got me dying for a miracle

EUREKA TASK 001 — Home Is Where The Heart Is

Dani purchased the 3bed/2bath 1200 sq.ft. townhome around six months ago but has been quick to fall in love with the place. The two-story brownstone-style townhome has 2 bedrooms, kitchen, and living room on the first floor, while the last bedroom (more of a den) and garage are on the bottom floor. It is still mostly empty with very little furniture and appliances, but you’ll be able to find her personal items in piles around the home — old birthday cards and mail stacked into a shelf, clothing tucked away in the corner of her bedroom, snacks hidden throughout, etc. The master bedroom houses her bed along with a small desk and work area, the second bedroom is a guest bedroom that acts more as her dog Chester’s room these days. There is a den-style bedroom downstairs that is currently being used as a storage/laundry room.

Work had been keeping Dani busier than usual. Given her promotion a few months back and the added responsibility, it was safe to say that she was stressed out. And when she was particularly stressed out, she needed to watch trash television and maybe enjoy a guilty pleasure or two. While she would normal have a night of Netflix and ice cream, her dog Chester had knocked down the television in the living room and left the screen shattered, which was how she found herself at Arts & Drafts. “Okay well I want to watch The Bachelor so can we change the channel? I mean who the hell is even watching this stupid, idiotic, testosterone-induced hockey game,” Dani said to the bartender who gave a pointed look towards a rather young gentleman two seats down from her. Slowly turning to look at the man, Dani immediately felt somewhat embarrassed and gave him a small wave, “I love the mighty ducks...” She added, not sure if that was actually a real team or not but it was as far as her sports knowledge extended.

Scott recognized that Dani was being a good sport, and he appreciated it. She was still important to him, had been such an important chapter of his life. And while there were parts of that chapter he didn’t like to look back on, his selfishness had still been born of out genuine love for her. “I’ll make sure she holds you to that.” He liked the abstract idea that Dani would be around still, all those years in the future. “Whatever you get him, he’ll love. He’s just a kid.” Scott knew that Connor’s mother didn’t care for him, in fact, Katie had made her feelings about Scott quite clear once upon a time, but from what Scott knew of her son, Connor wasn’t very finicky about what he found entertaining. “An acquaintance you met through Katie.” Scott snickered at the description. “Whatever you pick, I’m sure he’ll love more than a gift card. Kids can’t handle all the possibilities that come with a gift card, and whatever they end up with they’ll just have FOMO about whatever they didn’t get instead. But the hot wheels take the choices away, and he’ll just be happy for the gift.” Scott wasn’t an expert in the psychology of children, but he at least knew that, to an extent. As they reached the front of the line, Scott procured his wallet, ordering two hot cocoas as Calli ogled Dani with her wide eyes. Once he’d cashed out and the hot cocoas were served, Scott offered one over to Dani. “I’m happy to help you look for a gift, though. If you’d like someone to blame it on if he doesn’t like it.”

-

“I don’t know, kids are capable of not liking a gift, too,” Dani argued, if only because her endless cynicism didn’t seem to have any limits. Still, she hoped whatever she ended up getting Connor would be something he actually liked. While she had never been very good with kids, that didn’t necessarily mean she hated them. Besides, Connor seemed to like Chester and he was Katie’s kid which gave him extra points. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll just get him candy. Kids always like candy,” it was at least one seemingly true thing in the world. Dani happily took a sip of her hot cocoa, mostly grateful for the extra warmth. “I wouldn’t mind a little help,” She added with a small nod. It was another year she’d be spending in Eureka for the holidays since her grandparents decided they would visit her this time around instead of Dani having to endure a flight back to Los Angeles. Still, she figured they still had questions about Scott and why things ended, but Dani was hoping to focus more on her family than her own relationship troubles. “Besides, you’re my favorite person to blame for everything,” Dani added as an afterthought with a playful smirk. It wasn’t as if Katie was Scott’s biggest fan anyway so it’d be an easy way to blame someone if the gift did indeed suck. “So what do you two have planned for the holidays? You know, other than buying me hot cocoa and helping me with my gifts.”

