A Blur of the Unexpected

At 2 AM in the morning, the only sound that existed was the harsh wind swaying the trees side by side. It was pitch dark and the streets were lonely. The only light that existed were the dim street lights, the twenty-four hour deli, and a train station that stayed still. It was a full moon out and the stars decor the sky with shimmering beauty. Looking up, Daniel half smiled. The only happiness that exists for me lies outside, he thought. He was a block away from home. As he was approaching his jade green house, the sparkle that laid within his deep, warm chocolate eyes, faded. Climbing up the stairs of his front porch, he stared at the white door with such distaste. He looked outside his porch. A ripped tree branch laid in the middle of the street. Turning around to go inside, he found the door was unlocked. The golden knob clicked as he turned it and went inside.

The house was clean and prim. The lights were out except the kitchen and everything stayed still. The baby toys laid beside the red carpet stairs. The wooden floor sparkled showing no sign of dust. Taking careful steps in the house, Daniel closed the door in slow motion.

“I know you went out.” His mom was sitting on a black futon in the living room. Turning in her direction, his blue and black striped hoodie sweater covered his face.

“I’m home. I’m going to bed,” he replied in monotone.

As he climbed the stairs and directed himself to his bedroom, his mom asked to herself aloud, “What happened?” Having a lost face, she dragged herself to sleep, knowing that everyone was safe at home.

Lying on the blue covers of his bed with his lamp turned dim, Daniel held a picture in his hands. It was a picture of Daniel smiling as his mother pinched his light red cheeks and his father doing the superman stance before he left to go to his Halloween masquerade dance. It was just a year ago. His deep brown eyes were tearing. As he remembered his mother’s facial expression just a few seconds ago, it seemed as if she forgot what day it was. He changed into his sleepwear and put the picture in his leather wallet.

Turning off the lamp, Daniel stared at the clouds of the sky through his window. It was a clear midnight sky and there were only a couple of clouds . It was October 25th, 2008. A clear nice Autumn day. Everybody was getting ready for Halloween. Pumpkins laid within the porches of his neighbors houses. Shades of red, yellow, and orange covered the floor, showing a canvas of a painting. His mother was seven months pregnant, and he smiled with joy as his mother waved goodbye on their front porch as he headed for school. His father was still resting in bed, taking a day off of work. Bumping into his friends while walking to Midwood High School, the topic of the day was the Halloween dance. David, a junior and wide receiver of the Midwood Hornets, asked, “So, Daniel, Who are you taking to this dance?” It was an optional event for everyone to go, but for the junior council, everyone of the class of 2010 had to go for school spirit. “Daniel, what happened to Lucy? I thought you guys, y’know, had something going on. If you know what I mean,” winked Leo. Daniel glanced at them with playful eyes. “Luce is just my best friend ever since elementary school. Nothing more, nothing less.” David and Leo looked at each other hopelessly while Daniel completed his sentence, knowing that was a lie. Lucy was his close friend. She was a swimmer, and a honor student. Everyone knew her, except she was mostly quiet, reading her books and listening to her music. Her brown auburn wavy hair and nice petite figure made her attractive. Daniel met her at first grade in PS 139. Ever since their first encounter in the lunch room, they have been friends ever since.

David, Leo, and Daniel arrived in Midwood. Red, blue, yellow, and green posters decor the halls. Students from SING were singing and practicing in the audience. Freshman students hunched with large book bags were lost in going to their classrooms since the principle of the school renovated the school. Students from Yearbook club were taking senior pictures in the photography room. It was a busy morning. David and Leo both had AP Calculus AB and they decided today’s lunch would be in the movie room. Daniel, waving later at them, left for his first period class, AP Biology. Lucy was already in her seat by the window in the first row. Sitting next to her, he spotted her reading a new book, Three Cups of Tea. He smiled as she looked up and whispered, “Hi Mr. Superman.” He chuckled and her dimples came within her cheeks as she smiled back. The first bell rang and everyone went to their seats. Mr. Marks began his lesson and Daniel’s day began.

It was lunch and he finished having American History class. Daniel had the courage to ask Lucy if he could meet her after the second bell to talk. Agreeing to the meet up, Daniel walked confidently to the music room. She was playing the piano when he went inside. It was Yiruma’s piece, River Flows in Me. Sitting on the bench with her, he looked and listened to the music and how she played gracefully. After she finished, he looked at her. Her gray eyes sparkled as the sun through the window reflected. It was soothing for Daniel to hear, knowing that she learned this piece just a few weeks ago.

“About the Halloween Masquerade Ball, are you going?” Daniel asked.

“Oh, is this what we’re talking about?” Lucy replied, with a sly voice. She winked at him. “Well I do want to go, but I have no idea what to dress up as.”

“Well, I was thinking, how about you dress up as Cat Woman and I’d be Superman. You know bad girl loves good guy theme.” Daniel smiled and laughed as he said that to her. Lucy looked out the window, thinking about her decision. She always thought about everything.

“Hmm, but you can’t send me back to Mr. Penguin. His laugh scares me.” Joking, Lucy nodded yes to Daniel’s request.

Daniel hugged her and said, “I will pick you up at your house at 8:30 PM.”

Leaving the music room, he heard Lucy play, I’m Walking on Sunshine. His converses made a swish sound as he entered the movie room. Leo and David were watching, “Jackass”, and eating popcorn on the couch. David asked, “So, you asked Luce?” Leo was smirking as David asked.

“Leo, you are soo dead!” Daniel ran to Leo pretending to fight him.

“I knew you would ask her, except, you were WAITING for the right time.” Leo said.

“Yea, yea. We get it, you like her.” David wanted to watch his movie and tried hushing them so he could see his favorite part.

