~ Lights, and other things to ponder later ~

"Danny! Recheck my list to see if I've missed anything, please!"

"Sure, mom," Danny said, taking the clipboard being handed to him. He rechecked through every bin. "Mom, I'm missing two pecans and four buttermilk."

"Did you check the icebox?"

"Yes, I got all of them already."

"Have you checked the car? Your father may have already loaded some up."

"Oh, alright."

Danny walked outside to find his dad.

"Danny! Help me load these tables into the trunk, would ya?"

"Sure, but have you loaded any pies yet?"

"Oh, yeah. One tray... Two pecan and four buttermilk, I think? They're in the front seat, if you want to check..."

"Nah, that's what i was missing. Let me tell mom and I'll be back out to help you load things."

Danny went back in and gave the clipboard back to his mother, who was printing out price sheets, and then passed his sister who was covering all of the pies and labeling them, which would have made Danny's job much easier, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it.

Danny and his father loaded up the two long folding tables into the back of their SUV, and then started loading the white, semi-opaque tubs full of pies on top.

"Alright, let's load up! Danny, looks like there's not enough room in here for you, so you can either follow in your car, or ride with your sister."

"We're both going?"

"Well, yeah, you're both needed. I need you to help me carry all of the stuff from the parking lot to the selling site and your mother needs your sister to get everything arranged and organized before the other ladies arrive with their stuff. And we'll probably need to help them with their stuff too."

"Oh, alright. This is the first time we've been invited to tag along."

"This is the first time we've been allowed to have outside help."

At this point, Danny's sister walked outside. "What's going on?"

"I'm riding with you and we're following mom and dad."

"We're both going?"

"Apparently we're both needed."

"That's a first."

"Right?"

"Well, let's get our coats, and we'll meet you at the end of the block, ok dad?"

"Sure, just send your mom out when you go back in."

They went in to get their things when their mom came around the corner.

"Oh, you guys, we're going to need your help getting everything set up today..."

"We know, mom. Danny and I are getting our coats. Dad's ready to go."

"Oh! And everything's already loaded?"

"Yep."

"Oh, well, never mind then! See you there, then!"

"Ready, Danny?"

"Yeah, have you seen my other glove?"

"It's on your shoe."

Danny looked down. "Oh, thanks. Yeah, let's go."

They got in their car and followed their parents all the way to downtown. They tried to get into a parking lot, only to be stopped by someone posing as security. Not that this place really needs security, but it made people feel better. And a few more people got to volunteer, so it wasn't all bad. Their father talked with the 'guard', who was a family friend, and he pointed back to their car, so they waved. The guard gave their father something, and he pulled in, so Danny's sister pulled forward.

"Hey, Mike."

"Hey, guys. You helping them unload everything?"

"Yes sir."

"You carrying anything in here?"

"Do what?"

"Like, pies, or anything that you need to unload?"

"Oh! No, it's just us."

"Alright, take this." He handed them a small, brightly colored piece of paper with a number on it. "And you won't get ticketed. And, if you don't mind, could you park at the far end of the lot to allow for people unloading things."

"Oh, sure thing Mike!"

He smiled at them. "You kids enjoy the ceremony!"

"Thanks, Mike!" She said as she pulled forward in to the lot. "Ugh! I hate being called a kid..."

Danny chuckled. "Why? You are a kid..."

"Danny, I'm 24. That means I haven't been a kid in three years."

"I don't mind it."

"That's because you still are a kid. And will be for the next three years."

"Ok, you're not 24 yet. You have like eight months left. And by your math, I'm an adult in one year. Unless you meant 21, in which case, you've been an adult for two years, and I have two to go."

"Oh my God, you are nineteen!"

"I have been since summer."

They parked and walked over to the SUV where their parents were waiting.

"That's just depressing."

"What is sweetie?" Their mom asked.

"The fact that Danny's nineteen..."

"He has been since summer..." Their dad said.

"That's what I said!"

"I know... but... why did you guys allow this to happen?"

She pouted and folded her arms in front of her. Their mom went over and put her arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Sweetie if I knew how to do that, neither of you would be out of grade school."

"You guys grab some pies and bring them to us. Your mother wants to show me ho she wants the tables set up once we get them unburied. We're right over there, you won't miss us." He pointed down the row, and their parents walked off in that direction.

Once they were out of earshot, and they had the doors opened, unloading the pies, Danny said quietly, "Just wait until I start having sex..."

She smacked his arm. "Danny you are never allowed to talk about sex, think about sex, or have sex ever, is that clear??"

