The Keys to Jericho

by Ren Alexander

  Sitting in the kitchen at Dad’s house, I check through my to-do list that Kat and I had devised to make sure nothing is forgotten. Because I’m currently between jobs, as I was last summer, I’ve been able to get my shit done this week.

  Pausing my pen in mid-air over the notepad, it strikes me that it’s now been a year since Kat and I got together at the beach house. When we were living in separate cities during the year, time dragged, but now that our wedding is tomorrow, it seems time has flown by.

  Hearing footsteps coming into the kitchen, I look up to see Hadley. Looking surprised, she then frowns and asks, “What are you doing here this early?”

  “Early? It’s 11:13.”

  “Oh. Why are you here then?”

  “Waiting for you. Dad said you got back from your trip with Bethany yesterday and were coming here afterward.”

  She crosses her arms as she stiffly walks past the table, avoiding eye contact with me. “So?”

  “So… I’m here.”

  “Congratulations,” Hadley blandly sneers, while she goes to the cabinet for a glass. Filling it with water, she picks up a pill bottle sitting on the counter.

  Tapping my pen against the note pad, I hesitantly ask, “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.” Looking downward, she cringes as she shakes out a pill from the first bottle.

  “Don’t give me that shit. You look far from it.”

  Swallowing her pill, she snaps, “Thanks a lot.”

  “I wish I could say you look great, but you don’t. There’s a reason for that and—”

  She grumbles at the window, “I’m sorry I’m not in the running to win a beauty pageant.”

  “That’s not what I was aiming for. I’m only saying that because—”

  “I said I’m fine. Drop it.”

  “You’re just going to close up about it?” Fuck. This is like déjà vu in a sci-fi movie.

  She rolls her eyes as she continues to avoid looking directly at me. “I should rent a billboard and advertise how idiotic I am, right? WWJD—What would Jared do?”

  “You’re not idiotic.”

  “I guess Dad didn’t tell you the entire sordid story because you would be telling me that right now.”

  “Hadley, look at me.” When she doesn’t, I go on anyway. “I would never do that, and why would I? It wasn’t—”

  “My fault? Yeah. It was. All of it. Even when the room spun around, so just don’t bother.”

  I clench my teeth together and ask, “Where’s Finn right now?”

  Still not looking my way, she mumbles, “Working.”

  “No shit. Where?”

  “Jared. Leave it alone.” Hadley shifts her gaze to the counter and she sighs. “Why aren’t you with Kat?”

  “She’s getting her nails done and running errands. Don’t deflect.”

  “Don’t inspect. I said I’m…fine.” I hear a small gasp before she opens another pill bottle. “I’ve been a horrible bridesmaid. I haven’t been around to help her.”

  “Fucking understandable, Hadley. Kat knows this. We both said not to worry about—”

  “I’ll give her a call to see if she needs me to do anything after I pick up my dress.”

  “We need to talk, and you’re supposed to be resting. I can go pick up your dress.”

  She finally looks up at me. “I need to do it.”

  “It’s just a dress. I can manage it. I just hope they don’t make me wear heels when I try it on.”

  Not even cracking a smile, she shakes her head, repeating, “I need to do it.” Setting down her empty glass, she asks, “Is there anything you need me to do for you today? Do you have your tux? I can go pick that up for you, too.”

  “I have it. The only thing I need you to do is get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day for everyone. If you don’t rest today, I’ll demote you to benchwarmer.”

  Without warning, Hadley’s face crumples before her hand goes to her mouth. Confused, I ask, “What? Are you okay? Is it pain?”

  Just as fast as that happened, she drops her hand and composes her face. “I’m fine.” I still notice a brief passing of pain on her face and I sigh. “I’ll be okay. I’ll be a good bridesmaid.”

  “No dancing or swinging from the chandeliers.”

  “I’ll just sit at the bridal party table and get trashed.”

  “You’re on medication.”

  “I’ll only take my pain meds if I need them. If I don’t, I’ll be drinking.”

