Pitchfork in the Road

by M. J. Schiller

  “Tucker recommended it because of the bottle opener attached.”

  Dad nodded. “Functional as well as fashionable.”

  Zack reached across the couch to give Dani a hug. “And thank you for the stocking, too. I love it.”

  “She made it for you before you went away for college. But never had a chance to give it to you,” Dad said. I was glad there didn’t seem to be any accusation in his voice.

  Zack stared at her. “You kept it for eight years?”

  “Yeah. I knew you guys would get back together someday.”

  “Besides,” Scott interjected. “Mom can’t throw anything away.”

  She gave him a fake frown. “I can too.”

  “No you can’t,” Tabby, Dad and I said at the same time.

  Myles plopped a package down in front of me. “Another one for you.” He rolled his eyes, but he was having a blast. It was the gift Zack brought in last night.

  I sat on the floor in front of him. Giving it another small shake, I looked up at him. “This one I can’t figure out.” I’d guessed right on most of the others.

  Zack smiled. “Well, open it.”

  I ripped it open. Whatever it was, it nestled inside of a bunch of tissue paper. I drew out a huge, black, heavy-duty camp lantern/flashlight. He leaned forward. “It’s so we never lose our way to each other again,” he murmured.

  “Oh.” My heart swelled. I twisted and got up on my knees to give him a kiss.

  “I don’t get it. It’s a camping lantern. Dani didn’t even get that excited when Dad gave her the Mustang last year.”

  Dani swatted him. “I did, too.”

  “Yeah,” Dad added. “Remember, she cried. Zoe’s not….”

  A tear spilled out and ran down my cheek.

  “Okay, maybe she is.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Zack took my chin and turned me to face him. His eyes twinkled. “Look at the bottom.”

  I sucked in a breath, bit my bottom lip, flipped it, and shrieked.

  He laughed. “Seether’s not on tour, but I thought you’d settle for Panic! At The Disco tickets.”

  “Settle?” I screamed. “Oh, my God. This is so awesome! Brendon Urie is mine.”

  “Except for the whole wife thing,” Zack pointed out.

  “Minor detail.”

  He frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten you those….”

  I took his cheeks. “I’m just kidding.” I laid one on him, but was careful, seeing as my dad was in reaching distance. I scanned the room, everyone was smiling and watching us. I was overwhelmed with love for all of them, and the tears fell more rapidly.

  “I’m just so glad to be home,” I said, and started sobbing. Dani reached for me, then Scott and Tabby came over to join in the group hug and Myles squirmed in the middle. Dad dragged them off.

  “You’re going to break my couch,” he growled. “Besides—” he picked Myles up under his armpits and set him by the end of the coffee table, “—I want her to myself.” He grabbed me, and Scott threw a pillow at him.

  “Boo!”

  I looked at Zack. He had a broad smile on his face. A few more tears trickled out.

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you, too, Zo.”

  Zack was right. It was the best Christmas ever.

  Epilogue

  Zack

  Spring break rolled around, and I’d convinced Zoe to come home for a visit. Of course, since we weren’t married, we still slept at separate places. Sadly, it killed me to even be apart that long. Plus I had plans for the evening. That may be why I arrived way too early. I smiled in anticipation as I drew my flashlight from the glovebox and picked a plastic bag up from the passenger’s seat.

  Closing the door of the Cobra, I stepped forward, inhaling deeply. The air smelled of freshly mown grass and the big bushes by Zoe’s porch I called snowball bushes, because they had huge, round, white blossoms. The fragrance they gave off was one of my favorite childhood scents because a) they plain smelled good, and b) they reminded me of Zoe. I marched past them, noticing again the people who lived at my old house made some changes. The driveway and sidewalk were now lined with stone, but the new color of the siding threw me. Some things weren’t meant to change.

  I couldn’t have ordered a prettier night for what I had in mind. It was in the seventies and a light breeze blew. Coming even to Zoe’s window, I switched on my light and pointed it at her bedroom. I blinked it on and off in the predetermined sequence, a rhythm as familiar as my heartbeat. She opened quicker than expected. She must have been waiting.

