Mike stepped closer. “Let me see.”
She bent further. “I can’t open it. It hurts.”
AJ and Grandpa exchanged glances as their verbal exchange ratcheted up to sparring.
“Here comes someone,” AJ said. A man and a woman walked their way, until the woman stopped, grabbed the man’s arm, took off her shoe and emptied the sand from it. The way her mouth moved, it wasn’t hard to guess what she was probably saying.
The woman replaced her shoe and waved. “Diana. Mike.”
One-eyed, Diana turned and waved. “Phoebe, Kyle. Thanks so much for coming.”
Phoebe’s smile looked tentative. “Is this really where you’re getting married?”
“Yes. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Her cheek stained with mascara-streaked tears, Diana blinked rapidly.
“Are you all right?” Phoebe opened her purse and drew out a tissue. “Here, sweetie, let me fix that.”
AJ wandered to the rocks. Foamy spray spattered his shirt. He didn’t care.
“AJ,” said a girl’s voice.
His gut clenched. “Hello?”
Girlish laughter erupted behind him. He whirled. “Ah, dammit. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”
The two girls thrust their noses in the air as their smiles disappeared. “Don’t even tell him,” said one to the other.
“No, we should. Just because he’s an asshole doesn’t mean we should be too.”
He over-enunciated, “What do you want?”
“We saw your girlfriend,” one taunted.
Rattled, he rubbed his face. “What are you talking about?” Why were these females torturing him? They didn’t even have all their hormones yet.
“A girl was looking for you,” said the girl.
“She was dressed really weird,” the other added.
“OK. Thanks. Bye.” Just what he needed. Another weird girl looking for him. Maybe it was one of the Goth girls from Mel’s. Could he never find peace?
The second girl tugged at the other’s arm. “See, I told you we shouldn’t even tell him.”
AJ let out a ragged breath. Females would be the death of him yet.
He made his way back to the wedding party. Another woman had joined them, presumably the minister. She smiled at AJ as his mom said, “This is my son, AJ.”
AJ shook her hand and said hello, then moved to Grandpa’s side. “When do we get to drink?”
Grandpa chuckled. “Soon.” He patted AJ’s back.
“Dad?” Diana held out her hand. “Come on, we’re starting the run-through.”
AJ grinned. “Show time.”
Grandpa paled. “Coming.” Stiffly, he walked toward his daughter, along the lines in the sand, then turned and walked back toward the minister.
“AJ, get in place,” his mom said.
AJ held up his hands. He had no idea where to go.
His mother pointed. “There. To the side.”
He took three steps and stood, trying his best to look solemn. Only Grandpa’s sickly expression kept him serious. When he delivered his daughter to Mike, and went to stand by AJ, AJ asked, “Are you all right?”
Grandpa cleared his throat gruffly.
The minister paused to look at him, then went on.
“Fine,” Grandpa whispered.
“Yeah. Me too.” He couldn’t get those girls out of his head. Who were they talking about? No one would be looking for him here.
The blood drained from his head.
Asshole. One girl might be.
But it couldn’t be. How would she speak to those girls? Did they see her in the water, and think she was swimming or something? It seemed too surreal to even consider.
The mental diversion got him through the wedding practice.
His mom was saying, “See you all there,” and hugging her friend, shaking the minister’s hand. AJ took that as his cue to head back.
At the house, his mom took another five minutes to freshen up. She emerged from the bathroom streak-free and pleasant. “Everyone hungry?”
It was only five o’clock, AJ wanted to say, but plastered a smile on his face. “Absolutely.”
***
Mike had reserved a small room at the restaurant, although there were only seven of them. AJ made small talk with Kyle, who he learned had been Mike’s friend since childhood, and Phoebe, Kyle’s wife, now Mom’s best friend and owner of the bead shop where they both worked. They would be best man and matron of honor. AJ tried his best to look interested. Beer helped. It also helped put him at ease in the restaurant, which appeared more upscale than AJ’s usual haunts. Way more. Food served in courses made him antsy. He wanted to get out of there.