"Haha, ow! I'm a nineteen-year-old boy, you're kind of late on a few of those."

"Danny, seriously though... Just because you're in college doesn't mean you should jump into something you're not ready for."

Danny smiled at his sister, "Thank you for the concern, but really, I'm not even close to dating someone, much less having sex, so you don't have to worry about me yet."

Danny's sister smiled at him as if she knew something he didn't. He was going to ask, but they were approaching their parents, so he thought it best to wait to ask.

They set their pie containers down and Danny's father asked if he was ready to get another load. Danny said "sure" and they were on their way.

"So, Danny. What were you and your sister just talking about?"

"Huh?"

"It looked like y'all were having a deep discussion about something, and I was just wondering what it was you were talking about."

"Oh. Sex and nervousness."

"Are you nervous about having sex, Danny?"

"Ha. That was a quote from a movie."

"Oh!" His father smiled. "Which movie?"

"The American President with Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. Also, Martin Sheen and Richard Dreyfess are in it."

"Is it good?"

"I liked it. An interesting political spin on the romantic comedy genre. You and mom should watch it on your next date night."

"I'll look into that..."

"What are you boys talking about?" Danny's mom asked as they sat down their final load of pies.

"Sex and nervousness."

"Oh, I love that movie! Annette Bening is so beautiful in it!"

"And that is the reason that mom and I will forever rule at trivia games." Danny said, proudly.

"Danny says we should watch that on our next date night."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!"

Danny's father beamed at him.

"Honey, will you help me move these around so we can fit the tables?"

"Oh, sure! Danny, would you go wait by the car to bring the tables back?"

"Sure." And Danny took a few step backward, then turned and walked back to the car, shoving his hands in his pockets to keep warm. He arrived by the car and stood, leaning up against the side of the car.

"Well, hello stranger..." Danny realized he had completely zoned out and someone was talking to him. He looked around quickly and saw Zane walking towards him, smiling. Danny smiled back.

"Hey, what's up, man?"

"Not much, what are you doing?"

"Excuse me, sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave..." The voice came from nowhere, so both boys turned and looked for its source. Mike, the guard was hurrying over to Zane.

"I...Uh..." was all Zane could get out before he arrived and took Zane by the arm.

"It's ok, Mr. Baxter. He's with me."

They both gave Danny a shocked look.

"You sure about this, Danny?"

"Yeah, he's going to help me haul tables for my mom and her friends."

Mr. Baxter looked hard at Zane before releasing his arm. It was mildly amusing for the fact that Zane had a good five inches and 50 pounds of muscle on Mr. Baxter, yet he remained in control. Zane smiled at Mike Baxter.

Mike left, but Zane still spoke quietly, "thanks for that."

"No problem, but now you actually have to help me carry tables..."

"Oh, that's fine."

So Danny opened up the opened up the back and started sliding a table out and Zane grabbed the other end, shut the door with his hip and they started walking towards the set up.

"I, uh, don't know where we're going, so do you want to turn around?"

"Nah, I can lead going backwards. And it's really close, just right over there." Danny motioned with his head, and Zane looked and saw Danny's family and smiled.

"Ok, got it." And they maneuvered their way over.

They arrived and set up the table. They left placing it to Danny's father, who would probably end up moving it five times before they liked where it was.

Halfway back to the car, Zane spoke again. "So, I think that guy has it out for me..."

Danny gave him a funny look. "Yeah, and I think he's got a good reason."

Zane looked hurt, so Danny continued. "You broke his daughter's heart, there Zane."

"For real? Who's his daughter?"

"Lindsey."

"Baxter?"

"Yes. Mike Baxter is Lindsey Baxter's father."

"No wonder he hates me."

"And he's also a close family friend, so that probably doesn't help..."

"You're friends with Lindsey Baxter?"

"I was until I became a social stain. But she was never mean, we just hung out with different crowds. I did also help her with her calculus homework."

"Yeah, sorry about that..."

"Not your fault."

"Oh look! Danny's friend is here too!"

"Oh good! I don't have to carry tables!" Danny's father exclaimed.

"Hi, Mrs. Elliot, Mr. Elliot."

"Danny, would you mind carrying Mrs. Gearty's tables over too?"

"No, I don't mind. We have one more of ours, first, though."

"Oh, well, whenever you get a chance, then."

"Sure." Danny turned to Zane. "Ready?"

Zane nodded and turned on his heels to follow Danny.

They got back to the car, and the back door was opened.

"Did... did we leave that open?"

"Uh... no... I shut it with my hip before we left..."