  “You aren’t expecting me to climb down, are you?”

  The glow from the room’s light set her golden hair on fire. I was struck, as always, by her beauty. But it wasn’t just her looks that stunned me, it was the sound of her voice, her smile, the way she teased me, the smart-assed comebacks that surprised me and made me laugh. I was head over heels in love with her.

  I gestured to the tree. “Yeah, I kinda was.”

  “Don’t you think we’re a bit old for that?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Me, neither. But did you forget we broke the branch, you big dork?”

  I gazed up into the tree. “Oh, yeah. Well, I guess I’ll have to enter like the other riffraff, then.”

  “What’s in the bag?”

  “Nosy much?” I grinned. “Something for you.”

  “What is it?” she said coyly.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  She frowned. “Hmm…well, okay. Since you have a present and all.” She started to close the window.

  “Zo!”

  She stopped and leaned out again.

  “I love you.” And I didn’t care who heard it.

  She faked a yawn. “So you say.”

  I planned on doing more than say. I grinned. “Just get your ass down here and open the door.”

  She put a hand to her mouth as if she was whispering. “I can’t wait to kiss you.”

  I guess I wasn’t the only one mourning our separation. “Then get down here.”

  “Coming.” She worked on the stubborn window, and I strolled around front.

  Zoe was on me the second I entered the door. “What’s in the bag?” She tried to snatch it, but I held it over my head.

  “Calm down and I’ll tell you.”

  She crossed her arms but stilled. I set my flashlight down on the table they had by the stairs. “I thought maybe after dinner….” I pulled a DVD from the sack.

  “Oh, my gosh. Inception.” She jumped up and down, then hugged me and planted a kiss on my cheek. “You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

  If she thinks this is good, she’s gonna be floored later.

  “Anything for you.” I drew her in again and kissed her temple, surprised by an unexpected swell of emotion. She was my everything. “Did you ever see it?”

  “No, I never did.”

  “Good. You up for watching it tonight?”

  “Heck, yeah. I’ve waited…how many years, to see it?”

  Thank God. “Too many. But we’ll rectify that tonight.”

  Zoe

  Zack seemed somewhat distracted over dessert. Looking at his phone, shaking his knee. He suggested going on a walk, and I was eager to get him alone and quiz him.

  I rose. “I’ll help Dani with the dishes. Then—”

  “No. I’ve got these.” Dani insisted strongly. I stared at her. “You don’t get home often. Let me spoil you a little.”

  I smiled. “I can do that.”

  I stuck my hand in Zack’s and was surprised to find it clammy. I leaned in as we walked to the door. “You okay?”

  “Huh?” His other hand stroked his chin. He stared at me blankly for a second, then gave an unconvincing smile. “Oh, sure, sure.”

  He remained quiet after the door closed behind us. Instead of walking down the street, like I expected, he turned toward the back yard. I guessed he was going to our clubhouse, which was cool with m
e. Although, as adults, were we still going to have an impassioned make-out session like we had in high school?

  I looked around and noticed a string of lights running from the front porch to the back corner of the house. I couldn’t tell how it was done, but they were evenly swagged. “Hey. I like what Dani’s done here. These lights are cool.”

  “Dani didn’t do the lights.”

  I turned to study him. “She didn’t?” I examined the lights again. “Doesn’t seem like something Dad would do.”

  “He didn’t do them either.” He slowed his pace.

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  He smiled, but the corners of his lips quivered uncertainly. “I did them.”

  “You did them?” I repeated. I stopped moving. “Why?”

  He took my elbow and nudged me forward. “I wanted to create the right mood.”

  I started to get an inkling something was up. “The right mood for what?”

  We rounded the corner, and the whole back yard was alit with tiny lights. In the tree branches, wrapped around the trunks. Strung between the swing set and a pole holding our bird feeder. But, oddest of all, a green canvas, rectangular party tent was erected in the middle. Three sides were open, but the back flap was rolled down. Lights were swinging from corner to corner of its green roof. It was amazing. Like a magical fairy land.

  “Wh-what’s going on?”

