“I can’t comment about the Wesleyan girls, but Lisa doesn’t do drugs, and she’s not a slut. I know because I took her virginity,” I said with a little heat, finally having enough of Alan and his wild accusations.
“You would protect her. It was because you sided with Lisa that I decided to take you down.
“And for your information,” Alan continued, “why do you think Bill Rogers and his drug friends started those rumors? She was buying drugs from them. She never had any money, so they let her give them blowjobs as payment.”
“Jesus, Alan. You’ve always come up with some of the dumbest stuff,” Tami said, finally getting involved. “It’s one wild conspiracy theory after another, all made up to fit your personal narrative.”
“And you …” Alan said to Tami with a glare. “You thought I raped you.”
“Alan, I’m warning you. You’re this close to me beating you down,” I glowered.
“Fuck you, David. You thought it too. And you want to know something? If I had the chance, I would rape you,” Alan said to Tami as he stomped away.
Tami grabbed my arm to stop me from ending his miserable life.
“Forget about him. Let’s say goodbye to Jeff. Alan had it right; Jeff was the best of us. He doesn’t deserve the drama Alan brought with him today. Let’s spend our visit remembering happier times.”
We began telling our favorite stories about Jeff. Soon, we’d forgotten about Alan and were laughing. I remembered the first day of high school, he’d shown up in this goofy t-shirt with butterflies on it. Between him looking like a dork and Alan and his wild poodle-looking hair, it was no wonder we’d been considered nerds.
The thing was, I missed that.
Life hadn’t caught up with us yet, and we didn’t realize how ridiculous we all looked or acted. We lived in our own happy little bubble. We had each other, and life was simple.
“Can I kiss you?” Tami asked.
I smiled.
“Of course you can,” I said as I leaned in.
She began what turned into more of a make-out session. Finally, we pulled apart.
“Can I say something, and you not read too much into it?” I asked.
“You keep forgetting that I’m a girl,” Tami teased.
“Even so?”
“Sure.”
“Remember the talk you gave me about someday?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“At the time, I was positive that our someday would never come. I’m still not sure it ever will, but I’m not going to shut the door on it. We’re about to go off to college, and you’re nowhere near ready for a serious relationship. I’d thought Brook was the one. I’ve discovered I’m every bit as not ready as you are,” I shared.
“Thank God.”
I smiled.
“Tami, I’ll make you a promise. I’m not going to pressure you or pursue you again like a lovesick puppy. If you ever become ready for us to explore what we can be together, you have the power. You’ll have to ask me,” I said.
“I thought that was the guy’s job,” Tami said to make light of it.
“Please. In today’s world? You’re a strong woman who’s smart enough to know what you want. If you need me to take my shirt off to remind you …”
Even as I made the quip, I realized my shirt joke was getting old. I vowed to stop making it.
“No, I get it. I’m not going to inflate your ego more than it already is,” Tami said and then got serious. “David, it’s always been you for me. When I dream about what my life will be like, you’re always in it. If I’m honest with myself, I’ve probably loved you since I first met you. I was the new kid who everyone just stared at, and you came up and made me play softball with you.
“When I got older and began to understand what it all meant, I made sure you were my first. And I hope that when our final story is written, you’re my last.”
“I do love you,” I said.
“I know you do. And I love you, too.”
We kissed one last time before we left.
◊◊◊
Epilogue Monday May 15
I met my dad, brothers, and uncle for breakfast before leaving. My bags were all packed, and I would be meeting Fritz and Lexi in Chicago for our flight to London. The filming for Devil May Care would begin on Wednesday. Chubby Feldman had warned me that I’d better be ready. Their schedule would be tight to get all my scenes done by mid to late August when I had to leave to go film Star Academy’s next two movies.
We requested to eat upstairs in my other restaurant, Our House, to give us some privacy. After we’d been served, Uncle John kicked off our meeting.
“How are you feeling, David?”
I glanced over at Greg.
“He can’t help himself, can he?”
We both smiled at my uncle.
“Funny. Now answer the question.”
“Honestly, I’m torn. On the one hand, I can’t wait to get on with my life. Lexi sent me our shoot schedule for the Bond movie, and we’ll be in London, northern India, and Hong Kong, all places I’ve wanted to visit.
“I’m also looking forward to going to college and playing ball,” I shared.
“What’s the other hand?” Uncle John asked.
“I’m leaving my family behind. My kids are just starting to discover the world as they become surer of themselves. By the time I see them again, they’ll be almost two,” I said.
“We’ll all take good care of them,” Dad assured me.
“If I wasn’t confident of that, I couldn’t go,” I admitted.
“You’re not thinking of backing out, are you?” Uncle John asked.
“The thought had crossed my mind, but you taught me what it means to be a man of my word. Until Coby was born, I had no idea how quickly my son would take over my heart. This time, leaving has been harder than before because I realize that as soon as I get back, I’m off to Oklahoma. It won’t be like I can just drive home and see them,” I said.
“You’ll have to work on getting your jet certification so you can fly to Malibu when you get homesick,” Greg said.
“How’s this making you feel, Rob?” Uncle John asked.
“Like David, I’m of two minds. It will be nice to finally get these two out of the house, but it’s a big step. I know in my heart that having my two older boys off to college is a measure of success, and I’m sure they’ll both be okay. But I used to look forward to coming home each night and spending time with them. If Carol didn’t have David’s kids to look after, I would worry about her,” Dad said.
“She’d just focus on you if they weren’t there. You should thank me,” I said.
Greg snorted out a laugh as he tried to hold it in.
“Thanks, I think,” Dad said.
“What about you, Greg?” Uncle John asked.
My big brother suddenly looked sad.
“For me, it won’t be so bad. Losing Angie hurt, but she’s made it clear that her leaving was best for all of us. Without Melanie’s help with cooking and cleaning, and Ms. Lawrie to help watch the kids—thank you, David, by the way—I would be overwhelmed. While I’ll miss you guys, I expect I’ll be fine,” Greg said.
“Especially with your love life looking up,” I said.
“What’s that?” Dad asked.
“Shut it, David,” Greg said.
“I heard that David struck out with Joey, and she settled for you,” Phil said to spill the beans.
“You’re into a guy?” Uncle John asked as his eyebrows shot into his hairline. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s that I’d always assumed …”
Dad, Phil, and I almost fell out of our chairs, laughing at Greg.
“Thanks, I’m not going to miss any of you assholes,” Greg said.
“What am I missing?” Uncle John asked.
“Joey is our personal trainer, and she isn’t a guy,” Dad said to illuminate for my uncle.