- Aiden -
Claire stood up and wrapped her arms around me.
“Was that okay?” I asked, hugging her back.
“It was wonderful,” she said, smacking me in the chest. “But I could kill you for making me so nervous.”
“It’s not too late, ya know?” I grabbed the mic off the table. “I’m sure an encore would be appreciated if you’re not satisfied.”
“Don’t even think about it,” she said, giving me the same serious eye she’d been giving me since I was old enough to test her.
“Nice job, man,” Dave said, standing up behind her.
“Thanks, Dave.”
“The part about coming after me was a bit overkill, but-”
“I meant every word of it,” I said, smiling.
“I know you did, big guy.”
“You guys set for drinks or can I get you something?” I asked.
“I think we’re good,” Claire said, looking between her glass and Dave’s.
“Cool. Well, I’m going to get hammered now so if I don’t offer again, please don’t think I’m a dick,” I said, draining the rest of my champagne as I thirsted for something stronger.
“You are free to go,” Claire said. “Thanks for doing your bit.”
I nodded. “And for doing it so well.”
“That, too,” she said.
I walked around the table just as my Dad was walking up with two short whiskeys. “Well done, son,” he said, shoving one at me.
I took the glass and knocked it against his. “Thanks, Dad.”
“My favorite part was the bit about killing him if he blew it.”
“Funny,” I said. “That was Dave’s least favorite part.”
“He’s just lucky he doesn’t have to hear it twice,” he said, knocking his drink back. “I was going to share a similar sentiment, but I like the fact that you did it publicly. Way to keep it classy.”
I laughed. “That’s me, Dad, a bundle of class.”
“I noticed you brought Lucy Ryan as your date.”
“Yeah. It was Claire’s idea. She did her hair.”
“The two of you still just friends?”
“Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Why?”
“She’s pretty.”
“She’s always been pretty.”
“Yeah, but she used to be emo.”
I laughed. “She wasn’t emo, Dad. She just likes to wear black.”
“Well, the yellow is refreshing.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“And I spoke to her, and she didn’t cuss a single time.”
“Jesus, Dad.”
“What? All I’m saying is that it looks like she’s turned out to be a pretty respectable young lady.”
“Yeah, well, we’ve all come a long way since we were sixteen.”
“You should tap that.”
“Excuse me?”
“You should tap that.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” I loosened my tie. “Who taught you to say that?”
“Our new intern.”
“Well stop it. You’re too old to say that.”
“Christ. I only said it to you, Aiden.”
“I mean it, Dad. Never again.”
He blew air out from between his lips.
“How much whiskey have you had?” I asked.
“Just this one.” He stared at the drops in his glass. “Times six.”
“Maybe you should drink some water.”
“Are you kidding me? And watch everyone else get silly at the bar I’m paying for?”
“I see your point, Dad, but it’s still early. If you fuck up Claire’s day, she’ll punish all of us.”
He sighed. “Damn.”
“How’s Mom holding up?” I asked, looking around the room.
“Oh fine. Except her life is over.”
“What? What are you talking about? No it’s not.”
“Try telling her that.”
“I will,” I said. “If you promise me you’ll switch to beer.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“How about I get you your first one?”
“Deal,” he said, heading back to his table.
I had no intention of getting him anything else to drink. My hope was that he’d get bored waiting for me and drink the water on the table. Or even the wine. Anything to keep him off the whiskeys this early. Fuck. Maybe I couldn’t get hammered just yet.
I looked around the room and saw my Mom flirting with one of the waiters while she smuggled a bunch of pieces of salmon roulade into a napkin.
“Hi Mom,” I said, squeezing in between her and the underage staff member. “How are you holding up?”
“Good,” she said. “Except for the fact that I’m past my sell by.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, you don’t need me anymore,” she said, popping an appetizer in her mouth. “And your sister used to at least humor me, but now that she’s officially flown the nest she’ll never tell me anything again.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Now it’ll just be her and Dave and I’ll be the enemy that they try to avoid as much as possible.”
“That’s not true.”
She stared at me the same way Claire had two minutes ago. “Yes it is,” she said. “You think I don’t know what marriage does to people? It makes them secretive. It’s like a private club for two. And the two always need someone to align themselves against, and it’s always the mother in law.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why don’t you focus on the positive?”
“And what might that be?”
I grabbed one of her salmon bites and prayed for a light bulb. “I can think of three things.”
“I’m listening.”
“Number one is the fact that you’re a fantastic Mom to have raised such a well-adjusted daughter who is going to make such a good wife and mother.”
She dismissed my comment with a wave of her hand. “Claire raised herself. I didn’t even pack her lunches.”
“But nobody here knows that.”
“True.”
“So you can take the credit.”
“Fine. What else?”
“This is a great party and you put everything together.”
“It is fab, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I even heard a few people saying it was the classiest wedding they’d ever been to,” I lied.
“Who?”
“I don’t know their names.”
“What table are they sitting at?”
I pretended to look around. “I don’t know.”
“If you see them, point them out to me.”
“Okay.”
“What’s number three?”
“Number three is that soon you’ll be a Grandma and you’ll basically get to be a parent again without all the shitty parts.”
“I need a drink.”
“Was that not helpful?” I called after her. Damn.
I weaved my way through the room back to my table, slumped in my chair, and put my head in my hands.
“What’s wrong?” Lucy asked.
“My family is beyond insane.”
She laughed. “They put on a great party though.”
I turned my head towards her. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
She smiled and put a hand on my shoulder. “Your speech was wonderful.”
I sat up and leaned back in my chair. “You think so?”
She nodded. “It was lovely, Aiden. I actually got choked up.”
“Claire was worried I was going to embarrass the shit out of her.”
“I know. She told me when I was doing her hair.”
“Which looks great by the way.”
“Thanks,” she said, glancing down at her lap. “Not that it matters. I mean, your sister is absolutely glowing today.”
“I know. It’s mad, isn’t it?”
“It’s like she’s filled with tea lights.”
I smiled. “Thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for inviting me.”
“I can’t imagine anyone else being here. It’s stressful enough without having to worry about making sure my date is okay.”
She pursed her lips.
“Not that I don’t care if you have fun, but-”
“I know what you mean,” she said.
I reached for the white wine and tipped it over my glass. Two mouthfuls came out.
“Did you write your speech on paper?”
“Just notes. Why?”
“Cause maybe you could give it to Alex if I ever get married so he doesn’t cock everything up.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
“Which? Getting married or Alex making a mess of it?”
I turned to look at her.
She blushed.
“You have a yellow streak,” I said, noticing a cheeky flash of color in her hair. “I didn’t see that before.”
She smiled. “It matches my dress.”
“So it does,” I said, draining my wine glass. “My Dad’s delighted that you’re not emo anymore, by the way.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know. He told me he was glad I’d left the dark side.”
I laughed. “I think he might be wasted.”
“He’s one to watch alright.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but I stopped myself when I noticed Lucy’s eyes drift over my head and double in size.
“Sorry I’m late, babe,” I heard someone say in a familiar voice behind me. “Did I miss your speech?”