
“Tell me the story first. I like to hear your stories.”
“Well, I was walking to the bus stop. As I walked past this alley way I saw two guys beating up on one guy. So, I yelled and ran towards the two that were beating this guy up. Being the cowards that they were, they ran off. Leaving the beaten man lying in the alley. So, I went over to him and helped him up. He said he was okay, but I saw that he was bleeding from his forehead. So, I called out to a woman who was passing by on the street to call the police. She did, while we were waiting for the police. I took out my handkerchief and applied it to his head wound.”
Frank pulled out his handkerchief from his pocket. It had blood on it from when he had cut his finger earlier today while helping the Otis elevator man. Frank thought, the perfect prop for the story.
As Frank pulled the bloody handkerchief from his pocket. Catherine’s eyes widened, thinking that this could be a true story her father was telling her.
“So, I put direct pressure on his wound, just like I learned in the Marines. I asked him his name.
He said. “Daniel, like in the Bible.”
Catherine gasped. “Not my Daniel! It couldn’t be.”
“What happened to Daniel? Where is he? Tell me, Dad, I need to know.”
“The ambulance took him to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital.”
Catherine jumped off her bed. “Dad, I need to go to Daniel.”
Frank looked at his Kate, confused. “Why would you need to go to Daniel?”
“I’m in love with him. Every part of me loves him.”
” Kate, Kate, it’s just a story I made up Daniel isn’t hurt”
“But …… you said they took him to the Hospital”
“Just a story Kate, I know Daniel from work.”
” You know where Daniel lives?”
Catherine ran over to her father and kissed him.
“Now dear father please take a letter to Daniel. One that I’ve yet to write, it shall be ready by morning for you to take to work.”
Frank looked at his daughter still confused about the whole matter of loving Daniel and how does his Kate know Daniel.
Frank retreated to the living room to talk to his wife about Catherine and his friend Daniel, to see if she knew anything about what was going on. He had never felt this confused since he had fallen in love with his wife twenty five years ago.
Catherine, calmly walked over to her favorite easy chair picking up her writing pad and pen from it. Seating herself she began writing her letter to Daniel.
My dearest Daniel, please forgive my forwardness in this letter. First, I must introduce myself to you. I am Catherine the saleswoman at Fields, the one who loves Carousels. And you are the man who loves Carousel doors. Do you by chance remember, yes?
I have been thinking of you since we met early this morning. Nothing else has crossed my mind except you. You are not an obsession with me, only a feeling that I must find the answer too. If it is real, are you real?
My father, you know him as Frank, will be delivering this letter to you not knowing the written content. At the time of our meeting, I did not know that you knew my father.
The only thing I knew about you, is that you are a kind man, who loves Carousel doors and enjoys life. Once you have read this letter and if you would like to meet with me somewhere public, yet private. I will include my phone number in this letter, so we might talk over the possibility of a meeting time and place.
My father’s wonderful made up story of how he meant you. He mentioned that you gave him a gift to give to me not knowing that I was his daughter. I will ask him to return the gift to you, not having seen it yet. that way we can start from the beginning as friends. Owning nothing to one another and starting from the point of our last seeing and talking to one another outside of Fields, with you setting the record number of revolutions for a Carousel door escaping unharmed.
My father will have a hundred question for you about our meeting. I will give him my version, you may give him yours, perhaps they will be the same. Thus, giving him some relief from his confusion, and a smile.
I do believe that two version of a story that match one another, show that two minds are in sync with one another and giving my father all the answers to his questions.
I will close now and wait for your reply. I know you remember that I told you that I love Carousels, I really do!
Sincerely yours, Catherine
Catherine taking the letter and folding it carefully into thirds placed it into an envelope writing Daniel’s name on the front wondering what Daniel’s last name was. She had forgotten to ask her father Daniel’s last name. But she knew she would learn of it soon, after all she would have to have it for their children’s last name!
VII.
Daniel, walked out of Devil Dogs, he noticed Budowski still sitting in his cab cross the street from him. Daniel turned around walking back into the eatery. He ordered two of DD’s loaded hotdogs, split down the middle stuffed with cheese then each wrapped with a strip of bacon, tooth picked into place then dropped into the deep frier for the right amount of time to make it crispy. Daniel looked out the window at Budowski sitting in his cab, then turned back and said. Why don’t you make that four! The cook looked at Daniel, no problem, Bud!
Daniel looked at his reflection in the window wondering if he had the name Bud printed on his forehead. Nope nothing on his forehead.
The girl at the counter took Daniel’s money two twenties. Put the rest in the kitty, Daniel winked taking the four Devil Dogs with him.
Daniel walked out, stepping off the curb then back realizing traffic was heavy and out for blood. That’s why he didn’t own a car. Then it dawned on him he was the one the blood thirsty Bastards want to run over, he was to be their victim. Daniel took off on a dead run straight for Budowski’s cab. One car swerved missing him by inches, but the second one skidded to a stop striking Daniel in the rear end knocking him backward onto the hood of the car. Daniel rolled off the hood onto the pavement.
Budowski jumped out of his cab, running over to Daniel. Standing over Daniel, Budowski started yelling at Daniel.
“You stupid fool, are you trying to get yourself killed?” Daniel looked up at Budowski smiling.
“No, just giving death one last chance before I commit to the love of my life I found.”
“Your nuts Daniel, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Help me up, I’ll tell you all about it.”
Budowski reached down grabbing Daniel’s hand, pulling him up to his feet.
Daniel said. “Jesus, am I going to be sore tomorrow, that’s the second time I’ve taken it in the derriere.”
“Derriere, you took it right in the ass! What’s with the fancy word. You some kind of writer?”
“No, just took a piece of shrapnel in the ass, in northern Iraqi we were assigned to the Kurds. They took me to a British Medivac unit, when I got there this nurse asked me where I injured. I said in the ass, she looked at me and said, you mean derriere don’t you. I said. No, right derriere pointing to my ass. She smiled just a little smile and said. Smart ass! She was very pretty, probably had a boyfriend.”
Daniel thought to himself, I wonder where she is. Time slips by so quickly…
“Badowski, here these are yours, enjoy.”
“Why thank you Daniel, how did you know I liked double DD’s hotdogs.”
“I think you mentioned, “They’re the best damn hotdogs in Chicago. Now, can you drive me back to where you picked me up?”
“Sure Daniel, my pleasure. Say that nurse you talked about, she was from England right?”
I Guess, why?
“Well, they drive on the wrong side of the road over there, don’t they?”
“Budowski, did you ever think we’re the ones who drive on the wrong side.”
“Never thought of it that way.”
Budowski hopped in his cab with his four DD’s hotdogs, with Daniel in the back seat riding back to 660 Randolph this time a little uncomfortable with a sore derriere.
VIII.
As the morning sun fill the front windows of Franks house. Catherine stood ready at the front door, letter in hand. Waiting for her father with instructions on the delivery of said letter to Daniel.
She had plans of her own to meet the man she loved. Since she knew where her father worked 660 Randolph street. But first a few hours spent at school and then a surprise visit to her father with the excuse of bringing lunch to him.
