Daniel Avery

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Usually Renata was not one to hold grudges. Mostly because it wasn’t her attitude nor the type of person she was, though much of it also had to do with the fact that she knew she didn’t have that long of a lifespan. The voice speaking near her took a moment for Renata to register, or to even gather that he was speaking to her. She’d looked to either side to assure that they were the only two around and that she was the only possibility. This man had nearly destroyed one of her films and his backing out and pulling all of his footage along with it completely changed the film she had intended to make. The blonde had not only been angry but deeply hurt. “Pinot noir,” she answered, as coldly and quietly as Renata was capable of. Which, wasn’t much. “Red wine for darker meats, I thought everyone knew that.” She was a little stunned and absently pulled a bottle of cheap rosé that her. hand had been hovering near. Ears were ringing and her chest was tightening a little, enough that as soon as she set the wine in her basket her hand went to her chest. Doing her best to calm herself, Ren looked over at Daniel once more. Of all places, why was he here in Heartsdale shopping like he was a local?

CJ murmured a quick ‘thanks’ got to work beside him, arranging the various plates and bottles across whatever available surfaces they could find. Namely, the scarred and paint flecked coffee table that’d been that way since she bought it secondhand and… well, the floor. That’s where she chose to sit a minute later when, already going for a piece of fried chicken, herself, CJ looked to him with the faintest smirk. “Did you actually just apologize for being eager to get involved?” 

Oh— if only he knew how long she’d waited for someone beyond Matt or her closest friends to show even the smallest inkling of interest in what she aimed to do.

“I haven’t figured out an exact goal, yet, but probably at least a few grand? Enough to fund a fence at the playground in Kingston, take care of general expenses like the website… that sorta thing. If you want, I’ll gladly take the help.” In whatever form he wanted to offer it, too. A charity chess tournament, set up or clean up, covering the cost of rental equipment or promotional materials— the list could go on for miles. In fact, if you considered the state of her notebook, it probably did. Claudia didn’t lack ideas and aspirations, just the resources or manpower to pull them off alone.

Now that Matt, Lauren, and Daniel stepped up to the plate…

A grin threatened to overtake CJ’s face. She actually had to bite against the inside of her cheek to staunch it.

“I’ve been—” Every word she could think of seemed too vague, or totally false. “The same as usual, I guess? Busy between the diner and the tavern and the podcast and all of… this.” Never let it be said she was a woman who sat around on her ass. No, she had to constantly be moving, constantly doing something. “Which is fine, I like where I work and the podcast is my baby, but—” There went her teeth into her cheek, again. “I dunno. You ever feel like you’re alive but you’re not actually living? Or like not matter what you’re up to you should be… doing something else? ‘Cause it’s been a little like that lately.”

Daniel couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. He didn't know how much she knew about his past, and it wasn't something he went around sharing with just anyone he ran across. “Hey how are you, by the way I embezzled missions of dollars from innocent people,” was never at the forefront many, if any conversations he had. He had spent the last few years trying to avoid those types of conversations. It was safer this way... for everyone involved.  As much as  Daniel wanted to trust people, he wanted to be able to trust again too, because it seemed like such a waste not to have real friends outside of the few he had.

 “Yea, I guess it did come out that way. I’ve got reasons. Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day,” he answered. Because he didn’t want to take away from her excitement of her event, he pushed on to any topic other than himself. 

“Sold, I’m in...you had me at Kingston. That playground meant a lot to me growing up. It’s been pretty neglected over the years. A spruce up would be perfect. And you know what? I would love to see the old basketball courts restored. Put up some swings, maybe throw in some picnic tables so neighborhood families can sit and round and chill together,” he said, reflecting on when times were way different. “Okay so maybe I’m getting a little ambitious with what we can actually, or what you want to do but my point is, I dig your idea. I feel like you’re on to something hot here. Tell me what needs to be done and I’m there.