"That's what I thought..." Danny cautiously peered into the back. "Hello?"

"Hey, sorry, it's me!" Danny's sister's head popped out of the back of the SUV. Both of the boys jumped. "Sorry Danny. Oh! ...and boy..."

They both gave her a hand to get out of the back. "Thanks. Danny, have you seen the pie master list?"

"It's in our car. I had it with me, but I think I left it in the front seat."

"Would you mind getting it for me?"

Danny said no, he didn't mind, and held up his hands, so she tossed him the keys. He jogged off to the other end of the parking lot. He searched around the car for the sheet of paper, but he couldn't locate it. Dejected, he sat in the passenger seat. He was trying to retrace his steps in his mind. That's when he noticed the list reflecting off the windshield. He sat up, saw the list on the dashboard, grabbed it, locked the door, and was off again.

He got back to the SUV, handed the paper to his sister, who said thanks and scampered off. He then turned to Zane who was blushing.

Danny thought about that momentarily. "...what did she say?"

"She... didn't say anything..."

"So you're blushing for no reason?" At which, Zane blushed more. "Look, either you tell me or she tells me later. It's really up to you..."

"Ok, fine. She said it was strange that I had been around you a lot lately, and she was just making sure my motives were pure."

"Really? Hmm... that's odd..."

"Why is that odd?"

"Well, she's usually spot on with her predictions like that."

Zane chuckled nervously, but Danny didn't notice. He just started pulling out a table. They carried it over and set it up.

"Oh, hey Danny..." His mother half sang at him again. She had talked like this, half singing half speaking, for as long as Danny could remember, however he hadn't noticed it until he had been apart from it for a long time. He smiled and realized he probably should be paying attention to what his mother was saying.

"Would you mind running over to the sidewalk cafe and get us all lunches?"

"Sure, just write down what you want."

"Alright, and go get your father's credit card."

"Nice..."

"Sh...should we get the other table first?" Zane asked from behind Danny.

"Oh right... Hey mom? Where is Mrs. Geartry's car?"

"It should be next to our SUV, Danny. Thank you for remembering."

"Wasn't me, was Zane."

"Oh, well thank you, then Zane."

Zane blushed and smiled, not sure of what to say to that.

They walked back over to the cars and found Mrs. Geartry's car unlocked and the table in the back seat of the car. Her tables were older, and much heavier than Danny's tables, and the cold didn't help with the fingers, but they managed to get back over to them. By the time they got back, the rest of Danny's family had written down what they wanted and Danny's father handed him the list and his credit card, and the boys headed off for the Big Burger cafe.

The line was pretty long due to all the people already milling about the square. And most of the booths were already up and running, but most people wouldn't show up until after lunch to all of the festivities.

Danny and Zane waited in line silently, as the place was mostly brick with wood floors, and with that many people was overwhelmingly loud. They had tried speaking, but after about 20 "what?" they gave up and stood in silence, trying to wait for a break in the noise to speak. They made their way to the counter, where it was eerily quieter than the rest of the shop. Danny read off the list, then gave his order then said, "...and whatever this guy is having."

Zane looked up as if he was just now coming into the conversation. "Danny, you really don't have to do that..."

"I know. But c'mon."

"No, really... I got it..."

"Hey, I owe you for helping me with the tables. Also, it's going on my dad's card, so I'm not even paying for it myself. And trust me, he's going to ask if I paid for yours, and if I don't, he'll be disappointed."

".....you're sure."

"Absolutely."

So, Zane stepped forward and ordered. They then waited in the cacophony for their names to be called, and they carried it back to their waiting family, who looked like they were about to bite each others heads off.

Danny's sister was the first one to see them and started to clear a spot to eat, which annoyed her mother, until she saw Danny too. They distributed the food, and they all started eating. Danny and Zane took a seat on the curb, as all the other chairs were currently occupied by the elder members of the Elliot family.

They were all silent as they ate, simply because talking would waste time in enjoying the food.

"I can't believe you got Big Burger without me!" A voice from behind Danny and Zane caught them off guard, and both turned to see Chris and Blaine walking up behind them, Blaine obviously disappointed in being not included in lunch.

"Sorry, you weren't here..."

"Hey Danny! I didn't know you were going to be here... Usually, you're at that other thing..." Chris said.

"Yeah, this year, they changed venues and I got to help set up. This'll be the first time I'll be here for this."

"Hmm... me too..." Zane said, almost to himself. The other three kinda looked at him, and Danny smiled.

"Hi Chris and Blaine!" Danny's mom said and waved from over her burger.

