Free Nan's Story by Paige Farmer Page A

Christ’s sake. I was just surprised to hear he was coming, that’s all!”
    “You sure about that?” he asked.
    “Look, Charlie’s a good guy and all, but you know everything there is to know. He was like an extra brother to me, as if I needed another one, right?”
    She worked hard to keep her tone light and gave him a soft elbow, her good elbow, to the stomach. The lies came much easier knowing that Charlie wasn’t actually here.
    “You’re right. Charlie is a good guy and I know it can’t be easy for you bein’ alone all the time. You know I wish it was different, you know I do.”
    “Buddy, I might be a lot of things, but living in this house, I am never alone,” she kidded.
    “You gotta’ point there,” he agreed and smiled. “Just stay focused, okay? Work on buildin’ your life with CJ. You both deserve good things and as long as you have each other, you won’t be needin’ much else. Capiche ?”
    Nan reached up and kissed her brother’s cheek.
    “ Capiche ,” she replied.
    Just as Arthur and Laura arrived, a short man with gray around his temples came in from the yard and introduced himself as Mike Hill, emcee for the reception. He lined them up in pairs, writing names on a napkin and practicing pronunciation. Once he’d gotten it straight, he headed back out instructing them to wait for his cue.
    As they were called, Nan and Buddy exited the house. They walked across the yard and under the shade of the tent, weaving their way between tables arranged around the dance floor. Statuesque centerpieces filled with lilies, gardenias and bellflowers graced each, and blue tulle bows were tied to the backs of linen covered chairs.
    “Wow,” Buddy said. “Looks like she outdid herself, huh?” he asked as they neared the head table.
    “Yeah, it’s nice,” Nan replied absentmindedly.
    Despite her funk, she made sure to keep a smile glued to her face. Both she and Buddy nodded stiffly toward Joe’s law partners and Nan felt a nudge of resentment that they were seated with Elsie and Joe at the family table. Although Nan had little by the way of family besides her mother and brothers, and CJ of course, she could think of at least a dozen other guests that would have been more appropriate to sit in such a prominent place. But Joe had insisted, apparently with success.
    Nan and Buddy took their place at the head table and along with the other guests, cheered the new bride and groom as they entered. A few of the revelers began to clink their glasses with spoons, and Arthur and Laura obliged them with a long, smacking kiss.
    Nan looked over at Elsie, observing her mother wave her hands animatedly as she spoke to the elegantly coiffed wives of Joe’s partners. Sitting next to Elsie, CJ watched his grandmother with rapt adoration. She did command a room, Nan gave her mother that much. It was just what she did with the airtime that was irksome.
    The waiters began serving dinner and Nan thought if she ate quickly, she might have time to run in and have one more cigarette before the first dance. She wasn’t very hungry anyway and merely moved the creamy Newburgh, boiled red potatoes and green beans with almonds around her plate. After a few minutes of this, Nan excused herself from the table, and walked back toward the house. She debated whether or not she could get away with changing into something less formal and was preoccupied as she entered the living room. A familiar voice startled her.
    “Nan? Is that you?”
    Nan stopped dead, looking toward the front doorway. Her mouth formed an “o” and she inhaled sharply. It was Charlie. Despite her best intentions, her heart leaped.
    “It’s you ,” she breathed.
    “Jesus, it’s been a long time,” Charlie said grinning as he walked toward her. “You look…amazing.”
    “You’re here,” Nan stammered, her eyes disbelieving. Charlie stopped a few feet away looking slightly confused by Nan’s reaction. His smile faltered a bit.
    “Uh, yes. Yes, I