Danny - Getting Feedback (4)

Danny - Getting Feedback

I took a walk in the rain one day
On the wrong side of the tracks
I stood on the rail 'til I saw that train,
Just to see how my heart would react
Now some people say that you shouldn't tempt fate,
And for them I would not disagree
But I never learned nothing from playing it safe,
I say fate should not tempt me
I take my chances, I don't mind working without a net
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
                                                           -- Mary Chapin Carpenter (I Take My Chances)


Erin lived way on the outside of town.  He and his dad had taken up residence in his grandfather's old farmhouse after his dad's divorce.  The actual farm had been sold off in pieces long ago, and the house was in serious need of a coat of paint.  The overgrown pine trees that surrounded it loomed over the driveway and neglected lawn.  However, it was the best place for Danny to work on his car.  Well the truth was that Danny's dad didn't want oil stains on his pretty concrete driveway.  Between Erin and Danny, one of their cars was always in desperate need of some kind of repair.  They took turns under the hood and under the belly of their cars, trying to keep them from falling apart completely.  In standard guy-to-guy fashion, it was one of the ways they could talk to each other about important stuff without feeling like they were getting too personal. 

Today it was Danny's turn to work on his car.  He had run over a rather large monstrosity of a raccoon a few days prior, and he needed to replace the exhaust system.  He was pretty sure that Violet would not want to go out with him in his car as horrible as it sounded at the moment.  Presently, Danny was positioned under the car on a crawler, trying to release the bolts on the offensive exhaust so that he could replace it with the new one.  Erin sat on a stool next to the car, handing Danny tools and keeping him company.

"So what do you think of Violet?" Danny asked.

Erin thought for a minute.  "That's a loaded question.  She's all right, if you like that type of girl."

"What type of girl is she exactly?  I can hardly wait to hear this."

"Do you want me to candy coat it for you or give it to you straight?"  Erin bounced his right knee up and down and looked off into the pine trees. 

"Well I don't want you to lie.  What do you think?" 

"Obnoxious comes to mind.  Smarty-pants, too.  But it's what you thing of her that matters.  I'm not dating her."

"That's encouraging, thanks!  Hand me that crescent wrench will you?"  Erin peeled himself off of the stool and leaned over into the toolbox.  He found the wrench and passed it to the greasy hand that appeared from under the car. 

Erin attempted to soften the blow.  "I didn't mean that the way it sounded.  It's just that I think there are other girls out there, that's all."  He sat back down.

"Hey man, in case you hadn't noticed, they aren't exactly beating on my door or paging me non-stop.  You've got girls making fools out of themselves in order for you to notice them.  I'm like the Tonto to your Lone Ranger.  All I get are the leftovers."

Erin reached down and grabbed his Dr. Pepper.  He opened the cap and took a long swig.  "I wouldn't say that."

"That's why I'm saying it.  So you don't have to.  Hand me a rag, okay?"  Danny reached out his hand again and Erin dropped a dirty rag into it.  They sat in silence for a little while, listening to Aerosmith on the radio. 

Erin finally broke the silence.  "You're too hard on yourself, man.  We're young .  We should be out sowing our wild oats, or whatever it is they say.  No one expects us to stick with one girl right now.  We've got it made.  Why ruin a good thing?"

"Erin, you sow all of the wild oats you want.  I'm not interested in getting saddled with a kid cause some girl forgot to take her pill or my condom breaks.  Besides, my mother would go off of the deep end for sure.  There is no one that could protect me from her wrath if I had to tell her I got someone pregnant."

Erin laughed out loud.  "You're right about that one.  Your mom is completely unhinged already.  I can only imagine what that kind of news would do to Patty.  But on a side note, you drink so much Mountain Dew that you're probably sterile anyway.  I just think you should try and have a little fun before you grow old.  You sound like you're ready for the nursing home half of the time and we haven't even graduated from high school yet."

Danny was quiet for a moment before responding.  "I really like Violet.  She's funny, she's smart, she's good looking, and she likes me, too.  I'm thinking about asking her to go to the Prom with me."

Erin's green eyes grew wider and the shock of Danny's statement is obvious.  He recovered quickly and volleyed back.  "Really?  That's cool.  Finally going to get some pooty, huh?"

Danny slid out from under the car, still hanging onto the frame with one hand.  "What did you just say?"

Erin tried unsuccessfully not to laugh.  He couldn't even look at Danny cause he was laughing so hard.  "You heard me," he gasped between chuckles.  "Did you tell her you're still a virgin?"

"That's it, scum bucket!  Prepare to die!"  Danny leaped up onto his feet and Erin took off running.  Danny gave chase, but Erin kept a good arms-length out of his grasp without too much difficulty.  They both ran out into the front yard, and Danny gave up, flopping onto the grass.  He pulled his inhaler out of his pocket and took a puff.  Erin realized that Danny has given up and circled back, plopping down on the grass beside him, still laughing.

Erin finally calmed down enough to speak.  "Listen Danny.  If you like her then I say go for it.  What have you got to lose?  Oh wait, we went over that already."

Danny elbowed Erin in the ribs.  "Thanks, partner.  I'm so glad I have your blessing."  He stared back over at his car.  "I suppose I should get this junk heap fixed before it gets dark.  You coming?"

"Yup.  I'm sure my turn is next."  Erin hopped up and offered his hand to Danny.  "Come on, old man.  Let's get back to it."