by K.N. Lee
I was weak to my bones, he was a different person now, and then it dawned on me that maybe everyone from before must have turned a new leaf. I looked at him again, and removed my nomadic self from the picture; I felt I had to finally start living my life. It was time to remove myself from the hard shell and so I agreed.
Drayton was so happy. He really missed us, our craziness and above all, our old friends. He had also wondered about me especially since the incident in the woods, he was never the same after that day. He did not think he would see me again, but then he received a letter to an invite by the homeowner of Rosendale Manor, Danielle Montgomery.
When he told me about the same invite, I was astounded and Drayton was surprised as well since he didn’t know her that well.
" Did you receive any mail from Danielle?” he wondered.
"Yes, I got the same invite a few days ago, I was even wondering how she got in contact with me", I chuckled, trying not to make a big deal out of the situation.
"Oh, that sounds odd. Anyways, if you want we could go together“, he stated mischievously.
"Why not? We can always go together. As long as the wife-to-be is okay with it”, we both giggled at the latter statement.
Ophelia came back to the table, observing her poise and stance, as she walked graciously moving her waist tenderly. Her long dark hair flowed to an abstract rhythm. She pulled the chair and sat down in a ladylike manner. She noticed the awkward silence between Drayton and I as we both stared at her at the same time
"What took you so long? I was about to come looking for you“, Drayton said, cutting the awkward silence amongst us.
I noticed her confused facial expression and interrupted by getting straight to the point.
“So why exactly am I here? What can I do for you two?” I asked tentatively, looking at the both of them from where I sat opposite.
"The jury has made it clear that I must not represent Drayton in the case because of my relationship with him. We both understand the jury’s reasoning, we just want someone to take the case over from us. One of my very good friends told me about you”, she said calmly looking at Drayton. She explained how their relationship had caused a bit of a legal stir and it wouldn’t be allowed, which we were both aware of. It was time for Drayton to get a different lawyer to represent him in his case, which was a false implication of stealing from a store when all he did was stop the real culprit. He was assured there was clear evidence making him more certain about the case.
I smiled on hearing both sides of the story.
The case sounded like a cake walk except I knew Drayton too, it was against the scope deterring me from taking the case, so in place of me, I requested to recommend a colleague that was just as good and would be able to take the case.
We ordered snacks and more coffee, and after a while, we agreed to the decision. After the meeting, I whispered to Drayton, I would be at his house by seven o’clock for the birthday party.
I kissed Drayton on the cheek and hugged Ophelia goodbye as I took my leave.
3
The house loomed in the distance and as I slowed down, I checked the piece of paper I held in my hand to confirm the address. Not that I needed to, however, the number of cars parked out front was an enough of an indication of the celebration that was about to go down.
“Just how many of them know what's really going to be celebrated tonight?” I asked myself, smiling. I was most likely one of the few made privy of that knowledge.
“Was I supposed to pretend to be surprised when he popped the question?” I wondered. Who knew? I could even throw in a good squeal. I'd never felt like I was good acting, but I'd give it a shot for Drayton.
I slowly angled my car into an available parking spot, making sure not to block anyone. I hated being called out of an event early to move my car. I always returned to the event slightly more irritable than when I left it.
I could hear the low thump and melodious notes of music coming from inside. It occurred to me that I forgot to carry along a present and for an instant, I almost got in my car and hurried to get one. On second thought, however, I thought better of it, certain Drayton wouldn't mind. He had other pressing issues coursing through his mind no doubt.
I laughed at how surreal it all was, Drayton, getting married. And to Ophelia for that matter. “Had they even been friends in high school?” I wondered. From what I remembered, they were complete opposites back then, black and white. Ophelia, on one hand, a prim and proper straight A student, focused on her studies and was very smart to boot. On the other hand, Drayton, also smart, but a complete druggie who couldn't care less about his grades. Fun was the major pursuit for Drayton back then. It made me smile to think that two people, who seemed so different in the past, could meet each other again and make one another happier than anyone else on earth could.
I rearranged my dress as I approached the door. The house was not very large, but it was well built. I admired the architecture and could almost hear Allison gushing about how unique and exquisite it was. She was really into real estate, and when she wasn't taking pictures of houses, she was pouring over architectural marvels on the Internet. I often teased her that if she didn't love photography, she'd be stuck selling houses to new couples looking to 'start a family somewhere homely'. Somehow, she'd never disputed it.
I took a deep breath and tried the doorknob entering the house. Ophelia greeted me at the doorway; she looked radiant in a flowing dress and pumps. She held a glass with clear liquid in it, which hardly moved as she approached me. She exuded strong confidence.
"Faye-Minita. You made it!" she semi squealed as she wrapped her arms around me and I reciprocated.
"You look good, girl", I said, smiling and she did a full twirl for me, still causing minimal movement to her drink; it was a marvel to watch. She was like a ballerina, simply graceful. I was happy for Drayton and secretly hoped she would say yes.
"Thanks," Ophelia said, taking me by the arm and leading me into the living room.
