Part 21 (1/2)
”Yes I do have friends who are models, very good friends actually.”
”You want a date with a model? I'm not sure I could do that to a friend,” he continued.
”Yes I know I said anything but I can't make someone do something they don't want to do can I?”
”OK, OK, I'll see what I can do. But date doesn't mean s.e.x Braindead, do you understand?”
”Yes, I guess on some far off planet she might fancy you but I'm just telling you that I am not a pimp. Date means dinner. That's it OK?”
”Yes of course you will have to pay for dinner.
”Right. Enough. If you tell me you have told the taxi driver to come here I'll throw in dinner as well.”
Daniel terminated the call and sank down on a bench. He noticed that a female nurse in her fifties was sitting at the other end staring at him.
”It's a very long story,” he smiled through clenched teeth. ”I am just the fairy G.o.dmother trying to bring two young people together.”
”Oh really,” said the nurse. ”Your methods sound pretty unusual.”
”Well in these modern times we fairy G.o.dmothers have to do what we have to do. Ah, thank the Lord, here is our young prince charming arriving now with his idiot sidekick.”
Daniel leapt up and opened the door of the cab before it had even stopped.
”Ben, you are a sight for sore eyes. But you look terrible, which won't do.”
”Get off will you,” Ben said to Daniel who was attempting to straighten his crumpled s.h.i.+rt and comb his hair with his fingers.
”Right, are you ready to face the enemy, it's this way,” said Daniel, already pulling at Ben's arm.
”Hang on, hang on. I'm not even sure what I'm going to say yet. Can you just give us a minute?” said Ben, slumping down on the bench where Daniel had been sitting.
”For crying out loud I thought you were going to talk to him,” said Daniel, losing his patience and turning to Braindead.
”You didn't say anything about that. You just said get him here and I have haven't I? Have you called your model mates yet?”
”No I b.l.o.o.d.y well haven't and I won't unless you help me get him through that labour ward door.”
”That is so unfair. You said to the hospital door and here he is. Now where is my date?”
Daniel closed his eyes and asked some kind of G.o.d for some kind of strength.
He opened his eyes and fell to his knees in front of Ben.
”Ben. The baby is nearly here. She's very close now. Just go and be with her. Be with her and see the baby born,” he said gently.
”Yeah, listen to him mate. Don't let that other b.a.s.t.a.r.d get his greedy mitts on the kid before you do. You get in there, fight for what's yours,” chipped in Braindead, looking for an approving look from Daniel. When he didn't get one he tried again.
”Look the other guy sounds like a t.w.a.t. Just go in there and deck him. That'll get rid of him. Women love a guy who can stand up for himself you know. Show her who's boss and all that,” said Braindead.
The nurse still sitting at the end of the bench sn.i.g.g.e.red.
”Hey, we are having a very important private conversation here,” said Braindead, turning to the nurse.
”I'm sorry but I couldn't help but overhear,” said the nurse. ”May I try,” she said. ”You know, give the woman's perspective.”
”I really don't think you understand. This is man's talk. You have no idea what this poor lad is going through,” said Braindead.
”I've worked in this hospital for twenty five years and I've seen it all, believe me,” replied the nurse.
”Well I guarantee you ain't seen a case like this. A right f.u.c.kin' mess it is.”
”Braindead I don't think that's helping, is it?” said Daniel, nodding towards Ben who now had his head in his hands.
The nurse edged along the bench closer to Ben and laid her hand on his back.
”So, let's see. There is a woman in there who is having a baby that could be yours but also could be someone else's and at the moment he's the one inside,” said the nurse.
”What the...” exclaimed Braindead.
Daniel looked gratefully towards heaven.
Ben slowly raised his head and nodded at the nurse.
”And it's really complicated right? The other guy, he's married and they are expecting twins.” continued the nurse.
”f.u.c.kin' spiders is she real?” said Braindead. Daniel motioned for him to keep quiet.
Ben nodded mutely again.
The nurse also nodded and paused for a long time before she continued. The three men held their breath.
”So let's make this simple then shall we?” she finally said.
All three men nodded simultaneously.
”There is only one really important question that you need to answer and then you will know exactly what to do,” said the nurse.
”Oh yes. Tell us what it is? Please tell us what it is?” begged Daniel before Braindead and Ben told him to be quiet.
”Do you love her?”
”d.a.m.n, of course,” said Daniel, jumping up. ”The only question there is. How could I have forgotten that? Stupid, stupid, stupid. You are a genius,” he said, kissing the nurse full on the lips.
”Alright, just calm down will you. He hasn't answered yet,” said the nurse.
”Of course he does. Now come on let's go, there is no time to lose,” said Daniel, pulling on Ben's sleeve.