Chapter 6 : Darren’s Asks Danny For Help

Friday as he left school, Danny found Darren walking alongside him. Darren was seventeen the same as Danny. He was in the same year but in a lower class. Danny could tell as soon as he appeared that he wanted to say something but was having difficulty. They didn’t mix particularly but the two of them had always been friendly.

As they got further away from school but nearer home, Darren’s struggle became more noticeable. By now there was no one else around so Danny stopped, looked at Darren and said, ‘I don’t bite Darren, ask me anything you like.’

Darren, caught by surprise, stammered, ‘I er, someone once told me that you were the person to see if you had a problem,’ he managed to get out. ‘I have helped a few people,’ Danny told him, ‘How could I help you?’ ‘It’s rather embarrassing,’ Darren mumbled.

‘Everyone’s problem is to them,’ Danny said with a smile. ‘I don’t expect you to tell me any details here and now, we would do all that in private. Can you give me any idea, or would you prefer me to give you some headings to pick from?’

Clearly relieved at the suggestion, Darren said, ‘Oh yes, please,’ ‘Your problem would most likely come under the heading of School, Family, Relationships, Sex, something you have done to someone or something someone has done to you. It could be something different and it could come under two or more headings, so first question, does it come under at least one of those headings?’ Danny asked

‘Yes,’ Darren said very quietly. ‘Ok, I’ll read them out once more,’ Danny told him. ‘If it doesn’t apply say no. If it does apply, either say yes or if you’re too embarrassed say nothing and I’ll know you mean yes, and I’ll move on.’

Danny started with, ‘School?’ ‘No,’ came the prompt reply. ‘Family?’ ‘No,’ ‘Relationships?’ ‘Sort of,’ he said sounding unsure. ‘Sex?’ There was a long silence then just as Danny was about to move on Darren said, ‘Yes,’ in a voice so low that he could hardly hear. ‘Something you have done to someone?’ ‘Yes,’ or ‘Something someone has done to you.’ ‘Yes.’

They had carried on walking slowly so Danny said, ‘Ok Darren, I’m sure I can help you, but you should know that the main reason I’m successful is that I’m able to get everyone feeling so much at ease with me they tell me everything. That in itself isn’t a problem for another reason people open up to me is that they trust me when I say nothing you tell me will ever be repeated.’

‘However, we are in a slightly different situation. We see each other at school most days. After I’ve solved your problem, every time you see me, you’ll think ‘He knows all about my secret.’ If you think that is likely to bother you then you should seek help elsewhere.’

Darren gave him a weak smile, ‘I know it will make it harder to open up,’ he said, ‘But I think I’d prefer it to be someone I know.’ ‘Ok,’ Danny said, ‘I have a friend who lets me use his house for private interviews, so we won’t be disturbed. If you want me to, I’ll ask him for ten o’clock in the morning. If you come, we’ll work through it at your speed not mine and you can stop anytime you want. It’s up to you.’

‘Yes please,’ Darren said sounding relieved. Danny took his phone out and rang John. Getting an answer, he told him he had just been asked for help so could he arrange it for tomorrow morning. When John said, ‘Yes, no problem.’ Danny told him he would come about half nine before he left. Thanking him Danny said, ‘See you tomorrow,’ and hung up.

‘Ok, Darren, you only need to keep your problem for one more night,’ Danny told him, ‘Put my number in your phone in case you can’t make it.’ When Darren had done that, Danny gave him John’s address which he also put in his phone. ‘Come round about ten,’ Danny told him.

Darren shook his hand, ‘Thank you so much,’ he said, ‘I feel better already now I’m doing something about it.’ Then he set off home looking much happier.

The next morning Danny arrived at Johns just after nine thirty. They had a long hug and a kiss. Danny reassured John that their afternoon session was unlikely to be affected. Then John gave him another hug and a kiss before heading to the door. As he opened the door, Darren was coming up the drive. Shouting back into the house, ‘Danny!’ John left the door open and went down the steps.

‘Hi,’ he said, ‘You must be Danny’s friend. You’re in good hands,’ he told him, ‘He’s never failed yet. Good luck,’ he said as he headed for his car. Darren reached the front door as Danny appeared. As John drove out of the drive, they went inside.

Danny took him into the kitchen and made them a coffee. As they sat with their drink, he explained the format to Darren. ‘We’ll plod along at a speed to suit you he told him. The first part is to get you relaxed enough to feel able to tell me the problem. Then you need to tell me every little detail, then together we will decide on a solution. If you cooperate, we’re bound to succeed. Just remember I can’t do anything without your help.’

When they finished their drink, they went through into the lounge. Darren took his shoes of and lay down on the settee. Danny sat on the edge of the settee by his knees. ‘In a moment I’ll ask you to turn over,’ Danny told him, ‘Then I’ll massage your back from head to toe and back again. Whilst I do that, I’ll ask you questions about yourself.’

‘Now as sex is part of your problem, we will need to discuss your sex life, dreams and experiences. As we are both the same age and sex, that shouldn’t be a problem because I’ve probably already done or dreamt about anything you might tell me.’

‘So, if you’re ok to start, turn over when you’re ready.’ Darren turned onto his front. He was a few inches taller than Danny, wider and stronger looking. He also had more padding. Danny put his hands on the back of his head then as he started down, he explained about how uncovering the body helped in uncovering the mind.

‘Our first step,’ he told him is to get you to feel relaxed enough to remove your top things. If you feel able to do that before I ask you to, just do it anytime. Now, tell me about your home, who you live with and how you get on with them.’