"Hey Mrs. Elliot, Mr. Elliot, Jamie" they both said in unison, like they had since they were little. Everyone smiled, but for each for their own, separate reason.

The boys were mostly done eating, and Blaine ate the rest of Danny's fries. After they were done, and threw away their trash, they were kind of standing around, not doing anything, and not saying anything. So finally, Danny's mom chimed in. "Why don't you kids go check out all of the booths and stuff before it gets too busy? I'm sure you could also get a good spot for the tree lighting also."

"Are you sure, mom? You're not gonna need us?"

"Oh, no Danny... We just needed you for hauling tables with your father. You're free until we need to leave! If we need you, we'll call..."

"Alright, then."

And the four of them wandered off to look at all of the booths. Most were filled with homemade trinkets that suburban housewives made in their spare time to sell to other suburban housewives. Chris and Danny got some pretty good laughs at some of the things. Zane and Blaine laughed mostly at the two of them making fools of themselves. There were a couple of booths with some antiques that were easy to move and not likely to break or be stolen. One in particular caught Danny's attention. It was an old typewriter. Danny sat on a stool and looked at it and pretended to type on it without actually touching the keys for fear of breaking it. It was probably broken anyway. The friendly old lady working the booth came over.

"It still works. If you can find ribbons for it."

"Really..."

"Yeah. Mostly old typewriters are broken beyond repair and are just for decoration. But this one is fully functional."

"I would love to have an old typewriter like this for writing..."

"You're a writer?"

"Ha. No. Well, I want to be. I don't know... It's hard to explain."

"You like writing, you're just not sure if anyone really wants to read what you have to say?"

"Um, yes. That's exactly it. Wow..."

She smiled a kindly, knowing smile. "You are officially a writer."

"Danny, c'mon! You gotta check this out! She painted plates. With her cat's faces!!" Danny turned to see he was alone in the booth, and Chris was calling him from a few booths down.

Danny turned back to the lady, who was handing him a card. "If you change your mind, this is where I'm located."

"Really, it's not about changing my mind... It's about getting the money."

"If it's meant to be, it'll find a way. Pieces like these have a way of finding their way home."

Danny smiled and left to join his friends, sticking the card in his back pocket. He ran to catch up with Blaine and Chris, but Zane wasn't with them. He turned around and saw him standing at a different booth, so he called out and waved him over, and he rejoined the group.

The visited a few more booths before Blaine's stomach started growling.

"Oh man, those fries did not last long..."

"Dude, they lasted four hours... That's pretty good for you."

"True, but now I really want more..."

"Well, let's go get some then! I could really use a good burger now." Chris said

Zane looked a bit apprehensive. Danny spoke next. "Hey, Zane and I already ate there once today, and that's all we really can take."

"Aw, man... I really wanted some Big Burger..." Blaine looked really sad about it.

"Well, y'all can get it. But we'll probably get something else."

Chris and Blaine looked a bit confused, so he continued. "We'll get something from a vendor here, y'all go get Big Burger, and we'll meet somewhere. We'll have a winter's evening picnic!"

They let the thought settle for a moment before all smiling; Chris and Blaine heading off to Big Burger, and Danny and Zane stood there looking at each other.

"So, Danny, where are we going to eat?

"Well, Zane, my friend, there should be some really good food vendors over around the corner. I believe there should be everything from roasted corn to turkey legs."

Zane's eyes got wide at this thought and smiling, nearly dragged Danny to where the food vendors were. Danny had no time to react.

"Woah Zane! They will still have food... They do this every year, they are professional and stock enough for everybody... Please leave my arm attached..."

"Oh sorry! You know how I am with food..."

Zane let go of Danny and they started walking. Danny smiled.

"I do, but you realize that now that you're not playing football anymore, you can't really eat like you do..."

Danny then poked Zane's stomach, which was still just as muscular as ever, and didn't at all move when Danny touched it. Danny's finger actually hurt a bit from the force he had applied, not realizing the other boy's strength. His heart caught in his throat, but he didn't know why. He later figured it was jealousy. Zane blushed, but Danny just thought it the wind.

"I still work out..."

"Um, so I noticed. Why haven't you been taking me?"

"You want to start working out?"

Zane looked surprised, Danny just looked away at the ground.

"Maybe? I'm just tired of being the scrawny little kid..."

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for..."

Danny thought about his meaning, but the smell of food kidnapped his train of thought. Zane's too, from the look of things. All of a sudden, Zane stopped, and Danny ran into half of him.

