The Tick-Tock Between You and Me

by Kristy Tate

  Their lips met. Immediately the clock whirred to life.

  Darby flew from Chad, fell off the box, and landed on her butt. “Where is it? It’s here, isn’t it.”

  He pointed at the corner of the room where the clock stood on a sideboard beside a stack of books, a collection of glass vases, and a pile of record albums sitting next to an old turntable stereo.

  “How did I not see that?” Darby wondered out loud.

  Chad reached down, took her hand, and pulled her up so she stood before him. He put his arms around her and pulled her close enough to feel his warmth through her thin nightgown.

  “It wasn’t ticking a moment ago,” she said.

  “But it is now,” he replied before lowering his lips to hers.

  And soon, Darby wasn’t wondering about the clock anymore. All she could think about was Chad.

  #

  The next afternoon, Darby stood beside her sister and watched her pledge her heart, life, and love to Blaine. Darby, still warm and flushed from her night of kissing Chad, also glowed with a sense of accomplishment. The florist had delivered without killing or maiming the caterer. The flowers looked spectacular and if the mouthwatering aromas wafting from the caterer’s tent were any indication of the upcoming luncheon, the food would be great. The tables and chairs had been delivered and set up according to Darby’s instructions and no one had, so far, tripped over any furniture. And, most important, her sister and Blaine were radiantly happy.

  Father Dolan, with his red cheeks and watery eyes, looked a little out of his comfort zone as he officiated among the tombstones, but then, he always looked that way. So maybe the unorthodox wedding venue had nothing to do with the beads of sweat collecting on his brow.

  Darby, standing in a line with all of her sister bridesmaids, cast a quick look at her mom sitting in the front row with Grandma Betty and all the aunts. Her brothers, who were also the groomsmen, stood in a line on the other side of Blaine. Would Sloane and Blaine’s marriage be as successful as their parents? She tried not to look at Meg but wondered how painful this day had to be for her and her children.

  But then she caught sight of Troy, Meg’s husband, sitting on the back row. Luke and Jolene sat beside him while Tristan was curled on his lap. When had Troy come in? Did Meg know he had come after all?

  Jessica, Elaine, and Bernie weren’t there. Which was good. No one had invited them. And there was Chad, sitting in the back with Cecelia and Bern. His gaze met Darby’s and she flushed, wondering if he was thinking about last night, too.

  “From the Song of Solomon,” Father Dolan said, “set a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame from the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown.” He paused. “And now, I believe that Sloane and Blaine would like to share their thoughts.”

  Blaine gazed into Sloane’s face. “Sloane, I pledge my life, heart, and body to you.”

  “And I to you,” Sloane replied.

  Tears gathered in Darby’s eyes, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away.

  As the ceremony ended the band crashed into a twisted version of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” and the sound of popping corks and fizzing champagne filled the air. Sloane and Blaine dashed down the aisle while the photographers followed. As arranged, they would have a quick photo shoot while the wedding party assembled on the back lawn. Men loosened their ties and pulled off their jackets. Women tiptoed through the grass so as not to damage their high heels. Children ran for the catering tent, hoping to be the first in line for the food. Meg went to Troy, gave him a stiff hug and pulled Tristan from Troy’s arms. Mom dabbed at her eyes while Auntie Joanie sniffled into her hankie.

  Darby smiled as Chad wound through the crowd, his expression tight with concern. Cecelia followed him.

  “Do any of you know where Floyd is?” Chad asked.

  Henley wrinkled her nose. “Isn’t he with the other Rabbits?”

  Chad shook his head and looked toward the stage they’d assembled the day before. The other rabbits were there toying with their instruments, but no one was anywhere near the center microphone.

  “Maybe he’s still in his room,” Tom suggested.

  Cecelia touched Chad’s arm. “I’ll go and look.”

  Chad threw her a glance that said thank you, while Darby and the other bridesmaids headed for the makeshift stage.

  Doug just shook his head as he tuned up his guitar. “This is not like him, man.”