  He stuck out an elbow. “Will you join me in our clubhouse?”

  Holy shit! What is he doing? My heart rate increased. I slid my arm through his. I didn’t speak, because the silence seemed sacred somehow. He led me forward, I saw it. It sat in the grass in the middle of the tent.

  I smiled at him. “You snuck my lantern here?”

  He shook his head. “Found a match on the Internet.” He extended his hand and made a wide arc, ending in such a way that the lantern rested at our feet between us. He took my other hand. Someone came around from the back of the tent, startling me. A teen with beautiful mocha-colored skin and jet black hair held open a suit coat for Zack.

  That’s why he didn’t wear jeans. I thought he was trying to impress Dad.

  The young man, who I immediately liked, didn’t speak, but cast a few shy glances my way as he helped Zack put the jacket on. He kept his hands on Zack’s shoulders, but leaned in. “Good luck, Mr. Issaacs.”

  Mr. Issaacs?

  He grasped Zack’s shoulders. “Go get ‘em, tiger.” The teen gave him a slight shove forward, then disappeared around the back of the tent.

  Zack cleared his throat. Was he sweating? He took my hands again and looked down, seeming calmer when he lifted his gaze. “Zoe, I have a question to ask you. All I request is you don’t answer until I’m completely through. Okay?”

  I nodded.

  “Zoe.” He gazed at the lantern below us, and so, I did, too. The way the light shined through the swirled purple glass sent interesting colored rays shooting through the grass. “You have always been the light of my life. I think I’ve loved you since I was around four.” He chuckled.

  I acted offended. “What about the first year?”

  “You were a brat that year.”

  “Hey.”

  He tilted his head and gave me a stern look, but he couldn’t hide his smile. “Anyway. When no one else understood my weirdness, you understood it.”

  “Because I’m equally weird.”

  “Yes.”

  We’d discussed this before.

  “Like the candle in this lantern, you’ve given me warmth, showed me the way, and brightened my world.”

  He gave my hands a squeeze, then gazed deeply into my eyes.

  “Ernesto,” he said loudly.

  The back of the tent rustled, then it flipped up. My eyes widened and lips parted. I dropped Zack’s hand and stepped through the opening. I was vaguely aware of my dad being on my left. Lights along the ground illuminated the back fence, which was a jumble of colors.

  “Wow!”

  Letters cartwheeled across our property line in yellows, blues, and reds. Reading the message, I could hardly believe my eyes. Then I couldn’t read anymore because I was blinded by tears.

  WILL YOU MARRY ME?

  He’s freaking proposing. I brought a hand up to cover my heart. I trembled.

  “Don’t answer yet,” he said hurriedly. He drew a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. “I know this is a big decision, so I want you to think it out like when we were kids.”

  I couldn’t help myself. “Eenie-meenie-minie-mo?” The kid who helped him into his jacket, who I discovered, was on my right, chuckled.

  He frowned. “No, you goofball.” Holding the page up, he read. “The Pros and Cons of Marrying Zack Issaacs.” He peered at me over the top of the paper, his eyes dancing. “Pro. I am gainfully employed.”

  I nodded. “True.”

  “Con. I have a better jump shot than you.”

  “That’s debatable.” My dad snorted. “No comments from the peanut gallery.”

  “Pro. I already know your deepest, darkest secrets.” His expression was sly.

  I smiled. “Also true.”

  “Con. I already know your deepest, darkest secrets.”

  “Ooh.” I made a face. “True.”

  “Pro. Marry me, and I’ll throw in Seether tickets.” He raised his gaze. “That was your Uncle Kyle and Aunt Samantha’s idea.”

  “You asked them?” How sweet.

  He scanned the page. “Of course. They’re family. Con. Rumor has it I snore a little.”

  “A little? I’m pretty sure the neighbors would disagree.”

  “Whatever. Pro.” He looked at me significantly and went down on one knee.

  Oh, my God!

  Suddenly everything was serious. Stone cold serious.

  “I love you more than anything else in this whole wide world. It’s always been you, Zoe Marie McCord. You’ve had my heart, now I’m asking for your hand. Will you take my ring and make it Zoe Marie Issaacs?”