"Oh, sorry! Why'd you stop?"

"I... don't have any cash... and they probably don't take debit, do they?"

"No, but don't worry about it, I'll spot you..."

"Danny, I..."

Danny cut him off.

"Don't argue... You're hungry, and I'm not going to listen to your stomach grumble all night, and it's too far to go home and back..."

"But you already bought lunch..."

"I didn't buy lunch, my dad bought lunch. And don't worry about it... I'll let you pick something up for me later..."

"Really?"

"Yeah! Chris and Blaine and I do that all the time for each other... It's just what we do... Not a big thing..."

"Wow, my friends never did anything like that..."

Danny lightly punched Zane's shoulder, then immediately wondered if he had even felt it.

"Well, welcome to now."

Zane smiled and they walked through the rows of vendors and picked out things to eat and drink. Danny showed Zane the proper way to season roasted corn, and Zane reassured Danny that there is no subtle or clean way to eat a turkey leg, and no one would think poorly of him for making a mess. But they still got a ton of napkins anyway. They carried all their food and saw Chris and Blaine heading towards them, so they found a spot on a hill and sat down. They all sat in silence and ate; they were all hungrier than they realized. The sun was starting to set, and the sky was lit up like a jack-o-lantern.

"I can't believe I'm actually here for this... You guys always talk about how much fun you have..." Danny said to break the silence, but not because it was at all uncomfortable.

"Well, now you can cross it off your list." Chris said, throwing her trash and Blaine, who caught it and gathered up the rest and threw it away. They all said thanks. Chris then laid on the ground and put her head in Danny's lap. Danny had been sitting cross-legged, and her head fit right in the hole. He leaned over her and looked directly down at her and smiled. She smiled back. He then looked to Zane who smiled, but it was a sad smile. Danny couldn't quite figure it out, but didn't want to bring it up, if something was actually wrong, so he logged it away to ask later.


Blaine came back over and asked if everyone wanted to go look at the other booths.


"There are more booths?" Zane asked, almost astonished.


"Yeah, they set up all around the courthouse. We've seen about half of everything so far..." Chris said, sitting, then standing up.


Zane stood up and helped Danny to his feet.


"When does the lighting ceremony start?"  Danny asked.


"Uh, it's different every year, but they make a big announcement and everyone gathers... You can't miss it... Why?"  


"Because I really need to use the restroom now... I'll just catch up with y'all in the booths!"


Danny took off jogging to the port-o-potties that were in the far corner of the space, away from everything.  There were a few of them there, but there was still a little bit of a line.  The line went quickly, and Danny found himself in a tiny, dark, plastic cubical that smelled like chemicals and feces.  Port-o-potties always made Danny a little uncomfortable.  All those germs, and no place to wash your hands.  Plus, given the fact that it was really hard to see in there in the dark.  Danny briefly considered getting out his phone to use as a flashlight, but he quickly realized that with his luck, he would drop it into the blue poo. And he wasn't going in after it.  So, after some finagling and hovering, Danny concluded his business and stepped out into the brisk winter evening.

"Well, look who it is... If it isn't my good friend Ell-Eee-Ott!"

Danny cringed.  He knew the voice.  And he knew the terrible nickname.  His stomach sank like it did in the port-o-potty.  Danny turned to face the voice.  It was Will and two others Danny had been beaten up by before, but had never quite wanted to learn their names.  They were wearing their letterman jackets and they were smirking the same stupid, violent smile that they had in high school.  Danny saw red, and clenched his fists, and hunched his shoulders; almost instinctively at this point. 


"You know, I haven't seen you around here since graduation, Ell-Eee-Ott... It might seem as if you were weren't our friend anymore."


"Will, we were never and will never be friends."


"Ell-Eee-Ott!  That just plain hurts!  I mean, after all... you were our greatest source of entertainment for so long!  And you just turn your back on that."


Will came up and put his arm around Danny's shoulder and forcefully started walking him back towards the port-o-potties.  Danny dug his feet in, like he always did, but be it they were on grass and dirt instead of high school tile, or the fact that Danny had gotten a little strong since leaving, he didn't move.  Will took a step away, slightly shocked, but quickly regained his composure.  


"Ell-Eee-Ott, now that is just rude.  But no matter, it looks as if we get to have our very own class reunion, right here.  Isn't that just fantastic?"


Danny looked up and realized Will was looking over Danny's shoulder at someone approaching.  Danny shut his eyes and clenched his jaw.  He was having a hard enough time trying to convince himself he could take on all three of them if need be, but four was just out of the question.  He was dreading whatever voice came.