Three buckets held champagne bottles. Overkill, if his mom and Kyle weren’t drinkers. But AJ got the sense that was Mike’s style. Too much was better than not enough. He wanted to provide for everyone, especially his mom.
The waitress poured a glass for everyone. Kyle stood, and straightened his tie as he raised his glass. “I’d like to say a few words.”
After a few minutes, AJ wanted to remind Kyle the operative word had been ‘few.’ But who could fault the guy for wishing his best friend and his wife-to-be every happiness? And he wished them every happiness, at detailed length.
When Kyle finally sat, AJ drained his glass and poured another. “So, Mom. Who else is coming tomorrow?”
“A few more of our friends from back home. And Tobias.”
“Tobias?” AJ peered at Grandpa.
“Yes, Tobias has known your mother since birth,” Grandpa said.
Strange. But AJ’s brain was beyond functioning.
The door to the dining room opened, and a woman stood there in a silken taupe dress, her gaze fixed on Diana. When Diana looked up, the smile faded from her face. The room went silent, and time stood still.
Grandpa rose from his seat like a ghost from the grave, his voice no more than a breath. “Deirdre.”
Grandma.
AJ couldn’t move. No one could, apparently, except Kyle and Phoebe and Sheila, but they soon caught on this was no ordinary guest.
Deirdre gave a regal nod. “Walt.” She returned her attention to her daughter. “I had to come.”
Stunned, AJ knew he should say something. Or not. Grandpa looked ready to have a stroke.
Diana’s lip quivered. She stammered a few syllables, but no actual words. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from her mother to her father to her fiancée.
Mike touched her arm. “Honey? Are you all right?”
A cry burst from her as she pushed away from the table, and ran out of the room.
“Diana,” her mother called, and followed her.
Grandpa threw his napkin on the table and hurried out. AJ followed him out to the lobby, where Deirdre stood at the front door. Diana’s car roared through the parking lot. The brakes squealed as she stopped at the parking lot entrance, then tires squealed as she pealed away.
Deirdre turned to Grandpa. “I must speak with her.”
Grandpa’s voice sounded leaden. “I’ll bring you to her.”
Deirdre gazed into her husband’s eyes, then laid a hand on AJ’s cheek and smiled. “Hello, Andrew.”
She was every bit as beautiful as in her photos from decades ago. Faint lines edged her eyes, but made her beauty classic. “Hello, Grandma. Did… anyone come with you?”
A trace of sadness crossed her smile. “No, dear.”
A heavy weight gathered inside AJ. To his grandfather, he asked, “Do you want me to go with you?”
Grandpa stood so straight, he looked taller. “No. Stay with Mike. Try to calm the others.” He held the door while Deirdre walked through, and ushered her to his car.
AJ ran a hand through his hair. What a night.
He went back to the room. Kyle, Phoebe and Sheila surrounded Mike, who stood shaking his head. Worry lined his forehead. When he saw AJ, he broke from their midst. “Is she all right?”
AJ laid a hand on his should
er. “She’s left. Grandpa and Grandma went to find her.”
Mike’s eyes widened. “She was Diana’s mother?”
“Yeah. Long story.” He raised his voice as he turned to the table. “Sorry for the excitement, everyone. Please, sit and enjoy your dessert, have some coffee, some more champagne. I know I am.” He laughed, though he didn’t mean it as a joke.
Mike slumped into a seat.
AJ grabbed his glass and the bottle of champagne, and sat next to him. “Mom just needs a little time to sort things out with Grandma.”
Mike stared at the flickering candle. “I should be with her.”
AJ nodded. “Later, yes. She’ll need you. Right now, they need some time alone.”
Mike looked at him. “When did you get so wise beyond your years?”
AJ exhaled. “Believe me, I have a lot to learn.” He poured champagne to the rim of his glass, gulped it and sat back in the chair, legs splayed.
The minister approached Mike. “Call me if you… need anything.” Her tone implied if anything changes. Not what Mike needed to hear.
Kyle and Phoebe left soon after, saying, “We’ll see you tomorrow.” But they looked uncertain too.
