14. Zeth #3
“I haven’t seen him, is all,” I answered lamely.
I hadn’t known this new Amby who made furniture, but I knew that he’d always preferred company to isolation.
Amby sounded depressed. Or maybe he was avoiding his house, specifically his father.
That didn’t make me feel any better, so I changed the subject, “Are you hiring?”
Just then, Millie stepped out of the dressing room as Arthur ducked through the front entrance.
He led in a man from my past. If I failed to remember Damien Cooligan’s uniquely light-blonde hair, then his disdainful glare as he caught sight of me did well to bring back all the times this shining example of Everdeen elite spit on my Chapel donation shoes.
I was surprised his ego fit through the door.
After him, his father entered, and I could feel the older man’s scowl from across the sales floor.
He was as annoyed as his son to share a shop with the Washers.
These two were the pond scum of town; thriving on rich nutrients to stay slimy.
My hackles rose, but Arthur’s voice boomed as he showed the Cooligans to some fashion books, a true friend. Millie walked right by them without a care, joining me at the counter.
“Did you pay?” she asked.
One of her curls was sticking out from the rest, so I straightened it. “Aye, just settling up.”
Emiline ripped her receipt free from the pad and handed me the copy. “We could probably use one more person around here, for alterations.”
For the second time today, hope rose within me.
“Me!” Millie exclaimed like a child claiming the last candy. “How fun! I’d love to, thank you. When can I start?”
My eyes flew to Millie to tell her no, but she was shooting me such a cute don’t-you-dare-tell-them-I-hate-sewing look that I understood instantly, Millie needed this opportunity.
I couldn’t deny her the chance to try working.
Memaw taught us both the basics, and if Millie worked hard, she could pay off our clothing debt.
Besides, she did tend to read the fashion pages more than the news.
I turned to Emiline. “Thank you. Millie’s a Washer, so she’ll fit right in. You won’t regret hiring her.”
“I’ll need to speak to Arthur, of course.”
“About hiring Millie?” Arthur said from right next to me and Millie. “No need to ask, there’s plenty of work to be done. She can start tomorrow.” He grabbed our shoulders, squeezing us up against him on both sides. “Now, how else can I help my friends?”
***
Warm, smoky air hit me first, and then the raucous chaos of a packed house of drinkers.
I grimaced, not in the mood for company, but made myself enter Everdeen’s most popular tavern anyway.
Earlier, when Arthur asked how else he could help us, I mentioned that I needed to fix my roof, and he suggested I meet his big brother over a round of drinks and darts after the shop closed.
If Arthur’s brother could assist me with repairing the laundry, that alone was worth a hangover and headache.
Determined, I glanced around the dimly lit room and found Arthur easily.
His brown beard and lumbering height stood above the crowd.
I made my way through the tables to where he was pulling darts from a cork game board.
As I stepped up to Arthur, he turned and gave me a big, welcoming hug as if he hadn’t just seen me earlier.
“Hey there,” I chuckled, awkwardly trapped in his arms until he let me go. Once released, I patted his shoulder. “Already started on the beers without me?”
Arthur nodded. “I always get a head start. Makes this game much more rewarding.”
Eyeing the darts in Arthur’s beefy hand, I voiced my doubts, “Is it safe to toss those pointy metal things while intoxicated?”
“Depends on how sloshed you are.” He nudged me with his elbow. “Don’t worry, I assure you I’m an excellent dart thrower, even drunk.”
“I’d say he’s full of shit, if I didn’t see him do it every week,” said another man from beside him. He was older, in his thirties maybe, with a short and stocky build, brown hair, and a friendly face. He held out a weathered hand for a shake. “You must be Zeth. Welcome back to town. Name’s Todd.”
“Or big brother,” Arthur teased, resting his elbow right on top of Todd’s head.
Todd tossed him off and smacked Arthur’s chest to push him back.
The two siblings looked like those stacking dolls, as if Todd was small enough to fit right inside Arthur.
I could see the resemblance, and their affection.
It was Todd who turned to me next, “I hear you need a roofer.” When I nodded, he raised his bearded chin. “Then I’m your man. I own the best roofing company in the Commonwealth. Just tell me where to go.”
Offers always had a catch in the City. People had angles, which were usually sharp.
