aterovis_bm_reapthewhirlwind.p65

by Arlene Chance

  We knocked, and after a moment, a young guy around our age opened the door. He had wavy dark blonde hair and the greenest eyes I had ever seen. I wondered if they were contacts. He was taller than I was, of course, but shorter than Joey, so that would put him at about 5’10”.

  “Hey, you made it!” he said, breaking into a wide grin bordered by twin dimples.

  “Aidan, this is my best friend, Will Keegan,” Joey said.

  We shook hands as Aidan said, “Hi Will. I’m Aidan Scott. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  I forced a smile. “Well, you’re ahead of me.”

  He laughed and stepped back to allow us in. We entered a large and airy room with high ceilings and rough brick walls. Enormous floor-to-ceiling multi-paned windows with the original wavy glass still intact lined the outside wall. Sparse furnishings made the room look even larger. The overstuffed sofa and recliner’s only company was a large entertainment center that housed a state-of-the-art system including a TV, VCR, CD

  player, and DVD player. The latest R&B dance groove blasted from the surround sound speakers. Laura and Gabe occupied the sofa, sitting so close a sheet of paper couldn’t have slipped between them. A leggy blonde had draped herself over the recliner like a carefully 14

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  positioned model in a Lazy-boy commercial. Laura waved to acknowledge our arrival then went back to her conversation with the blonde.

  “It’s not much, but I guess it’s home for now. At least for one year according to the lease,” Aidan said.

  “Are you kidding? It’s awesome,” I said sincerely.

  “This place must cost a fortune.”

  “It’s not that bad. You want to see the rest of the place?”

  “Sure. You coming, Joey?”

  “Nah. You go ahead. I’m gonna go say hi,” he said as he headed toward the living area.

  I shrugged and turned toward Aidan.

  “Now, for the grand tour,” he said. “On your right you will notice the lavishly furnished living area. If you turn to your left, you will enter the large and spacious kitchen complete with all the gourmet accouterments one could ever desire. Julia Child, eat your heart out.”

  I laughed since the kitchen was barely large enough for the both of us. A built-in table and the three chairs around it took up most of the space.

  “Small, but functional,” I said helpfully.

  Aidan narrowed his eyes. “Have you been talking to my real estate agent?”

  I laughed again and Aidan motioned me back into the living room.

  “As we continue with the guided tour we will now be going through the door just to the right of the kitchen door which, as you will see, leads to this marvelous hallway.” He switched now to a game show host voice.

  “Well, Will, what will it be. Door Number One? Or maybe you’d like to try Door Number Two? Or how about trying your luck with Door Number Three?”

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  Three doors opened off the hallway, one straight ahead, and one each on the left and right.

  “Can I use a lifeline?” I ventured.

  “Do I look like Regis?”

  “Um no let’s try for Door Number Two.”

  “Oh, jeez, Will. I’m sorry, but you chose the bathroom.

  But we have some lovely parting gifts, don’t we, Jimmy?” He dropped his voice an octave and boomed,

  “That’s right, Aidan. We’ll be sending Will home with a lifetime supply of Charmin. It’s squeezably soft.”

  I laughed so hard I snorted, which of course caused my face to begin to burn. I imagined I must have been pretty close to the color of a tomato. Aidan acted as if I hadn’t just made a rude porcine noise and went on with his game show host shtick.

  “But the game’s not over yet. Try again, Will.”

  “Door Number Three.”

  “Excellent choice,” he said as he swung open the door,

  “and may I just say that is a lovely shade of red you are wearing. Very flattering.”

  The room we walked into now was apparently Aidan’s bedroom and it was huge. It held a double bed, two dressers, a computer desk outfitted with a brand new computer, and an open closet full of clothes...and there was still room to spare.

  “If you decide to be my roomie, your room will be across the hall,” Aidan said in his normal voice. He opened that door and I stepped in expecting a copy of the room I had just seen. I was surprised to find it was half the size and stacked to the ceiling with boxes.

  “I, uh, haven’t finished unpacking yet,” he said sheepishly. “I know this room is smaller, but I needed the extra space for my computer desk. And to make it fair 16

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  you would only have to pay a third of the rent instead of half.”

  “Are you sure you can afford that?” I asked automatically.

  “Oh, money’s not really a problem. That’s not why I wanted a roommate; it’s more for company. I’m from a big family and it’s weird going from that to living by myself. I thought I could offset the culture shock some by having someone else live here; I mean I have the extra room so it made sense. Not that I’m expecting you, or whoever moves in, to be my best bud or anything. I know you and Joey are really tight, but it’ll just be nice having someone else here. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there is a bonus to having the smaller room. Check this out.”

  He shoved boxes aside until he had cleared a path to the window. I followed him and looked out. I had to give it to him; the view was spectacular. The window overlooked the river, the lights from the apartment building sparkling and dancing across its black surface.

  An iron fire escape just outside the window formed a sort of balcony that would be awesome on a summer night.

  “I guess we should get back to the party before they think we ditched them,” Aidan said after a moment.

