Seven Days

by Charles, Rhoda

  It took Rhys a moment to respond, but when he did his tone was incredulous, “You want me to move in with you?” he asked.

  “I want you to leave the responsibilities of being the head of the family behind,” she said, and watched as he started to close himself off from her. “Luke and Carolyn are adults. They can take care of themselves. They can take care of you, if you let them. If you let me.”

  He sighed and pinned her with a Rhys stare. “Cera, when I left, I told you...we agreed that you wouldn’t wait for me—”

  “I didn’t,” she interrupted, “I kept on living, but I don’t think you did.” She let him pull away from her and walk the distance of the patio. She’d thrown him, she knew, and he needed a moment. Rhys was the caretaker, which made it very hard for him to let others take care of him.

  “Okay—” he started, but cut himself off and looked down at the ringing phone in his hand. “Hang on.”

  To Cera’s ears, it sounded like he was just about to agree, but then his phone rang. She sprang up, suddenly full of nervous energy. She grabbed their half-empty bottles and took them over to the recycling bin, turning her back to him because she needed a second, too. There was unfinished business between them. Now was as good a time as any to address it, she figured.

  He’d stopped talking and she turned back around, ready to delve into their layered past, but froze when she saw his face.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, scared of his answer.

  “That was Carolyn,” he said, and started to tremble.

  Carolyn hit every light on Germantown. Got caught behind the SEPTA city bus, which had a passenger either getting on or off at each corner. By the time she got to the hospital at the top of the hill, she was frustrated and anxious and most of all scared. She had no idea what condition Julian was in, but at least he had to have been alive to have given the EMTs her contact information.

  She rushed to the desk in the Emergency Room, “Julian Todd, car accident.” That was coherent enough, wasn’t it? Before the man behind the desk responded, she heard Julian calling to her. He was lying on a bed in a curtained stall across the room. His leg was suspended in a contraption she’d only seen in the movies. It was so good to hear his voice. She hurried over to him, taking in the scratches on his face. “Julian! God, look at you. Are you okay?”

  She hadn’t meant to cry but her tears started to flow anyway. Leaning over the bed, she tenderly pulled him into an awkward hug. “Are you okay,” she asked again, “What happened?”

  “I’m fine,” he said and she glanced worriedly at his leg, which was horribly bruised and just didn’t look right, “except for my broken leg and some scrapes.” He pushed back against the bed trying to sit up more but the leg made it difficult. She repositioned his pillows to give him more support. “Thank you. Here, come here. Don’t cry. I’m going to be okay.”

  She nodded and let him comfort her. “I’m sorry. It’s just—getting that call, it kind of freaked me out,” she sniffed and shook her head, embarrassed by her reaction.

  “I know. I’m sorry. You were the first name that came to my mind when they asked me. I hate that I’ve put you through—”

  “No, don’t. It’s okay, I’m glad you called me,” she stopped him. This was ridiculous. He was the one lying in the hospital. He shouldn’t be comforting her. “Tell me what happened. You left me barely an hour ago and now you’re here.”

  He gripped her hand tightly and she was glad because she couldn’t stop touching him. She needed that connection to confirm that he was still with her.

  “I was running late when I left your place. I was supposed to meet Luke for my sitting—shoot, he’s probably wondering where I am. Anyway, you know that tight s-curve on Lincoln? I was heading into it and there was a car pulling into traffic from that little entrance to that historical site—” He stopped and tried to recall the name.

  “Rittenhousetown?”

  “Yeah, that place. The car ahead of me on my right pulled into my lane to avoid the one coming onto the road. I couldn’t avoid it. It slammed into me, pushed me into the barrier—I nearly went over it and into oncoming traffic.” Carolyn gasped, and Julian abruptly stopped giving details. “It was crazy. It happened so fast. Man, my car is a complete wreck.”

  She could picture the location exactly as he described it. She knew the spot well. “That road is a menace.”