  “He’s never been late,” another Rabbit said.

  “I know he looks like a flake,” Doug said, “and that none of you like him. But when it comes to shows and performances, he’s a solid guy.”

  Just then, Sally ran up, grabbed Chad’s arm, and whispered in his ear. He paled and muttered a word that made Father Dolan give him a stern look.

  Chad strode off.

  Darby ran after Sally. “What did you say to Chad? What’s happened?”

  “Oh, I told him that Floyd’s room is empty.” Sally beamed at Darby as if she’d just shared the most amazing secret.

  Just then, a flushed Elaine came out of the house. She crossed the lawn in quick strides. “Sally! Dónde está Jessica?”

  Darby clutched Sally’s arm. “Wait! I thought you didn’t speak English?”

  Sally grinned and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Of course I speak English! How else would I get through school? I just don’t speak English to people I don’t like.” She gave Elaine a pointed look.

  “Have you seen Jessica?” Elaine asked Darby.

  Darby spun to Tom and her sisters. “Do you think that Jessica and Floyd…?”

  “Who’s this Jessica person you keep talking about Grandma Betty demanded.

  “Chad’s girlfriend,” Meg said.

  “And she’s run off with Floyd?”

  “We don’t know that,” Meg said.

  “Yes, but they’ve both gone missing,” Tom said.

  “What would she see in him?” Grandma asked, shuddering.

  Darby sat down on a nearby chair. “Sloane told her about the Rabbit’s record contract.”

  “Well, I hope someone else can sing.” Grandma lifted her eyebrows suggestively at Darby.

  “No,” Darby said, shaking her head. “No way.”

  “It’s either you or me, baby,” Grandma said.

  “Grandma, you wouldn’t,” Darby said.

  Grandma’s eyes twinkled. “Just watch me!”

  Darby swallowed, climbed to her feet, grabbed the hem of her dress and headed for the stage. She passed a sniffling Sloane.

  “How could this happen?” Sloane cried to Blaine. “Why would Floyd do this?”

  “Don’t worry, love,” Mom said to as she patted Sloane’s shoulder. “Doug can lead the band, can’t you sweetie?”

  “Floyd’s the singer,” Doug said.

  “None of us can sing,” another Rabbit said. “Except Floyd.”

  Grandma gave Darby an evil eye and made shooing gestures.

  Darby knew what she had to do. She climbed onto the stage and conferred with Doug. The drummer nodded and started with a slow and steady beat. The guitarist plucked out a few notes. but just as she spun around, mouth open, ready to burst into song, she spotted Benjamin striding across the grass.

  She dropped the microphone. The amplifier let out an electronic wail and wedding guests cringed and covered the ears. Somewhere in the woods, coyotes began to howl. Scrambling, Darby picked up the mic, flipped it off, and when she stood to place it on the stand, she came face to face with Meg.

  “Isn’t that Benjamin?” Meg asked.

  Darby didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She felt as if all the pieces of her life were converging on this one moment.

  “What are you going to do?” Meg asked.

  “Didn’t someone tell him that only family was invited?” Mom asked.

  Darby couldn’t answer; she just shook
her head.

  Behind her, the band started playing again. Darby threw them a baffled glance and saw her grandmother sashaying up across the stage.

  “Oh no,” Mom wailed. “Mother, no!”

  The guitarist strummed a few notes.

  “You broke up with him, right?” Meg demanded.

  “Yes, of course,” Darby said.

  “You told him how you felt?”

  “Well, sort of,” Darby hedged. “I thought…what was the point? I mean, he wasn’t returning my calls, so—”

  Meg flushed a bright shade of red. “You have to tell him. You have to be honest. You can just dodge—”

  “Darby?” Benjamin began, just as Grandma Betty launched into “All You Need is Love.”

  Darby tripped off the stage. “Benjamin! What are you doing here?”

