Shelly taught me how to braid my hair, how to put on makeup, and that I wasn’t any cooler for wearing or not wearing it. At a time when my isolation from other girls and constant dragon companionship could have made me insufferable, she saved me. In those years when it felt like escaping scrutiny meant rejecting femininity, she showed me how delightful it was to be a girl.
“How are you feeling?” I ask against her cheek.
“Good. Even better now.”
I want to scoff at the notion my presence has done anything. Jeffrey places a mug of tea in front of me and we all sit at a small round table.
I pinch the tube in my pocket again. I hadn’t planned to start with that, the arguments we’ve had countless times, but my insides feel hollowed out seeing her like this. I open my mouth when Shelly cuts me off with a question.
“So, tell me about my replacement. I hear there is sometensionbetween you and the new intern?” Amusement interweaves her words.
“First, James Murphy is not a replacement. Not even close. But yeah, we kind of hate each other.”
Shelly frowns as Jeffrey loudly exclaims, “What?”
I look between them. “James and I don’t get along.”
“But Jeffrey said you twolikeeach other,” Shelly counters, confused.
I almost spit out my tea. “What?”
“You’re both always staring at one another.” Jeffrey leans forward on the table, all elbows.
“That’s because I’m trying to make sure he’s not going to learn the family secret. And he… James stares at everyone.”
Shelly smiles at Jeffrey. “I get what you mean now. Entertaining.”
“No. No, no, no.” I hold up a hand and point at both of them in turn. “I’m not your entertainment. This. Is. Horrible.” I try to punctuate the problem. The very real problem.
“Too late, Farren. You’ve always been our entertainment,” Shelly laughs.
I throw my arms wide like I can cut this line of questioning. “Nonetheless, I’m here for what’s been promised.” I stare Shelly down. “I need to know everything about the proposal.”
Jeffrey straightens, dramatically affronted. “I already told you.”
“And I reject your insubstantial summary.”
“I knew he couldn’t be trusted,” Shelly says, sipping her tea.
“I’m right here,” Jeffrey stammers.
“Yes, right there being untrustworthy to tell Farren the full story.”
“Okay then.” Jeffrey leans back in his seat. “Go ahead, tell her how good I did.”
Shelly’s smile lights up her whole face. “He did pretty good.”
For the next thirty minutes, I receive the romantic account of Jeffrey sweeping Shelly into his arms and taking her on a dragon ride. Something she hasn’t been able to do recently. Carved into the sandy beach down the coast was the inscription just for her. I savor every detail. What Jeffrey said in her ear as he held her close. Exactly how happy they both are.
When Shelly asks me to be a bridesmaid, that same bubbling happiness seems to migrate into my chest, lighting me up.
I was there when they met, when Shelly admitted she liked him. Then like the child I was, I blabbed immediately. I’m pretty much responsible forthem getting together and now I get to be there when they get married. It’s the best thing to happen in ages.
“When’s the wedding?” I suddenly remember to ask.
Jeffrey squeezes Shelly’s hand. “A little less than two months.”
“Two months?” I ask. “That’s… quick?”
