But it’s not my problem.
Because she’s not mine.
She’s Zach’s.
Janet and Liam are off on the side, discussing changes to the curriculum. And there’s the answer to my question about Liam. He’ll accept any opportunity to schmooze with the department chair. We could all talk together, but Liam drives me nuts and I don’t feel like talking about work.
So I’m stuck eating pigs in a blanket with Christopher while he brainstorms his next music video, assuming (incorrectly) that I’ll be participating again.
Zach and his friends are yammering in the corner, throwing back some beers. There’s music in the background, and the rest of Zach’s friends try to dance with Claire’s cousins. One couple seems to be having a great time, while the others awkwardly dance in a circle around them. Claire just hangs around Zach and her parents, saying hello to different people. But I see the way her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She doesn’t want this.
After about an hour, Christopher is still planning, and I’m ready to leave.
“I think in this one, we’ll set you up as the nerd,” Christopher says. “And I’ll be the cool guy getting all the chicks with my math knowledge.”
“Mm-hmm,” I say. I look around and ball up my napkin in my fist. “You know what, I think I’m gonna turn in for the night.”
“Already?” Christopher says with a pout.
“Sorry,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’ll see you Monday.”
I head over to Claire to say goodbye, but Claire’s parents hop to the front and take the microphone. I guess I’ll stay for this part so I can get a chance to say goodbye to Claire before leaving.
“Hi, everyone!” her mom says into the mic. “Thank you so much for being here. We’re thrilled to celebrate Claire and Zach’s engagement, and the start of their lives together!”
Everyone claps, including me. Gotta love being the supportive friend.
“I think everyone here knows this, but Zach’s parents, Mike and Julie, have been our best friends since Zach and Claire were born. They’re the kind of friends that feel like family and have been there for us through it all.”
At the mention of family, I glance around the room, looking for Claire’s older sister, Annie. Claire showed me a picture of her once, and I could see that Annie was a brighter version of her little sister. Her hair was just a touch redder and frizzier, and she was wearing neon-colored clothes. But I don’t see her anywhere around here.
It’s sad that she’s not here to celebrate. I’m proud of Claire for not letting her parents’ issues with her sister keep her from repairing the relationship. But it’s still disappointing that they can’t all be in the same room.
Claire’s mom continues her speech. “It was inevitable that Claire and Zach get together.”
Inevitable? I want to scoff so badly. Just because two people grow up together doesn’t mean they’re meant to be together.
“And now that they’re engaged, it’s finally official. We’re going to be family!”
Everyone cheers and applauds, and I join in to be polite.
Does no one else see that their relationship is terrible? Or, let me rephrase. Does no one see that Zach is a terrible match for Claire, and that she’s WAY out of his league? Why are we all celebrating this horrible mismatch?
Claire’s mom looks at her where she’s standing next to Zach. “Claire, honey, would you like to say something?”
Claire shakes her head quickly and laughs. “No, no. I’m good.”
I know what she’s thinking. She’s too nervous to speak in front of people, especially when she wasn’t expecting it in the first place, and she’s worried she’ll say something out of turn. Which she never would. And you’d think with her teaching experience, she’d be comfortable in front of crowds. But she prepares her lectures ahead of time to make sure she doesn’t say anything unplanned.
Which is the exact opposite of me. I love winging it. My best analogies and explanations come off the cuff, and I never remember them from one semester to the next. But I don’t fault her for wanting to be prepared.
“I’ll say something,” Zach says, grabbing the microphone from Claire’s mom. His eyes have a glossy sheen, and his cheeks are deep red, portraying how much beer he’s had.
This ought to be good.
“Thanks everyone for being here. Claire and I are so happy.” He puts his arm around her shoulders again and jostles her a little, then looks down at her with an adoring smile. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Cue the collective “awwww” from all the women in attendance.