  “Henley invited me.” With his thick dark hair, puppy dog eyes, and rose-petal lips, he looked as handsome as she remembered. Even better. But now she knew he would never make her happy—he would never make the clock tick for her.

  “Why would you do that?” Darby faced Henley and demanded.

  “It’s easy!” Grandma wailed.

  Henley folded her arms across her chest, making the bridesmaid dress bunch up into ugly little points. “I knew from what you said that you hadn’t truly broken up with him. And he’d come all the way from England! He was devastated by the way you treated him.”

  “The way I treated him?” Darby pressed her hand against her chest. “This is totally unbelievable! You have no clue.”

  “We didn’t really break up,” Benjamin broke in. “You just disappeared.”

  “You disappeared first,” Darby shot back.

  “I had auditions and people to meet at parties.” He scratched his forehead. “But sadly, nothing’s panned out the way I thought it would.” He bit his lip. “See, the thing is…” He paused. “Can we go and talk somewhere alone?”

  “Why? Are you too embarrassed to ask me for money in front of my family?”

  He flushed an ugly shade of pink, letting Darby know she’d made a correct guess. He grabbed her hand so hard it hurt. “If we could go and talk things out…”

  Henley folded her arms and hitched an eyebrow as if to say I told you so.

  “I have nothing to say to you!” Darby said.

  “So not right, Darby,” Meg said. “You have to be courageous. You have to be strong enough to be vulnerable.”

  “I don’t even know what that means!”

  “So, all those emails, all those late-night chats—they were just lies?” Benjamin asked.

  “I don’t know, Benji,” Darby said. “Were they? They seemed real to me, but then you—”

  Benjamin spun like a top on a string, and Darby saw a glowering Chad standing before him. Chad pulled back his fist and slammed it into Benjamin’s face.

  And it kept in its place — not a frown upon its face,

  And its hands never hung by its side.

  But it stopped short — never to go again —

  When the old man died.

  CHAPTER 12

  Benjamin grabbed his nose and howled. Blood spurt between his fingers. “My face! My face! My face is my currency! It’s my ticket to fame and now you’ve broken it!”

  Chad leaped back, shaking his hand as if it stung. Which it probably did.

  Grandma stopped singing. “Oh, stop your caterwauling!” she said to Benjamin. “Geesh, don’t be such a baby.”

  “A baby? I’m an actor! Most actors insure their faces, but I can’t afford that! That’s why I need to talk to you, Darby,” Benjamin persisted.

  “There’s nothing to talk about,” Darby said, going after Chad.

  Meg stepped in front of her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To talk to Chad,” Darby said, pushing her sister out of the way.

  “No!” Meg planted herself in front of Darby again. “I’m not going to let throw yourself at him the way you did at Benjamin.”

  “I did not throw myself at Benjamin!”

  “I would catch you, if you did, Darby!” Benjamin wailed. He grabbed a linen napkin off the table and held it up to his nose. “I made a mistake in ever letting you go!”

  “You’re not letting me go,” Darby said, “because I’m not a thing you ever had. I’m not a possession.”

  “That’s right. You had him,” Meg said. “You paid for him, didn’t you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Yeah, what are you implying?” Benjamin took the napkin away from his nose and examined the bloody splotches.

  “You paid for his ticket to the U.S.” Meg leaned forward. “You lent him your car. He totally used you!”

  Darby went still. “How do you know all that?” She whirled on Benjamin. “Did you tell her that?”

  “No.” Benjamin shook, not just his head, but his entire body. “Why would I?”

  “How do you know that?” Darby demanded again.

  Meg looked satisfied and superior. “See, this is good. Getting things out in the open, having honest dialog. This is the way grown-ups behave.”

  “Oh, shut your face, Meg!” Darby said, and she picked up her skirt and ran to the house.

  Behind her, Grandma keened into the microphone about love and all that anyone really needs.

  His life's seconds numbering,

  (tick, tock, tick, tock),

  #

  Darby found Chad nursing his bloody knuckles in the kitchen sink. He’d taken off his shirt and hung it over the back of a chair. Red stains splattered over it. He looked incredibly handsome as he leaned over the sink, bare-chested.

