Page 34 of All In
“So, when can I get your room ready at my place?” Big C asks me as he saddles up next to Ricky. He’s in town visiting. I’m at Dexter’s with both of them, blowing off some steam on a Friday night. Just like old times, except Big C is on our side of the bar.
Before I can answer, Miles, the bar manager, races over to say hi. “Big C! Nice to see you, man!” They grab hands and lean into each other for a semi-bro-hug above the slick, lacquered bar. “We are slammed tonight. I could use you!”
Big C lets out a hearty laugh. “No way, man. My days of slinging pints are over. I just want to hang with these two losers tonight,” he says as he waves his finger between Ricky and me.
Miles shrugs. “Suit yourself. Nice to see you again, though.” He points to us. “If you fellas need anything, let me know. In the meantime, the first shot is on me.” Before I know it, three shot glasses filled with whiskey materialize in front of us. As we raise the glasses, the scent of alcohol wafts into the air. “To new beginnings,” I say and down the amber-colored liquid as the burn coats my throat.
Ricky’s eyes lock on mine, filled with excitement. He turns to Big C. “Cool! So you told him.” Big C winces and lowers his head. Ricky turns back to me, his inquisitive eyes searching for answers. “I’m impressed! You’re taking it better than I thought you would.”
I look at my two friends with their two different reactions to what Ricky said. I pause, taken aback. “Told … uh … told me what?”
“You know, about Maria”—just hearing her name stirs my curiosity—“andtomorrow,” Ricky retorts as if I should know what he’s talking about.
As I sit here, my bewildered expression must be apparent because Ricky mirrors my confusion, realizing finally we aren’t on the same page. I peer past Ricky and catch a glimpse of Big C, his eyes fixed straight ahead, his jaw clenched. “Dude, what’s going on? Is Maria okay?”
“Maria’s great,” he replies, without bothering to make eye contact. “She’s getting married.” As he turns his attention to me, I notice a slight crease forming on his forehead. “Tomorrow.”
The blood drains from my face. Heat rises to my head, and the usual Dexter’s commotion fades to black. My unanswered questions from the past year are now getting resolved with those three words. ‘She’s getting married.’ It explains everything. Why she didn’t show. Why she stopped writing. Why she never answered any of my letters.
More than likely, Nate proposed that night at the Cavs’ game. What other explanation could there be?
“Dude, you look pale,” Rickysays.
I stare down at the bar, my throat tightening as I struggle to find the words. “How … um … how do you know?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse Big C reaching into his back pocket and retrieving a folded-up newspaper clipping. He tosses it my way, and I watch as it glides effortlessly down the bar, slipping past Ricky. I quickly halt it with a firm hand. I hold it, feeling the weight of curiosity with what I know lies inside. A thick tension hangs in the air. With Big C’s and Ricky’s unwavering focus, they wait for me to make a move.
“We were going to tell you tonight,” Big C starts. “The plan was to get a few beers in you first, you know, to soften the blow. Maybe make it hurt less.”
We remain silent, creating a palpable tension in the atmosphere. My head pounds against my skull, the thumping rhythm blending with the boisterous bar noise.
Finally, after a few minutes, Ricky speaks. “Are you going to read it?”
I nod, but before I open it, I turn to my two closest friends and a surge of gratitude for their unwavering support. However, I need to be by myself. “I think I need to read it alone.”
They both nod and turn on their bar stools. I don’t feel Ricky’s presence anymore, more than likely disappearing into the crowd. Big C’s imposing figure stands only a few feet away, allowing me the space I asked for, yet watching.
The newspaper clipping crinkles as I unfold it. My fingers graze over the raised lettering on the paper that has started to yellow. It’s only half of a full sheet, the edges uneven from this portion being ripped from the rest. As soon as I look at it, my eyes lock onto the clearly displayed date at the top. It’s from two weeks ago.
How long has Big C hung onto this?
I shake the thought from my mind because it doesn’t matter.
I turn it over and staring back at me is still, to this day, the most beautiful woman.
My Maria.
But in this black and white newspaper photo, she isn’t mine. She belongs to Nate. Both of them are smiling ear to ear, leaning into one another. Maria’s lefthand is resting on Nate’s chest, and on her third finger rests the biggest diamond ring I have ever seen.
They look perfect. The All-American couple. Pristine, polished … and engaged.
Before I read the announcement, I flag down Miles. He sets a beer in front of me. I take a long swig and begin to read.
Bryant - Connelly
Lily and John Bryant of Youngstown, Ohio, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Maria Lynn Bryant, to Nathanial James Connelly, son of local businessman Roger Connelly and his wife, Rosemary Connelly.
Maria is a student at Ohio Northeastern, where she is studying exercise science. She is currently employed as an EKG technician at St. Augustine’s Hospital.
