Page 101 of Happiness for Beginners

On top of that, I’d managed a paradigm shift. I had found things to like about everybody on this trip even though I started out thinking I’d hate them all. And I had made at least one real friend—a friend who had taught me to look for what I wanted in a different place. After a year of talking to almost no one but Pickle and feeling a constant, unfulfilled longing for some kind of happiness almost like it was a prize I could win, I had finally come to understand that not getting what you want is actually the trick to it all. Because not getting what you want forces you to appreciate what you already have.

I finally got that if you were always in a state of longing you could never truly get satisfied, and that insight hit me just as a veritable tidal wave of longing for Jake crashed over and swirled all around me—and maybe it had to get that bad before I could really understand. But alone by the lake, all I could do was lean down, press my head against the railing, and wait for the feeling to pass.

This was good for me, I decided. Maybe my heart had needed a little jolt, anyway—just to get itself pumping again.

I willed myself to bounce back. Life is going to knock you down over and over, I reminded myself, and the best you can do is learn to get back up. I was going to head home tomorrow morning with a Certificate—proof positive that I was not defeated. That was something. That was really something.

Behind me, I heard the Steve Miller Band go quiet. Then a tapping sound on the speakers, as Beckett said, “Is this thing on?” too loud and too close, followed by a squeal of reverb.

I guessed that was my cue to go back inside.

I slipped in and found a spot next to the stone fireplace. Jake and Windy were standing together, but I kept my eyes on the stage.

Beckett held the mic up again, this time a little more gingerly, and said, “Hooray for another BCSC successful trip! No drownings! No decapitations! All right!”

The room cheered.

“Hope you guys are liking the pizza.”

The room cheered again.

“We’re going to present Certificates now, while everybody’s still sober.”

Another cheer.

“After that the night is yours to squander however you like!”

More cheering.

“One quick announcement: You’ll be glad to hear that Hugh is still alive.”

The room went crazy.

“It was both a fractured and dislocated hip—so, pretty uncomfortable there—but it looks like he’s going to make a full recovery. Martha at the front desk has his address, if you want to stay in touch.”

“Huey Lewis!” Caveman shouted.

More cheering.

“Now,” Beckett continued, “for the grand finale of our time here. Drum roll, please,” and Vegas and Hound Dog obliged. “As you guys know, BCSC awards Certificates of Merit to the three finest students in every course. We’re not necessarily looking for the biggest or the strongest, here. We’re looking for the students who give it their best shot every time; the ones who pay attention; the ones who have made our trip a better experience just by their presence. You all voted for your top choices by secret ballot, and the three people we will honor tonight will go on to great things. Past recipients of BCSC Certificates now run corporations, lead expeditions, and generally rule the world. These are the Navy SEALs of the wilderness, people!”

Another cheer.

“Martha from the front desk has tallied the votes, and she’s ready to announce the results. And so, I present: Martha!”

A leathery, no-nonsense, sixty-something lady joined Beckett at the mic and leaned in. “I’m here to announce this June’s Absaroka Course Certificate recipients.” She unfolded a piece of paper and put on her reading glasses.

She squinted. “The first recipient is—”

Beckett did a drum roll on the pizza table. I felt a sting of nervousness.

“Jacob Samuel Archer.”

The room cheered and clapped. Windy grabbed Jake and hugged him. The guys shouted, “J-Dog!” and “Jaegermeister!” and, for some reason, “Juice!!”

Jake walked up and took a bow.

Martha handed him a Certificate, but she also had a medal on a red ribbon for him, like we were at the Olympics. He bowed his head as she placed it around his neck.

---