Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Dan. Be sure to check out About Phillip here.
Dan is a normal kid who loves his soccer. Except everything goes wrong. Everything.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Dan Home) (Last) (Next)
Just Friends
"Yeah, we did," stated Dan defiantly.
Lisa didn't say anything. He watched Peter move Chelsea around the floor with the same sureness he moved a soccer ball around the field. The music ended; they embraced. Peter kissed her, slowly and deliberately. She melted in his arms. He then raised her hand in the air and with great pomp brought her back to the table. He bowed at the waist, still holding her hand. "My lady, it has been my great honor to accompany you this evening. You are a marvelous dancer and a wonderful companion," he said. She blushed and giggled.
Peter retrieved the car. They dropped Chelsea first. Peter got out, opened her door and accompanied her up the steps. Chelsea's father met them at the door; Peter said something that made her giggle. Then he slipped an arm around her and gave her a kiss, right in front of her father. She laughed again, thanked Peter profusely, and slipped into the house. Peter returned to the car.
They drove in silence to Bishop Parker's house. Lisa was nervous. Dan knew what was coming. Lisa got out first. Dan opened his door and hopped out, leaving his crutches in the car; he leaned against the car. His knee was still singing to him. I need Tylenol. He closed the car door. Peter left the engine on and turned on the radio.
Lisa came around to him. "Thanks for the evening," she began.
"I know what you're going to say."
"What do you mean?"
"Is this the part where we can just be friends?"
She studied her feet. "Dan, it’s so awkward."
"That I have a bad knee? Is that it?" No need to make it easy for her.
"I don't know. I can't explain it. You're different. You've changed."
"Yeah, I have crutches. I have a bad knee."
"I thought you'd heal faster."
Dan thought of lots of things to say but held them back. "I'm so sorry," he said at last.
"So can we be friends?" she asked, finally looking up at him. There were tears in her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. I suppose. Tell Justin you two have my blessing. He's big and strong and plays football. And doesn't have a bad knee."
She didn't respond. Finally, she leaned over, kissed him on the cheek, and turned. She walked up the stairs to the porch and into the house. Dan stood there for ten seconds, looking up at the street lamp. Then he gathered himself together and heaved himself into the front with Peter.
"So that's that, huh?" asked Peter.
"Yep."
"Waste of a good tuxedo rental."
"Yep."
Peter was silent. He backed out of the driveway.
"You two were having fun," said Dan, after a while.
"Just a public service, my son," replied Peter.
Dan poked him in the ribs.
"Hey, watch it. I'm the goalie, remember."