  “Yeah, I kept thinking at least I didn’t flip the other way and end up in the creek. That would suck.”

  She gave him a sad smile. “So your leg is going to be okay?”

  “That’s what the doctor says. It was a clean break. They are supposed to come and give me a walking cast. There’s an aisle I’m going to need to limp down in a few days, although this is as good a reason as any to postpone.”

  She was encouraged by his humor, it was a good sign. She raised her eyes from their interlocked hands. He was watching her intensely as if gauging her reaction to his comment. Then she remembered their late-night run and she started to wonder if maybe he was not kidding. “Are you...looking for a reason?”

  He did not answer right away and he didn’t look away. “Maybe I already have one.”

  She stared back at him and he met her look without flinching until she broke away from it. “Wow. That’s not a decision to make lightly, Julian.” She released his hand and looked at anything but him, “Or when you’re amped up on adrenaline after nearly dying in a car crash.”

  It made sense that he would question things after an experience like the one he’d just had, but she would not let him alter the course of his life while he was still half in shock and feeling the effects of his painkillers. “I’m going to go check on your cast. Just remember this, rash decisions are often the worst decisions.”

  Across the waiting room, with some distance between her and Julian, Carolyn found a semi-private spot where she could take a moment to come down from her own heightened emotions. Julian was okay and he was going to remain okay.

  Her phone beeped and she pulled it out of her purse. There were several texts from Mark. He must have finally gotten the voice mail she had left for him last night. She needed to talk to him, but she just couldn’t do it now.

  Slipping the phone back in her bag, she saw Rhys rushing over. Cera was at the desk talking to the same man who had been there when she came in.

  “Thank God you’re here,” she said and threw herself into her brother's arms. He stiffened and she pulled back, instantly aware of how the situation seem to him.

  “No, he’s fine. I’m sorry,” Carolyn explained, “I just needed a hug. Come on, he’s over here.”

  THURSDAY

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Max padded into the room. He navigated around the numerous pairs of feet, carelessly placed bags and one coffee table to circle once then settle in a furry heap next to Julian’s encased leg.

  “Hey, buddy,” Julian ruffled the dog’s multicolored fur, “One of these things is not like the other, is it?” Max lifted his head, sniffed Julian’s cast and then rested his head between his paws again.

  They arrived at the house at different times and in different ways as if they’d been summoned. These past few days had been taxing on them all in some way, be it physically or emotionally, and they’d come to a safe place to rest and recharge before the wedding machine whirred to life for the big event.

  Carolyn came into the room carrying a big bowl of air-popped popcorn, followed by Rhys who scooped a handful out of the bowl before she rested it on the table. He tossed a few to Max, whose nose lifted at the scent.

  “Help yourself,” Carolyn offered and plopped back into the seat that Rhys had vacated next to Cera.

  Julian and Luke dove in while Cera opened her mouth as Rhys aimed and missed and aimed again for it. She gathered the fallen kernels from her lap and ate them out of her hand. Only Milan, seated on the love seat next to Julian, abstained. Apparently her gown was so fitted that even a handful of popcorn could make a differ
ence. She sipped her bottle of water instead then offered some to Julian.

  “How’s the leg, Jules?” Rhys hitched his hip on the arm of the sofa and tossed a popcorn kernel at his friend. Julian leaned forward and caught it in his mouth. He winked at Cera with a that’s-how-you-do-it expression.

  “Still broken, still sore—and I’m being generous when I say that, but I’m still ambulatory,” this last he directed at Milan.

  “I can’t believe you go and break your leg two days before the wedding,” Milan said, rolling her eyes.

  “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Julian replied and she looked away.

  She’d been fussing over him and then at him once she heard about his accident and met him at his place. Rhys and Carolyn had taken him home and stayed with him until Luke and Milan arrived. Then they’d all left him alone with her and he hadn’t decided if he’d forgiven them for that yet.

