Alonzo looked again to Leonard. The other man’s face bore an angry flush. Alonzo smiled. “As you drive away from Harmony Cabins, I want you to keep one thing in mind: within the hour, Doreen and I will be Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, and I will be the happiest man on the planet.”
“And I will be the happiest woman.” Doreen raised up on her toes to kiss his lips. “Let’s go get married.”
Alonzo allowed his bride-to-be to lead him back to the clearing. He was aware of his friends following them. A soft breeze played with the leaves in the trees around them. The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue. Good friends surrounded them.
His wedding day was once again perfect.
Vaughn waved to catch Jackson’s and Darius’s attention when he saw them walk into the sports bar Monday afternoon. The gesture gave him a glimpse of his silver Timex wristwatch. What time was Benita leaving for Los Angeles? Had she already left? He couldn’t dwell on the image of Benita once again leaving him. He needed a distraction of lunch with his friends.
He, Ean, and Quincy already had secured a high table with a good view of several televisions. A server arrived minutes after to take the five men’s drink orders.
“So, it’s official.” Quincy looked around the table. “I’m returning to Trinity Falls University this fall.”
Congratulatory comments rained down on the professor of African-American history. Jackson and Ean delighted in slapping Quincy on the back.
Vaughn raised his voice to interrupt the well-deserved cheers. “He’s not just returning to TFU. He’s retained his tenure and he’s the new history department chair.”
“Wow, Q, that’s wonderful,” Jackson said.
Ean shook his head in amazement. “Must be clean living.”
“Or he has naughty pictures of someone,” Darius theorized.
More jokes and laughter followed until the server returned with their drinks and took their food orders. Everyone requested salads to go with their chicken wings, burger, or fish sandwich.
Vaughn watched the server leave. “What did Ramona say?”
Quincy smiled with relief. “She’s thrilled. She’s already making plans for me to succeed Foster when he retires.”
“If he retires.” Jackson added sugar to his iced tea.
“He’s been there a while.”
Darius sipped his root beer. “So, Q, what have you learned from this tragic and completely avoidable experience?”
“I know. I know.” Quincy lowered his glass of ice water. “I have to discuss important life decisions with my life partner.”
“No.” Darius waved his hand. “You need to listen to your friends when they tell you that you have to discuss important decisions with your girlfriend.”
Quincy shook his head. “You know, I wouldn’t wish on anyone the misery I experienced when Ramona was angry with me. But if anyone could use that kind of comeuppance, it’s you, man.”
Darius seemed shocked. “What are you talking about? I’ve been by your side this whole time.”
Quincy snorted. “Yeah, gloating because everything’s going so well with you and Peyton.”
Darius sobered. “It hasn’t always been that way.”
“That’s an understatement,” Vaughn agreed.
Their food arrived. The friends ate lunch accompanied by more banter, updates on national events, and rumors circulating town. They also watched sports highlights on the televisions mounted to the walls. When the check arrived, they split the bill, tipped the server generously, then prepared to leave.
Vaughn took one last deep drink of his iced tea. “I’d better hurry. I’m meeting an agent to look at realty listings.”
Darius stopped to face Vaughn. The group stood in the bar’s back parking lot. “You really don’t know who bought Doreen’s house, do you?”
“No, who bought it?” And why should I care?
Darius shook his head. “Benita.”