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“Thanks again for letting me stay here until my apartment is ready. I really underestimated how difficult a cross-country move would be. I know space is a little tight, and you have a lot going on.” said Cameron from across the room, throwing the last of the party's trash into a faintly scented Hefty bag. She looked strikingly similar to her cousin in virtually every way except for her height. She was lucky to hit 5’2 “in heels.
“That’s what family's for. Even if we haven’t seen each other in over a decade.” Buck shot back at her, the subtle but playful sarcasm in his voice. Cameron could tell it hurt him, even if he was joking, it hurt her too. The two were inseparable throughout their childhood, Buck was only a few years older so they were always running off together at family functions, at school, whenever they could really. Sure they had the family group chats, but aside from the occasional Facetime catch-up or texting each other an old photo or Facebook memory they just didn’t talk anymore.
“Oh, it hasn’t been over a decade, the last time we saw each other was at my high school gradu…Oh, God. Wow, it really makes me feel old when you put it like that.” Cameron came into Buck’s living room with two solo cups and a cheap bottle of the overly sweet blueberry wine that they used to buy from a sketchy liquor store, near their high school. Mr. Novak, the man behind the counter, never carded the high schoolers, he would mumble in his old raspy indistinct European accent “No hard liquor.” For that reason, they went for the cheapest wine the store had. The type that has a cartoonish vineyard on the label and a plastic twist top instead of a cork. She curled up into one corner of the couch mirroring her cousin in the other.
“Right? I know thirty isn’t old but sometimes I look back and feel like things were so long ago.” Buck laughed before spotting the bottle, when he did, his expression changed to a smile that only the fondest of memories can bring: “I can’t believe you brought that with you. I haven't seen that wine in forever. ”
“Oh, I know, I saw it at the store and got smacked in the face with nostalgia. It won’t get ya shitfaced for $3 anymore…but it will for $7.” She giggled while leaning over and giving Buck’s cup a heavy pour. The two clinked their plastic cups “To Mr. Novak, you are still the oldest-looking person I’ve ever seen and are surely dead by now, so this one's for you.” and took synchronized gulps. Suddenly it felt like Thanksgiving and they were hiding in her parent’s basement closet. Indistinct chatter and the smell of turkey, pecan pie, and cheap wine emanating through the air.
Buck laughed. “That’s actually kinda good, I wasn’t expecting it to hold up.”
“ Well, you’ll be happy to know I bought two more in case we decide to continue reminiscing, so there’s plenty where that came from.” She motioned towards a few suitcases by his front door. “Your friends seem really nice by the way. Thanks for sharing them with me, I’m glad you and Maddie found them. Her and Chimney seem perfect for each other, I can’t wait until I get to meet Jee-Yun next week. “
“Yeah…they are, and of course! Everyone is welcome at the 118 hangouts.”
“Speaking of Maddie, did you notice that she wasn’t drinking and that she and Chimney kept whispering to each other? I might be way off base, but my money is on baby number two,” she said while holding up two fingers.
“Hmm, I don’t know. She gets kinda weird like that with alcohol sometimes.” Buck said, desperately trying to move past the conversation.
“Since when? You can call it women’s intuition if you want, but they were being hella obvious and your friends Eddie and Karen were speculating too.” Cameron pursed her lips and gave a whatcha gonna do hand gesture.
“Just don’t say anything, okay? it’s still pretty early…they don’t want anyone to know.” He pleaded, putting his free hand up between them.
“Wow, you still fold so easy when it comes to gossip, you blabbermouth.” she teased while swatting his hand away. “Don’t worry I won’t confirm nor deny any baby rumors.”
Thank you, that’s a relief. He said as his hand now on his forehead.
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