A black limo pulled ahead of the Caprice. Grandpa opened the door, and helped Diana out.
AJ stooped to pull his guitar from its case, making his head throb and whirl. He regained his balance, hoping no one noticed, and plucked the Wedding March as his mom stepped toward them in a flow of white silk and chiffon, beaming at Mike as she held Grandpa’s arm. A breeze made her veil dance, held to her head by a halo of white flowers. When Grandpa brought her to Mike and kissed her cheek, even AJ was moved by the sheer happiness the couple projected.
Short and sweet, the ceremony mercifully ended before AJ felt the need to puke. The photographer followed Diana and Mike to the limo, clicking away. Guests made their way to their cars.
As AJ walked, Grandpa followed Deirdre with his eyes as Tobias helped her into his truck, which trailed in the line of vehicles going to the restaurant.
The oldies station was silent in the Caprice. Grandpa drove with a single-mindedness AJ had rarely witnessed.
At the reception, the seating arrangements offered little clue as to his grandparents’ situation. At their large round table, Deirdre sat left of Tobias, who sat left of AJ, left of Grandpa. AJ leaned forward, caught his grandmother’s eye and, motioning with his fingers, silently offered to switch seats with her. Her sad smile was decline enough. AJ let it be. Maybe Grandpa was still processing all that had happened, as AJ was. It was a lot to take in at once, but his grandfather’s stake in it was far greater. And more perilous. His heart had been broken for so many years, maybe even Grandma couldn’t fix it now.
Grandpa stared to his right, toward the head table where Diana and Mike sat with Phoebe and Kyle. Sheila, the minister, occupied the seat next to Grandpa, and a couple AJ didn’t know sat between her and Grandma. The other two tables were filled with another twenty or so people. AJ supposed they’d been at the wedding, and their numbers hadn’t seemed so large there because the beach itself was so large.
Throughout dinner, AJ drank ginger ale and water. He ate as little as possible, and declined cake. He wasn’t going to tempt fate to that extent. It was torture enough having to listen to the DJ play ridiculous wedding standards. He wondered if Grandpa had had a hand in selecting the slow songs during dinner. His head had cleared somewhat, but his body ached for his bed.
The DJ announced the traditional father-daughter dance, and Grandpa led Diana to the small dance floor. His mom laughed as she talked with him. She seemed unable to stop smiling. When Grandpa handed Diana over to Mike, Deirdre stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching. Waiting. Grandpa hesitated, his eyes locked on hers. AJ tensed. If he walked away now, ignored her silent plea, that would be it. He’d probably never see his grandmother again after today. Grandpa’s chest swelled, his arms stiff against his sides, only his moving fingers any indication he was in inner turmoil.
“Come on, Grandpa,” AJ whispered.
Grandma’s shoulders slumped slightly, and she ducked her head. Ready to leave.
Grandpa walked toward her and extended his hand. She lifted her arms and stepped into his embrace. As graceful as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, they glided across the floor, his grandmother’s face as radiant as his mother’s.
AJ turned to Tobias. “She’s staying, isn’t she.”
It wasn’t a question. Tobias clasped his shoulder, then asked Sheila for a turn on the dance floor. Nearly everyone but AJ twirled with their partners under the soft yellow light. He stared at the flowers in the centerpiece, their silken petals soft as Cassie’s skin.
Sometimes life gave you everything but what you wanted most. He had to move on.
He had to get out of this room. Away from all this syrupy sweetness.
The night drew him outside. He stood on the front steps, and leaned against the rail, letting the breeze wash over him. By the muted tinny-voiced announcements of the DJ that floated out of the building, AJ guessed the corny bouquet toss and garter wrestling match were in play. When music flowed again, he made his way back inside and dropped into his seat. He propped his head in his hands and let his eyes close.
“AJ sweetie, give me a hug.” His mom stood behind him, her arms wide.
“Are you leaving already?” AJ stood and hugged her.