Several people were seated and standing in various parts of the room. They had drinks in their hands and there was a table on which various kinds of food were displayed. All in all, I noted, it was a semi-elaborate event. They'd even rented a band that was now strumming out melodies from a corner.
Drayton was nowhere to be found and I asked Ophelia where he was, she said he'd stepped out to get something.
“Just like Drayton”, I thought. He'd probably left the ring with a friend so she wouldn't find it randomly in the house. Women were like bloodhounds when it came to that kind of thing.
Ophelia excused herself to go welcome some new arrivals and I helped myself to a drink. I casually looked around, searching for some familiar faces I might recognise in the crowd. I saw none. It seemed to me that I was the only other former classmate they had been able to get a hold of. And it had even happened with some universal machination.
Had the event so many years ago affected us so much that we no longer wanted to relate to each other and face the possibility of reliving it? I mean, for me, it had, but I was worse for wear after the event. What happened to the others?
I was distracted by a sudden shout and Drayton entered with two more guys in tow.
“Definitely hid the ring elsewhere”, I thought to myself, sipping my cocktail. Drayton walked over to Ophelia and kissed her, inciting some whistling from the other guests. I watched in slight amusement. Sure enough, they painted a cute picture to the other guests who hadn't known them before, but to me, they were still Drayton and Ophelia, two very different people. I knew it was going to take a while for me to acclimatize to this calmer and collected Drayton.
He caught sight of me, raised his glass and winked. I reciprocated, taking another sip of my cocktail. It was delicious.
He tapped his glass then and everyone turned to him.
“It’s show time”, I thought to myself, smiling.
"I would like to say a few words", he said, as he walked to the middle o
f the room, leading Ophelia by the hand. She smiled to a couple of their friends, fitting into the lady of the house role perfectly. They sure did paint a cute picture together.
"Well, as you all know, it's my birthday today. I'm a year older", the crowd whooped and he smiled, pausing.
"Yeah, a year older. I look back at my life and I see that I have come a long way. I mean, if you'd asked me eleven years ago where I saw myself now, I don't know what I would have said, but it most definitely would not have been where I am now", he looked pointedly at me and I nodded amidst the slight laughter that had picked up.
"Now, I have a good job. A beautiful girlfriend and I'm surrounded by friends who actually know what their taxes are, and actually do them,” he said eliciting a new wave of laughter.
I did not partake however; I was too busy looking at Ophelia. Her eyes were glued to Drayton's face, soaking in every word he said and nodding reverently with a small smile. She looked totally enamoured and it was beautiful to see.
"I guess what I'm saying is, I love where I am today. I love who I'm with today”. He gave Ophelia a peck on the lips. “And I love the friends I have today". Applause arose then and he nodded, basking in it.
Then suddenly, without warning, he turned to Ophelia and set aside her drink before taking both her hands in his. A hush fell over the crowd. I held my breath. Moment of truth.
"I wouldn't be where I am today, if not for you babe. I love you more than anything in this world and I don't know anyone else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with".
Ophelia’s eyes widened as the implications of the statement settled in. Drayton, wanting to ride her surprise to the max, I suppose, went down on one knee and raised the ring.
The entire room held its breath as Ophelia gazed at the ring in surprise.
As we watched, a solitary tear coursed down her cheek and she broke into a smile.
"Yes"
The room erupted into the cheer, as Drayton placed the ring on her finger, got up and kissed her.
As I watched them, slowly clapping with the others, I realized just how important life was. It was too important for one to spend it skulking in the past. The need to move on and enjoy the many new things life had to offer made it worth living.
As I had this short epiphany, my mind drifted back to the strange letter I'd received again from Danielle Montgomery.
What exactly did she want? I wondered and for the umpteenth time, I asked myself, “How did she get my address?”.
My question didn't seem to have an answer. Only thing I could say was, Danielle Montgomery was a woman of immense resources. I was curious to find out what she wanted. I'd been undecided about going before, with the very strong possibility of dredging up old memories. Memories I'd worked so hard to compartmentalize. Memories that still haunted me even in my dreams. But, I could see that running away had done me no good so far, in fact, if anything, it only made me more aware of just how terrible that time had been. How much it had affected me, how much it changed me and even more disturbingly, how much of it I still didn't understand.
I decided to accept it, then, face it head on. So what if I ran into a few people from my past? Meeting them again after so long might even give me a new perspective on things. Seeing how they handled everything that happened to us might help me understand how to handle my issues. Drayton and Ophelia were a perfect example of that, and they were currently an inspiration, especially to me.
Ophelia slipped over to where I stood as a flock of Drayton's friends congratulated him. She looked so happy, and her smile was infectious.
"Congratulations!!" I said hugging her, and she waved the rock in my face. It was a beauty. Drayton must have spent a fortune on it. Ophelia obviously meant a lot to him.
"Did you know about this?" She asked, scowling and pointing finger at me.
I tried for my best sheepish, innocent look, but I couldn't hold back my laughter.
