I’m with the best man I’ve ever known.
About a half mile down the road, Evander pulls over.It’s a turnaround that’s been neatly plowed in advance, almost like he planned it.
He taps the button to raise the roof of his classic red convertible and cranks the heat to maximum.He reaches up to lock the vinyl cover in place.
“Thanks for humoring me.”He gives me a crooked grin.“I pictured it happening this way, but when I imagined it, it was summer.”
“Pictured what?”
“This.You.That I’d pick you up and tell you we’re headed to the feed store.”
“The feed store.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t actually be taking you to the feed store.”
I shake my head.“What is this, exactly?”
“Whatever you want it to be.I have a present for you, Phoebs.”He reaches around his seat to grab something.“Close your eyes.”
I do, and my whole body begins to vibrate.Something important is happening.Something life-changing.I tell myself to rein it in.I know my imagination can go completely crazy.I can fantasize all kinds of outrageous stuff.
Like Evander doing a double take when he sees me in my dress.
Like Evander loving me.
Wait.That all came true.
“You can open now.”
It’s not what I imagined, but it’s a lot funnier.
“Evander, you shouldn’t have.”
He laughs and places the can of Beefaroni in my hands, a big red bow stuck on the lid.“Go ahead.Open it.”
I examine the can.It’s light, but when I shake it, I hear rattling.I remove the bow to find that the aluminum lid is attached with clear tape.
I look from the can to Evander and back again.
“Go on.I taped all around the rim so it wouldn’t cut your fingers.”
“If I did, you could suture me up.”
“Too soon,” he says.“Please open it before I lose my mind.I’m a little nervous.”
“You?Nervous?”
He nods.
I raise my hand to caress his scruffy face.It’s the face I love.
I pop the lid to discover that the can is stuffed with a bunch of little pieces of paper, folded into squares.On the outside of each is a handwritten label:I.O.U.
A laugh escapes my lips, as I reach in for the one on top.I unfold it.
Cinnamon cereal in 2% organic milk.
“Oh,” I say, lifting my gaze to Evander.He’s smiling at me with his hand out.
