He flashed a death stare. “Mom!”
She threw up her hands. “Just making sure,” she said as Guy led her out to the dance floor.
Ryan stood and watched his parents dance to the Ed Sheeran song, clinging to each other, whispering in each other’s ears and laughing. They were still in love after all these years … and all he’d put them through. He wondered if he would ever find a lasting love like that.
As he watched, a recognizable face approached him. A pretty face. She looked like she’d dressed to work a bachelor party, but mistakenly ended up at the wedding. Not that he was complaining.
“Hey, stranger,” Cassidy greeted him.
“Good to see you again,” he replied, feeling much more confident than the last time they’d met. He took the mask off—might as well live dangerously. Life was dangerous, no matter how cautious you try to be. Even if his mother wouldn’t exactly see it that way.
“Last time I saw you, you were sprawled out on the pool deck. You gave us all a scare.”
He smiled. “That’s my thing these days—scaring people—they should hire me out for Halloween.”
“You are so brave.”
“I used to be the brave one in the family. But my grandfather got jealous of all the attention I was getting, so he got in a plane crash to top me. Now I’m just an afterthought.”
“If you ever need some attention … or some tender loving care … you know where to find me.”
“I think you’re stationed at the DJ booth,” they both looked to where Kaylee now had full control of the operation.
“Kaylee wanted it all to herself—she can be so domineering. I’m much more subservient.”
He’d been out of the game for a while, but he picked up on the seductive hint, and again, not complaining.
“It was my idea to play that John Legend song—I know he’s your favorite,” she continued.
Actually John Lennon, but close enough. “Thanks.”
“I thought you might come visit me at Vanderbilt last fall,” she said, and then went on about her sorority, which didn’t interest him.
“Maybe during my spring break. But I’m sure a college woman like yourself doesn’t want to be spending her time with a high school kid.” Which he still was, with plans to return this spring semester, a year and a half after he was supposed to start his senior year.
“I’d make an exception for you.” She took his hand. “So are you going to ask me to dance, or what?”
He noticed his mother’s disapproving look, and part of him wanted to take Cassidy up on her offer, just to annoy her. But he had another reason to decline. “I’m sorry, but I’ve already promised this dance to another.”
She looked confused—rejection was a foreign concept for her. “Please tell me you didn’t get back together with that idiot girl from high school who dropped you.”
“Nah, this girl would never drop me.”
He felt a tap on his back. “Are you ready to dance, Ryan?”
He looked down to see Carolyn Whitcomb. “Me? I’ve been waiting for you. Where have you been?”
They started toward the dance floor. “I was waiting for you to stop talking to Cassidy, but she was going on and on.”
“Kind of like your speech.”
“Did you like it?”
“It was the most unique one I’ve ever heard, I’ll give you that.”
They took their place on the dance floor, and Carolyn grabbed him around the thigh area. This wasn’t going to work. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He found a chair off to the side and carried it back, feeling stronger than he had in a long time. He set it down on the dance floor and Carolyn climbed up on it—no diving this time. Now they were the same height.
Carolyn copied the adults and gripped onto his shoulders, and he held her around the waist. And then they danced, or something resembling dancing.
“Why were you wearing a mask?” Carolyn asked.
“I’m still susceptible to germs, so the mask was supposed to help keep them away.”
“My Aunt Dana says you can catch germs from Kaylee and Cassidy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So why’d you take the mask off then?”
“I guess I just wanted to be like everybody else.”
“Sometimes I feel that way too.”
“You were right, you know. What you told me.”
“About what?”
“The first time I met you, you said that Billy and your Aunt Dana were so in looove. And seeing them today, they totally are.” They both looked at them, and Carolyn waved at Billy.
“It’s very romantic,” Carolyn commented.
“Do you even know what that word means?”
She smiled sheepishly. “I saw it in a movie once.”
“So are you going to miss them?” Ryan asked.
“Why would I miss them? They decided not to buy the beach house because this is their home. My Aunt Dana said so.”
“I’m talking about you. When you move to Nashville.”
Her expression changed. “I’m moving to Nashville?”
“I don’t have any inside information, but a dad isn’t just going to let his little kid live away from him forever.”
She thought for a moment. “He said we might, but I thought he forgot about it.”
“Trust me, parents never forget about their kids. That’s all they think about.”
She remained in intense thought. “Are you keeping it real?”
“I’m not punking you, if that’s what you mean.”
She kept thinking. “Well, I guess I could live in lots of places like Taylor Swift and EJ.”
“Who’s EJ?”
“My new friend from New York. I was going to Boston to wish you good luck. I couldn’t get there, but she told me you were going to be okay, and then we ate chicken soup and sang songs. She knows lots of stuff.”
“Sounds like a good friend to have. And thanks for trying to come see me … even if it got you suspended … I appreciate it.”
