The Best Man Read online

  Samuel stood with one hand in his front pocket and pulled his free fingers through the messy locks on top of his head while he contemplated me for a second.

  “You’re probably right,” he allowed, still staring over at where I stood. Samuel knew that Andy and I loved having bedroom windows that faced one another. He was the one who had helped us tie the old tin cans with a length of red yarn to string between our windowsills as our earliest form of house-to-house secret communication.

  Andy would never give up that bedroom.

  I twisted the hem of my shirt under nervous fingers and frowned. I wished it could be so simple, but there would never be a piece of red yarn long enough to connect us to Samuel’s destination: New York.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll stay in touch,” Samuel said softly, as though he were reading my mind. I looked up and saw the sad smile on his face while he looked over at his brother. Samuel turned his eyes to me then and removed his hand from his pocket, motioning me to move closer. I walked toward his car and stood side by side with my best friend.

  “It won’t be the same,” Andy said.

  “Do you remember last summer, when we all went to the county fair?” Samuel asked, dipping his head and favoring us both with a warm smile.

  “Yeah...” Andy said.

  “Do you remember our number one rule of the night?” Samuel asked.

  “Never eat a jumbo hot dog with extra chili before riding the Tilt-A-Whirl?” Andy asked. He had learned that lesson the hard way. Samuel laughed. I shook my head.

  “If one of us should get separated from our group...” I began. Samuel sobered and looked at me, smiling because I understood what he had been asking.

  “The other two stick together. No matter what.” Samuel nodded as he finished his original thought. “I’m counting on you two to stick together now. Take care of each other while I’m away.”

  “We will,” I whispered. Andy nodded and stared hard at the ground. Samuel reached forward then and threw an arm over each of our shoulders, pulling us into a three-way sort of hug there on the sidewalk between our houses. Andy ducked his head. I pressed my cheek to the soft T-shirt covering Samuel’s side and bit my lip to keep the words I wanted to say from bubbling out.

  “Don’t go.”

  “Please stay.”

  “I love you.”

  I wanted to say the words, but I knew I wasn’t brave enough. I also knew they wouldn’t make a difference. And so, I choked on them instead. When I heard Andy sniff loudly, I reluctantly pulled myself from the warmth of Samuel’s embrace. I knew Andy was losing his ability to remain “tough.” I also knew that if he broke down, I would too.

  “Goodbye, Samuel,” I said quietly. I turned and left the two of them to share a private moment.

  Once my sad feet dragged me to my house, I turned and looked at them both through the dirty screen of my front door. Far enough away to no longer hear their conversation, I watched as Andy raised his glasses and passed his hand over his eyes to rub away the tears I knew he didn’t want anyone to see. Samuel kept a hand on his shoulder and ducked his head down to speak to him. Soon, they were joined by their parents. Larry took Samuel’s maturely offered hand and shook it before pulling him into a bear hug anyway. Joy nearly had to be pulled away from the embrace she bestowed upon her eldest son.

  I stood, hidden under the cover of my porch with the darkness of my house serving as a mournful backdrop behind me. As Samuel got into his car, I forcefully pressed my palm against the mesh wires of the screen in front of me until I felt the sting of their pattern rising on my skin. The tears came freely down my cheeks. The words I had desperately wanted to say swirled like the motion of the leaves kicked up by Samuel’s back tires and drifted silently to rest on the street.

  I tugged my jeans up over my hips and pulled a faded old Astoria High School Phys. Ed. T-shirt over my head. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to dress as though I were giving a business presentation or anything. In a few minutes, I was due to stand in the Daltons’ living room and present my final competition idea to Andy for his consideration. Once Samuel and I showed him our ideas for the “epic adventure” to take place next summer over Memorial Day weekend, Andy would decide which of us would be his best man in the wedding. I turned and picked up the poster board that leaned against my dresser. I had spent the morning working on my visual aid. It was cute, and it made me smile. I hoped Andy would like it too.

