Bar 15
The woods are the best place for them to be alone. There is an absolute absence of people. Even the ones they can see down at the lake or across on the grassy cliff are practically in a different world. Daniel explains everything to her again. This time with details.
He does not tell her everything but he tells her what's important. He tells her why it is hard for him to play the piece. Faye, who has never dealt with anything like this before, is at a loss for words. But she is impressed with the intensity of the love Daniel is capable of feeling. So instead she kisses the back of his hand and tells him that she has to leave. That she will walk home.
Most of his ill fated relationships ended because he wanted them to; because the girl wasn't making him happy. Because nobody except Keith could make him happy. But Sophie Richards: short brown hair, dark brown eyes, taller than he is, was the one who wanted it to end. She was the one he never fucked. They kissed one last time after she told him that she did not want to have sex. Even though he told her he understood and that he could wait, she told him she had to leave and she walked away.
The characteristics of her walk: her entire body straight; no turning around; a false smile before going; leaving Daniel with a sense of emptiness. Faye's walk as she disappears into the trees.
When she leaves he sees the boys and girls back for a swim. Amongst them Faye's brother. He watches the innocent swimmers change and then jump into the cold water. He watches them play with each other without the slightest care that boys are playing with girls. They are past the age of cooties but not yet old enough to have complicated relationships. He guesses that at least half of them are dating each other but when they become kids swimming in a lake these relationships no longer matter.
They come out of the water and this time Daniel can see that they're not lighting cigarettes. He takes the fastest route he knows down to the beach; the boys and girls look up at him in surprise.
They laugh when he orders them to throw out the joints but he grabs Seth's and throws it into the lake. He reaches for the second boys' but he throws it away, followed by the rest. He tells them to get their clothes and follow him to his car. The boys start changing and the girls disappear into the trees. In ten minutes they're driving away from the lake, boys and girls all trying to explain to him where they live so he can get them home.
"Thanks," Seth says when all of his friends are out of the car.
"What for?"
"For not telling any of our parents."
"What makes you think I'm not going to tell yours?"
"Come on Daniel, you wouldn't!" Daniel stops the car on the side of the road. There is little traffic and with the engine off only the sound of crickets mixed with the occasional distant engine can be heard.
"Seth, if I don't tell your parents, what's to stop you from doing it again?"
"Look I just won't okay, I promise!" Daniel stares at the boy, helpless. He tries to think back to when he started. He remembers the only thing that would have made him stop, apart from his parents' tyrannical ruling of his life until he was off drugs. Keith. He was the only thing. But even of this Daniel is not completely sure.
As he looks at Seth he knows that it is a different situation. Seth is only doing the one thing and even then he does it only occasionally, with his friends. It is something he can stop very easily. The addiction, while probably there, is not strong enough to consume his entire life. Daniel places his hand firmly on Seth's leg, squeezing slightly through his jeans.
"I used to do weed," Daniel says. "I know that you only do it once in a while for fun with your friends, but I used to do it all the time. And other stuff too. And trust me it wasn't a great time in my life. I couldn't concentrate in school, I couldn't play any music, I couldn't play any sports--I had trouble in gym class `cause I would get out of breath so quickly--and I don't want to see you end up like that. If I hadn't stopped I'd have completely ruined my life. I already wrecked that part of it." He lets go of Seth's leg and starts driving. He knows that if Seth has something to tell him the boy will say it; he doesn't want to force the conversation.
Seth his silent until Daniel gets out of the car to walk him inside.
"You're going to tell them aren't you?"
"No. I just want to talk to your sister."
When he sees the look in Faye's eyes he knows that she will not become the second Sophie. She asks why they have come together.
"Daniel gave me a ride," Seth says, after which he walks off quickly. Faye embraces him.
"I'm sorry I walked off like that," she says softly to him. "You've just told me so much and I needed to think about it all. But I have now. And I love you so much and Daniel I don't even care. I mean I care but it doesn't bother me. At all." He leans forward and kisses her cheek. She gives him a look: is that the best you can do?