“It’ll be fine, man. She loves you.” AJ figured Mike needed as much reinforcement as he could get. “And you’re good for her. She’s much more grounded now.”
Mike snorted. “Except for tonight.”
“Hey, tonight was the shock of a lifetime. She couldn’t have seen that coming. No one did.” Certainly not Grandpa, from the looks of him. AJ should have gone with him. But no, he needed time alone with Grandma. The whole family was a train wreck. Deirdre seemed the only one able to piece it all together, having been the cause of it.
Mike sighed. “I think I’ll head back to the hotel and wait for her. I want to be there when she gets back.”
AJ nodded. “Sounds good.” He smacked Mike on the back.
Mike stood, looked around the empty room, as if he’d forgotten something. “I’m calling a cab. Do you need a ride?”
“No, I believe a walk would do me good.”
He hesitated in the doorway. “AJ. Thanks.”
AJ nodded, and Mike shuffled out. He sat for a moment. So much for plans. Mom sure couldn’t have expected today to end this way.
An open but untouched bottle of champagne remained. AJ pulled it from the bucket, and headed out. He walked straight to the beach and walked along, marking his progress by the buildings past the shore line.
Finally, he came to the rocks, and dropped to his knees at the edge of the islet. “Cassie?”
The only answer was the waves rolling in. Empty. He settled back with the bottle and watched the stars twinkle.
“She’s pissed at me.” He sat up and yelled. “I know you’re pissed at me! Cassie? I’m sorry!”
He waited, sure she would come. “Cassie! Please come talk to me!”
Nothing, no noise but the wind and the sea.
She was gone. AJ could feel it. Something had irrevocably shifted, and nothing would be the same. He stumbled back to Grandpa’s. The house was dark. He checked the patio. No one.
He laughed. “Just me. All alone. No, wait. Not alone.” He held up the half-empty bottle. “I have you, my pretty.” The walls shifted as he made his way to his room, thwarting AJ’s progress.
“Steady as she goes, matey.”
AJ switched on the radio, then stripped to his boxers. He fell into his bed, as rocky as a boat in rough water. “Whoa.” He chuckled.
A light came on at the end of the hallway. AJ lifted his head. “Grandpa?”
Footsteps thudded close, and his grandfather stood in the door. “How did it go?”
AJ tried his best to enunciate to cover his condition. “The festivities pretty much ended, and everyone left.”
“You’re drunk.”
AJ pushed himself up on his elbows. “Yes. I am drowning my sorrows. Or they’re drowning me. Either way. I’m drunk.”
Grandpa said nothing.
“Where’s Grandma?”
“She’s staying with Tobias.”
AJ sat up, crookedly. “With Tobias?”
Grandpa leveled his gaze at AJ. “Her cousin.”
Her cousin? That explained Tobias’ lack of curiosity about Cassiopeia.
After a moment of stunned silence, AJ asked, “Is there anything else you want to tell me? Because I’m tired of getting knocked off my feet by these revelations, Grandpa.”
“Not tonight. You better sleep it off. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
AJ blew through his lips and fell back on the bed. “Fine. Tomorrow. G’night.”
The door clicked shut, and the room was dark, except for the dim light from the wide windows and the green glow of his radio. He pushed himself toward it, popped in his own CD. He eased back on the bed, his arm across his forehead. If only Cassie could hear it. He closed his eyes and sank into the music, into the darkness.
A flutter of a touch brought his eyes open. He smiled. “Cassie. You’re here.” He couldn’t move, his muscles were as fluid as the champagne he’d drunk.
“Shhh, AJ,” came the whisper. She faded in and out of his vision. He reached for her but grasped empty air.
“Cassie, I love you. Don’t go,” he whispered. “Do you hear these songs? These are your songs.”
The blurry figure turned her head toward the CD player. “My songs?”
“I wrote them for you. I love you,” he whispered. Damn, he wished he hadn’t drunk so much. If only he could sit up, touch her. Maybe it was better to lie here and let the dream happen. He didn’t want to wake up, find himself alone.
