Teaser: The Summer of the Patent Leather Tree

For some peculiar reason that night, I felt something was changing for Becca. I felt nervous for her.

The next morning she called me for the first time in six years.

“I’m engaged, Ally.”

“Who is he?”

“A guy from college. His name’s Cameron York.”

“Sounds waspy.”

“Definitely. Will you be there?”

“Of course.”

Your childhood best friend, whether you haven’t seen them in over a decade, or spoken to them in over six years, is still the most important friend to have when planning your wedding. Wedding wants never change. Our wants are most pure and honest when we’re young.

Becca hadn’t liked lavender since she was twelve years old. As her maid of honor, I wore lavender.

From the moment I met him, I knew it wouldn’t last. He didn’t understand her. She pretended it didn’t matter. She pretended that she believed he was enough.

For most girls Cameron York would have been enough. Handsome, ivy league educated, kind, honest, a likable guest at a dinner party. But Becca wasn’t most girls. She had forgotten that, I think.

When she asked me what I thought of him I said “He’s great.” I love adjectives. Most writers do. And here I was choosing “Great.” She knew what it meant, but again, she was pretending.

Two years later Becca arrived at my doorstep. She had gotten my address from my mother.

“It’s over.”

“Longer than I expected. Come on in.”

And there she was. And I couldn’t think of one bloody thing to say to the person on the planet I knew almost as well as myself.

“Tea?”

“Please.”

We sat and sipped. Finally, the girl spoke.

“You know Al, this is the most real relationship I’ve ever had with anyone. You’re the only person I ever let in. And I kicked you out by my thirteenth birthday. What’s that say about me?”

“You’re like most people I know.”

“You know when someone knows too much? So much that you can’t lie to them. You can’t put on a happy face. And sometimes, you just have to put on a happy face?”

“Bec, you were a little girl.”

“So were you.”

“What do you remember about that Summer?”

“Everything.”