“Yes. We have a plane to catch.” Her voice was soft in his ear. “You’ll come visit soon, won’t you?” She leaned away to look at him, her eyes bright.
“Sure.” He shook hands with Mike, who murmured, “I’m throwing a big birthday party for your mom in a few months. I’ll make sure you and Walt get an invitation.”
AJ tapped his shoulder. “Good. Have a great time on the honeymoon. Take care of her.”
“I will.” Mike led Diana out the door, waving.
AJ scanned the room for his grandfather. Maybe he was in the men’s room. When he noticed his grandmother was missing, too, he knew. They would be all right after all.
“Time to go,” he said to himself.
Walking back to the table, Tobias overheard. “Would you like a ride home?”
AJ made a show of declining. “No, I don’t want to put you out.”
Tobias leveled his gaze at AJ. “Son. Take the ride.”
“OK. Thanks.” AJ wasn’t really up for that long walk tonight.
The house was dark when Tobias pulled up out front. “See you Monday.”
“Bright and early.” AJ climbed out and watched Tobias pull away.
Cousin Tobias.
No wonder he was willing to take a chance on AJ when no one else was. He was family.
AJ pushed open the door to the house. A dim glow shone through the kitchen window. He crept closer. Elvis sang Love Me Tender as Grandpa danced cheek to cheek with Grandma by candlelight.
AJ heaved a breath. If he weren’t so beat, he’d go for a walk, stay away from the house as long as possible. He felt like an intruder on his grandparents’ privacy. Too weary to do anything else, he went to his room, shut the door and stripped to his boxers, then flopped on his bed. Sleep. That’s all he wanted.
As tired as he was, his nerves jangled, keeping him awake. He wondered where Cassie was, whether other mer guys made passes at her. He’d never asked. Maybe he didn’t want to know. But maybe they just hadn’t had enough time.
***
Sunday. A day of rest. All day.
Not only did AJ need to replenish his worn body, he wanted to stay out of Grandpa and Grandma’s way. And escape reality. Getting out of bed meant getting on with things. He wasn’t ready for that yet.
When he emerged from his room in mid-afternoon, Grandpa sang in the kitchen. “There you are. We were about to phone the paramedics.”
AJ forced a lopsided grin as he poured a glass of milk. “Hey.”
Deirdre knelt on the patio, tending the tomatoes. She looked up and waved when she saw AJ, then slid open the door.
“Andrew. Did you sleep well?”
“Like a log.” AJ didn’t want them to know he’d awakened in the middle of the night to the sweetest sound in the world–squeaking bed springs and soft murmurs.
He rubbed his face and groaned. “I need a shower.”
Grandpa said, “We’re going out for dinner in a bit. If you’d like to join us…”
AJ hid his smile behind a wince. His grandfather’s tone left no doubt the last thing he wanted was for AJ to tag along. “No, thanks. I’m going to hang here. You kids have fun.”
They exchanged the blushing smiles of newlyweds.
AJ shuffled back to his room. Everyone had a happy ending, except him. But hey, that was the making of all the great songs. Despair. Yearning.
“I should start writing the best songs in the world,” AJ said to himself as he shut the door and fell back on the bed.
***
On Monday, AJ had a call from Mark Myers, a keyboard player who’d responded to the notices AJ had hung next to his gig flyers. He’d talked for too long about getting a band together without doing anything about it. AJ agreed to meet him at Mel’s. Mark knew a guy, Pedro Pena, a
guitarist who might be interested, so AJ called him on Tuesday during a break, and met with him Tuesday night. The three of them agreed on a practice session for Wednesday. AJ wanted to move quickly. There was no reason not to, now. When they met at Pedro’s house, his brother Julio showed up. With his drum kit.
Rehearsal went a little rough, but any new group needed time to work out the kinks, tighten the loose ends. By the time they all showed up at Mel’s on Friday, AJ felt optimistic. It was only nine o’clock, and already the place was packed.
Grandpa and Grandma sat at a table with the tip jar and stacks of CDs. AJ agreed to split the tips, and they agreed he should keep the CD profits.