  Milan’s caretaking skills were clearly from the tough love school of nursing. He let it go because he knew she was mostly worried about how this hiccup would impact their plans. Surely she’d have a more gentle touch if she weren’t so stressed.

  “I’m sure your photographer will frame all the pictures from the waist up,” Luke offered, “years from now you’ll look at your wedding album and you won’t even remember that he was injured. Speaking of, you up for a rescheduled shoot this afternoon?”

  “Absolutely,” Julian jumped at the opportunity and heard Milan’s relieved sigh. At least that was something he could still cross off the wedding to-do list.

  He looked up and saw Carolyn watching them. Her reaction yesterday to his accident had been so different from his fiancée’s. Carolyn had trouble holding back her tears and her first concern had been for his well-being, not just for his ability to carry on. They were like night and day, she and Milan, and he felt like he was facing a lifetime of midnight.

  “Not having any popcorn?” Julian asked, edging the bowl Carolyn’s way.

  As Carolyn reached into the bowl, Rhys rubbed his hands on his jeans, not caring that they were salty and buttery from the popcorn. He’d been taking in the folks in the room when it struck him that the most important people in the world to him were all together right now. He’d missed them and despite his struggle with being in the family home, he’d missed it, too.

  Cera was right, however. It was hard for him to be here and he might not have realized that if she had not said it. It was also time for him to face up to some things that, yes, he’d been running away from. Yesterday’s events were not lost on him. How quickly he could have lost another chunk of his life had Julian not survived the crash.

  Carolyn’s call had rattled him; thank goodness he had been with Cera. She’d driven him to the hospital while he tried not to fall apart. She’d held his hand while he’d called Luke with the news.

  He had thought distance and time would make the pain of his parents’ death go away, but he knew now that he personally needed more help to deal with his grief because it was almost as sharp now as the day it had happened nearly three years ago. And being in this house was not good. He cleared his throat.

  “Uh, guys,” he started and Cera looked up at him. “Guys,” he said a little louder. When he had their attention he stood up. “I’m glad you’re all here—”

  “Oh, God!” Julian interrupted, “Are you practicing your best man speech? Anybody got a glass and a spoon? Ding, ding, ding,” Julian imitated the recognizable wedding reception attention-getting trick.

  “No way, buddy, you’re going to have to wait to hear that one and Milan, I apologize in advance for any fallout,” he smiled that Rhys smile and watched her blush.

  “As I was saying,” he started again then grew serious. “I don’t know how or why we all ended up here today but it’s a good thing. I’m happy to be home and I’m sorry I’ve stayed away for so long. I think you all know that when I left I was in a bad place. I just couldn’t...” he struggled with the words then said simply, “be here.”

  Cera reached for his hand and he looked at Luke and Carolyn, “I know it was hard for you both, too, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. No, let me finish—” he said as Luke started to speak. “Anyway, I didn’t mean to go into all of that right now. I realize being back that I still have some work to do on moving forward.

  “I came back to be my best friend’s best man but I also intend to stay. I’m moving back to Philly. I’ve left my job and if the offer’s still good,” he squeezed Cera’s hand, “I’m moving in with Cera.”

  “Oh my God!” Carolyn was the first one out of her seat, “Rhys, that’s great! That’s the best news I’ve have had in a while.”

  “Yeah, man, it’s about time,” Luke joined the family hug.

  Julian, with a hand up from Milan, got to his feet and, balancing on his good leg, reached out to shake Rhys’ hand. “That’s good news buddy. Does this mean that you guys are...?” Julian tilted his head towards Cera and let his raised eyebrow finish his question.

  Rhys had no idea. He was putting one foot in front of the other. Heck, he hadn’t even told Cera until just now that he’d accepted her invitation. Better to defer to her, even though the expression on her face led him to believe he already knew the answer.

  “It could, but I’ll let you know for sure when I know.”