Her thoughts were still on her possible move, and she’d pivoted on the chair so that she could see Chuck and Lindsey. Her face scrunched.
“I guess that means Lindsey is coming with us,” she said.
“What makes you think that?”
“She caught the bouquet, so that means she’s gotta get married. So if she marries my dad, then she’s gotta come with.”
Ryan noticed the interaction between Chuck and Lindsey, and it contrasted from some of the other happy couples, including his parents. Maybe it was because of his injuries and medication … Ryan had been there, done that … but something seemed to be off.
“I think that means she’s next in line to get married. Nobody said anything about your dad.”
She looked puzzled. “Then who else would she marry? That makes no sense.”
He shrugged. “Sometimes life makes no sense.”
Chapter 70
With one arm, Chuck leaned on his cane. The other was draped around Lindsey. His pain medication was starting to wear off, but when he was with Lindsey, he was starting to understand his daughter—he felt no pain.
They danced in quiet for most of the song, before Chuck said, “I’m going to miss this place.”
“The place, or the people in it?” she asked.
He wasn’t sure what to make of the response, but continued, “It goes hand in hand. When I close my eyes I can picture everyone I love here. Carolyn running around the yard with Nails. Billy and Dana engaged in one of their witty conversations … at least they think they’re witty. Beth is always standing over the sink, doing the dishes, the sunlight in her hair.”
He paused for a second, fully aware who he’d left out. “I didn’t have a specific memory of you, Linds. No matter how hard I tried, nothing stuck out.”
“I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take that.”
“What I’m trying to say is, I have it now. This moment. You and me
right here, dancing in each other’s arms, at Billy and Dana’s wedding. Surrounded by all the people I love.”
She grew uncomfortable and pulled away. He steadied himself with his cane. It was not what he expected. “Did I say something wrong?” He was on heavy medication, so he thought it was possible it didn’t come out right.
“No—it was the most right thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s just that. We both know the music is coming to an end for us, and then there will be no more dancing.”
“June will be here before we know it … then we can figure things out.”
“It’s already figured out—we just don’t want to admit it.”
“What are you saying, Lindsey?”
“That you and Carolyn are leaving for a fresh start. I fully support it … I practically pushed you into it … it’s what you both need. And you can’t truly live, as long as you’re surrounded by ghosts. Beth isn’t at that sink anymore, and our dance is almost over.”
“Do we have to talk about this now? Can’t we just enjoy the night without thinking about the future?”
“Then when?”
“We agreed on June … when school is out, and the hockey season is over.”
“Didn’t you learn anything from what happened to you? You can’t put life off, or live it in a holding pattern—all you do is lose time that way.”
“It’s been a crazy few days. Let’s just catch our breath … and have this conversation when we can be more rational.”
“You can’t have a clean start by dragging the past with you, Chuck.”
“I’ll stay then.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can do whatever I want.” It was like the medication was causing a bad hallucination, and he just wanted to wake up. His frustration built.
“Do you remember what I said about if you truly love someone you have to let them fly away, and put the trust they’ll find their way back to you?”
“And I did come back to you.”
“But not in one piece. You tried, and I love you for that. But you didn’t make it … and you almost lost your life in the process. It was like the universe was telling you that you can’t fly backwards.”
She looked to Carolyn who was standing on a chair, “dancing” with Ryan. “Think how many memories you would have missed out on. You need to live for her, not wait for me.”
She put her hand over her mouth as she began to cry. She then rushed off the floor and out of the room. Chuck tried to go after her, but only could hobble a few steps with his cane and watch her disappear from view.
Chapter 71
Ryan watched as Lindsey ran off, crying, leaving Chuck behind. His feeling turned out to be true. He was afraid of that.
Luckily Carolyn was positioned so she couldn’t witness it. Ryan kept watching, and now Chuck was slowly ambling in their direction. Ryan had to make this quick.
“Remember when we talked about Lindsey and who she’s going to marry?”
“It was like ten seconds ago.”
“Well, don’t bring it up with your dad. In fact, don’t bring her up at all.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me on this one.”
Chuck finally reached them and tapped Ryan on the shoulder. He turned, acting like he hadn’t noticed he was headed their way.
***
Chuck feigned a smile and said, “Do you mind if I cut in?”
Ryan replied, “She’s all yours—I’m a little tired, anyway. I’m going to sit down for a bit.”
Carolyn remained on the chair, and Chuck wrapped his free arm around her, holding the cane with the other to steady himself. Carolyn still only came up to his chest.
“How’s your leg, Daddy?”
He kept the smile up. “It’s had better days—I was hoping by dancing with you, some of your painlessness might rub off on me.”
She laughed. “I don’t think it works like that.”
“That’s alright—Whitcombs are tough.”
“We play hurt.”
He smiled. “That’s my girl.” Then he took out an envelope from his tuxedo jacket and handed it to her. “I got something for you.”