"What's going on here?"


Danny's eyes shot open and he turned around.  It was Zane.  Danny was immediately relieved, but then mildly concerned that Zane would join back in with his buddies.  Zane had been their leader, after all.  Would the reminder of power draw him back in, or would he resist?  Danny couldn't tell, but Zane did look very angry.  He sure hoped that anger wasn't directed towards him.  Will walked back over and put his arm around Danny again, Danny glared.


"Well, Zane!  The prodigal son returns...  We were just having a little chat with our friend Ell-Eee-Ott here...  You remember him?  Shoved him into things, destroyed his homework, pantsed him in the cafeteria... Of course.  Anyway, we figured that we would show him how much we missed him and give him the ride of his lifetime in the port-o-potties back there.  What do you say?  For old time sake?  But first, can we all make fun of these terrible hobo gloves?  I mean, come on... Can your mommy not afford clothes with holes in them?  Or are they really just your homo gloves?  Hey!  I'm going to have to remember that one!"

Danny searched Zane's eyes for some glimmer of hope that none of that was going to happen, but the smirk that was forming was quickly dashing any hopes of that.  Danny slumped, deflated.

"How about you get your hands off of him."


Danny looked up, shocked.  Will's arm did shoot off of him, shocked.


"Wh-what?"


"That's good.  Now how about you walk away from here before you get hurt."


"You're taking HIS side now?  You're sticking up for this little faggot?  What are you, a faggot for him now?"


"You really should learn some better words, there Will.  And really?  Still wearing your high school jacket?  Mommy couldn't afford to get you a new one?  Or is it that you're still trying to live out your glory days, now that they're gone...  Now, once again, in case you couldn't process it before, walk away."


"Oh this is just brilliant!"  Will was walking towards Zane now, and Zane wasn't moving.  "Do you really think you can take all three of us?"


Zane looked around at the other two than back to Will.


"I will if I have to."


"But he won't be alone."  A voice from Danny's left that was also familiar.  It was Thiago.  They all looked over at him and saw Jennifer standing in the distance, obviously furious at something.  And from the look of where she was staring, it was at Will.


"Oh, I don't believe it!  Thi's gone fag too!  Y'all gonna have a giant orgy later?  Gonna get on your knees and suck each other's cocks?"


"I'm pretty sure my girlfriend and I just got done having sex."  Jennifer smirked at Thi's comments.  "And Danny's our friend now, and we will protect him.  And the two of us can, and will, take you down."


"I am standing here.  And I can inflict some damage too, you know." Danny said, and everyone looked at him, almost shocked that he was standing there


Will laughed and got up into Danny's face.  "You think you can take me, Danny boy?  I've been pushing around pieces of sh-"


Will was cut off by Danny's fist in his gut.  He doubled over.  His two friends stood shocked and took steps forward, ready to fight, but stopped seeing as they would have to take on the two larger boys.  Will stood up, catching his breath.


"Oh, big mistake, Elliot."


Will charged at Danny, but Danny was fast and caught him with a right hook to the jaw.  Will's head jerked away, then came back as he tried to tackle Danny, but Danny elbowed him in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground.  Danny tried to take a step away, but Will was quick to his feet and tried again to tackle Danny.  Danny swerved but still got caught, but ended up in a position to get Will in a sort of headlock.  Danny could just get underneath to punch Will in the face.  He got a few hits in before the other four pulled the two of them apart.  Danny was breathing heavily, and being held by Zane and Thi while the other two boys stood around Will.  Will got to his knees and wiped the blood from his mouth where Danny had split his lip.  Danny pulled his arms free and walked over to Will and stood over him.


"Who's on their knees, now Will?"  Danny crouched down closer.  "Now listen here, and listen well.  I'm not the same kid you knew in high school.  I can, and will fight back.  And now I have two friends who will fight for me as well.  So take that back to your little clan and spread the word.  Don't. Mess. With. Me.  Got it?"  Danny started walking away, Zane and Thi and Jennifer all standing looking shocked.  Danny turned back around to Will.  "Oh, and Will... Nice jacket."


Danny turned and walked away quickly, passing his friends on the way.  It took them a moment to realize he wasn't stopping and hurried to catch up with him.  Danny was still furious and shaking.  His favorite gloves were torn and had blood on them.  He was looking at them when his friends joined him.


"Oh my God!  Danny!  When did you learn to fight like that?"  Jenn said, as she wrapped her arms around Danny who was trying to calm down.