Mark had a small sound system, so AJ switched on the microphone to welcome everyone. “As you probably know, tonight is my last night at Mel’s. And the band’s first night.” He introduced his new band mates to the applause and whistles of the crowd.
AJ went on. “We’re very excited, because next week, we’ll be playing our first gig in Orlando. So if any of you are out that way, stop by the Tabu Nightclub to see us. Our new manager, Mr. Rob Williams of Alliance Studios, would sure appreciate it. We would too.”
He nodded at each of the band members to establish the beat, and they opened with one of AJ’s originals. A slow one to start, but they segued immediately into one that rocked people onto the dance floor.
The four of them were squeezed so tightly into the corner, they knocked into one another as they played, and an occasional dancer would bump AJ’s or Pedro’s guitars. So many people crowded the dance floor that AJ couldn’t see past it. His band mates’ exhilaration showed in the way each of them threw himself into the song. They performed like pros. He was lucky to have found them. This night was going so well, he should be happier. All he felt was a gaping emptiness.
Before the last song of their first set, he checked each of his band mates. All were sweaty and happy.
“This next song is for a very special girl who…” AJ choked on the words. Who what? Who he’d never see again. Who he loved more than himself. Whose absence made this night meaningless. “It’s called Surfacing.”
He strummed the intro, slower than they’d rehearsed. Unable to muster the right energy level, he pretended this was how he meant to play.
I’m way out to sea
Feel your waves crashing over me
I’m in too deep, I don’t wanna breathe
I’m drowning in your love.
Through the sea of moving bodies, he caught a glimpse of a stunning girl who stood in the doorway. The haze of the bar made it hard to see her clearly. As she began to make her way toward him, her long hair swayed like black silk as she moved on long legs. AJ couldn’t take his eyes off her. As she came closer, time and the world fell away. The room contained only AJ and her, and he poured his heart out to her in song.
She stopped at the edge of the dance floor. Through a twisting curtain of arms and shoulders and heads, she stood still, focused on him with a light in her eyes as if they alone occupied the center of a hurricane, the rest of the world swirling past.
AJ realized he’d stopped singing. He had to remind himself to breathe. He called over his shoulder, “Finish up” and set his guitar against Mark’s keyboards. Dancers parted as he made his way toward her, and stopped a few feet away.
“Oh my God,” he murmured. This was no dream. It was more like a miracle.
Cassiopeia. Standing on two legs.
“Hello, AJ.” Her smile faded as she seemed to brace herself.
He rushed to her, cradled her face in his hands and brought his lips to hers. The blood rushing through his brain crowded out the noise of the room, until he heard Pedro say, “We’re taking a short break now, folks. We seem to have lost our lead singer.”
A ripple of laughter crossed the room. All except Susie, who glared at AJ.
He took Cassie by the hand and led her through the crowded, noisy bar to the parking lot. He pulled her close. “You’re here. I can’t believe it. How is this possible?”
Nearly as tall as him, her incredible green eyes were almost level with his. “I went to the High Mer Leader. He granted me my wish.”
Terror and excitement mingled within him. “You did this for me?” He couldn’t stop running his hands across her back, her hips. Her incredible silky hair.
She took a deep breath, and her eyes searched his. “It’s temporary. I have two weeks to decide. Then I can go back, no questions asked.”
He exhaled in relief. Two weeks.
He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head. “But there will be no other chance in the future. This is the only request I may submit. In my entire life.”
And her life span was way longer than his. Yet she’d chosen him. This was too important to screw up.
He cupped her cheek. “We have a lot to talk about. But right now, I have to finish my gig.”
Her face lit up. “I know. I want to hear you play. Finally.”
His lips met hers, and his intent to go inside vanished as his arms tightened around her, the feel of her too incredible to let go.
Mark popped out the door. “AJ. Did we lose you for good?”
With a groan, he pulled away. “We’re on our way.”
This time, she tugged him by the hand. “Come on.”