Daniel nodded, quietly listening to CJ, astounded by some of the sentiments she shared. He’d been dealing with a lot of the same feelings for a while now. For himself, he had attributed that feeling to needing to find a purpose, some real and tangible goals outside of finding ways to attain more stuff. He had those thoughts plenty of times but hadn’t had any real success in rectifying them so he felt a little inept in his ability to offer any tangible advice. “Yea, to be honest. All the time. Seems like you’re on the path to resolving that feeling though. Pulling off an even this big has got to be satisfying. I think that’s one of the reasons I got so excited when you told me about it,” he answered, gaze lingering on her profile a bit. “Who knows....maybe this is just the start of something...” He felt like there was potential to be, anyway. He envied her for it too.

.”

✦

One of her biggest peeves was someone in her company asking how her father was. It felt demeaning and disrespectful to the young woman who had built up a name for herself. Who had contributed a lot of hard (sometimes degrading) work to the success of Sugar Hill Farms. In fact, while the legacy had been built on Ricardo Socarras reputation, keen business sense, breeding knowledge, and connections — the build up in the last twelve years had all been her doing. Her father was all but retired now, sitting back and enjoying the spoils of his fortune while his daughter made it even bigger. 

“He’s enjoying some vacation time in Barbados right now, so I’d say he’s doing quite well. I’ll be sure to let him know you were concerned.” That fuck you smile shined bright for a moment, something that conveyed her annoyance along with the roll of her eyes while somehow still managing to look pleasant. It was a learned skill.

“Give back?” Brows arched in amusement, surprised the thief who’d done hard time felt bold enough to say as much. “So you’re fully on the other side now or— ?” It was in her nature to challenge. Especially men. But part of Lucia was genuinely curious. As long as his klepto hands steered clear of what was hers she couldn’t care less how he made his way. “I suppose prison really can reform some people.” She was still bristling over the fact that he had her time and attention, two things she considered to be of high value, and had used to ask about her father. Clearly the male had no idea how to really talk to her. Which was odd given that he’d bedded her in the past.

“I’m rich as fuck, in the best shape of my life, and you know— living the god damn dream. I’m doing great, Daniel.” Sarcasm, bitterness, and something playful riddled every spoke word. Her dark eyes moved over him, remembering what was underneath, then turned back to pay attention to the auction. “Why are you buying up horses?”

Judging from that fake ass smile, and the cutting sarcasm that oozed through that perfect set of teeth, Daniel assessed that he had already managed to piss her off. He wasn’t giving up that easily though, the night could still go either way. He knew this from past experience and something about the energy she was giving off made him want to push the envelope a bit. “Good to know and would you really do that for me? I’m dyin to hear his reaction,” he retorted. Daniel knew damn well the old man likely couldn’t stand his ass, but that was neither here nor there.  What was with the small talk?. Was he stalling for time, trying to drag some semblance real conversation out of her for some ungodly reason? 

“I mean some would say I’ve paid my debt to society...I know it’s hard to believe, but yea. I’m not ashamed to say I’m making an effort to turn a new leaf. Is that a bad thing, or—,” he chided, falling for the bait like a sucker. “Prison can reform people, but I’ll take the credit in this case. I made a decision...to try and do better.” He’d made a lot of money on the backs of others when he really hadn’t needed to and that had bugged him for the longest time. Not enough to give all of the money he and his father scammed from the 2 percenters in the rich circles of Georgia and beyond, but he felt bed all the same. Sometimes.

 “Important to whom?” Matt nearly barked a laugh, thinking the number of people he knew that loved chess could be counted on one hand. Daniel included. “I got respect, especially for your mad skills,” still chuckling, his hands were raised now, “it just isn’t my game.” Despite saying that, Matt listened to the invite and nodded. He wasn’t really about to turn it down but he wasn’t playing high stakes with anyone. That was a sure fire way to lose lots of money. But there was nothing wrong with being a spectator, right? “Why in the hell would I do that? If you want my money so bad, just say so.” Matt was only half joking. There was no way he was winning against regular players. As Daniel drank his beer, he poured one for himself and had a drink.

