by J. L. Ryan
“My dad is getting his treatments so I thought I should come outside to you.” She walked over to the swing on the porch. Her father was sick, he thought. She had such a hard life growing up but she was strong. They sat on the swing together for a few moments and chatted about the weather. She asked about work and he shared and she told him about school and how soon after she graduated she would be going to Columbia. She had been accepted.
“Hey brat you made it in?” He sat up quickly.
“Yes I did.” She nearly sparkled with the excitement.
“Wow that’s great Brie. You worked so hard and I know you’re excited.” He grabbed her hand and gave her a squeeze.
“Thanks, I am overwhelmed really. I have so much to do to get ready and…well there is a lot.” She smiled at him.
“Well we have to go to dinner tonight and celebrate, my treat.” He offered and she accepted.
“We never get to hang out anymore, like old times.” She sighed. “It was so much easier when we were kids. No one was sick and we all had each other. We had our family and friends.” She sighed.
“It certainly has changed, you're still a brat though.” He looked at the tree across the street, thinking. He stood up to go. “I’ll pick you up at 6, and wear something nice.” He smiled at her as she stuck her tongue out at him. He made his way back up the hill towards the bend in the road which would lead back to his house.
Damn you Alex. She watched him leave. He was so handsome, and that was all she could think about. It made it hard for her to concentrate when he looked at her. She hated the way he called her brat. He’d done it since they were in middle school. She looked down at the slippers she was wearing.
They were so different, she and Alex. Once upon a time she thought he had a crush on her. It was probably at that horrible dance in 6th grade when she figured out he just wanted to be friends. He picked her up and she tried so hard to look pretty.
Her father enlisted help from the neighbor to help with “girl stuff.” They did their best. No one knew about conditioner yet and her hair was always so unruly. He picked her up and they went to the dance. She talked him to death. It’s what she did when she was nervous.
Everyone thought she was just one of the guys and in some ways, she was. She loved playing football and wrestling and she hated getting dressed up. But there was something about Alex that made her feel funny. Looking back she knew it was because he made her feel like a girl. Feeling like a girl was a new idea for her that was for sure. Once they arrived at the dance mean Mary Jenkins pulled her aside in the bathroom and told her about the “bet”.
The boys all bet that she would be “different” if she dressed like a girl. So she knew then they were testing her, fearful their friendship would be gone for good. So she braided her hair in the bathroom and went back to being one of the guys. She refused to allow her heart to hurt because she wanted Alex to like her. They were all friends and that was more important than anything else and they didn’t want to lose her.
Even now she shook her head as she thought about it. The entire “group” was disbanded by now. Two of the group members left for the military. One was a teacher in town, one was killed in a boating accident, one was a police officer two towns over, and then there was she and Alex. It was funny that they were the only two who didn’t have people in their lives. That alone made no sense. Alex was not only the most eligible bachelor in Dale City, he was gorgeous to boot. It made no sense at all.
She picked the pillow cushion on the seat as she swung lightly. She was no angel. She dated her fair share of men. Most of them where playboys and only wanting one thing from her. As she took her education more seriously, they took her less seriously. What she wanted was an equal, but who knew if that even existed. Alex was always out of her league anyway, he was rich, refined and charming, and she was all tomboy and barely had enough money to get through school.
Even today he in his designer jeans and she in her slippers with a hole in the big toe. She laughed lightly. They were on opposite ends of reality but they were friends and that was enough for her. She sighed, time to check on her father.
She made her way through the house and cringed. It was a mess. She hated leaving him alone for so long. She hadn’t been home in two years. It was just too expensive to come home, she needed every penny for school. He said he understood but it was hard for him. He had gotten sick some time ago and it never seemed to go away.
He had breathing treatments and on the phone he always told her he was fine, being here now she knew he had been lying. The house was turned upside down. TV dinners and coffee seemed to be a staple for him and he had no one to come check on him. She found a clean spot on the couch in the living room and sat down to start planning her course of action and what she would tackle first.
A few hours later she looked around her. It was better than she had expected. She scrubbed every inch of the living room and kitchen. There wasn’t a speck of dirt on anything and the four large trash bags on the front porch was a testament to her hard work. She was filthy. Her hair in braids and wearing jeans and a tank top, she was a visible mess.
Her father spent the afternoon resting and it wasn’t until there was a knock on the front door that she even considered how long she had been at it.
She opened the front door to find Alex standing there. He was perfect. Blue suit and tie white shirt. His hair brushed back, he could have been on the cover of a magazine. She stood there for a moment before the realization set in that she had been working much longer than she realized. He smiled at her and it brought her back to reality quickly.
“Alex, I …well see the thing is.” She looked down at herself and he cut her off.
“I’m early brat, you have time to get ready unless you want to change the plan and do something more industrial?” She threw a rag at him and he chuckled. The truth was she was adorable. Hair in braids and cleaning, it was like he stepped back in time for a moment. He needed that moment. He felt normal even if for only a few moments. He settled onto a bar stool and watched her head upstairs to get ready.