“Don’t got a credit card,” he answered with a shrug, “Does that make me more serial killer-y or less?” he questioned, almost musing, but also keeping up with their current jest.  “And I think the last time I had my social security number memorized was filling out FAFSA forms for college,” he chuckled, “So if that’s the only way to convince you, I guess i’m shit out of luck.”    

“Makes me think of that joke,” he started after she assured him she also, was not a murderer, “Someone picks up a hitch hiker, and the hitch hiker jokes ‘thanks for picking me up, I swear I’m not a killer’, and the driver says ‘oh, I know’, hitch hiker responds ‘how’s that?’, ‘well, what’s the chances of both of us being killers?’.” He finished, scratching the back of his neck, suddenly wondering why the fuck he had started speaking to begin with.  “Wet and LJ.” he replied, “I mean, my name is LJ.  Nice to meet you, Dani.” 

He was taken aback slightly as she pulled him back under the awning, but gave her an appreciative smile, knowing as waterproof as his jacket might claim to be, it’d probably be reaching it’s limit soon.  “Would it be too cliche to ask if you come here often?”

-

“I would say more. I mean who the hell doesn’t have a credit card these days? Unless you’re one of those people who doesn’t trust machines, then you’re branching out of serial killer and going right into a conspiracy theorist ,” Dani said, mostly joking. She welcomed any conversation that kept her mind off the fact that she was cold, wet, and absolutely plagued with regret for agreeing to go on a hike with her coworkers, though that regret was slowly subsiding. “God, FAFSA, I might be aging myself but filling out those forms was an absolutely nightmare,” She said shuddering at the thought before deciding to give him a free pass. After all, it wasn’t like she had her own social security number memorized either. “Besides I think your luck ran out a while ago, probably around the time it started raining would be my guess,” She was only teasing now. 

“If it makes you feel better, I’m not a serial killer. I just don’t really have the ambition these days,” She said sarcastically with the shrug of her shoulders. That and from all the shows about serial killers she watched on Netflix, it was safe to say the anxiety of keeping the secret would kill her. “Nice to meet you too, LJ. Wish it was under better circumstances but I guess it could be worse. It could be a tornado.”

At LJ’s next question, Dani couldn’t help the way her brows furrowed and she gave him a look before her features eased into faint amusement. “Here? In nature? Without heating and reception? No. Not really,” In fact, this was one of the last places someone would probably find her in but the experience wasn’t turning out as badly as she had thought. “I’m more of an indoor girl. What about you? Are you just a glutton for pain with a nature view or...?”

Flo: Like, he's saying I could date both of them???

“Oh, come on. It’s a little charming.” Scott replied with a roll of his eyes. “—No. She doesn’t even have bones yet.” She could babble, certainly, let out a giggle when truly amused, but nothing more than sounds at the present. Nevertheless, they thrilled him. “Skinny babies aren’t half as cute.” He replied, a finger nudging into Calli’s side, eliciting a small giggle of delight from his daughter. “She’s strictly a, uh—” He knit his brow, unsure of the most salient way to say ‘breast milk’, but just let the thought go. “She’ll get to have water for the first time starting in a couple of weeks. But for now, she’s pretty restricted. But once the flood gates open she’s getting everything. Mole, tamales, beans and rice, really make sure she’s in the culture.” Scott gestured towards the hot chocolate in question. “I’d be happy to treat you, though. If you wanted to walk around with us. I’ll feel less bad if I’m not the only one drinking it in front of her.”

-

“I mean, yeah, I have to agree with you there — chubby cheeks are just cuter,” Dani agreed matter-of-factly with a nod as if it was known information. Even she had to admit that Calli was very cute, even if it was only to herself. “Okay, I’ll return the favor when this one is twenty-one and get her a spiked hot chocolate or something,” Dani joked as she stepped up to the front of the stand and ordered herself a hot chocolate. The last few months she hadn’t seen Scott, though that had been by design. A part of her still felt guilty about everything that happened between them and she didn’t want to take away some of his happiness by being a walking talking reminder of his failures. She hoped that enough time had passed that they could at least be friendly in some way. “I’m actually trying to find a Christmas present for Connor — I was thinking maybe hot wheels, but do kids even like hot wheels anymore?” She asked, thinking it over for another second before making a decision, “Maybe I’ll just go with a gift card. I know it’s deeply impersonal but it’s not like he and I are best friends, he’s just, like, an acquaintance I met through Katie or whatever.”

