“Wait. He doesn’t know you’re living together? Her mom does.”
“He probably does,” I said, “but he doesn’t want to think about it.”
“How very Catholic,” Sara said acidly.
“Denial. It’s not just a river in Egypt.”
“Sometimes I think the Church runs on it.”
“No kidding. Anyway,” I continued, “I’m a little irked that Christy spends my money so easily, but it’s only money.”
“Jesus, only a rich kid would say something like that.”
“Hey, I can’t help it.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m mostly giving you shit.” She paused for a moment and then went on, “I don’t see why the party’s a big deal. No one’s forcing you. But if you have a problem with it,” she added, “why’re you talking to me? Why not Christy?”
“I… don’t know,” I admitted. “I guess I just wanted to vent to someone who cares.”
“That’s me, all right, the Caring Hotline.” She laughed, sarcastic and affectionate at the same time. “You’re a real asshole. For making me care.”
“I’m glad you do.”
“Yeah,” she said, and her tone was an extra tug on the ol’ heartstrings.
The silence threatened to turn awkward, so I cleared my throat and said, “What do you think I should do?”
“It’s only a weekend. If it’s just a regular party, get drunk and enjoy yourself. And if it’s a swinger party, you know how to handle that too. As long as Christy’s okay with it.”
“She is.”
“Then I don’t see the problem,” Sara said.
“I don’t either. Not when you put it like that. So it’s just me overthinking things. As usual.”
“Why do you have to make everything so complicated?” she teased.
“You aren’t the first person to ask that,” I said dryly.
It’s good advice, the little head said. You should listen to her.
No one asked you.
* * *
I never talked to Christy about the party. Instead, I decided I’d blown things out of proportion. Besides, she was busy with her Kanagawa pieces. She and Nikki took them out of the molds on Monday morning and immediately went to work with angle grinders, files, and rasps.
I talked to Lily instead, and she offered to handle the cabin reservation. Will knew a guy who knew a guy who could get us a deal, she said. I just wrote the check, which wasn’t that big after all. I’d been expecting to pay what the inn in West Virginia had cost, but it was a fraction of that. I was so surprised that I gave Lily cash to buy food and alcohol for the weekend.
My ego didn’t exactly suffer through the whole process either. Lily made me feel like a big man because I could pay for things. She wasn’t simply flattering me either, although that was part of it. Worse, I knew what she was doing and fell for it anyway. Some part of me was still a pudgy, insecure teenager who craved the attention, especially from a pretty girl like Lily.
Sara teased me about it when I told her.
“You were a fat kid?” she laughed.
“Pudgy,” I said testily. “I thought you knew.”
“No. And you were shy too? Wow, makes me feel better about the world.”
“I’m glad my suffering brings you joy,” I said.
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Isn’t that what you tell me?”
“Practice what I preach?”
“You said it, not me.”
“I don’t know why I called,” I grumbled. “All you do is give me a hard time.”
“Yeah, but you deserve it. Anyway, how’s the little princess?”
“She’s good,” I replied automatically. “Still working all the time. This is the third night in a row.”
“Is that why you called? You were bored?”
“No,” I lied, and she laughed at me again.
“Uh-huh, I see how it is,” she added. “Don’t you have a project of your own?”
“Yeah, but I finished it. I thought Christy’d need more help with hers. But she has Nikki—”
“Jealous?”
“Not really. She’s a better assistant than I am. She’s an artist too, so Christy doesn’t have to explain things to her.”
“We did the same thing back when I was in school,” Sara said. “I had a friend, another photography major, who used to help me in the darkroom.”
“Yeah, you told me.”
“So, you aren’t jealous of this Nikki girl?”
“No. She reminds me of you,” I admitted. “I think that’s one of the reasons I like her.”
“She’s a dyke bitch lesbian?” Sara said in surprise.
“She’s a punk. And I thought she was a lesbian, but now I’m not so sure. She’s definitely into girls, but maybe guys too. She’s a militant feminist, though, so I’m afraid to ask. Besides, we don’t have that kind of relationship. We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Sara said. “But I still have to give you shit about it.”
“Fair enough.”
“Since we’re talking about Christy… What’s she doing after she graduates? She should come out here. Maybe not full-time, but for a couple of months. Max could represent her. She doesn’t work with straight artists very often, but I think she’ll make an exception for Christy. She’s bent enough to qualify.”
“So bi counts for lesbian?”
“It does if we say so. You straights have had your say for long enough. It’s about time we decide who’s one of us.”
“Now you sound like Nikki!” I laughed.
“Whatever. I’m serious about Christy. And not just so I can steal her from you. She’d do well out here. The art world is exploding. And it’s real art, not the for-hire stuff I do. She could do what she wants and sell most of it.”
“I’ll mention it to her,” I said seriously. “But don’t expect anything soon. She has to graduate first. And then we have a summer project.”
“Yeah, no rush. Anyway, I need to go. I have a date. I’m on beard duty.”
“With Tasha’s husband and his boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe I’m so blasé about it. A couple of years ago, I’d’ve been afraid someone might think I’m gay.”
“Ha! No way. You’re so straight it hurts to look at you.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. But I gotta go. Call me next week and let me know how it goes this weekend.”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
* * *
I called Gina the following evening, and I had a better excuse than boredom.
“Happy belated birthday,” I said when she answered.
“Paul, hi! I’m on the other line.”
“Want me to call back?”
“No! It’s only my dad. We’re about finished. Hold on.”
The line clicked, but she returned about ten seconds later.
“Hi!” she said again. “How’re you?”
“I’m good. Sorry I didn’t call last week. Things were a little hectic around here.” I didn’t elaborate, especially since I’d been playing kissy-face with Christy and Lily at the time.
“And you forgot?” Gina said. “My birthday? Sniff, sniff.” She laughed. “I’m kidding. Things were crazy here too.”
“So, how’re you?” I asked.
“Good. Better now. It’s great to hear your voice. I wish I could talk longer, though. Regan’s driving me to the airport in, like, five minutes.”
“Then I won’t keep you long,” I said.
“You’re coming to Leah and Erin’s graduation, right?”
“Of course. We’re flying in tomorrow.”
“Christy’s coming? Will you be at dinner?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“’Cause I’m dying to meet her. I’ve heard lots of good things, and I want you to be happy.”
My throat suddenly felt thick with emotion. “You’re better than I deserve,” I managed.
“Tell that to the guys around here!” she laughed. “Oh, Paul, I miss talking to you. Now more than ever, when there’s so much going on in my life.”