  “Do you have a boat?” I asked him, still looking out the window. I was reluctant to leave the scene and even more reluctant to return to the group. I wasn’t in a party mood even though Aidan’s good humor had lifted my dark mood somewhat.

  “No. I wish I did but that’s a little out of reach right now. Especially with rent and tuition.”

  “Too bad,” I said. I pulled myself away from the win-17

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  dow and followed Aidan back to the living area.

  The music had moved on to something a little softer and the mood seemed to be as mellow as the music.

  Laura and Gabe were still sitting closely on the couch with plenty of room for another person, but Joey had perched himself on the arm of the recliner. The blonde was resting her hand rather possessively on his thigh.

  “Hi, I’m Will,” I said pointedly since no one seemed to be planning on introducing us anytime soon.

  “Nice to meet you, Will. I’m Shelley,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Joe here,” she added, giving his leg a little squeeze to punctuate her pronouncement.

  I lifted one eyebrow and tried to make eye contact with Joey, but he seemed to have suddenly found the carpet pattern extremely fascinating.

  “Joe seems to have been doing a lot more talking about me than to me, because I’m afraid I’ve never heard anything about you.”

  For a moment, everyone froze and a very awkward silence followed. I forced a laugh, in an attempt to undo the damage, and everyone smiled uncertainly. Joey was still busy trying not to look at me.

  “Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I’ve had a bad day.”

  “It’s okay, I understand,” she said graciously. She had a rather pronounced southern drawl that I couldn’t quite place. I guess she was pretty if you liked the type: long white-blonde hair, big blue eyes, pouty lips and big boobs—she had the whole package. Personally, I thought Laura was much prettier. Her father is black and her mother is a full-blooded Cherokee. The results were quite stunning. Her flawless skin was the color of caramel and her large almond-shaped eyes were a dark 18

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  chocolate brown. She had high cheekbones and her j
et-black hair hung almost to her waist. She and Gabe made a striking couple. Gabe is Hispanic and quite handsome.

  He was only a year older than Joey, Laura and I, but he seemed much more sophisticated. Maybe that was just because I hadn’t known him all his life, as I had Joey and Laura. I didn’t have any milk-shooting-from-the-nose memories about him. He seemed to be good for Laura; he complemented her in every way. He wore his straight black hair short and spiky and his dark good looks matched hers perfectly.

  “So you had a bad day?” Laura asked after a brief but loaded pause. Leave it to Laura to pick up the one thing that I didn’t want to talk about.

  I waved my hand dismissively. “I don’t want to talk about it. So, Shelley, do you go to school with Joey...er, Joe?”

  I ignored the looks on everyone’s faces; the dirty look Laura shot me, the curious ones from Gabe and Aidan, and the uncomfortable expression on Joey’s face. I kept my focus carefully on Shelley’s pointy little face.

  “Yes, we’re both in Professor Strauss’s American History class. That’s where we met on the first day of school.

  He asked me out the next day and we’ve been going out ever since. But it’s only been two weeks, so I guess that’s why you haven’t heard of me,” she added quickly.

  She cast Joey a look that clearly said, “Help me out here!”

  but he was still engrossed in plush pile.

  Well, that explained why Joey had been so busy the last two weeks. I was surprised how hurt I was.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” I said with venom in my voice.

  “Two weeks is not really long enough for a best friend to tell someone they have a new girlfriend.” I stood up 19

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  and almost had to sit back down as my knees buckled.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some fresh air.”

  “Will!” Laura said sharply.

  “I’m...I’m sorry. I’m going to...go take a walk...or something,” I mumbled haltingly as I stumbled toward the door. Tears were threatening to spill over before I could make my escape. I paused at the door long enough to say, “I’ve had a bad day, really.”

  I found my way out of the building and wandered into the back yard. The wooden bulkhead edging the river made a great seat. I had just about gotten myself under control when I felt someone come up behind me.

  I didn’t have to look up to know it was Laura.

  “Okay, that was appalling. What the hell was that all about?”

  “I’ve had a bad day,” I repeated softly.

  “So you keep saying. Wanna tell me about it?”

  “No.”

  “How ’bout you do it anyway.” She sat down next to me and swung her long legs out over the water.

  “Beth and I broke up today.”

  “So? You’re always breaking up or getting back together. Call her tomorrow and tell her you’re sorry.”

  “It’s not like that this time. She broke up with me.”

  “Oh...oh my gosh.”

  “Yeah, I got the feeling it was pretty permanent this time.”

  “Will, I don’t know how to say this tactfully...”

  I snorted. “Since when have you been tactful?”

  “Point made. Okay then, have it your way. Why are you so beat up about Beth dumping you for a change?

  You’ve dumped her enough times. You don’t like being on the receiving end?”

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  “It’s not that. Actually, I don’t really care about Beth that much. She was comfortable, familiar...I mean we’ve been together for years...but...”

  “A ‘but’ is never a good sign, sweetie, and there was always a ‘but’ with Beth.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So what’s really bothering you?”

  “Something she said. She said that I always put you and her second.”

  “How did I get into this?”

