Page 38 of A Chance for Us
I blink a few times, unsure of what the hell came over me, and Oliver steps back. “Good enough for you, brother?”
Josh grins. “Improvement for sure.” He raises his glass again. “As the best man, I’d like to say a few words.”
“No,” Oliver says quickly.
“It’s tradition,” Josh says smoothly, and his girlfriend, Delia, gives me an apologetic look. “My brother is the best person I know. He’s giving, willing to do anything for a friend in need, and always putting the people he loves first. It’s a gift, really, one that neither I nor my other siblings possess. Oliver truly is the best of us. Maren, it’s been an honor getting to know you, and we welcome you to the family.”
Everyone raises their glass and takes a sip as Josh makes his way over to us.
“I behaved.”
“Kind of,” Oliver says, draining the rest of his glass. “Also, who made you best man?”
“What, you were going to pick Grayson?”
“I was going to pick Stella since she has bigger balls than you. Or maybe Jack since I like him the most right now.”
“Since it’s not real, it doesn’t matter.” Josh shrugs as Delia wraps her arms around his middle.
“I’m so sorry for that. I made him promise to behave, but we all know that’s like trying to control a tornado,” Delia says as she looks up at him. “All things considered, it could’ve been worse.”
“It will be,” Josh promises. “The actual speech will be much more fun.”
She sighs. “This is the first time we’ve let him around adults since Everett was born, he’s a bit rusty.”
“Honestly, I’m not surprised. If someone in my family decides to do a speech, they’ll be doing the same. My aunts and uncles are all smartasses who would thrive on chaos,” I explain.
When I was little, my family was always up to mischief, usually my father was the object of their torment. It didn’t matter that he was the oldest of them, he was the easiest target. Daddy loved his hair and would spend hours making sure it was always in the right place, he agonized over his clothes, and it’s still a constant joke. Vanity will be my father’s ultimate downfall.
“Good, then we’ll find out everything we can about you so we can embarrass you tomorrow at the rehearsal.”
Linda and my father approach, and Oliver takes my hand, squeezing just a little.
“Maren, dear, your father is getting tired, and I need to set up his medication. How much longer will this be?”
I look to my father, who rolls his eyes, saying, “I’m fine, Linda.”
“You are not fine. You are sick and need to take care of yourself. Maren doesn’t understand what it’s like for you. She doesn’t come around often enough to see your daily struggles,” Linda argues. “I’m the one who manages everything, and believe me, I know when you’re overdoing it and need rest.”
He closes his eyes but nods. “You’re right.”
I want to scream. To throw my hands up and tell him to be a man, take a stand, not to let her control this, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t help. “I would be happy to get you situated somewhere so you don’t have to leave, Daddy. I really would like for you to stay and spend time with the family.”
He looks to me. “I would too. Maybe once I take my medications . . .”
“And a nap,” Linda adds on.
“And a nap, I’ll come back down.”
Aunt Eileen stops next to my dad. “Are you heading up to bed, Pat?”
“Yes, I’m tired. Linda is making sure I don’t overdo it before the big day.”
She looks to Linda and makes a sound through her nose. “I see.” I share a glance with my aunt because we both know the truth—Linda is done. “Well, it’s too bad you can’t tough it out a bit longer. We were going to sit in those chairs by the lake, but I understand that Linda might think it would be too hard for you to relax in all this fresh air. She often has you guys leaving early when she gets tired too.”
Linda bristles. “I’m not saying it’s too hard to sit. I’m saying your brother is ill and needs to rest.”
“Then let him rest by the shoreline. We’ll make sure he doesn’t get up,” she suggests. “He also hasn’t gotten to see his daughter and siblings in quite some time, which means he can push a little if he thinks he’s up to it. Since we all know the nature of his illness, we also know that time is fleeting. So, if my brother thinks he can manage, he should get the choice. Do you think you can manage it, Pat?”