But folk were different in Everdeen. At least, it felt that way among the middle class.
The milliner had been quick to loan me his cleaning supplies without charge, and Arthur opened a credit so I could buy clothes.
As I glanced between the brothers and their open willingness to assist, a knot in me eased until I could share, “I have a crack that needs filling.”
“I bet you do,” Arthur quipped ruthlessly.
His brother’s eyebrows shot up. “If it’s like that, I take back my offer to visit. I’m a happily married man.”
My face burned so hot, I was sure they could feel it as I looked between the two of them. Then Arthur suddenly laughed and grabbed my shoulder.
“He’s teasing.”
“I am,” Todd agreed with a cheery smile, picking up a beer mug from a stool near the dart board. “I like you. You’re joining us for a game and drinks. We can discuss your crack later. Once we’re sloshed.”
“Only if you’re buying,” I answered playfully. This time, I could tell he was teasing. Big brothers weren’t as bad as Millie always complained about.
“Zeth needs a partner for teams.” Arthur looked around the tavern. “We should ask Amby. He told me he wanted to be alone, but he’s looking pretty glum tonight.”
My breath caught, and I followed his gaze to where Amby sat on a stool, hunched over the bar. His chin was propped in his hand as he stared at nothing. His vest, shirt, and pants were too expensive for an evening of bar games.
He did look glum, and my heart went out to him. He shouldn’t be drinking while in such a mood. Maybe I could cheer him up. Here was my chance to renew our friendship, to settle my unease. To make things right.
“I’ll get him,” Todd said before I could offer. He approached the bar and slid onto a stool next to Amby. The shorter man motioned to the bartender for a new round of drinks while he chatted with Amby, until Amby peeked over his shoulder toward the dart board, and when our gazes met, his face fell.
My stomach instantly dropped at the rejection. So much for my plan to be his friend.
Yet, Amby slid off his stool and made his way over.
“Hello,” I muttered lamely once they reached me, taking the beer Todd handed out. A quick sip proved the hops were too rich for my taste.
Amby stiffened as he turned his face slowly toward me. He opened his beautiful mouth, then closed it before looking back at his drink, which he cupped with both hands like it held all the answers. I could tell his thoughts were swirling as much as mine.
“Evening,” he finally muttered.
“Ah, come on, my friend.” Arthur slapped Amby’s back so hard that he flinched, and some of his beer spilled out from his mug. “Let’s lift your spirits, huh?”
Amby wiped his hand off on the side of his pants. Then he slid it into his pocket as he nodded and took a gulp of his drink.
Not sure what to say next, I watched the brothers play their first round of darts. They joked while Amby and I sipped our drinks quietly. When I glanced sideways again, Amby cut his eyes away from me.
We were acting like strangers. Maybe Amby was shoving down his feelings too.
I didn’t like seeing him so quiet, and I never wanted to talk to him more than I did now.
I cleared my throat and swallowed, but what could I possibly say to bridge this divide between us?
By the way, thanks for the fuck. How’s your beer?
That might garner a precious laugh from him, but I didn’t want to belittle what happened between us. Our union had been near perfect. Now, it would be buried and forgotten. We were destined to live as quiet acquaintances from here on out.
Those truths burned as I finally asked, “Were you waiting for someone?”
Amby straightened. “No… Were you?”
Who did he think I was meeting up with? Anna? I couldn’t imagine her going out for a fun night around town. I couldn’t imagine her getting drunk at all. She was more likely to attend tea parties than enter a pub.
“No, I’m here with Arthur. He’s introducing me to his not-so-big-brother. Are you friends with him?”
Amby tipped his mug back for a swig. Then he sniffed. “Yes, we enjoy a game night here and there.”
“I’m jealous,” I quipped. “My social life in the City was just work and sleep.”
“Hm,” Amby hummed before he downed the rest of his beer.
The air around us felt uncomfortable, and I saw the rest of our lives feeling the same. It made me a little dizzy.
Or maybe that was from the alcohol. Either way, I needed to remove the tension. I needed my friend back. Amby’s mood was souring too as the brothers finished their turn. Todd declared their total and handed us the darts.
Amby faced me, but he didn’t look at me. “I’ll play one game. Then I’m going home.”
“One game’s all you need to discover I can’t throw worth shit.”