The Final Lesson Plan (15 page)

"Ya know Janelle, I'm here," he said. "I'm here for anything…not just sex and fun."

I laughed. "What does that even mean?"

"It means I know you've got a lot on your mind," he explained. "You can talk to me. I do have somewhat of a brain…and I'm a pretty good listener if I do say so myself." He turned off the motor. "I am going to be a sports psychologist…on TV."

Briggs walked to the back of the boat. I would call it the starboard, bow, or the aft, but I wouldn't know what the fuck I was talking about. Leo would. He knew boats and boat anatomy. Does a boat have an anatomy? Probably not. Anyway, I digress. Briggs went to the back of the boat and retrieved the anchor from some hideaway compartment, heaving the anchor forcefully into the lake. Once the anchor hitched itself to the bottom of the lake, he climbed over the seats and sat next to me on the front of the boat.

"Tell me what happened today," he coaxed. "I know something went on with Leo at his house…just tell me. You've been a million miles away all night."

Looking into his sincere blue eyes, I knew I could talk to him; tell him anything. I didn't know where things where headed with Briggs Alexander and me, but I did know one thing. I trusted him and relied on him. Above all else, he was quickly and surely becoming a lot more than my friend.

After I relayed the entire story to him, leaving nothing out, he sat for a while in total silence, staring at the water until he finally said, "That fucking blows. No one should have to deal with that shit. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to Tate."

"I know...and he never mentioned it once," I said. "I feel awful…about everything."

"I can't believe he got you that bracelet. I kinda remember that," he said. "Man, Leo Cling's got it bad for you Janelle." I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder, as he held me closer to him.

Briggs and I spent the rest of the time talking about Leo and his family, waiting for the fireworks to begin. I downed four very cold and refreshing beers as Briggs drank bottled water, not wanting to impair his very new boat-driving ability. Once the fireworks started, I was quite chilly and very buzzed, feeling much happier and lighter.

Briggs laid a blanket down on the front of the boat and enveloped me in his arms as we watched the fireworks shoot out over the lake, illuminating the sky in beautiful hues of pink, red, purple, green, and blue.

"My family has names for each type of firework," he announced. "My dad named them one summer, and ever since then, we still call them the same thing."

"Alright, so what's that called?" I asked, pointing at the sky.

"Easy, that's a 'Rain Down,' because it looks like rain coming down," he said with authority. His "rain down" firework always looked like a Weeping Willow tree to me. "That one was a 'Sizzle McGhee,' because it sizzles and swerves like a snake," he smiled, watching my reaction. The rest of the night went on with Briggs clueing me in on every Alexander-named firework and me getting into his names and even further into him.

I would like to say that out of respect for Leo and Megan and for the bracelet that Leo gave me so long ago that I didn't kiss Briggs all night. I would like to say that I didn't touch him romantically or sexually. I would like to say that I didn't make love to him on that boat, overlooking the lake with fireworks bursting over our heads. I would like to say that I had more self-control and respect for the day's events than that. But, I couldn't say that. I'd be lying. I would like to say that I did not fall completely in love with Briggs Alexander that night, but I would again be lying if I did.

Jocelyn and I met for lunch, while Rick stayed home with the kids. He owed it to her since she hosted the soccer team party that he coached. He knew better than to even consider going into work on a day after she planned and handled a party of 50. Rick was smart enough to take Thursday and Friday as vacation days. Therefore, Jocelyn had time to meet for lunch and a quick pedicure. I used to make fun of their marriage, claiming that they were too boring and comfortable. However, they understand marriage, had it down to a well-oiled machine. They had the perfect amount of love, chemistry, respect, and honesty. I could've learned a lot from them if I would've known I should've been taking lessons.

"Poor Leo," Jocelyn said, shaking her head. "I cannot imagine what he must be going through." Jocelyn had a bleeding heart; it bled for anyone or anything that suffered. I knew that once she heard about Megan that she'd have a hard time thinking about anything else for a while. "I'm gonna send his mom some pastries and flowers," she stated. "So sad."

We talked endlessly through lunch and the pedicure about Leo, Megan, and the bracelet. "Well kid," she said, "I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes. You know one of these guys is gonna get hurt and neither one deserves it."