Her hands glided across his cheek, her head close to his. “AJ,” came her whisper, as if the wind had borne it. He could swear he felt the silk of her hair against his chest. Legs atop his.
Legs. Definitely wrong. This dream was wrong. “No.”
“Yes,” came the hushed whisper. “Shhhh.” Warm skin, light against his. Soft, moist lips caressed his, moved down his neck.
He groaned. If this was a dream, it was the best he’d ever had. He laid still, and let it unfold, let himself feel the warmth of her beside him, her murmurs in his ear. He rode a wave of bliss back into darkness.
***
The inside of AJ’s skull needed a good dredging. All the muck left by the champagne–the haze, the slowing of his senses. He forced himself upright, though the brightness of the morning sun made his stomach churn.
The door burst open. “AJ. You’ve slept half the day away. Time to get dressed.” Grandpa hesitated.
AJ looked up with heavy eyes and made a noise meant to indicate yes.
“You look like hell. Put some clothes on. What if your mother sees you like this?” He shut the door.
AJ pushed himself up, and the sheet fell away as he rose and headed to the bathroom to shower. Like acupuncture, the water pricked at him. Oh, man. Why did he drink so much? Never again.
The dream. He might not have had the dream if he hadn’t. But what good was dreaming, when he couldn’t have the real thing.
Grandpa pounded on the door. “Today, AJ. Move.”
“All right.” Progress. Actual words.
No point looking in the mirror. He knew how bad he looked, and nothing would fix that but time. And sleep. If only he could sleep.
No. Today was Mom’s day. He had to be there for her.
He managed to dress, and Grandpa walked in and handed him a glass of tomato juice. “Finish it. It’ll settle your stomach.”
AJ doubted anything could, but downed it in one tilt of the glass.
Grandpa handed him a napkin. “Don’t use your sleeve. Now get your guitar and let’s go.”
As they drove to the beach, AJ turned to Grandpa. “Do you think mom will show up?”
“Of course she’ll show up. She’s getting married.” The confidence in his grandfather’s tone sounded forced.
AJ shielded his eyes from the afternoon glare. “Did she and Grandma w
ork things out?”
Grandpa’s stoic demeanor gave away little. “Not entirely. That will take time.”
AJ felt too unfocused to ask coherent questions. He’d go through the rest of the day and see what happened.
Grandpa pulled the Caprice into a space off the roadway. “Your mother’s meeting me here. You go on down with the others.”
“I know.” AJ carried his guitar case to the beach, where Kyle and Phoebe waited with the minister. A few other people gathered, apparently other guests, since they wore dresses and suits. He guessed they were more friends from New Jersey. A man laden with camera equipment snapped photos.
A light breeze blew. Nothing like yesterday, thank God. He didn’t think he could withstand being pelted with grains of sand today.
A car pulled behind Grandpa’s. Mike hurried from it to shake Grandpa’s hand, then rushed down the hill. He aimed a thin smile at AJ as he went to take his place next to the minister. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re not. Relax.” Man, the guy was a basket case. Maybe he was afraid of being left at the altar. If there were one.
Tobias’s truck eased to a stop behind Mike’s car. Tobias got out, went to the passenger side and opened the door. Grandma stepped out.
AJ labored to her side and held out his arm. “May I?”
Delight filled her face. “Why, thank you, Andrew.” She took his arm, and he escorted her across the sand.
“You look amazing,” AJ said.
Her smile looked demure. “You’re very sweet.”
It was no exaggeration. Deirdre’s skin appeared as luminescent as Cassie’s. His grandmother’s grace belied her age, though maybe, having gone back to the mer people, she’d stopped her aging process when she left Grandpa. AJ had much to learn about them. He hoped this time, his grandmother would stay long enough for him to ask.
Tobias eyed him as they joined the other guests. “You look like you were hit by a bus.”
“I feel like it too.” His entire body cried out for relief. Yet somehow, a sweetness lingered, too, from the dream.
His grandmother smiled. “You look fine, dear.” She adjusted his tie, then attempted to smooth his hair, but the layers would not lie flat. With a frustrated sigh, she gave up and stood next to Tobias.
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