  Butterflies danced in my stomach as I made my way down the stairs with my art under my arm. I wasn’t sure if I was more nervous about presenting my last idea in this battle or about seeing Samuel again. I hadn’t seen him since the night of Nick’s party. In a few minutes, we would be together in the small and intimate setting of the neighbors’ living room. I pulled back my shoulders and put my game face on.

  “Heading over already?” my father asked.

  “It’s time.” I nodded. Dad knew about this final part of the competition. He had leaned against my doorframe earlier, watching me put the finishing touches on my drawing.

  “Take it easy on Andy,” my father warned. “He doesn’t want to hurt either of you.”

  “I know,” I mumbled. I stepped out into the night air and closed the door softly behind me. Every step took me closer to the end of the competition. I just wanted it to be over with.

  “Come on in.” Joy smiled and held the door open wide while I pulled my poster board through under my arm. “The boys are already in the other room. I was just going out to play cards with some ladies down the street. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “No. Thanks.”

  “Can I peek at your poster before I leave?” Joy asked nicely. I shrugged and turned the board to show her my colorful drawing. She smiled widely. “You’ve always been so creative, Emmy,” Joy complimented. “It’s adorable.”

  “Thanks.” I grinned.

  “It makes me wonder...Do you think you could help me make a sign for Samuel’s party tomorrow night? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just maybe something we could lean outside near the street so that the guests know where to turn in for extra parking?”

  “Sure. I could do that,” I said. “I’ll work on it in the morning and bring it by in the afternoon. If that’s all right?”

  “Perfect.” Joy smiled. “Have fun, dear!” Andy’s mother closed the door behind her, and I stood in the entryway, taking a deep breath before turning to meet Andy and Samuel in the other room.

  “Emmy?” I heard Andy call out. “We’re getting old in here. Come on in!”

  I took a deep breath and walked into the well-lit room. I could see Samuel from the corner of my eye, sitting in the wingback chair. I rested my poster against the back of the couch and ignored him. Looking his direction might only make me tense. I wanted to relax and just get this over with.

  “Hey guys,” I greeted them generally. Andy smiled.

  “So...” Andy rubbed his palms together and looked between Samuel and me. I took a deep breath and began.

  “Do you mind if I go first?” I asked. I didn’t want to see what Samuel had come up with before I showed Andy my idea. I also didn’t want to drag this out any longer than necessary.

  “I don’t mind.” Andy shrugged. “Samuel?”

  I turned my head to look at him. Samuel sat with a leather-bound folder on his lap. His hands were pressed against the smooth black surface, and he stared downward.

  “It’s fine,” Samuel allowed. I blinked and looked away from him quickly. Since I was standing by my poster board already, I just stayed where I was and addressed Andy from behind the sofa.

  “My idea might be a little unconventional,” I began. “I know that you technically wanted a three-day bachelor party event. But I guessed that by the end of two days, you’d probably be eager to spend a little time with Lily again. Lord knows, you two can’t stand being apart. So, my plans are something the entire wedding party can enjoy together. I remembered how much you and Lily loved our trip to St. Loui
s, when we all learned to skydive. You kept saying how much you’d like to do it again...”

  I reached down and grabbed my poster, turning it to show the colorful picture I had created. It was a perfect caricature of Andy and Lily, holding hands while skydiving. Their cartoon images wore goggles and huge, silly smiles. Cherubs and hearts decorated the puffy white clouds around them. Above their heads, I had painted the words “Fall for each other, again.”

  “I found a place just outside of Seattle. Our reservation is pending. The entire wedding party can spend a day at the facility, learning from their trainers. And then we can all skydive together.” I smiled as I watched Andy’s reaction. I could tell he loved it. He moved forward with a wide grin on his face and took the poster from my hands.

  “Aww, Emmy! This is cute as hell. Can I keep it? Lily is gonna go crazy for it! She’ll probably want it framed.”

  “It’s yours.” I nodded and wiped my now empty hands on the front of my jeans. I was proud of my idea. It was different in that it included the rest of the wedding party. And it was sentimental. I knew how much Lily and Andy had enjoyed their first experience with the activity. My major strength in the competition was in how well I knew my best friend. “The facility will even send a videographer out with you, so maybe you two can get an actual photograph like this.”