Daniel left to go home at 1:00 PM, leaving after sixth period. Taking the shortcut to his house, he came home at 1:15 PM, and his mother was cooking his father’s favorite pasta, Chicken Alfredo. She was in her sleeping dress and yellow apron, singing, “Build Me Buttercup”. His father was in the den, reading some articles. Daniel knocked, and his dad looked up. “Oh son, come on in.”

His father was a pediatrician in Newkirk Avenue. He was referred to as Dr. Ricci. He was 47 years old and lived in Brooklyn ever since he came when he was five years old.

“I’m going to the Masquerade dance with Lucy.” said Daniel.

His father smirked. “I predicted you would like her. She had a crush on you ever since first grade.”

“What’s going on in here?” His mother peeked holding two bowls of pasta. “For the two favorite men in my world.”

As they ate in the den, his father said, “Daniel is taking Lucy to the dance.”

His mother smiled, with her mouth filled with pasta, looking like a chipmunk. After chewing and swallowing, she said, “Awh, Daniel. you like her don’t you.” She winked. Daniel began to clear the tables and said, “Oh god, here we go again.” Smiling at his parents knowing they would talk about this.

Dropping the plates in the kitchen sink and washing them, he went to his room, and turned on his laptop. Searching for costume places in New York City, he found one in Sheepshead Bay. He texted Lucy, “Tomorrow, let’s go to Sheepshead for costumes.” He finished his homework by 5:00 PM and began to watch T.V. His phone went beep, and it was a text from Lucy saying, “yea, sure! :)”

The next day, after seventh period, Lucy and Daniel went to Sheepshead. Trying on a variety of costumes, they spent the day laughing and having fun. Debating on what was better for Lucy, he wanted Cat Woman, since it was perfect on her, but she refused and wanted Wonder Woman. Lucy won the debate, winning a meal of her choice. Eating in a Japanese restaurant nearby, Lucy had Chicken Katsu and Daniel had Miso Soup and Chicken Teriyaki. Sharing the Miso soup, the Japanese restaurant was very natural and peaceful. There was a river like theme, and they were sitting, seated by the window. Laughing and saying many jokes, it looked as if it was a first date. It was 7:00 PM and Daniel had dropped Lucy to her house. She winked and said goodbye to him. At 7:05 PM, Daniel was still walking home when he received a text from Leo. “Yoo, I’m dressing up as Green Laturn and David is going to be Wolverine.” Daniel replied, “I’m Superman and Lucy is Wonder Woman.” He arrived home and landed on his bed, replaying the day.

It was the day of the dance, October 25. Daniel was getting ready while his aunt came by to take pictures. As Daniel prepared to go pick up Lucy, his dad gave him a ring. It was the famous ring his mother would always talk about. It was in silver gold and had an carving saying, “To the Riccis.” Daniel’s eyes lit up, and asked, “Why?” His dad said, “Because you remind me of my younger self when I first met your mother.” His mother blushed and there was a family hug.

Waiting in Lucy’s front porch, he looked at the ring and wore it on his pinky finger of his right hand. Lucy came out and his eyes watched with amazement. She was beautiful. Her brown wavy hair bounced with curls and her eyes had a dark affect.

“My lady,” Daniel held his hand out. Holding her hand, they walked to the school. Before going in, he had a mask for her and it covered her eyes. Walking side by side, they entered the gym.

It was glamorous. The gym had a disco ball in the middle which had an ‘80’s affect. There was a poker area and a video arcade. A pool table laid on the opposite side of the room and there was a mini bar. The DJ was playing, Live Your Life by T.I and everyone was on the dance floor. David, as Wolverine and Leo, as Green Laturn came to meet Daniel and Lucy.

“Greetings my fellow super heroes. Let’s go. PARTY!” said Leo.

In the cafeteria, there was lasagna, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, cheesecake, and everything else that brought joy to the stomach. The fragrance of the food brought huge smiles to everyone, especially the guys.The music changed from Lovebug to Disturbia. Ending at 11:30 PM, the last song was Low by Flo RiDa.

After the dance ended, Leo met a girl named Nancy, and David was with his girlfriend, Elena. The six of them went to Baskin Robbins for dessert. Someone was calling Daniel as he was paying for his ice cream. His mom left a text saying, “I’m in the hospital.”

Reading it, everyone saw Daniel’s mood from happiness change to uneasiness. Pacing back and forth in front of Baskin Robbins, every one saw him trying to get in touch of his mother. Calling frantically, Leo started the car and took Lucy and Daniel to Coney Island Hospital. They ran, going past many rooms, looking for room 405. Lucy found it, and called Daniel. His mother was alright. His father, wrapped in bandages and IV’s, he was weak. It was a hit and run. While Daniel was in the dance with his friends, his parents were having dinner in Williamsburg. Two blocks from home, a deep blue car on the wrong side of the road hit them. Lucy was sitting by the bedside of Dr. Ricci, while Daniel cried to his mother.There was a risk of him being in a coma. That next week, Daniel’s dad resulted in cardiac arrest.

As the sunrise began to set the morning, his mom awoke. Looking at the picture of her marriage, she said to her husband. “I love you.” Daniel was in his baby sister’s bedroom. Sheila was almost a year old. Around her neck was the crystal of her fathers ring. After the accident, Daniel took his father’s ring and changed it to two smaller rings. Looking at Sheila sleeping peacefully, Daniel said, “I’ll be the brother you deserve, and I’ll tell you all the great things Dad wanted to show you.” Hearing a sniffle, his mom was by the door. She hugged him, and Daniel hugged back, holding his pinky finger with his baby sister.