"For real dude!  I didn't know you had it in you!"  Thi pushed Danny's shoulder in the way that guys sometimes do.  But Danny had never known guys like that, so this was his first.  


Zane was a little more reserved.  He came up to Danny's left side and looked at him, worried.  "Are you ok?"


Danny forced a smile.  "Yeah, I'm good."


"No, I mean it...  I've never seen you get like that... I haven't seen your eyes like that since..."  He cut off his own thought.  Danny knew how it ended, though.  Zane hadn't seen that look since he was on the other end of it.


"Now you know what I wanted to do to you all those times before..."


Zane paused for a bit, hurt, but realized he probably deserved it.  "Hey, guys, would you mind going to get Danny something to drink?  I'll totally pay you back..."


"Don't worry about it!  It's on us!"  Jenn and Thi scampered off towards the vendors.  Danny looked back up at Zane.


"Why didn't you ever do that to me?"


"Would it have mattered?"


Zane thought, but didn't know.  "What do you mean?"


"Would it have stopped you guys from doing it?"


"Probably not..."

"Also, I was always outnumbered, so it seemed like a stupid thing to do... Really, I just wanted to get through whatever it was y'all were going to do and move on with my life."


Zane looked hurt again, so Danny continued.  "But that's all changed now.  They know I can fight back.  And they know that if they do gang up on me, they'll have to answer to you and Thi.  And Chris and Blaine.  Well, mostly Chris..."


Zane smiled, but still couldn't talk.


"But thank you."


Zane looked confused now.  "Thank you for what?"


"For standing up for me back there.  They use to be your friends."


"Use to be, yeah..."


Danny looked back down at his torn gloves.  "For a second there, I was worried you were going to join them..."


"Danny."  Danny looked up and Zane had squared off at him and put his hands on Danny's shoulders and looked him directly in the eyes.  "I will never do that to you again.  You have become too important to me to ever go back to that.  I need you to understand that."


Danny nodded slightly.


"Ew, are y'all going to make out now?"  Thi said as he and Jenn were walking back up with four glasses of what appeared to be Mrs. Crenshaw's famous lemonade.  Danny smiled and took off his gloves and threw them away.


"We were waiting for you, stud!"  Danny said, laughing.  Zane was smiling, but blushing.  They each took a drink when Danny heard his phone chirp.  He got it out, and saw a message from Chris wondering where we were and that something had happened to the tree, so the lighting ceremony would happen later in the evening, if they still wanted to meet at the booths.  Danny shared the information and the four of them headed off in that direction.


They finally met back up with the others.  Chris had a bunch of booths to show Danny and reached out to grab his hand to drag him off.  The others followed behind, making small talk with Blaine.


"Danny, where are your gloves?  Your hands are freezing!  ...You were wearing them earlier, I saw you eating with them on..."


"Yeah, had a, uh, accident in the bathroom..."


"Gross."  She let go of his hand and wiped hers on her jeans.


"Hahaha not like that... They got snagged on the latch and pretty much unraveled from there... They were pretty old..."


"Aw, but yeah, but I loved those stupid fingerless gloves."


"Yeah, me too..."

"And look!  Your jacket is torn too!"

Danny looked where she was pointing, and sure enough, the sleeve had ripped beyond repair.  Probably had been yanked off during the fight.


"Oh man!  Oh well, not my favorite jacket..."


Chris looked concerned.  "Were the port-o-potties lined with barbed wire?"


"It...was...dark?"


She looked at him, but the other four came up to see what she had wanted to show Danny, so she dropped it.  After that, the six of them scattered in the booths, each finding one another to laugh about something or to show off a new trinket they had found.


At one point, Danny got pulled out of the main selling grid to one side.  Zane was standing there holding a new jacket and matching fingerless gloves.


"What are these?"


"These are for you..."


"What?  I can't take these... Where did you get them?"


"A neighbor of mine is a fashion designer and knitter and has a booth here.  I told her that a friend had torn his stuff and needed new stuff, and she recommended these..."


"And she gave them to you?"


"Well, I paid for them, yeah..."


"I didn't think you had any cash..."


"I don't, she had one of those credit card swipey things on her phone."


"Zane, these look really expensive... I really can't..."

"No no!  She's a friend and gave me a great deal.  ...As long as you stop by and show her."


"You're sure?"


"I am, but would you mind... not saying anything..."


Danny smirked.  "Sure.  Help me get it on?"