  “It’s amazing. Thank you!” Andy moved to lean the poster against the fireplace mantel. Samuel stood from his chair then, taking the cue that it was his turn. His fingers gripped the folder in front of him. Samuel still hadn’t raised his head to meet my eyes.

  His entire demeanor was serious and solemn.

  “I...uh...” He cleared his throat. Finally, he glanced up to where I stood. His eyes shifted away so quickly I wasn’t sure if I had imagined it. “I have a friend who graduated last year,” Samuel started. “He got a job with a law firm which represents a lot of different bands...artists.” He cleared his throat again, and I leaned forward and placed my palms on the back of the couch. He was behaving as if he were nervous. “I don’t know if you know of them...” Samuel frowned. “But he works with a band called Shut-up Mouth.”

  My jaw fell open in surprise. Andy’s expression turned from confusion to excitement as his brother mentioned the name of his favorite band. And Samuel knew it was Andy’s favorite band. He knew it because I had been the one to tell him...the night we had gone to the Twelve-Point for dinner.

  “It turns out that the band is performing at a music festival in Chicago next Memorial Day weekend.” Samuel remained facing Andy as he spoke. I knew he must have felt the ice in the glare I was sending his way. “The concert line-up hasn’t been announced yet. But in this folder, you will find airline arrangements, details for the limo that will pick you up at the airport, hotel accommodations, as well as tickets and all-access backstage passes to the music festival, where you and your bachelor party will be personal guests of the band.”

  Andy was hopping up and down like a kid in line to see the Easter Bunny. I breathed heavily through my nose as I listened to the amazing plans Samuel had used his connections to secure. He’d literally had to make no effort at all. He’d just used information I’d given him and made a phone call to a friend. A cold, hard emptiness squeezed between my ribs and choked out the warmth where my heart should be. Samuel had worked the system to his ultimate advantage. It was completely underhanded. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or march across the room and kick him in the balls. “And while this part is still definitely not confirmed...” Samuel pressed his lips together. “My friend has it on good authority that the headlining act for the festival is going to be Paul McCartney.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Andy sat down quickly, looking like he might pass out.

  “Of course, I can’t guarantee you access or that you’ll be able to meet him or anything. My connections only go so far. But you’ll be backstage, so the possibility is there...”

  Andy had the folder held open on his upturned palms and looked positively high as he scanned the documents within. I licked my lips and tried to get control of my feelings. A couple harsh, ragged breaths tore through my lips, and I blinked angry tears away. Then I looked up and saw Samuel watching me. His mouth was pressed into a tight, thin line. His eyes were clouded with guilt. It was an expression I was growing accustomed to seeing on him.

  “Andy?” My voice came out as a squeak. Samuel heard me and flinched. I had to clear my voice and speak louder to get my best friend’s attention. “Andy?” I asked.

  “Huh? Wha...Yeah?” Andy raised his chin and looked over at where I stood. I looked between him and Samuel quickly. Samuel suddenly looked very nervous again. Was he worried that I would call him out for being a cheat? That I would leap over the sofa and pummel his opportunistic ass? That I would scream and call him names he probably deserved?

  “Andy,” I said calmly while looking in Samuel’s eyes. “I’m out.”

  “What?” Andy asked, clearly confused. I couldn’t believe how calm I sounded.

  “I’m out,” I said with a small smile and a shrug. “Samuel’s plans are wonderful. A once-in-a-lifetime sort of event. Absolutely perfect for you,” I added. “I don’t want you to have to feel bad for letting me down. Frankly, you’d be an idiot for passing up a trip like that.” I glanced at the folder in his hands and back up to his face. “Samuel is your best man. It’s the way it should be.”

  “I don’t...I...” Andy stammered. I blinked back a new set of tears and hoped I could get out of there before my righteous anger reared its ugly head.

  “Emelia...” Samuel finally spoke to me. I shook my head to stop him.