“Now you’re callin’ me dull?” Hand to his chest, Matt slightly shook his head. “You’re hurtin’ me here, man. I think I get plenty of play, it just might look different between you and me. Speaking of that though—” A pointed expression pinned Daniel and he was smirking. “Are you actually getting out any? I feel like the manager is just window dressing. That you’re just hovering over her the entire time.” 

“I get out but, you know, it’s different when you get older. I don’t know why I’m thirty-three feeling like I’m going on fifty-three. All I really want on my time off is long rides on the bike and fishing at the lake.”

"I lost count of how many times I’ve said this, but you don't know what you're missing out on. There is way more to chess than the actual game," he said  to Matt. "It's about strategy and planning, knowing your opponent."He chuckled to himself before continuing on with his speech. "I know you’re already thinkin’, say less, Daniel, but hear me out. The process of playing chess is all about understanding how you think as well as how your opponents think in order to outwit them. I don’t know how I ended up in this Ted Talk, but welcome." Daniel laughed, perplexed by the idea of how anyone could be so averted to a game he loved. It was one of the few encounters you could have with a person, everything laid out on the table. Pieces out on the table for everyone to see.

"I said no such thing,” Daniel said with his usual grin surfacing on his face once more.  Daniel waggled an eyebrow at the comment about how different his “play” looked and kind of wanted him to elaborate on what he meant but then  decided he was kind of scared of where that conversation might actually land. “You’re giving me way too much credit. I think she likes girls. . That’s the story my ego is stickin’ to anyway.”

 —

If Daniel was kidding about ‘one of everything’ he probably should’ve considered who he was talking to first. Claudia clobbered back into her living room a minute later, arms laden down with every liquor bottle she could find… and that six pack, minus a beer or two. 

Let nobody say waiting tables Monday through Friday and tending bar most nights taught her nothing. 

“The idea to involve multiple businesses as their own mini destinations only just came to me,” she admitted while laying the bounty out, “but probably tickets per individual activity? Or just tickets in general, kinda like a carnival for grownups, that way anyone who participated on the business side of things could determine their own price.”

She’d want to keep things fair, and had to imagine most places would only want to split part of the proceeds versus giving her all the profits directly. That was perhaps the one drawback to this sudden, tentative plan. Her lower lip worked its way between her teeth while she disappeared into the kitchen again, then returned with two glasses, a few possible mixers, and a plate of food as promised.

“I mean… I have a few friends that’ll probably volunteer and a few regulars I can call, but—” Her silence, not to mention her eventual shrug, spoke for itself. “Nobody’s helping me, I guess. I’ve never put anything like this together before, so I’ve been trying to figure it out and come up with a plan by myself.” 

“Let me help you with that,” he said when he saw her return with arm fulls of goods. He got up and grabbed whatever he could without messing up whatever semblance she had going on. There was suddenly so much food and drink in front of him Daniel had. no idea where to start. Safe bet was to take a few bites of food before he got into the alcohol since he eaten in who knew when. “This is...wow. You really came prepared, huh? Thank you. You’re gonna have some of this goodness too, right?” He asked before going straight for a piece of fried chicken, which he inhaled like he’d never encountered one before, followed up with a swallow of beer. 

“It already sounds like a plan. Pardon my enthusiasm but yea, I want in. I’d love to host a tournament. Ya have a goal for how much you want to raise? Either way I’m in. Daniel knew that he wasn’t exactly seen as a pillar of trust in the community so he anticipated offering whatever assistance was needed quietly and behind the scenes, which suited him just fine. “I got you. I can be your silent sponsor, or you know..whatever you need,” he offered.

Today had felt like it had already gone on forever – most days he worked did, but that was a lifestyle he had chosen by opening his own restaurant. As far as he was concerned, restaurant industry certainly wasn’t for people who valued sleep or personal time. It also happened to be where he got most of his social interactions in, and although he hadn’t expected this, it had been a place where he had met a lot of new people.

