Free Bitter Farewell by Karolyn James Page A

knew she could have said something. But didn’t she get to enjoy Danny suffering a little? It was good to know her heart wasn’t the only one missing a piece here and there.
    She waited in the bathroom as Danny went downstairs. She listened to him say goodbye to Lorraine. She listened to her father get excited talking to Danny. And finally she listened to the sound of the backdoor sliding shut. When she closed her eyes, she wondered what the hell was going on. It seemed ironic how she had the fence built around her yard to keep people out... yet Danny broke through it.
    What did it mean?
    A minute later she heard the sound of a dirt bike rev and then fade away.
    It wasn’t until there was complete silence did Liv feel a tear run down her cheek.

(8)
     
    The last time Danny wore a suit this nice was when Chasing Cross signed their new record deal. He remembered sitting at the long conference table at the top of the building looking out at the hazy fog that hung across the California city. The first deal they had signed they had all shown up in jeans and t-shirts. They looked haggard and desperate, visions of cash, women, and a better life burning in their eyes. For that second deal, they were the ones in control. In fact, thanks to the internet and major changes in the music industry, it was the record execs who looked haggard and desperate at that meeting, begging for Chasing Cross to sign with them. There had been multiple offers but Peter, as always, did his job finding the right one for the band.
    Danny slid his tie up and sighed. There was no way Peter could handle what waited outside of the bathroom of Big John’s house. Everything was being done in one shot and Danny thanked Johnnie about ten times for doing so. The viewing was from ten in the morning until noon with the funeral directly after. There wasn’t a need for multiple viewings and no need to stretch the process across a day or two. Big John was dead and it was time for his last travel. to the grave.
    A knock came at the door and it opened a second later.
    “Hey man, did you get your tie done?” Rick asked.
    Danny turned and put his head back. “It’s done. I’m not buttoning this top button though. I’m not going to choke myself all day.”
    “Help me out?” Rick asked. He had a black tie rolled up and wrinkled in his hand.
    Danny laughed. “Forget how to tie a tie?”
    “Last time I wore one... well... Peter sort of it did for me.”
    “Let me have it,” Danny said.
    He took the tie and unrolled it. He put it around his neck and started tying it.
    “You didn’t talk much last night, when you got back,” Rick said. “How was your ride?”
    “Told you already, it was fine. Same old woods, some old memories coming back.”
    “Doesn’t explain why you were limping. Or why there’s blood in the trash.”
    Danny looked down next to the sink and growled. “Shit.”
    “Not my business, I know, but if you’re hurt...”
    Danny pulled at the tie, making the knot tight. He then pulled it down far enough that he could take it off. He threw it to Rick.
    “Just keep it tied,” Danny said.
    “Thanks.”
    Rick put the tie around his head and left it dangling extra loose. Danny looked at the drummer of Chasing Cross and knew he wouldn’t just leave. That’s not how it worked in the band or in real life. They had all been together too long to just walk away. That was part of the brotherhood. They were able to get into each other’s faces, call each other out, and if need be, maybe throw a punch or two.
    When Danny had come back from his bike ride, he managed to sneak in the backdoor and get upstairs to shower and change before anyone could see his ripped and bloodied jeans. But he hadn’t considered his small limp - which was a little worse today thanks to a nice bruise right on the top of his knee - plus the bloodied bandages in the trashcan. Sitting right on top for everyone to see.
    “Listen, Rick,” Danny said. He gripped the edges of