As they walked inside, AJ felt the stare of every man across Cassie’s incredible body. He squeezed her hand and led her to his grandparents’ table.
“Grandpa. This is Cassie.”
She demurely said hello as Grandpa nodded in greeting.
Grandma pulled out a chair. “Why don’t you sit with us, dear?”
“Thanks, Deirdre.” Cassie slid onto the seat.
Grandpa winked at AJ as he turned to leave.
AJ took his place, adjusting the strap of his guitar over his shoulders. “Sorry about that, folks. Now we’re going to play that last song as it was meant to be played, so get ready to shake it.” He made eye contact with each band member as he counted off one two three. Already, the band had tightened its sound. They launched into Surfacing again, the tempo twice as fast as earlier. Even the older folks jumped to their feet.
Slinking through the crowd, her arms high, Cassie danced toward him. Her body moved like nothing he’d ever seen–so graceful, as if she were still underwater. If it weren’t for the rhythm of his band mates, AJ might have forgotten to sing anything, and just stood there, mouth agape, drooling. She seemed to get lost in the music, let it carry her. Propel her. He longed to be out there with her, feeling her skin slide against his.
Apparently he wasn’t the only one. Every guy in her immediate area watched until their dance partners pivoted them away. AJ ratcheted up the energy of his singing as adrenaline pumped through him. One guy in particular watched with too great an interest, and danced closer. AJ’s jaw clenched, his muscles tightened. In another minute, he’d have to push through the crowd and punch the guy out.
Grandpa wove his way through the dance floor and tapped Cassie’s shoulder. She smiled up at him, and his grandfather did his best to keep the beat.
AJ’s laugh came out as he sang. It seemed to be Grandpa’s mission in life to save AJ from himself.
***
The beach was deserted as they walked, their arms around each other’s waist.
AJ twined his fingers in the belt loop of her jeans. “I still can’t believe you’re really here. Walking next to me.”
“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I first saw you singing on the bridge.” Her hair riffled in the breeze.
The bridge. His stomach twisted at the thought. He kissed her cheek, and murmured in her ear, “So. Did I tell you what an amazing body you have?”
Her eyes glittered like emeralds. “No. But I kind of got the impression you approved.”
“You did, huh.” Probably the giveaway was his machismo boiling to the surface. He’d have to learn to keep that under wraps.
“It feels so incredible. Better than I ever imagined. Be
ing able to stretch out my legs in any direction I want.” She turned and encircled her arms around his neck. “Around anyone I want.”
AJ cocked his head, searching her face. “You… that was you? Not a dream?”
She laughed. “Is that what you thought?”
“You always seem like a dream. A beautiful, fantastic dream. Better than anything in real life.” He moved his face closer until his mouth touched hers. “But no fair. I wasn’t exactly at my best.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Well, that’s a relief.”
He nuzzled her ear. “I hope you’ll let me show you.”
With a little moan, her hands slid up his back, her fingers ran through his hair as she pressed her hips to his.
“Oh, Cassie.” He moved his mouth across her sweet neck, along her jaw.
“AJ,” she whispered.
“Mmm,” he answered, his lips ready to devour hers.
She pulled back to look at him. “We have a lot to talk about, remember?”
He filled his lungs with sea air, and groaned as he rocked her gently. “Yes. We do.”
She held a finger to his lips. “We have time.”
He kissed her finger. “Two weeks.” Too short a time. Not nearly enough to make a decision with lifetime repercussions.
Her voice was soft. “It could be more. Much more.”
Grandpa’s agony came back to him. What if she did stay, and they had the same problems as his grandparents? He couldn’t stand to lose her like Grandpa lost Grandma.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m so glad you were there tonight, to hear the band. It meant a lot to me.” Everything, he wanted to say.
Her face lit up. “Me too. Your songs are going to be on the radio, AJ. I know it.”
He had to make her understand. “Maybe. We’re only getting started, and have a long way to go. It’s a hard life, Cassie, but it’s really important to me.”
“I know. It will be worth it.”
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