“What is it?”
“Go ahead and open it.”
When she did, she found three tickets to Annie, on Broadway. When he explained what she was looking at, she began hopping up and down on the chair with excitement. “It’s an early Christmas gift from Billy and Dana.” Beth would always let her open one gift on Christmas Eve.
He would have given her the concert tickets from Dobbs, but they ended up lost, somewhere in the plane wreckage.
“I keep forgetting about Christmas,” she said with a shake of her head.
That was not to say that she didn’t have concerns that the Christmas Eve wedding reception might run too long and into the time that Santa delivered the gifts. But Chuck promised her that he’d spoken with the North Pole, and if they left Santa an extra cookie and beer, he would make their house his final stop after the party ended.
As painful as the last few minutes had been for him, her smile made up for it. Maybe the reason he gave the tickets to her early was not for her, but to make himself feel better. It didn’t really matter.
“There’s three tickets … is Aunt Dana coming with us?”
“No—she and Billy are leaving for Italy in a couple of days.”
“I forgot about that—they’re going to eat a lot of spaghetti.”
And hopefully some sightseeing … and other more private things.
“Then who is going with us?”
“Lindsey was supposed to, but something came up and she won’t be able to come.” He scanned the room, hoping she’d returned, but no sign of her.
She looked hesitant to bring up Lindsey—he wondered if she’d seen her run off. But it was as if she could only hold out so long.
“Who is Lindsey going to marry?”
The comment caught him off-guard. “Why would you ask that?”
“She caught the bouquet, so she’s the next one to get married, right?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. I’m not sure that the bouquet toss is scientifically accurate.”
Her expression turned quizzical. “But it might not be you?”
Now he was convinced she’d seen their breakup … is that what it was?
“I don’t think we’ll be getting married anytime soon.” He viewed the room once more. It was clear she wasn’t coming back.
“So she won’t be coming with us when we move to Nashville?”
“That’s right … hold on, how do you know we’re moving?”
She shrugged. “A dad can only leave a kid behind for so long.”
“It was hard enough for me to be away from you for five minutes.”
She nodded.
“So you’re okay with it?” he asked.
“I thought kids didn’t get to make big decisions?”
“You don’t.”
“Then it doesn’t really matter what I think.”
“Everything you think matters to me.”
They continued to dance—more like leaning on each other, trying to stay upright. A perfect description of their life since Beth died.
“I’m gonna miss the house … and Billy and Aunt Dana … and my school … but,” she held for a long second as a new song started to play, a Journey ballad. “I missed you more than those things when you were gone.”
Their dance turned into a hug. “I missed you too. What’s that thing you and Billy always say to each other? Stick together?”
“We’re not as good at it as we used to be.”
“Well, our motto is going to be ‘do it together.’ It’s just you and me, kid, and we’re going to get through this together.”
She smiled at him and buried her head in his chest. “Do it together, Daddy.”
Chapter 72
They swapped partners.
Dana linked her arm with Chuck’s, and said, “Let’s go find a place to sit down.”
“I’m okay,” Chuck said. “I think I’ve got one last dance in me.”
Dana laughed. “I was talking about me and these heels. My feet are killing me.”
As they walked away, Billy overheard Dana thanking him for getting her father to come. It meant a lot more to her than she would ever let on. Fathers and daughters.
Billy took hold of his new dance partner, who stood on a chair in the center of the floor. His mind wandered, as thoughts of fathers and daughters made him search out Anna and Maddie. He found them hanging out with Kaylee and Cassidy by the DJ station. Not ideal. But better influences than their stepfather, whose invitation must have got lost in the mail, along with their mother’s.
As if she felt his presence, Anna looked to him and waved. He blew her a kiss. But of course, Maddie pretended to reach in front of her sister and snag the make-believe kiss away, angering Anna, which wasn’t easy to do. But it couldn’t steal the smile off Billy’s face, as he savored every moment he got to watch them, for better or worse.
His attention returned to Carolyn, who reminded him, “You got married, Billy.”
It was starting to sink in. “Are you worried that’s going to change things between you and me?”
“You mean like you and Aunt Dana are going to Italy instead of going to see Annie with me and my dad?”
“And Lindsey.”
“Lindsey’s not going with.”
Interesting.
“I just want you to know that Dana might be my wife now, and Anna and Maddie are my daughters, but you will always be my best girl.”
“Actually, I’m your best man.”
“Thanks for doing that, by the way. I think you were a way better Best Man than your dad would have been.”
“That will be our secret,” she said, and made a motion like she was locking her lips. He did the same.
She then said, “And thank you for my early Christmas present … even though you can’t go.”
“It was my pleasure. But be sure to thank your aunt—it was her idea, and she did most of the legwork.”
The Carolyn Chronicles, Volume 1 Page 33