Daniel watched as Roneth grabbed her child and walked away, leaving him confused. He couldn't understand why she had reacted that way. He had just wanted to meet her child.
He decided to follow them. He kept his distance so that they wouldn't notice him. He followed them to a park where they sat down on a bench. Roneth talked to her child quietly, and he couldn't hear what they were saying.
After a while, Roneth and her child got up and started to walk home. Daniel continued to follow them. He was determined to find out why Roneth had acted the way she had.
When they got to Roneth's apartment building, Daniel stopped following them. He didn't want to invade her privacy any further. He went back to his own apartment and thought about what had happened.
He was still confused, but he was also intrigued. He wanted to know more about Roneth and her child. He decided to try to get to know her better.
The next day, Daniel went to the park where he had seen Roneth and her child the day before. He sat down on a bench and waited. He hoped that she would come back.
After a while, he saw Roneth and her child walking towards him. He stood up and smiled at her.
"Hi," he said. "I'm Daniel."
"Hi, Daniel," she said. "This is my son, Ethan."
"It's nice to meet you both," Daniel said.
He looked at Ethan and smiled. Ethan was a very handsome little boy with dark hair and big brown eyes.
"Ethan," Daniel said. "How old are you?"
"I'm five," Ethan said.
"That's a great age," Daniel said. "What do you like to do for fun?"
"I like to play with my toys," Ethan said. "And I like to read stories."
"Those are both great things to like," Daniel said.
So," Daniel said. "Where is Ethan's father?"
Roneth hesitated for a moment again. Then she said, "He's not in the picture."
He turned to Roneth. "So," he said. "I'm a little confused. You said you were married the last time we met, but now you're telling me you're a single mom."
Roneth hesitated for a moment. Then she said, "I lied to you before, Daniel."
Daniel was surprised. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I'm not married," Roneth said. "I'm a single mom."
"Why did you lie to me?" Daniel asked.
"I was scared," Roneth said. "I didn't know what you would think if you knew that I was a single mom."
"Why would I care?" Daniel asked. "I'm just your friend."
Roneth smiled. "Thank you, Daniel," she said. "That means a lot to me."
"So," Daniel said. "Why did you lie to me about being married in the first place?"
"I was ashamed," Roneth said. "I felt like I was a failure because I couldn't make my marriage work. I thought that if people knew I was a single mom, they would judge me."
"I understand," Daniel said. "But you don't have to be ashamed. Being a single mom is hard work, but it's also incredibly rewarding. You're a strong woman, Roneth, and I admire you for that."
Roneth smiled. "Thank you, Daniel," she said. "That means a lot to me."
They talked for a while longer, and Daniel learned more about Roneth and Ethan's life. He was so glad that he had gotten to know them. He knew that he wanted to be a part of their lives in any way that he could.
*****
Jane had become very close to Daniel over the past few months. They spent almost every day together, talking, laughing, and sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings. Jane had never felt so connected to anyone before.
One day, they were sitting on a bench in the park, talking about their dreams for the future. Jane looked into Daniel's eyes and felt her heart flutter. She knew that she couldn't hold her feelings for him inside any longer.
"Daniel," she said. "I need to tell you something."
Daniel looked at her expectantly. "What is it?" he asked.
"I'm in love with you," Jane said.
Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. "Jane," he said. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Jane said. "I just needed to tell you how I feel."
Daniel stood up and walked over to Jane. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"Jane," he said. "I'm flattered that you feel that way about me, but I can't reciprocate your feelings."
Jane's heart sank. "But why not?" she asked.
"Because I only see you as a friend," Daniel said. "I don't have any romantic feelings for you."
Jane was disappointed, but she understood. She didn't want to force Daniel to be in a relationship with her if he didn't want to be.
"Okay," she said. "I understand."
Daniel smiled. "I'm glad," he said. "I don't want to lose you as a friend."
Jane smiled back. "Me neither," she said.
They hugged each other, and then Jane stood up and started to walk away. She felt her eyes well up with tears, but she didn't want to cry in front of Daniel.
She walked home alone, feeling heartbroken. She had never been rejected before, and it hurt. But she knew that she would get over it in time.
She also knew that she would always cherish the friendship that she had with Daniel.
*****
"Hi, Daniel," she said. "I need your help."
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked.
"Ethan has been in an accident," Roneth said. "He's in the hospital, and he needs a blood transplant."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Roneth," Daniel said. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes," Roneth said. "I can't provide blood for Ethan because of my blood type. I need you to help me find someone who can donate blood to him."
"I'll do everything I can," Daniel said.
Daniel and Roneth stayed on the phone for a long time, discussing their options. Daniel offered to start a social media campaign to find a donor, and Roneth agreed. She created a social media account for Ethan and started sharing his story. She used the hashtag #SaveEthan and asked people to share it.
Unfortunately, there’s no one responded.
Roneth's phone rang, startling her. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Daniel. She answered the call immediately.
"Hi, Daniel," she said. "I have bad news."
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked.
"We couldn't find a blood donor for Ethan," Roneth said. "He's running out of time."
Daniel's heart sank. He knew that he was Ethan's last hope.
"I can do it," he said. "I have the same blood type as Ethan."
Roneth was stunned. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes," Daniel said. "I'm positive."
Roneth was so grateful. "Thank you, Daniel," she said. "You're saving Ethan's life."
Daniel smiled. "I'm just glad I can help," he said.
Daniel went to the hospital and donated blood to Ethan. The blood transfusion was a success, and Ethan's condition improved immediately.
Roneth was so relieved. She hugged Daniel tightly and thanked him over and over again.
"You're a hero, Daniel," she said.
Daniel smiled. "I'm just glad I could help," he said.
Ethan made a full recovery and was able to go home from the hospital. He was so grateful to Daniel for saving his life.
"You're my best friend, Daniel," he said.
Daniel smiled. "You're my best friend too, Ethan," he said.
Daniel and Ethan remained close friends. Daniel was so glad that he had been able to help Ethan.