  “She said that I always put Joey first. Do you feel that way too?” I looked over at Laura for the first time. She was looking out over the river, the reflected light played softly over her even features. For a moment she didn’t answer. When she began to talk, I had to lean in closer to catch what she was saying.

  “You never knew this,” she said. “I never told anyone really, but I’ve had a huge crush on you for the longest time.”

  I opened my mouth, but she shook her head before I could speak. “Let me finish. I used to get so hurt whenever I would call you to do something and the answer was always Joey and I are doing this or Joey and I are doing that. It was even worse when it was Joey and I might be doing this or that. I wasn’t even competition with a possibility. After awhile, I guess I just accepted the fact that Joey would always get top billing when it came to you, but I still wanted to be close to you, so I infiltrated your little club. We became the three musketeers and we lived platonically ever after. All for one, right? As long as Joey was ‘the one.’ I got over you eventually. Now I wouldn’t trade your friendship for anything. Gabe knows I exist. He treats me right and I love 21

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  him. But to answer your question, yeah, I do feel as if I always came second to Joey.”

  “Why...why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  “Like what? Hey, Will, I’m in love with you but you treat me like dirt? Hey, Will, why is Joey so great?

  What’s wrong with me? Hey, Will, acknowledge that I exist, dammit? What was I supposed to say?” She swiped angrily at the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. I had only seen Laura cry a few times as long as I had known her. It unnerved me worse than anything she had said.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Laura.”

  “It’s ancient history,” she said taking a deep breath.

  “I moved on. Like I said, Gabe is the greatest. I really do love him. Maybe I’m not as over you as I thought, but I am moving on.”

  We sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “Did you know Joey and Shelley were dating?” I said at last.

  Laura sighed. “He still comes first doesn’t he?”

  “I didn’t...it’s just...”

  “It’s okay. I should be used to it by now. Yeah, I knew.”

  “Why didn’t he tell me?” I tried to keep the whine out of my voice, but I still came out sounding like a petulant five year old.

  “Maybe because he knew this would happen.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Will, every time Joey has ever had a girlfriend you’ve been jealous. You do nothing but pick them apart and criticize their every move. Maybe Joey wanted a little grace period with Shelley before you started in on her.”

  “I’m not jealous,” I said defensively.

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  “Oh please, then what was that whole scene up there?”

  “I was just surprised. I mean, you saw the way she was all over him. ‘Joe has told me all about you,’” I mocked.

  “See, there you go.”

  I opened my mouth to argue but Laura hurried on,

  “Look, Will, I have a very serious question I need to ask you. I want you to be honest with me. Please, I’ve never asked anything of you. And I don’t want you to answer until you can give me a 100 percent sure answer.”

  “Of course, Laura,” I said indignantly, “You know I would never lie to you.”

  “Not on purpose, maybe.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Never mind. Here’s my question,” she took a deep breath. “Are you in love with Joey? I mean romanti-cally—‘in love’ in love. Because if you are, you need to face it and deal with it and figure out what it means.

  You can’t just keep on hurting everyone around you.

  You know I’ll always love you no matter what.”

  “Are you...are you asking if I’m gay?” I asked in amazement.

  “Will?” We both turned toward the voice. It was Joey up by the parking lot. “Hey Will? Laura? Are you guys out here?”

  “We’re down by the water,” Laura called back. She turned back to me, reached out, and touched my cheek for just the briefes
t moment. I almost didn’t feel it.

  “Think about what I said, and remember I love you.”

  She jumped up and ducked into the shadows as Joey approached.

  “I, uh, didn’t interrupt anything did I?” he asked.

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  “No, we were finished,” I said slowly.

  “So, uh...what did you think of the apartment?”

  “It was great—airy and light with a great sense of the original integrity of the building. Great color schemes and tastefully decorated. Everything a guy could want,”

  I said sarcastically. “Why’d you come here, Joey? It wasn’t to talk about the apartment. Or are you that eager to foist me off on Aidan?”

  “Will, it’s not like that and you know it. Shelley thought I should go see...”

  “And when were you going to tell me about her? Was I going to be invited to the wedding?”

  “We’ve only been dating two weeks! I was going to tell you tonight. I told you there was someone I wanted you to meet. Do you think I’d be that stupid as to invite you to a party she was going to be at if I wasn’t going to tell you about her? I would have told you sooner but I guess I needed some time with her just to myself first.”

  I looked out across the river. “We’re growing apart,”

  I said softly. “Laura and Gabe, you and Shelley...me with nobody.”

  “We’re not growing apart, we’re growing up. You’re my best friend, Will, and you’ll always be my best friend.

  Nothing will ever change that. But we’re not fourteen anymore. We can’t spend all our lives together. We’re all going to have families and careers. It can’t be just the three of us forever.”

  “I don’t want things to change.”

  “Everything changes. If you don’t change, then you’re dead. Make the most of it. Now that Beth is out of the picture date new people. Try some new things. Get out there and live. You can start by moving in with Aidan.

  He’s a great guy; you won’t find a better roommate. I 24

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