Daniel had been one of them, and while he didn’t know the other man well, it was always nice to see him stop by. He had been one of the early adopters of Farm Behind, and Jackson was grateful for anyone who had jumped on board with what was once a crazy idea. “Ah, if it isn’t my tenth favourite customer,” He teased, far too indifferent to actually rank any of them. “Kinda slow today, actually. Was just about to take a break, but yeah it’s good. Nothing too new or exciting, though…workin’ on a summer menu. What about you? I feel like your shit is much more exciting than mine.”

“Well thanks, man. Nice to to be appreciated. I knew I liked this place for a reason. I mean besides the food and all.”  Daniel threw a half grin and a nod when Jackson said he was taking his break. He’d been up all night on a Queen of Meth binge so he was tired and had to force himself to resist the urge to yawn out loud. He glanced to the left, catching a shadow emerge in his peripheral. One of the waitresses had come up to pour a fresh cup of coffee as if on queue. Typical small time vibe and one of the many reasons he loved living in places like Heartsdale. 

“So what’s the flavor of the day? Got any good gossip? I bet you haven’t heard the one about, Mrs. Brown having an affair with Mr. Billings, then later catching Mr. Billings in the act with Mr. Brown,” he said, wondering if he could entice the man to sit for a quick bite.

Leanne paused to catch her breath after gathering up several flyers. Most of the time she forgot she was pushing sixty, until moments like this, where she had to run with purpose. She could throw herself all over a stage performing and never feel winded because of the adrenaline running through her. She loved performing but running for the sake of it wasn’t her thing. “Thank you, honey.” She smiled gratefully, putting it back in her briefcase. “I’d say it’s telling us a storm is on the horizon or Mary Poppins herself is about to come down from the sky‘s and greet us.” She laughed. “So, your into chess?”

“Damn straight, Georgia weather is unpredictable that way. Or is it me? I guess the good days outshine the bad, now that I think about it,” he added, running a hand over his beard. “You from around here? ” he said and couldn’t help but grin. This lady’s energy was effervescent and she was funny too. Plus the honey thing gave him instant, warm and fuzzy mom vibes, even though he had no idea had old she actually might have been. “Ah yea, chess is my thing. I mean I’ve won a few matches,” he answered modestly.  “How bout you? Do you play?” Suddenly remembering she’d been chasing a bunch of paperwork, he added, “You looked busy a minute ago. Hope I’m not holding you up...”

She’d been brainstorming ideas for what felt like two months now (when, in reality, it’d only been half of a day) but never, not once, did CJ consider combining events. “Okay, but… hear me out.” Without even realizing it Daniel had just sparked a new wave of creativity. “What it was all of the above? What if it was some kind of… community block party, sorta like a bar crawl, except different places hosted different events? Movie night at the park, boogie bingo at the tavern—” She trailed off to pin him down with a slowly widening, potentially alarming smile. “You could even host a charity chess tournament if you were feeling super, extra nice.” At the end of the day any of the ideas were worth a try, but she really wanted to give herself the best shot at raising the most money for her nonprofit. “Think about that while I ransack the kitchen.” Energetic as always, CJ bounded from the couch. “I might even have some enchiladas or leftover fried chicken Scottie brought home if it’ll help sway your decision in my favor.” There was a chuckle somewhere within the kitchen, and then she called out— 

“Johnny Walker Red Label, Patron,” quietly, she muttered to herself, ‘who the hell bought Malibu coconut rum?’. A second later the list went on. “Uh— a few beers, or coke and iced tea if you’re not feelin’ boozy.”

"You have my ear. I'm with you so far," he said, jutting an enthusiastic finger in the air, feeling intrigued with her ideas so far. He continued to listen intently as she spoke on a myriad of topics. The potential for mixing in a chess tournament had his interest piqued too. “How would this work. Would you charge an entry fee to have access to all the events, or would you offer tickets for an individual experience? Either way, I think you’re onto something here,” he answered with genuine curiosity. 