  “Easy on the drinking, too. Dash Calder will be there.”

  Hadley glares at me, but it doesn’t last long. Deflecting again, she says, “I thought that maybe Bethany was the one Dash liked. He was always looking at her funny.”

  “Uh, yeah. When she was with you, but she’s not the one he was gawking at.”

  She winces. “Oh.”

  “Are you bringing Bethany tomorrow as your plus one? I mean, since…”

  Hadley shakes her head. “She has to take inventory at her bakery. From what I’ve learned, a career defines a person more than they realize.”

  “It’s apples and oranges, Hadley. Not the same. He’s—”

  Glancing away from me, she says, “I’m going to get dressed and run some errands. I’ll call Kat, too.”

  “I mean it. I’ll be watching you tomorrow. I’ll have someone bring you back here if you don’t take me seriously.”

  She snaps, “You’re irritating me.”

  I frown and drop my pen. “What the hell for? I’m only looking out for you.”

  “Because… I’ve been looked after before by…” She slides her hand over the counter, something to busy her mind, I think. “Don’t treat me like a victim.” Shit. My sister sounds like me.

  “You’re not a victim.” Jesus. I’ve said that to my fiancée plenty, too.

  “Then don’t treat me like one. It’s all my fault.” Christ Almighty. We Becketts are more alike than I thought.

  She leaves the kitchen, and I sigh as I pick up my pen, adding a couple things to my to-do list, as well as to the one running in my head, which will be dealt with soon. I can promise her that.

  Fucking hell.

  Setting aside the shop vac, I shut the driver’s side door of my car as Dad pulls into the garage.

  Walking over to me as he loosens his tie, he asks, “How’s everything going?”

  I nod at my car. “Just checking off another thing on my list.”

  “Where’s Hadley?”

  “She had errands to run.” Before he can argue, I say, “I told her to rest, but you know how stubborn she is.”

  He frowns. “Yeah. She’s going to end up back in the hospital if she doesn’t take it easy. I’m worried about her.”

  “She said Bethany can’t make it tomorrow.”

  “That’s too bad. Hadley will have plenty of people to talk to there to cheer her up. I’ll make sure of it.” He glances into the garage and then back at me. “What do you have to do next?”

  “Nothing until the rehearsal.”

  “What’s Kat doing?”

  “Decorating the hall with her mother. I was told to stay away. Dash is there helping, though. I think it’s because of my keeping the honeymoon location a secret.”

  Dad ruefully smiles as he unbuttons the top of his shirt. “Oh. About that. Brenda knows. She heard me talking to you on the phone at the office. Sorry.”

  I scowl at him as I wrap the cord around the vac. “Jesus. As long as she doesn’t tell Kat.”

  “She said she won’t.”

  I roll my eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

  Heading into the garage, Dad says, “I’ll be back. I want to change clothes.”

  When I have the vacuum and the rest of my mess put away, the sound of a basketball snags my attention. Seeing my dad wearing nylon gym shorts, a tank top, and roughed-up hair, looking like the basketball star he used to be, I give him a weird look. He asks, “You in the mood for a little one-on-one?”

  I la
ugh. “What? You’re crazy.”

  Dad goads with a grin, “Are you chicken?”

  “I’m sober. There’s no way I can play you.”

  As he nimbly dribbles the ball, alternating hands, he scoffs, “Come on. I’ll go easy on you.”

  “Thanks? Maybe you should offer your charity to the homeless shelter or something.”

  Tossing the ball to me, I actually catch it and he laughs. “There may be hope for you yet, young Beckett.”

  Spinning the ball on the tips of my fingers, the only cool trick I know how to do, I counter, “I’m beginning to think that I’m walking into a noose, headfirst.”

  He crosses his arms and looks out to the road before looking back at me. “Nah. Just a friendly game of basketball between father and son.”

  I dubiously laugh. “Right.”

  Dad smugly smiles. “If you’re man enough, go move your car and we’ll play some.”