She joined in and struck me gently, playfully. She was happy and there was no hiding it. I envied her then. Happiness, pure, unadulterated happiness without the constant nightmares and unexplainable voices were something I wanted. I wondered if I'd ever find it.
I remembered my decision then.
"Hey, so, I've decided I'm going for that get together, the Danielle Montgomery affair. I thought about it, there's no reason to miss it, plus I'm genuinely curious as to what she might have in mind", I said and she nodded solemnly.
"That's nice. Drayton and I are going as well. We even heard that a couple of our old classmates got invited, including Moira and Juan. I wonder what she's planning", Ophelia said with a contemplative look in her eyes.
I had stopped listening by then. One name she mentioned stuck to me.
Juan.
My on and off boyfriend back in the bad ol' days. No, not the boyfriend that was using the term too loosely. We were, more aptly put, just friends with benefits. A whole lot of benefits.
Back in the day, we'd been eager partners in crime. We'd had similar rebellious, hedonistic inclinations and together, we'd made a lot of them come true. We did drugs, made out with an intensity that would have shamed most adults and just generally indulged in various vices that we deemed 'cool' and 'hip'.
There was no limit to what we were capable of. We were the life of the party and we revelled in it.
The truth was that, I may have in fact liked Juan, and he may have liked me as well. But back then, having feelings was for pansies and was uncool. One needed to enjoy things without developing unnecessary attachments to them. Or so we thought back then.
I wondered if he'd changed as much as I had, or as much as Drayton had for that matter. I remembered them being friends, all of us united in the debauchery of various kinds.
In fact, if memory served, they had been the major cause of the commotion that night. They'd been the cause of the ruckus that had dissolved the rave. Moira had been involved somehow as well.
I hadn't seen him since then. Since the incident that changed my life for good and set me straight, though that came at the cost of someone life.
I shook my head, trying to reorient my thoughts as I realized I had completely zoned Ophelia out. "Are you okay? You kind of just went out on me there", I heard her say through the din I was still sorting through.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Hey, so I've got to be getting home now, I have some case files that need my attention. This has been wonderful. Congratulations again. Where's Drayton?" I asked, already scanning the small crowd for him. Ophelia pointed him out and I went to announce my departure.
I hugged Drayton, said goodbye to some of his friends and then I made my exit.
Bastian's excited barking welcomed me as I drove into my garage. Bastian, he'd always been so attached to me. I could picture him now; excitedly trying to break loose while Allison struggled to hold him back. He always wanted to be the first to welcome me back.
Not that I was complaining. He was my baby.
"Mini-kins. You're back, but I already knew that because the world's fuzziest alarm clock heralded your arrival like a crazy dog", Allison complained as I stepped into the house. She let go of Bastian and he galloped towards me and leapt into my arms, leaking my face and drooling all over.
But I didn't mind. I'd missed him too.
"I heard him, Ally. I heard him", I said laughing as I put Bastian down and went to drop my bag and coat.
"Well, he just missed you. How was the shindig? Meet any nice guys?”, Allison asked in her usual fashion. She was always trying to set me up with men despite being out of a relationship herself. Sometimes, I felt she was just one of those people who liked playing matchmaker. I'd heard of people like that, people who just derived joy from being the reason, or part of the reason two people were together and hence, tried their best to bring two likely matches together when they could.
"It was lovely. Drayton proposed. It was so cute, you would have loved it,” I said, trying to keep it short. Allison wasn't having any of that though
.
"Wow. Did he give her a ring? Well duh, obviously. How big was it? Hell, doesn't matter, what was her reaction? Did she scream?"
I rolled my eyes at the barrage of questions and sat down on the couch, scooting over as Bastian came and took his place beside me, laying his head on my lap.
As I caressed his smooth fur, I related everything that happened at the engagement party and she soaked in every detail with wide-eyed appreciation. It was as if she had replaced Ophelia in the story with herself and was now accepting the ring from her very own prince charming.
"Wow. That’s beautiful. Did you cry?" She asked when I'd finished
"Err...cry? Why? I wasn't the one being proposed to. I was just happy for her. For the both of them, you know?" I replied, still stroking Bastian.
"Hmm. Well, that's nice. So what was the man situation down there? Any good possibilities?" She asked, winking and letting the question drag.
I rolled my eyes. I loved Allison, but I knew that she wouldn't be letting this go anytime soon.
"Not really. Plus, I wasn't really looking for that kind of action you know, so perhaps I didn't notice because I wasn't looking for it", I said, crossing my fingers and hoping she would just drop it.
"You know you can't remain like this. I mean, Bastian is a load of fun, but you can't count on him the way you can count on a man when it comes to – you know…" She said, nudging me in the side and throwing back her head in a hearty laugh.
"So, I decided to accept the invitation," I said, trying to switch the topic smoothly.
"What invitation?" her face scrunched up in a look of confusion at the unknown reference.
"Danielle Montgomery," I said simply.
"Oh. That invitation. My bad. Really? What sold you on the issue?" She asked, adjusting in her seat and shifting closer. She tended to get in close when she was really interested in hearing something.