“I'll hurry Alex, I promise.” She called down the stairs to him.
“Just wash your hair, whatever you do, I think I saw a candy bar wrapper in there.” He smiled.
He heard the bathroom door shut and the water come on. She always kept him amused if nothing else. He looked around the house. Her father was alone here and it was cozy. He much preferred a smaller space when being alone. It was nice - almost like the house was hugging you. Unlike the space Alex had at home. He was alone in a tremendous amount of space.
She bounded down the stairs and the transformation was astounding. She straightened her hair somehow and was wearing a dark blue dress with a square cut neckline and black pumps. Her face was alive with pink cheeks and some light gloss on her lips. Otherwise she was without make up.
“You gonna stare at me like I have two heads or are we going, Mr. Jacobs?” She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. He shook himself free of his thoughts and stood so they could go. The drive was pleasant and uneventful. He decided to drive them himself and made reservations in the town nearby.
They had reservations for 7, and he knew she was always multitasking so his early arrival was on purpose. They dined on oysters and salads, and he ordered steak for his main course. She had the fish. They chatted about the past and who was where. It was over dessert when a burly looking man came over to say hello.
“Alex and Brie…now if Junior and Jerry were here I’d be rich right now.” He smiled and Alex stood and embraced his friend. Brie did the same and kissed Brandon on the cheek. He was part of the “group” and had managed to stay close by. He wasn’t in uniform but Alex knew he become a cop a year or so ago. He was always the jokester of the group which made his profession that most interesting. He had always been the one to get them into trouble and now he was the one enforcing the rules.
“Just look at you two, how long has it been two three years?
” Alex motioned for him to sit and he did so.
“My buddies and I are out celebrating a big bust we took down earlier today. I have to get back but after seeing "Red," over here.” He hooked his thumb towards Brie. “I just had to come say hello.”
Brie smiled at him. “You look great and congrats on the bust.”
“I look the same, you on the other hand look great.” He leaned towards her obviously flirting and joking at the same time.
“Sorry to hear about your folks Alex man, really. I was at the funeral but you were surrounded by people.” He sobered for a moment.
“Thanks Bran that means a lot to me.” Alex took a long drink. “So why would you be rich?”
“Oh yea that.” He chuckled “A long time ago Jerry and Junior and I made a bet on who was going to marry Brie. They said Mason but not me, I said Alex. We all put two bucks in and buried it under the old cotton mill steps.” He laughed and they joined in.
“Well we’re not married so you’d still not be rich, besides that money was spent a long time ago.” Alex smiled at the shocked look on his face.
“Well you two look married enough all fancy and laughing I just assumed…” he trailed off as Brie took a long drink of water. “Wait what do you mean that money was spent a long time ago?”
“Well the thing is Mason and I heard about your bet and we dug that money up and bought soda pop and chips one afternoon. We sat by the old mill and laughed at how we pulled one over on you all.” Alex laughed at the look on his face.
“Well damn, and here I thought I had $6 in savings I could count on.” He smiled at them and stood up. “I have to get going, y'all look real nice together so don’t fight the love people.” He sauntered off giving Brie a wink as he went.
“Well Bran has certainly not changed a bit.” Brie changed the subject as to avoid and discussion about love.
“Have I told you you look beautiful tonight Brie? I’m slow so I doubt I have but I wanted you to know it.”
He gave her a half smile and she blushed. What was wrong with him anyway, he was being awfully flirty. They wrapped up dinner and he headed back to her house. She had always been easy to talk to and having this time together was wonderful. She helped him feel more like himself than he had in a long time. They sat on the porch swing for a while. He wanted to enjoy laughing for a little while longer.
“When do you head back?” He glanced over at her on the swing.
“Tomorrow.” She looked down at her hands. “I have registration Monday and classes start next week. I feel like I should turn it all down though. Dad, he is just not well and I worry about him.”
“You can’t turn it down Brie, you have to go. I can check in on him from time to time. You have worked too hard to quit now.”
She looked over at him. “Really, you’ll check on him? That’s an awful lot to ask of you Alex, you have a company to run.” She leaned back.
“Yes really, it will bring me back to reality from time to time.” He smiled. He stood up from the swing. He knew if he stayed too long he’d make a fool of himself like he did long ago. She didn’t think of him like “that” and he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. He especially didn’t want to ruin their friendship.
He gave her a hug and she leaned into it. If only he didn’t think of her like a boy. She knew he didn’t want to ruin their friendship, but it was hard not to want him to see who she was now. He was her best friend and that would have to be enough.
“I’ll be back in June maybe we can do this again?” She smiled at him.
“Of course you know that.” He was being polite in his words when what he wanted to do was kiss her.
They parted ways both thinking of the other. The night was long for them both. What they didn’t realize is that life was about to change and it would be much longer than just June before they would see each other again.