  I waited. “Oh. Can I answer now?”

  Zack inhaled and peered at my dad.

  “You’re the one who asked for her.”

  He considered me, a snarl/smile gracing his face. “Yes. You may answer.”

  “Okay.” I cleared my throat, but my voice warmed when I answered. “Yes.”

  Zack slid the ring on and sprang to his feet. I threw my arms around him and a whole bunch of people cheered. I looked at the house. Dani, Scott, Myles, and Tabby were crowded around the windows and started streaming out the doors. One by one they congratulated us and gave us hugs. I reached the last one, and the back door creaked open again. My Uncle Kyle and Aunt Sam tripped down the stairs.

  I screamed and ran to them, throwing an arm around each. Letting go, I swiped at my tears. “You’re here.”

  “Of course we’re here, honey.” Aunt Sam was crying, too.

  Uncle Kyle bent and kissed my cheek. “We wouldn’t have missed that,” he raised his gaze to include the whole back yard, then returned it to my face and said tenderly, “for anything.” I loved them so much.

  I spun around and Zack stood with his hand on the unknown teen’s shoulders. “Zoe, I’d like for you to meet Ernesto. He’s responsible for vandalizing your dad’s fence.”

  Ernesto half-turned. “Hey.”

  “Just kidding. Ernesto is the extremely talented artist who did me a solid and painted my proposal for you.”

  I didn’t say anything. Just stepped up and kissed him on the cheek.

  “I told you,” Zack yelled to someone behind him.

  Ernesto scrunched his neck up, his brown cheeks taking on a tinge of red.

  Zack stepped to the side and put an arm around his shoulder. “Ernesto is one of my students.”

  “Nice to meet you. And thank you.” I looked up and spread my arms wide. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

  Zack gave him a pound on the back, then withdrew his arm and took my hands.

  I was still in a st
ate of shock. “How did you…?”

  “That fishing trip with Dave….” He shook his head, beaming, clearly pleased he’d pulled things off. “I came home and asked your dad and Kyle—” He gestured to Kyle then spun me around. “—and Scott, then your whole family.”

  I stuck my hand on my hip. “And you guys said yes to this proposal idea?”

  From the back, Dad yelled, “Or pass up a chance to get rid of you? No way.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Dad. I can’t believe you let them paint your fence. Not that it’s not amazing,” I said to Ernesto again stepping up to admire it.

  Zack answered. “Well, I planned on doing it on a banner—”

  “But he told me what he had in mind, and I told him to use the fence. I was tearing it down when I got a free chance anyway.”

  “Oh. You’re tearing it down?”

  “Not right away. You can get plenty of pictures of it.”

  I turned to Ernesto, who scrutinized his work with a critical eye. “Seems such a shame after all your work.”

  He shrugged. “My stuff gets painted over all the time. Besides, I owed Mr. Issaacs one.”

  I hugged Zack to my hip. “That’s why you wanted to watch the movie tonight, wasn’t it? To keep me occupied?”

  “Exactly. Dani and Sam handled the lights. I explained exactly what I wanted that weekend I was home. Kyle and Scooter put up the tent. And Ernesto did his thing.”

  I looked at Dad. “And that’s why you hopped up to get my glass of water.”

  He laughed. “Yes. I didn’t want you to see what went on back here. If you saw Zack’s panicked face when you said you were going in the kitchen, you would have known something was up.”

  “Yeah. I’m not very good with keeping a secret. So I enlisted everybody’s help.”

  I squeezed him. “I’d say you did a pretty good job.” I thought about it. “That fishing trip was in March. You’ve had it planned that long?”

  “Since before Christmas.”

  “Let me get a gander at that ring, girl,” Aunt Sam hollered. “The turkey wouldn’t let us see it.”

  Zack shrugged with a smile. “I wanted you to be the first.”

  I held out my hand to examine it again myself and Sam, Dani, and Tabby rushed over. My smile had to be a mile wide. “I still can’t believe it.” I looked up at Zack and the tears just came.