  “Wait. Oh, no. You’re actually calling my masculinity into question?”

  He shrugs. “Maybe you should be the one wearing the dress at your wedding.”

  My mouth falls open and I sneer, “That’s it, old man.” Since he’s not ready, I shoot him the ball, intending to bounce the ball off his body, but he quickly catches it and I gape at him in disbelief.

  Dribbling the basketball beneath his leg, making a flawless recovery, he grins. “How long are you going to stand there and gawk? You move slower than a legless turtle.”

  I laugh. “Come again?”

  “The clock’s ticking. You’d better get your ass in gear.”

  Getting into my car, I scoff, “Someone kidnapped Adam Beckett.”

  Parking my car in front of the house, I spin my hat backward as I walk up the driveway. He bounces the ball to me and says, “Visiting team goes first.”

  I roll my eyes as I dribble the ball, but I seriously ask, “What’s going on with you and Brenda?”

  Taking his eyes off the ball, he looks at me, confused. “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “Come on, Dad. Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

  Giving me a suspicious look, he says, “Maybe…”

  I sigh, scratching my head through the outside of my cap with my left hand, while dribbling with my right. “Are you fu—sleeping with Brenda?”

  Putting his hands on his hips, Dad squints his eyes at me and tilts his head. “Why would you think that?”

  “You’re awfully chummy with her.”

  “We’re friends.”

  “With benefits?”

  “Jared.”

  “You’re a guy. You can’t have stayed celibate since… It’s just not possible.”

  “I didn’t say I have.”

  I stop dribbling, stunned that he admitted that. “Oh?”

  He shrugs. “I’ve had girlfriends. Are you going to shoot the ball or am I going to have to show you how to do that?”

  “Smartass today.”

  “When necessary.”

  Tucking the ball under my arm, I ask, “So you’ve had girlfriends? Why didn’t I know about ‘em?”

  “Didn’t really stay with anyone long enough to tell you two.”

  “You have girlfriends occasionally or all the time?”

  Dad cautiously answers, “Off and on.”

  “Is this an on time for you then?”

  He laughs and glances down. “Actually, yeah. I uh, I am with someone. I’ve been with her since the week before Christmas.”

  “Um, how come I know shit about this?”

  “You haven’t been living here. We haven’t told anyone.” Is he serious?

  “What the hell, Dad? You’re dating a woman Hadley and I know nothing about?”

  “That’s why I don’t tell you about any girlfriends, normally.”

  “This one is different?”

  He slowly nods. “Yeah. She is.”

  “What’s her name and where’d you meet?”

  Dad anxiously licks his lip. “Her name is Nora. Brenda set us up.”

  “Jesus. Please don’t say she’s related to her in any way. I refuse to be Kat’s brother, but I’ll do without being a cousin, nephew or uncle, too.”

  Dad shakes his head and laughs again. “She’s Brenda’s best friend. She’s an executive at an insurance company. She used to live in Annapolis, but she took a job in Chicago. She didn’t like it and came back.”

  “I’m shocked. I thought you and Brenda were… I can’t believe you’ve been with a woman all this time and haven’t told us.”

  “I’ve always done it that way, Jared.” Holy fuck.

  “Keeping women you’re dating from us?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t want you two to worry about me or to introduce the wrong women, and you instantly compare them to… Thinking they’re…” He sighs. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Jared.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Just like you had your own reasons to keep Kat or any of your past girlfriends a secret, so did I.”

  I mutter, “Well, shit.”

  “Never expected to hear that from me, huh?”

  “Not exactly. I thought maybe you solely relied on Rosy Palm.”

  He laughs. “Why? Like father, like son?”

  I scowl. “No comment.” Finally shooting the ball, it bounces off the basket and he easily snares it, and I don’t fight him for it. I ask, “When are we going to meet Nora?”

  “Tomorrow. I was going to tell you and Hadley about her tonight after the rehearsal, but since your bachelor party is later, I thought I should tell you now.”

  “Wow.” My hand goes to my hat, anxiously shifting it, and I stammer, “Are… Are you in love with her?”

