Posted: Jul 5, 08 7:38pm

thoughts, comments, critique? Here we go...

Danny Boy

"Danny Boy, there's a small dead limb hanging from the maple," Mary said, as she looked out the trailer window while she washed dishes.

"Wow! That's exciting. I'd better take a look," Danny said, shouldering up to his mom and pretending to stare seriously out the kitchen window. "Ohhh. Ah! Lookit the size of that thing. It's big as my thumb!

Mary elbowed him away. "It's no joking matter with it hanging over the roof of your car. I'm not working two jobs to help pay for something to get torn up."

"O-kay, mom, I'll take care of it."

"Move your car first, then borrow Mr. Albert's step-ladder."

"I will, mom. I'm not a dummy."

"You're not? Then who was that little trailer trash whore glued to your arm last night?"

"She just moved into the trailer park. Her name is Brenda, and she's not a whore."

"Dresses like one."

"So, you was an Eighties Lady. How did you dress when you were dating?"

"Not like that."

"Musta been something like that, since you got me."

"I know where this is going and I don't want to talk about it," Mary said as she dried her hands.

"You never do. How am I supposed to know myself if I don't know where I come from."

"You know me. Isn't that enough?"

"No, it isn't," Danny said returning to the kitchen table and his cereal. "I'm seventeen and don't know who my father is."

"What difference would it make."

"You don't even have a picture of my dad, do you?"

"It's not something to keep around."

"Maybe not for you. But what about me?"

"We've been over and over this, Danny."

"Yes, but I never get any answers. Why?"

Mary took a cup from the cupboard and filled it with coffee. "Lots of missing dads these days. Be yourself. Why is it so important?" she asked as she sit down across the table from him.

"It just is. I know you've seen him since I was born. Darren looks almost like my twin, just a ten year younger version of me. I know at times you leave us here in Sugarland and go to Houston."

"So?"

"Mom! After I got my car, I followed you. I saw you meet him at the hotel!"

Mary took a deep breath. "The car. I should have known." She blew across her coffee cup as she looked into Danny's unwavering stare. "You're right. Darren and you have the same father. I've never loved but one man."

"So, who is our father? You can tell me. Darren has already left for school."

"I can't tell you. He's a famous person. He's...married. Still married. Once in a while he comes to town. I see him. I've loved him without shame. I always have, always will. But he can't be that way with things the way they are, and have always been since we met."

Danny grabbed the phone on the second ring. "For you, mom," Danny said, his voice flat. "Sounds like some old guy."

Mary's eyes flashed and grew wide as she listened to the voice on the phone. She stretched the phone toward Danny. "Your father..." she said as she passed out.

"Hello, Hello," Danny said into the phone as he stooped to check on his mother.

"Is this Danny?"

"Yes. What did you say to my mom?"

"I told her my wife died three months ago and asked her if she would marry me. Do you think she will?"

Danny looked at his mother as her eyes fluttered open. "Probably."