  But Darby wouldn’t let herself be swept away by a handsome face—or chest—ever again. “How could you?”

  “He had it coming.”

  “I’m not talking about your attacking Benjamin.” Darby tried to hold her voice steady. “Why did you tell my sister that I’d paid for Benjamin’s ticket to the U.S.?”

  “I didn’t.” Chad straightened and wiped his hands on a dishtowel.

  “But no one else knew.”

  “Darby—”

  “It had to have been you!” She sucked in a deep breath, folded her arms, and leaned forward. “I didn’t even tell my mom,” she whispered. “You were the only one who knew.”

  “Darby, I swear—”

  She blinked back hot tears. “I can’t trust you!” And as she walked away, she realized he wasn’t so very different from Benjamin. They were both liars.

  #

  It rang an alarm in the dead of the night —

  An alarm that for years had been dumb;

  And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight —

  That his hour of departure had come.

  #

  “I’m done!” Darby announced with a huff. She dropped her bags inside Nora’s doorway, stomped over to the sofa, and plopped down.

  Nora closed the door behind Darby and studied her. “Done with what? Accounting? Chocolate?”

  “No, silly. Men!”

  “Ah, sweetie, you don’t mean that.” Nora sat down beside Darby, folded her legs beneath her, and draped her arm across the back of the sofa.

  Darby sniffed. “I’m obviously a lousy judge of character. I can’t be trusted. I’m way too tempted by a pretty face. I’m suckered in by zirconium when I should be mining for diamonds. I’m going for the candy when what I need is oatmeal!”

  “Oatmeal? Really?”

  “You know what I mean.” Darby leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling.

  Nora patted her leg. “Why don’t you tell me what happened? I thought things with Chad were going well.”

  “They were!” She blinked. “At least I thought so. But then he lied to me.”

  “He lied to you?” Nora picked at a loose string on her sweater. “That doesn’t sound like Chad. What did he lie about?”

  “I told him something in strict confidence—something that no one else knew. Just him.” Darby
addressed the ceiling, because even though she was spilling her guts, she didn’t think she was ready to tell Nora about how stupid she’d been. “And then he told Meg! Of all people! She was the last person I would have told.”

  “He told Meg your secret?”

  Darby heard the skepticism in Nora’s voice. She climbed off the sofa and began to pace. It only took her about ten steps to cross Nora’s tiny living room.

  “Why would he tell Meg anything?”

  “I don’t know.” Darby faced the window and stared out at the darkening sky. She’d ditched her sister’s wedding reception. She would need to go back or her mom, aunts, and sisters would make her miserable for years. Besides, she wanted to hug Sloane goodbye, throw rice, and watch her drive away with Blaine. She owed this to not only her sister, but also herself.

  She couldn’t let some guy take this from her.

  But Chad wasn’t just some guy—or was he?

  “I have to go back there,” Darby said softly.

  “Of course, you do,” Nora said, twisting so she could give Darby a smile.

  “But I can’t see him.” She paced across the room, folded her arms across herself, and stopped in front of the sofa.

  “You don’t have to talk to him.”

  “He probably doesn’t want to talk to me, either,” Darby said.

  “Maybe not.”

  “He’s probably super embarrassed about lying to me.”

  “I still don’t know what any of this is about.”

  Darby wrinkled her nose. “It’s just as well.” She pushed her hand through her hair. “Am I a mess?”

  “You’re beautiful, but you might want to tidy up your mascara.”

  Darby headed for the bathroom.

  “You can use my lipstick, too,” Nora called after her.

  Darby touched up her tear-stained face. She really did look awful, which was just as well. The worse she looked, the more she’d be able to avoid men. And avoiding men was her new objective in life. Even Mr. Hopper, who only assigned her to female clients, knew what was best for her. Until she could be trusted not to be diverted by a pretty face, she was done with men.