"I know Joz; I know." I said, agreeing with her for eleven-hundredth time. "Hypothetically speaking, what if I told you that I thought I was falling in love with Briggs?" I asked.

"I would tell you that you're 50% accurate," she stated.

"Huh? I don't get it. What do you mean?" I asked, confused. "You think I'm only half falling in love with him?"

"No, I most certainly think that you're in love with Briggs," she declared. "But I think you're in love with Leo too."

"But how? How can I possibly be in love with two guys at the same time—especially since my marriage hasn't even ended yet? It's impossible if it's true love." I said.

"I don't think that's true. I have four kids. I love them all. Who's to say that a woman can't be in love with two men at the same time?" she asked rhetorically. "I think it's quite possible, because that's exactly what's happening."

After our lunch and pedicure, Jocelyn dropped me off at the pool house. I decided that I needed a little alone time, mindless alone time. I grabbed my book and went out to the pool. I got my favorite raft and floated out to the middle of the pool, only after I slathered my body in a Leo-approved, Megan-inspired, amount of sunscreen. Just as I was getting fully absorbed into the humorous prose of Lisa Lutz, I heard "Miss Garrity, can I talk to you?"

Looking up from my book, I could only make out a silhouette of a figure standing at the edge of the pool. Shading my eyes from the glare of the sun, I realized Vince was on my property, and nobody was home today, other than me.

"Vince. Get out!" I yelled, staying on my raft in the middle of the pool. He was fully clothed. I prayed that he wasn't going to try anything with me again, especially if I was floating in the middle of the water.

"Please. I'm sorry. I just want to talk," he said, raising his hands in innocent surrender. "You can stay there; I'll stand right here."

"Vince what? What do you want?" I asked through gritted teeth, glaring at him.

"I just wanna talk, seriously, that's it," he said.

"So talk," I said.

"Your ex came to see me. He offered me money," he explained.

"Go on."

"He said that if I told him you hit on me when I was still in school, he'd pay me 10 grand," he admitted.

"And you said…" I urged him to continue.

"I told him to go fuck himself," Vince stated proudly.

"Okay, so what? Why're you here?" I asked. "Am I supposed to give you money now?"

"No, Miss G., I don't want your money," Vince said, looking down at his feet.

"Then what do you want, Vince?"

"A favor."

"You're here, because you think I owe you some sort of favor for not lying?" I asked.

"Nah, I know you don't owe me shit, but I was hoping you'd help me out," he said.

"Help you with what?"

"Briggs. He won't talk to me," Vince said softly. "He was my best friend before I fucked up. He won't listen to me; he'll listen to you."

"So you came here to see if I'd help you get back in Briggs' good graces?" I couldn't believe my ears. This guy sabotaged me on social media and now expected me to help him, bail him out of his spat with his friend. People were fucking ridiculous and so out of touch with reality. I couldn't believe it.

"Vince, go home. Figure this out on your own. You got yourself into this mess; figure your own way out," I said, looking back down at my book.

"Yeah…right. Thanks anyway Miss Garrity," he said, walking away. "I'm real sorry."

I spent the rest of my night texting Briggs and Leo and watching television. Neither of them could believe that Vince had stopped over. Leo thought it was important that I forgave Vince and try to help Briggs to forgive him too. Briggs, on the other hand, told me to call the cops the next time Vince came anywhere near me or my house. I had a feeling the Briggs and Vince friendship was about as solid as the Megan and Janelle friendship.

Briggs was on "the schedule" for the next day, so I decided to just stay in for the night. Char had plans anyway, probably with her hookup from Lavery's. Leo's sister was still in town, and I wouldn't see him until Saturday. Briggs wouldn't tell me what our big plans were, but told me to dress comfortably, but bring something sexy. I had no idea what he had in store. I just knew that he was picking me up at 10:00 a.m. and that I wouldn't be back home until around midnight or 1:00 a.m. The suspense was killing me.

Hey, it's Briggs here. Reader, I'm talking to you. Are you listening? Cool, now you're listening. I hate those fucking books that change narrators, and you never see it coming. I read one of those once, and I was all kinds of fucked up.