“He’s quite something.” He may not be Stephen, but he was still easy on the eyes. A little too easy on the eyes.
“Are you all set for tomorrow?” my uncle asked, changing the subject.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I chuckled. I knew what my uncle was about to say. It was what he always said.
“I’ve been ready for years, Cassie.”
Softening my features, I reached out and grabbed his arm just as Simeon returned with the drinks. “I know you have.”
Motioning to Simeon, Billy suddenly laughed as he pointed towards me. “You know, this girl used to drive me up the wall when she was little.”
Choking on the drink I had just sipped, my eyes bulged. Looking at Simeon, I sputtered, “And this is coming from the man who once told me Mr. Wigglesby chewed up my Barbie doll.” Simeon looked completely confused. “I had this Barbie doll and everywhere I went, she went. One day, it went missing and Billy told me my cat had chewed it. Well, I was beside myself. I didn’t speak to Mr. Wigglesby for two weeks after that. Little did I know that Billy stood on her and snapped her in half.” I glanced at Billy and shook my head.
Billy looked away in shame. He still had the biggest grin on his face, though. “I bought you a new one, didn’t I?” I could tell he was about ready to burst into giggles.
“Yes, but only after you admitted what you had done.” I shook my head again.
“Well, I couldn’t face seeing you turning your nose up at Mr. Wigglesby. You loved that cat with a vengeance. The poor thing didn’t know what to do with himself.”
I loved that cat and I remembered how rotten I felt at the thought that I had practically disowned him for two whole weeks. “Well, I was turning my nose up at the wrong person then.”
Billy shook his head. “Mr. Wigglesby was not a person, Cassie.”
I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. “He was to me. I loved that cat.”
“What happened?” Simeon interjected.
Smiling, I suddenly had the urge to chuckle a little. It was quite ridiculous to think the grudge was still there. I could almost see myself folding my arms like a spoiled child. “I forgave Billy. I couldn’t stay mad at him for long.”
Simeon shook his head, chuckling. “No. I meant the cat. I assume he’s not here anymore?”
“Oh, sorry.” I giggled. “Yes, unfortunately, he died about seven years ago.”
“I had a dog once.” Clayton snapped his mouth shut and eyed us all. “The bastard stole my chicken. I never saw him again after that.”
All of us sat there, staring at Clayton. Suddenly, we all erupted in laughter as Clayton sipped his drink and shook his head at the memory.
Deciding it was time to change the subject, I raised my drink. “I would like to propose a toast to my beloved uncle and best friend. You have given me so much and asked for nothing in return. You are a beautiful person inside and out, and nothing I could do or say could thank you enough for everything you’ve done.” I stopped a moment as Billy started getting emotional. I could feel the lump forming so shook my head, clearing my throat. “To the happy couple!”
“To the happy couple!” Simeon and Clayton repeated.
“Cassie, I need to speak with you about something a moment. Can we go to the bar?” Billy said after taking a drink.
Shrugging, I got up and followed him to the bar. “Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Everything is fine. I just wanted to speak to you about the dream you keep having. I wanted to ask you a question.”
Intrigued, I urged him to continue, “Okay. Go ahead.”
Billy cleared his throat and looked at me. “Have you ever tried just opening it?”
Laughing, I gently slapped the bar with one hand. “You know I have, Billy.”
“No. Have you ever tried opening it like a door should be opened?”
I looked away for a moment, perplexed. “All I can remember doing is kicking, screaming, and punching at it.” I knew Billy was trying to figure it out, so I had to listen. Lord knows how much he had helped me in the past.
“Why don’t you just try to open it? Find the handle and turn it like a normal door?”
It sounded so simple. I had to sit there for a moment so I could try and find a memory of doing just that. Had I tried to find a handle? Was there even one? I couldn’t remember.
“I’m not too sure, Billy. What you say sounds so easy.”
Shrugging, he took a sip of his drink. “Sometimes the hardest things have the simplest solutions.”
*****
Much later into the evening, I quickly realised I had too much to drink. It was getting close to midnight, so the euphoria was growing around us. Simeon had already done the same blessing for Billy as he had done for Chris. Billy sobbed, and I offered comfort and support as best I could. The evening was running along nicely, but I was feeling a little out of sorts with the alcohol.