If one thing had proved true, it would be that fatherhood was a greater gift that Scott could have even comprehended before Calliope arrived. Something as mundane as visiting the holiday market with her was a quiet thrill for him, to watch her take in her surroundings, her tiny brain processing so many things for the very first time, right before his eyes. Though she didn’t understand it, Scott chatted with her like she did, because that was supposed to be helpful for her cognitive development — or so he’d read. “What do you think? You like that?” Scott spoke to Calli as she wriggled and pointed at the chalk board in front of the hot chocolate stand. “It’s a —” He was cut off by an ever familiar voice, his attention immediately turning to Dani. “— snowman. Hey.” Scott greeted with a widening smile. “We’re conjoined now, can’t you see?” He gestured towards the baby carrier keeping his daughter strapped to his chest. “Calli, can you say hi?” Scott took Calli’s chubby little hand, extending it towards Dani. “Her handshake is really limp, but she’s got a great face. Don’t you think?” He asked of Dani, head leaning down to press a kiss atop Calli’s head. 

-

“Yeah I can se that, it’s actually really horrifying,” Dani responded, but despite her words she wore a faint smile. It was hard not to react that way when all she ever wanted was for Scott to be happy and it seemed like he had finally gotten that and this was one girl she would never be able to compete with. Averting her eyes at the small child, Dani reached out and gave the baby’s hand a shake, returning the gesture as politely as she could, “Oh she can talk already?” She asked quite genuinely. Despite growing up helping her aunts and uncles take care of her cousins, she still remained fairly clueless about children and never felt the need to learn. “I don’t know, kinda pudgy, but who wasn’t at her age. Can she drink hot chocolate yet or...?”

If you would have asked Dani a few years ago if she saw herself living anywhere other than Los Angeles, she would have said absolutely not. However, when Scott had asked her to move up to Eureka with him three years ago, she had taken the dive in hopes to prove she was serious about their relationship. Despite the fact that things didn’t work out the way she thought they would, Dani found herself settled into Eureka like it was her second home. Homes usually contained families, and her little circle of friends that consisted of mostly mothers now needed proper gifts for the holidays so she decided to check out the local holiday market. As she walked through the outdoor stalls, glancing around at things but finding nothing that would fit Flo or Katie’s aesthetic, she continued on to a sure fire winner — hot cocoa. She had only been standing in line for a few minutes before she spotted Scott. If his charming smile hadn’t been enough then certainly the unmistakable child strapped to his chest had confirmed it. “Is it too late to return that?” She gestured towards the baby, “I don’t think it compliments your cheekbones,” She was only joking. For the most part anyway.

Flo: that's what i thought

Flo: he says he loves me and he things one person can be in love with multiple people

Flo: like he said he didn't think he and rory were enough for me and that i was free to explore other things if i wished

Flo: what does that even mean??

Dani: sounds like he doesnt want to be with you

Flo: because you don't say much of anything, you just make me question everything with your insightful questions!!

Flo: she's good, always

Flo: something weird happened with noël though

Dani: ok well you're welcome for being so wise then

Flo: maybe idk

Flo: maybe that's a door that should just stay closed

Dani: okay well you said it not me

Flo: did i ask clay if i think he dodged a bullet? def not

Flo: do i even want to know the answer?

Levi liked to consider himself a mindful person, always observant of his actions and words and the reactions they might get, but sometimes, like in that moment, he would realize what a blunder he had made.  His hands shot up in a sort of ‘it’s just me, don’t shoot’ motion, although he didn’t know what good that would do, he was still a man, and she was still a woman in an isolated area.  Damn, he hadn’t thought that through.  He could only imagine the cuff upside the head he’d get from his aunt if she had known he had been so thoughtless.