  “I’m okay,” I lied. I would be. But I really needed to be alone. Samuel wanted to win badly enough to compromise his normally high standards of fair behavior. He could have it. “I hate to compete and run—” I tried to laugh. “But I promised my dad I’d be home in time to catch the end of the game with him. So, I’ll see you guys tomorrow, right? For Samuel’s party.”

  I couldn’t look at him again. I just turned and made my way to the door with my obvious and pathetic lie hanging in the air behind me. I wasn’t even sure if there was a game on television. I hurried home before I could turn and say something I might regret. I promised Andy that Samuel and I would have a talk before I left for Florida. At this point, I couldn’t promise he’d enjoy anything I wanted to say to him.

  My door slammed behind me, and Dad called my name from the living room. “Em?”

  “Samuel is the best man. I didn’t make Andy choose. And no, I don’t want to talk about it,” I said loudly as I made my way up the stairs. My emotions had been in a whirlwind over the last few days. I just needed to be left alone to calm down and try to relax.

  In my room, I tugged off my shoes and threw them across the floor. Then, since I was finally alone, I bunched up my fists and jumped up and down while I let out a loud, harsh growl of frustration. Yes. It was an honest-to-goodness temper tantrum. When I caught the image of myself in my full-length mirror, I had to freeze mid-stomp. A giggle escaped my lips at my own ridiculous behavior. I clamped my palm over my mouth to stifle it and was rewarded when my rapidly shifting emotions brought tears to my eyes instead. I sniffled and let a few fall.

  I had been the unwilling passenger on a roller coaster of emotions lately. I wasn’t sure how many more ups and downs I could take before I broke down. I could feel it coming. Like a wave picking up strength and speed as it moved toward the shore, I was afraid that when it hit, I might be left destroyed in its wake. Wiping my face with my fingers, I gave myself a good, hard look in the mirror. I looked stressed. I needed a vacation away from my vacation. That thought alone made me smile once more. It was a sarcastic smile, but it relaxed the severity of my expression for a moment. I decided the closest I could come to escape for the time being would be in a nice hot bath. Maybe it would help me unwind.

  With my hair tied up on top of my head, I let the tub fill with water hot enough to sting my skin and
dropped in some bath crystals. I lit a candle on the edge of the sink, and let the scented water soak away the tension in my shoulders. It felt wonderful. Tomorrow, I would go to Samuel’s graduation party with my father. Two days later, I would be on a flight back to Florida. I could count on the distance to help me put things in proper perspective and act as a bandage for my new scars. Scars added character, right? Still, in a last burst of spiteful thinking, I briefly considered skipping Samuel’s party. But that would seem petty and make me look like a poor loser. I didn’t mind losing the competition. I was just pissed Samuel had sunk so low to win.

  Thinking of Samuel made me feel tense again. Unfortunately, the water had begun to cool. I sighed and used my toes to press the lever that would drain the tub before stepping out and wrapping a large blue towel around my body. On bare and silent feet, I made my way back into my room. As soon as I entered, I saw the familiar image of a hand on my windowpane, a long, jean-clad leg bent over the ledge to find purchase on the floor beneath my window. I barely gave him more than a glance before turning toward my dresser to find my pajamas, and I spoke over my shoulder.

  “Look, Andy,” I began. “I swear I’m not upset with you, but you shouldn’t be here right now unless you’re prepared to hear me call your brother a complete prick. And I know I promised I would talk to him, but I just don’t...” I turned then and gasped, pulling my hands holding my clothing up to my chest. Andy hadn’t come through my window. Samuel had.

  “Emelia, I...” Samuel stood just inside my window. His hands were pressed tightly into his front pockets. His hair stood up in messy clumps as if he had been pulling on it in frustration. My mood matched the erratic locks, twisted and untamed.

  “You!” I snarled and pointed a finger toward the window behind him. “Get out!”

  “Emelia, please.”

  “Get out before I push your ass out my window,” I threatened. I was completely incensed that Samuel had invaded my personal space when I was so upset with his earlier behavior.