3. Ben
3
Ben
I ’m having a great time. I’m so glad that I came. Several of my friends were shocked that I was even considering it, and a few were concerned that I would be miserable. I don’t know why. I’m having a great time dancing with Mandy, Lee, and other guests. I’m not great at it, but nobody seems to mind. The food is incredible, everyone is happy, and often, when I come back to the table to eat, drink, or take a break, Trey is there. As good of a time as I’m having with everyone, I have to admit, at least to myself, that one of the reasons I’m glad I came was that I got to meet him.
Our conversation has been very light; I told him I’m an accountant, and he told me he’s working on his master’s degree in clinical psychology. Just the usual light chit-chat that you make at parties. Every time our eyes meet, though, I get just a little tingle. Sherri and Mitch did the cake-cutting a few minutes ago, so the cupcakes are fair game now. I’ve been looking forward to those since I saw them in the kitchen earlier.
“I’m going to go get a cupcake,” I tell Trey and Mandy as I get up. “Would you like me to get some for you?”
I stand waiting for their answer before I walk away from the table, and my hand settles on Trey’s shoulder, seemingly of its own accord. I’ve always been a casual toucher and a hugger, so it’s not really out of character for me. The reaction my body has to the contact, though, is something I’ve never felt before. It feels exactly like I imagine touching a live wire would feel: shocking, electrifying, and like I can’t let go. I feel Trey do a full-body shiver under my hand, and I wonder if he feels the weird charge, too.
Trey clears his throat before saying, “Yes, please, that would be great.”
Mandy is looking at me with her head tilted to the side like I did something strange. “Yes, Dad, thanks,” she finally answers.
I drop my hand from Trey’s shoulder, and it slides down his upper arm without any conscious direction from my brain. My fingers tingle all the way to the dessert table.
When I return with the cupcakes, Sherri and Mitch are there, talking with Mandy and Trey. Mandy and Sherri are hugging and sniffly, but after 24 years, I can tell happy tears from other kinds, so I’m not worried. Trey and Mitch both look just a little uncomfortable, and that makes me grin.
“Hi, Mitch! Congratulations!” I tell the groom. “This is a great wedding. It really feels like you and Sherri. Everyone is having a great time.”
Mitch pulls me in for a hug while Trey gives us a quizzical look. He must be another one who just doesn’t understand how I can be truly happy for them and how Mitch and I can get along.
“I’m glad you came, Ben. It was important to all of us to have you here today.”
“I’m glad too. I love seeing you guys happy and catching up with all the family. Now that we’re all living in the same area again, we need to get together and grill or something, maybe hike. You probably know lots of good trails that I haven’t even heard of yet.” I turn to Trey, wanting to include him in the conversation. “Do you hike, Trey? I like to get out with my dogs at least a couple of times a week. I have to get away from my computer screen to stay sane.”
Trey still has a slightly confused look on his face, but he gamely joins the conversation. “I really like hiking. I do gym time a couple of days a week and try to get outside a couple of other days. I don’t usually have much workout time, and hiking outside doubles as nature therapy for me.”
“Right?” Mitch answers. “There’s nothing like being outside to help even you out and put things in perspective. I’ll get ahold of you when we get back from our honeymoon, Ben, and we can all do one of the great trails I know. You’re welcome, too, Trey. The more the merrier.”
A slow song comes on, and Mitch and Sherri give each other a look and drift toward the dance floor. I watch them go with only a warm sense of rightness. The last little part of me that was worried about feeling jealousness or envy breathes a sigh of relief. I turn to ask Mandy if she wants to dance with her old man, but she’s already dragging Trey to the dance floor. Watching them does bring me a little uncomfortable tightness in my chest, but I don’t understand why.
I settle in to eat my cupcake, and my nephew Sam shows up with one of his buddies from work to chat. “Where’s your better half, Sam?” I ask him, referring to his husband, Paul. “I haven’t seen him yet.”
“He’s doing a rotation at the hospital in Cheyenne this weekend. He offered to switch the schedule, but I know he wants to finish up the last of his training as quickly as he can. The guidance counselor position at the high school is coming open, and he wants his training finished so he can apply. He only has another week or so of shifts at the hospital and a set of finals to be done. I’m really proud of him, and I think he’d be great at that job. Someone like him is just what the kids need.”
“I know a good counselor can make a huge difference in a kid’s life,” I agree. “It would be a tough job, but I think you’re right. I think Paul will be great at it.”
“I might have even talked to a counselor in high school if we’d had a decent one,” Sam’s friend Brett agrees. “It might have helped me recognize what was happening with my parents sooner.”
I don’t ask what that was because it’s definitely not my place, but since Sam nods in agreement, I do, too. “All kids deserve someone they can trust to talk to,” I agree, and the conversation drifts on to other small talk. Before I know it, the evening is winding down.
I decided not to drink tonight so that I could drive home at the end of the evening, and I know Mandy intends to do the same. She arrived yesterday with her mother to help set up, and I’m not sure how she’s getting back to her apartment. One day, she might get old enough that I don't worry about things like that, but not so far. I spot her and Trey helping Mark and Wyatt clear tables and feel a little rush of pride. I grab used utensils from empty tables on my way over to them and deposit them all in the kitchen where the catering staff is busy tucking things in tubs to pack back to the restaurant Leeanne runs.
“Do you have a plan to get home?” I ask Mandy as we gather another load of dishes and flatware. “I’m headed back in a few minutes, and you can ride with me if you want.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Mandy smiles at me. “That’s the other reason I asked Trey to come. I knew I could grab a ride back with him. We’re both headed to the same area. Tell the dogs 'hi' for me when you get home, and I’ll come see you guys this Saturday. Maybe we can all go for a hike up behind your house? That would be fun.”
“I’d love to. I’ll see you then.” Seeing that the load we just dropped off was the last one, I give Mandy a goodbye hug. Just as I’m letting go, Trey walks up after dropping his last load off, and his proximity causes another small electric shiver down my spine. My reaction to him is so odd!
“It was nice to meet you, Trey. Now that I live out here, I hope to meet a lot more of Mandy’s friends,” I say as I extend my hand to him, deliberately careful to shake with only one hand and not hold on weirdly long like I accidentally did last time.
“It was nice to meet you as well,” Trey answers, and even though I’m trying not to let my reaction show, his deep, warm voice, along with the touch of his hand on mine, gives me a very pleasant whole-body shiver and goosebumps.
Mandy is grinning at me like I’ve done something funny, but that happens a lot, so I don’t even ask. She’s amused by my awkwardness often. I tell her I love her and wave goodbye to Wyatt on my way to my car. All in all, a fun party and a great wedding.
On the hour or so drive back to my house, my mind spends a lot of time picturing Trey’s broad shoulders under his dress shirt and replaying the feeling of him shivering under my hand when I asked about dessert. I still don’t know what the weird reaction was about, but I know that he’s strong and handsome, and there’s no harm in me enjoying the memories. It makes the ride home quick and enjoyable.