“To be honest, it would’ve been well deserved, so I won’t hold it against you, and instead say thank you for not doing that.” LJ chuckled, trying to lighten the mood a bit, and come off as unthreatening as possible, even going so far as to take a step away from her, despite the fact that it put one of his shoulders directly under the dripping edge of the awning.  “I would try and assure you I’m not a murderer, but that sorta feels like something a murderer would do…So I’m sorta at an impasse, here.”

-

“Yeah, well, you’re welcome. Next time you won’t be so lucky,” Dani said, playing along as if the apology was anywhere necessary. Because it absolutely wasn’t, though she appreciated it none the less. Truth be told, she felt a little bad, if only because he seemed to be a genuinely nice person trying to save someone from the downpour. Thankfully, the awning had been doing its job and Dani managed to stay relatively dry despite the continued rain.

“You know what a murderer wouldn’t do? Give me their social security and credit card number,” Dani said with a deadpan expression before her eyebrow ticked upward and a slight grin made its way to her features. Did she think he was a murderer? No. He didn’t seem to have that vibe. That and she hadn’t been lying about the mace so she didn’t feel very threatened. “I’m Dani, by the way. And I’m also not a murderer...” She said, figuring she’d introduce herself if the rain was going to take a its sweet time, “You might not be a murderer but you know what you are—” She said, reaching over to tug him to the side lightly so he was no longer the victim of the rain runoff from the awning, “Wet.”

Flo: probably that i have a lot of baggage and he dodged a bullet

“When I used to actually foster, that shit was like…a full time job sometimes,” Annie commiserated. “Especially when they’re sick, or ate something they’re not supposed to…” she trailed off, rolling her eyes. Like small children, dogs shared the inability to verbalize what was wrong with them, which always made Annie anxious–and stoked a respectful admiration of veterinary sciences. She laughed at Dani’s offer. “God, between you and Benji I’m almost completely set,” she joked. “I just need to find a bartender friend. Or someone that owns a liquor store. Then all my bases will be covered.” The irony of Annie’s proclamation was not lost on her; the strongest drug she’d taken in years had been Advil, and her drinking was usually relegated to a glass of wine with Candace or an evening  beer on the patio with Benji. “I’m actually glad you asked,” Annie said, excitement coloring her voice. “I’m trying to orchestrate everyone’s birthday…things–this was just a caffeine fuel up–and I’d love any feedback you can give me about what you think Katie would like? Benji and I have been brainstorming, but I want it to be, like, good. She deserves it, y’know?” The fact of the matter was that for as integrated as Annie had become into the Hastings-Birch-Mabry clan, there was a noticeable–to her, at least–gap when it came to her and Katie. She absolutely adored the woman, of course, but she wasn’t entirely confident that she knew her–certainly, she didn’t as well as Dani. “Anyway–” Annie reached into her bag, fumbling around for a minute before she felt the shape of what she wanted; she quickly withdrew the card, confirming it was, in fact, hers, and extended it across the table. “That’s my number and email and all the things. If you can think of anything. And obviously you’re coming to whatever it ends up being.” 

-

“Yeah well, Chester decided to eat the other half of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and it was a whole fiasco at the vet, so i get it...” Dani said, relieved to know that someone seemed to understand her struggle. While Dani understood that dogs and children were very different levels of responsibilities, she didn’t think that meant taking care of dogs was easy either. Still, it was hard to complain about those things to Scott or Katie or even Flo these days so she was grateful she still had some children-less friends, for now anyway. “I mean, I know a guy with a liquor store — he’s in LA but still, I’ll pass on your info,” Dani said half-joking with an amused grin. As Annie went on talking about birthdays, Dani came to the realization that perhaps she wasn’t as on it as Annie was when it came to her friend’s birth dates, “Oh shit, is that, like, soon?” Truth be told, Dani hadn’t seen Katie as much as she used to and she assumed that was because they both had their own things going on recently, but she did agree with Annie about Katie deserving something special. “Honestly, I don’t know, I usually just go with postmating her something from Taco Bell and it hasn’t really failed me yet so I might just stick with that...” Dani began as she took the card Annie slid over to her and gave it a quick glance before putting it into her pocket. “But yeah, obviously, I will be there... unless it’s an Escape Room, I can’t do those after the last incident, but yeah, sure just let me know the details or whatever.”