Page 6 of Whiskey and Whispers
Josh had been having pains in his side for weeks, but hadn’t told anyone - including his wife. He’d ended up having emergency surgery one Saturday morning after he collapsed at the local farmer’s market while buying tomatoes.
“That wasn’t Rachel’s fault,” Marnie said, joining their conversation. She was a reporter at the local television station, doing mostly fun and light features. Marnie called ithappy news. “She didn’t know anything about it.”
Now the whole friend group had gathered close together - all familiar faces to Tate.
“Maybe she should have known,” Lindsay shot back. She owned a dog grooming salon in the downtown area. “She’s his wife, after all.”
“Maybe assigning blame isn’t a good idea,” Tracy said. She was a second-grade teacher, and her husband, Keith, was a mechanic who specialized in working on classic cars. Keith hadn’t grown up with all of them. “We don’t know what we don’t know.”
“Since he’s our friend, maybe we should just cut him some damn slack,” a deep voice said from over Tate’s shoulder. “Gossip is an ugly thing.”
Tyler Eckerd. Friend, prankster, high school wide receiver, and an all-around good guy.
He’d moved to Seattle after graduating from law school. Tyler was now a hugely successful mergers and acquisitions attorney living in Seattle who came home several times a year to visit his parents. When he did, he’d always stop into Tate’s Tavern for a catch-up. They’d split a pizza and have a few beers, chatting about life. Tyler had long ago decided to stay single and childless, declaring love too much trouble, and kids to be too loud and sticky.
“We’re not gossiping,” Diane sputtered. “I’m just explaining why they’re arguing.”
“You don’t really know what they’re arguing about, do you?” challenged Tyler. “So maybe we should cut the crap and stop passing around stories. You’re not doing anyone any favors here.”
Diane immediately stomped away, followed by her husband Larry, who had rolled his eyes at his furious spouse. Winnie and Glen also excused themselves, disappearing into the kitchen to freshen their drinks.
“I’m going to get a drink,” Marnie announced. “Who’s with me?”
“Me,” Keith and Lindsay said in unison.
“I guess I’ll go along,” Tracy laughed. “Tyler, it’s so wonderful to see you. How are your parents?”
“Have the time of their lives renovating the house,” he replied. “I never realized that paint swatches and carpet samples were so fun for my mom, but they are. She’s having a ball.”
“You shouldn’t be such a stranger,” Lindsay said. “Come home a bit more.”
“I’m coming home as often as I can, but work is insane,” Tyler said, shaking his head in regret. “I do call my parents twice a week.”
“You’re a good son,” Tracy said. “It’s lucky that modern technology makes keeping in touch easier than in the past.”
The group drifted away, leaving Tate alone with Tyler.
“Diane is such a bitch,” Tyler said with a wry smile on his face and no malice in his tone. “Only Larry would have the patience to be married to her. He’s a fucking saint. But let’s get to the important part…how the hell are you, man? It’s great to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too. Hell, I didn’t know you were flying in for the party.”
They hugged, slapping each other on the back like they used to do in high school.
“Like I had a choice,” Tyler scoffed. “Josh and Rachel were relentless about attending. Josh threatened to come get me and drag me here. I didn’t want him doing time for a kidnapping charge, so here I am. He’s too pretty for prison. I flew in this afternoon. Stopped to see my parents briefly, but I’ll be intomorrow for sure. Can’t wait for a large order of your hottest wings and one of your double cheese pizzas. I’ll bring Josh with me. I’m actually staying here for the weekend. My parents are redoing the floors in the house, and my room is piled to the ceiling with furniture and boxes.”
“Staying here? That sounds dangerous.”
“It is,” Tyler agreed. “When Josh and I get together… Thankfully, Rachel is an understanding woman with an excellent sense of humor.”
“Maybe you could lay off the pranks for one weekend,” Tate suggested.
“I guess I could,” Tyler laughed. “The older I get, the more work they seem. To be honest, I don’t have any pranks in mind for the weekend, but Josh seems almost disappointed that I don’t have anything wild planned.”
“He’ll get over it,” Tate assured him. “He?—”
Tate didn’t finish whatever he’d been about to say. The crowd in the living room had parted…
And there she was. Cat Townsend, looking absolutely gorgeous.