Danny took off his torn jacket and dropped it on the ground and Zane helped him get the jacket on.  It was cut like an old British military coat.  It appeared to be blue with gold trim and buttons, but it was really hard to tell in the dark.  It fit him perfectly, like it had been cut specifically for him.  Zane handed him the gloves and they were the same color as the coat.  Once again, they fit perfectly.  Zane then picked up Danny's jacket and carried it.


"Wow.  How did you know my size?"


"I guessed."


"You guessed spot on."


Even though it was dark, Danny still could tell Zane was blushing.  Zane then started leading them back through the grid of shops until they reached one full of vintage inspired clothes.


"Zane!  You brought your friend!"  The woman's voice flowed like water.  She sounded more like a former hippie than Georgia peach.  She approached Danny with the same fluidity as her voice.  "These fit perfectly!  Zane, you sure have an eye for these things..."


Zane smiled big at her, and she winked at him.  She then turned to Danny and touched his shoulders, then down the side a bit to see how it fit.  She then turned Danny around to see him from the back.


"This just looks marvelous on you...  Would you like to be my model?"


"Excuse me?"


"I'm needing a male to wear some of my clothes for a photo shoot, but so far, everyone is either too big..." She eyed Zane, and kept going, "or too small, but you fit perfectly.  Most of my first pieces are this size and will probably fit you with no tailoring.  And you look like you belong in them.  You will be compensated, though probably with free clothes..."


Danny's eyes widened at that point.  He would take free clothes; especially these.  


"I would love to, but I don't live here anymore..."


"Oh, I know.  You're at Dalton with my Zane here.  But will you be home for Christmas at all?"


"Um, yes ma'am.  I will be."


"We can have a fitting then, if you'd like!  And we can arrange the date for the photo shoot, and I'm sure I can help you with travel."


"If it's on a weekend, I'm sure I can just hop on back..."


She smiled at Zane.  "I like this one!  What's your name, sweetie?"


"Danny, ma'am."


"Ma'am... Please, call my Sonja..."

"Hey, Sonja, is there anything you could do with this coat?  It's the one that got torn..."

She took the coat from Zane and looked at it.


"I'm sure I could manage something.  Danny, is this yours?"


"Yes ma'am, er, Sonja..."


"Do you mind if I modify it a bit?  Give it a little more character?"


"I don't mind at all!  If it can be repaired... I was just going to toss it..."


Her face looked terrified.  "You can always find new uses for old clothes."


At that point, Danny's phone chirped.  He looked at it.  It was Chris wondering where they were.  The light ceremony was going to be starting soon.  He told Zane, and thanked Sonja, who handed him her card so he could call her.  Danny thanked her and he and Zane said their goodbyes and jogged off to meed the others.  Chris noticed and gave him a look.  But Danny's phone chirped again, and he flipped it open, not knowing who it was, considering anyone who would text him was standing with him.  It was his sister telling him that Mrs. Geartry's grandsons had finally shown up to help her and offered to help load Danny's family's car, so he didn't need to hurry back.  And that there was leftover pie, for anyone who wanted to come back to their place.  Danny relayed the info to his friends, who were all excited for pie.  He then asked if he could get a ride, and Zane said he could before anyone else had a chance to reply.  Danny then sent his response back to his sister, and let her know he had a ride, and she didn't have to wait on him.


Chris and Blaine then started heading towards the large, and very dark Christmas tree that had been erected in the square.  They found good spots and stood while the rest of the people closed down their booths and secured their money so they could join the ceremony.  Chris managed to get right behind Danny and spoke in his ear.


"So where did you get the new clothes?"


Danny turned his head to face his friend.  "Do you like them?"


"I think they're great, but where did you get them?  They look expensive..." 


"Zane's friend Sonja made them... He introduced me, and she wants me to model them for her in exchange for some of her designs..."


"Zane has a friend named Sonja?"


"A neighbor, apparently, but I really wouldn't have ever picture the two of them together..."


About that time, the mayor stood up, wearing his black coat and top hat, as if he were the mayor of some forgotten time, and started speaking of the traditions of the tree and other things that Danny found fantastically boring.  He started looking around and noticed more and more people were crowding around, and they were now standing very close together.  As the mayor wrapped up his speech, a small brass band started playing Christmas carols, and the lights started going out around the square, throwing the whole place into darkness.  It was a this moment, Danny felt something on his back.  He initially thought it was someone pressing him from behind, but then realized that it was an arm.  Specifically, Zane's arm.  Danny smiled, not knowing what the gesture meant, but then the massive tree lit up, and stole his breath.  He then scooted closer to Zane, who's arm held him tightly.  And for the moment, it was just the two of them, and a very beautiful tree.