✦

On principle alone Lucía hated these things. She hated anything she had to do, anything that wasn’t of her absolute choosing at any given time. This auction was one of those things, something that not only looked good for the farm but also put out good will. And it wasn’t that Lucía disagreed with that sort of thing, it was just awful that she had been the one dragged into it to attend. Normally her father, Ricardo Socarras, preferred to be the face of Sugar Hill Farms when it came to charitable recognition but as her work as the blood stock agent of the farm, the last decade had done a lot to put the young heiress as the face of the empire. Much to most people’s surprise, that was far from what Lucía wanted. What she desired was to be wealthy and left alone, and to present day she was only one of those things. 

Before the auction began, Lucía made her rounds, mingling with the who’s who of the Ag business and horse world. She plastered a smile and charmed everyone into submission, as she usually did, and made sure she had a drink in her hand for most of it. When she took a seat, Lucía wasn’t surprised that someone made quick work to take the available seat beside her, but was more so surprised to find out who it was. A man that was familiar with invading her space. “I’m sure it is, although I’m not sure I’d like to imagine you cozying up to my father like this.” Amused, she shifted to face him a little. “Of course not, Daniel. How can I miss what won’t go away.” Her voice was low and sweet, as was her smile as she reached out to run a finger under one side of his jaw.

“What are you doing here, handsome?” At least her night finally got interesting. Especially with where it was likely to end up later, as it had so many sordid nights in the past. 

 “And how is your father?” He asked even though he didn’t remember the man ever being his biggest fan. His own father was notoriously known as the Jordan Belfort of the south, had left a bad taste in the mouths of the elite in Georgia and beyond.  In Daniel’s eyes, however, the man was a thief, plain and simple, despite the abundance of wealth that came along with being the man’s son. Pure evil. Feeling like he’d sold his soul by mere birthright was Daniel’s constant struggle.

 A faint smile turned the corners of his lips as he gave the woman an appreciative glance. At first he wondered if he’d made a mistake taking the highly coveted and desired seat next to the Lucia Soccaras, knowing full well the encounter could land on either end of the spectrum of getting his dick wet or or on her bad side. Too early to tell which side he’d end up on really. “It’s a good cause and all,” he said with an easy shrug. Plus I never pass up an opportunity to give back if I can help it.” Not to mention his good deeds image would eventually over shadow the fact he was a convicted felon. Stroking him like that was one of his triggers. He was simultaneously impressed that she remembered and inwardly climbing walls at the all the implications. When the bidding starting getting hot and heavy, Daniel threw up a hand, not trying to outbid anyone in particular. At the end of the day, he’d end up writing a check regardless.

As someone that regularly went out especially after work, Harrison knew what to expect on a Friday night and thus it became quite easy for him to navigate the busy streets. It didn’t mean he liked to waggle his way through the streets until he made it to the quietest bar however.

Harrison takes a deep frustrated breath when he finally gets to sit down, only then noticing that he had probably been too loud and that it had been enough to get the attention of a few people around him, but he doesn’t mind the attention, focusing instead on the bartender to order a pint of beer. He feels someone’s eyes on him when the bartender starts to work on his order and he nods his head back in response as he waits for his drink. “Not my first choice, but certainly the quietest place I could find.. this would be the quietest it gets, unfortunately.” He likes to think of himself a social man, but after a busy Friday at work all he wanted was to kick back and disassociate, never minding company by the bar however.

Daniel's head bob as he took a silent glance at the menu, deciding there wasn't anything on the menu that appealed to him. What he had been craving was something homecooked. Or perhaps it was really the company that came with said meal that he yearned for.  A frustrated sigh came when he realized the bartender and one of the waitresses were hemmed up at the opposite end of the bar. “After awhile the quiet becomes a bit unnerving, in a place like this I mean. Not what you would expect I guess on a Friday night.” Pushing the menu aside, he decided to wait on the food and see what he could throw together at home. When the bartender finally showed up, he asked for whatever locally brewed draft they had on tap. His gaze then honed in on the muted Braves game on the big screen TV.  “Damn...looks like our winning streak came to an end,” he muttered before downing a few sips of beer when it arrived.