Page 88 of Pity Parade

I look at the men sitting across from me at the pub and sum up my story. “I knew as the words were coming out of my mouth how wrong they were. My only excuse is that I really like Trina and I panicked.”

Jamie asks, “And you haven’t dated anyone seriously since your wife died?”

“No,” I tell him. “I think the reason I sabotaged things early with Trina was because I was afraid I could really fall in love with her. She’s an amazing woman.”

“This sounds like a romcom movie,” Teddy says. “One I’d totally want to star in, by the way.”

“I thought you were straight superhero these days,” Tim says to him.

“That’s only because no one has offered me a choice romcom. I secretly dream of becoming the Cary Grant of our generation.”

“Shooting a little high there, aren’t you?” Jamie teases.

Teddy shrugs his shoulders. “Better to shoot for the stars.”

Tim announces, “I have some interesting news for you.” All eyes turn to him, so he continues, “Our ladies are putting together a singles’ tent at the Fourth of July fireworks. Trina is getting busy trying to find herself a boyfriend before her show is scheduled to shoot.”

“I’ll have to go,” I tell them. “I’ll make my grand gesture there.”

Jamie shakes his head. “Missy was telling me that Trina is going to ride on a singles’ float at the parade. I think that’s where you make it.”

“How exactly would I do that? I can’t see Trina letting me ride the float with her,” I tell him.

“The good news about parade floats,” Jamie says, “is that they don’t go fast. You could run alongside and plead your case to Trina.”

“With the whole town watching?” I ask. “Don’t you think she’d find that embarrassing?”

“You wouldn’t mention that you told anyone she used to be a guy,” Tim offers. “You’d just tell her she was beautiful, that you can’t get her off your mind, and then you’d ask her out.”

“A public display might work against me,” I tell him.

“But it also might work for you,” Teddy says. “Every woman in town is going to melt when she sees the lengths you’re willing to go to date Trina. Public opinion would definitely be on your side.”

He makes a good point. “So, I bombard her with romantic gestures during the parade and then I show up at the singles’ tent that night. You think that will be enough to sway her?”

My new friends think it’s a sound plan. Jamie says, “I kind of feel like Missy might be on your side in this. She didn’t tell Trina as much, but it was clear to her that you did what you did because you have strong feelings.”

“Faith feels the same way,” Teddy adds. “She told me that while she’d be madder than a wet hen in winter if I’d done that to her, from the outside, she acknowledges your intentions were not to hurt Trina. Merely to intimidate the competition.”

This is refreshing news. I thought for sure Trina would have succeeded in getting all her friends to hate me. “It sounds like we’ve come up with a great plan, but what do I do in the meantime? Should I try to get Trina to hear me out before the Fourth?”

“I wouldn’t,” Jamie says. “I’d give her some space. She might even find that she misses seeing you.”

“But if you see her out and about,” Teddy says, “Smile and wave. Don’t ignore her.”

“Be friendly,” Tim adds, “but not pushy. She’ll start to wonder if she’s making too much of things.”

“I hate waiting for two weeks without apologizing in person,” I tell them.

“Remember what happened to the roses you gave to her,” Jamie warns. “You’ve got to give her space to come to terms with her feelings.”

After tying up loose ends on our plan, the guys and I spend the rest of the evening playing darts. I learn a lot more about them and I wonder why I don’t hang out more with men at home. That’s when I remember that I effectively removed myself from my friends when Jess died. When I started over, I didn’t make friendships a priority.

I say goodnight to my new compatriots at ten. I hope it’s not too late to call Shelby, but the truth is she really is my best friend and I’m worried about her. Sitting in my car, I push the button with her name on it.

She answers immediately. “Hey.”

“How did it go?”

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