Days turned into weeks and then months. Soon it had been a year since his parents had died. Alex was learning his new role proficiently. He had a hand in the last two accounts and things were looking up. He tried to do well and think like his father. It paid off.
He would get an email from Brie from time to time about classes and work but time between them grew wider and wider, she worked all the time it seemed. He checked in on Mr. Warhol every Sunday and he was doing remarkably well. He even had a lady friend that came around. He would leave voicemails for Brie occasionally and tell her about her father, but never heard back.
The months grew longer and the contact slowly grew more sporadic. He was busy with work and it consumed him. He dated a cute blonde from legal for a while a few months ago, but the drive to do better created some distance between the two of them.
He was alone. Once the solitude had frightened him but now he felt solace in numbers and accounting. One day he was reading the papers when he saw an article about a drug bust in Manassas. There on the page was Bran’s ugly mug smiling happily like he hadn’t a care in the world. He was promoted and Alex smiled. He deserved it. He read the article and was even more surprised that he was getting married as well.
“Well well well Brandon I can’t believe you’re taking the plunge.” Alex grinned thinking about when he saw him last at the restaurant. He and Brie were having dinner. What was that a year ago now? He shook his head time was flowing by so fast. Brie…he hadn’t thought about her in a while. He hoped she was doing well at school. Her curriculum was difficult, that much he knew. He decided to send her a quick email. He hadn’t heard from her in 3 or 4 months now.
“Just checking in to say hello, hope your well. Your dad looks great and is happy with his new lady friend. Keep in touch.
A
He signed it with his initial as always. He went back to the proposition on his desk, there was always work to be done and this particular company had a lot of excess baggage that would have to be trimmed. He worked through lunch and finally raised his head after the sun went down. Dinner was a rush of snacks and coffee. He rarely had time for anything else.
“Alex, you need to take better care of yourself.” Jameson had come into the office and was sitting on the edge of the couch.
“I know Jameson…so you tell me every other day.” He said it quietly but with a smile on his face.
“I mean it Alex you need to get out and live, meet a nice girl …” he trailed off.
“There is no time for all of that, Jameson and you well know it. So much time was lost in the early days when I was learning and now I have to make it right. When I do, I’ll go out and have fun as you put it.”
Jameson gave a huff as he stood to go. “Lady Alice is here to see you Alex perhaps she can keep you…ah...company for a while.” He left and Alex scowled slightly as she came in. She was petite and blonde and liked to be serious. It may have been her education but she rarely laughed as it would make people think she was “a silly blonde” and not take her seriously.
“Hello Alex.” She held up her had to stop him from saying anything. “I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but I was hoping we could go over a case I’m working on and at least share a meal. It’s a lonely business and I don’t have many people I trust. Besides you make me feel smart and pretty, I like that combination and quite frankly, I need some stress relief.” She smiled at him.
He was never been one for settling down but she was right. It was a lonely existence when you’re in this world. She was smart and she was pretty. He could use the distraction. Besides, she presented it as if their relationship could be some kind of business arrangement and, much like her career she was very determined to do things perfectly, their sex life had been no different. He smiled at her.
“Agreed Alice, agreed. I would love to work on it with you, I just can’t give you more than you're asking for right this moment.” He looked at her directly. He wanted to be honest up front.
“Once I thought I wanted marriage and family Alex, but I can see clearly now that work is a better path for me. I’m happy with friend
s, with some benefits. I’d rather have someone in my bed I trust than someone I love.” She took off her gloves and settled into the sofa as Jameson came back in.
“Dinner?” He glanced towards Alex.
“Yes Jameson, can you order food for us and have one of the drivers pick it up. Miss Alice and I have some work we need to do.” He never looked away from Alice, and Jameson smiled. At least this was a start. Time went on for a while and the mutual benefits to the relationship kept both Alex and Alice happy.
She was thriving at work and was looking for new work in a bigger firm. Alex couldn’t have been happier at work. Things were thriving and he was content. Each night he went to bed alone which was when he would over think things and what he wanted. He was happy, he had money, and he had a beautiful lover. What was missing? He would go to bed each night wondering why he couldn’t just be content. Even Mr. Warhol married his lady friend. Was there more out there?
Brienne was in very much the same position. She worked and worked and never had a moment’s peace. The tuition depleted her savings and there was no hope for paying for her final two years unless she worked. She was working in the law library in the mornings, she had classes in the afternoon and evening, and was working in a bar after class at night.
Days seemed to fly by and with her strange hours, time was a relative thing. She needed to go see her father…or at least call him. He met someone and had a quick wedding. She was happy for him, after so long he deserved to be happy. Plus, she knew he was being taken care of. She received an email from Alex a few months ago.
She hadn’t even found time to reply to that. She heard he was dating Alice Pope, it was a name that popped up in news articles she read about him. His business was doing well, extremely well from what she understood. She didn’t want to bother him with stupid emails from an old friend. He was nice enough to send her a hello and for that she was thankful. She received an invitation to Brandon’s wedding but she knew she couldn’t make it.