  Slipping in between them, Milan reached up and brushed a kiss against Rhys’ stubbled check, “Welcome back, it’ll be good to have you home. He won’t tell you but he’s missed you a lot. We both have.”

  Rhys pulled her into a full hug then watched her transform into the take-no-prisoners woman he knew.

  “Alright, I think we should get to it,” she pinned Julian with a look, “You have a photo session to attend and I have a mani-pedi waiting for me and other things to do,” she smiled sweetly, gathered her purse and patted the rear pockets of her jeans as if checking for her keys. “I’ll see you all at the church tomorrow for the rehearsal,” she bent down to drop a peck on Julian’s lips. “You drive carefully,” and then she was gone.

  FRIDAY

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think we should probably get started,” Reverend Jones urged gently.

  Milan nodded her agreement and stood up, “Great idea.”

  The movement jarred Julian, whom she’d been sitting next to on the front pew, from his thoughts and he looked around to survey the faces in the room. She still wasn’t here.

  “We’ve been waiting for Carolyn for fifteen minutes and we only have the church for an hour to rehearse,” Milan reached for his hand and used her other to signal everyone to gather around. “Julian, honey,” Milan looked up at him, “Your hands are clammy. You're not nervous are you?” she teased.

  He shook his head in the negative and she touched his face lightly. It was a fairly benign-looking gesture, but he knew it to be a reprimand. He still hadn’t shaved and was sporting a nearly-full beard.

  “Me, nervous? Not in the least,” he kissed her quickly on the forehead, taking in her shining eyes and full-face smile. She was so happy. He pulled her against him in a relaxed embrace, “It's just warm in here.”

  Even without the wedding decorations, the church was beautiful. From the outside it was a classic church building with white clapboard siding, arched roof and a clock-tower steeple. Inside one long aisle led from the doorway to the altar with rows of polished wood pews on either side. Narrow stained-glass windows lined the walls and would ordinarily fill the space with multihued light, but it was raining and the church was lit artificially from within.

  The room was peopled with his closest friends and family—all the people he loved and who loved him back. To his left his oldest and closest friend Rhys was chatting with Milan's younger sister and maid of honor, Sabrina. Behind them Julian's parents were exchanging pleasantries with his future in-laws, the Maynards. Milan's cousin, Shawna, was holding hands with her two young daughters and playing ring-around-the-rosy to pass the time w
hile Luke snapped candid photos of them. John, Julian's cousin, who was also a groomsman, sat quietly on the front pew to his right, waiting for the rehearsal to begin.

  Everyone looked so calm and relaxed, including Julian, whose calm demeanor belied his tense state. Inside his chest was tight, his heart was racing, he was so very warm and right between his eyes he was feeling the beginnings of a tension headache. He hid his plight behind the facade of anticipation, holding Milan and waiting for Carolyn.

  “If I could have the bride over here,” Reverend Jones directed in his baritone voice, “and the groom right here.” He pointed Julian to a spot on his left. He then showed everyone else to where they were to stand and began to explain how the ceremony would proceed.

  Carolyn entered the church quietly so as not to disturb the rehearsal. She was so mad at herself for being late and—mindful of the wrath of Milan—she was also a bit nervous. Carolyn could kick herself for taking her shortcut at the time of day when everyone else also took her shortcut. She'd been bumper to bumper for the whole trip.

  She took in the scene from the back of the church. Julian, Rhys and Luke were to the pastor's left while Sabrina stood to his right. Milan's two young cousins, who were to be flower girls, were running around in circles at the head of the aisle while their mother tried to quiet them, and on the front pews sat both sets of parents. It always struck Carolyn how closely Julian resembled his father, the only difference being the gray in his father's hair.

  Carolyn rested her purse and umbrella on the back pew and started to walk down the aisle. Her approach caught everyone's attention. Julian and Milan turned and watched as she hurried towards them. From the tightness of Milan's lips Carolyn could see Milan's annoyance, but in Julian's face she saw only relief. He smiled at her as she neared.