  He stops his dribbling and says, “Yeah, I am.”

  “Did you have trouble admitting that to yourself like I did?”

  “I thought I would, but seeing you go through it with Kat, I learned a thing or two.”

  “Like what not to do?”

  He laughs. “Something like that.”

  “You went through all that alone? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I’m your dad. It’s one thing for me to help you, but for me to be at a loss and show that to you, I guess my pride was on the line.”

  “Jesus, Dad.”

  “You indirectly helped me. Seeing you fall in love with Kat was a learning experience for you and me. I didn’t hide it from Nora for long.”

  I shake my head and toss out my hands. “I have no idea what to say.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “I honestly…Are you going to marry her?”

  “Uh, I…” He shakes his head. “Not without you and Hadley meeting her first. I don’t want to take that step if you two don’t approve.”

  “Dad, you’re an adult. Why do you need our permission?”

  “I don’t, but I feel like you two should have a say, since it’s my fault your mother left. I wasn’t enough for her.”

  “I doubt that, but she didn’t have to abandon her children.”

  “No. She didn’t. Leaving me was one thing, but leaving you two and not looking back? That’s unforgivable.”

  “Wow. I’m still stunned.”

  “See? Your dad still has some tricks up his sleeve.”

  “Understatement.” I walk over to him, putting my hand on his shoulder. “It’s about damned time you found someone.”

  “I guess I was waiting for the right one, too.”

  I grin at him before stealing the ball out of his grasp, dribbling to the basket for a layup. Rubbing it in, I laugh at him for being gullible.

  Shit.

  I’m more my father’s son than I ever realized.

  Shit.

  That makes me rather proud.

  “There’s the groom-to-be!” Brenda shouts from the steps of the gazebo as I cross over the footbridge.

  “Here I am.”

  “Your bride is somewhere around her
e. Maybe she ran off with one of the caretakers here.”

  I scowl at her. “Thanks a lot.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Just teasing. You nervous?”

  “No,” I lie. Even taking a shower after basketball hasn’t helped calm me.

  “Kat’s a bundle of nerves. She keeps shaking and can’t stand still. I’ve never seen her like this before.”

  Chuckling, Dad says, “She’s getting married.”

  Brenda laughs. “She’s done this before!”

  Again, I say, “Thanks a lot.”

  Brenda scoffs, “That asshole didn’t count, though. I just mean, she’s been through the technicalities of it.”

  Dad says, “But she’s marrying the love of her life this time. Right, bud?” Since Dad told me to leave my hat at home, he messes up the back of my hair, teasing me, no doubt.

  I cross my arms, and glance around the area. “Shit. I hope so.”

  Brenda covers her mouth. “I guess you’re nervous now?”

  I unconvincingly reply, “No.”

  Dash nearly skips over to me, yanking the blue sucker from his mouth he shouts, “Jericho!” He looks past me to Dad, mumbling, “Mr. Beckett.” His gaze then searches behind us to the bridge.

  I say, “Hadley isn’t with us.”

  Dash shrugs, but the corners of his mouth drop. “I was looking for Rio.” What a lie.

  “Why would Duquesne be with me?”

  “I don’t know.” He shoves the sucker back into his mouth and pretends to be interested in his phone.

  Rolling my eyes, I walk up the stairs, and I’m struck with the memory of proposing to Kat twice in here. Shit. I’m more nervous now and it’s only a rehearsal.

  For the biggest day of my life.

  Looking to the back of the gazebo, I see Kat standing in front of a bench with her back to me, which isn’t a bad thing, since I get to stare at her ass. I haven’t seen her naked in two weeks, with me packing up my apartment in Philly, while Kat packs her place, which is no easy task with all the shit she got for her bridal shower. Then with all the wedding chaos, we haven’t had time or energy to have sex when we are together, let alone say two words before falling asleep.

  Putting my arms around her, I rest my chin against the side of her head and say, “Hey, baby. Nice ass.”