Chapter 17 - Ryan's Turn
Years passed.
Then one afternoon Ryan called.
"I need you."
His voice sounded strange.
"Where?"
"The vineyard."
I laughed.
"Absolutely not."
"I'm serious."
So was I, but I went.
Ryan stood beneath the same terrace where he'd destroyed and saved my wedding.
Beside him was his girlfriend, Claire.
She wore a white dress.
I stared.
"No."
Ryan smiled.
"We're getting married."
"Today?"
"Small ceremony."
"You didn't tell me?"
"Surprise."
I pointed at him.
"If anyone interrupts—"
"I know."
Claire laughed.
Ryan had asked me to be his best man.
Life had a sense of humor.
During the ceremony, I watched my oldest friend promise honesty to another person.
When it came time for my speech, Ryan looked nervous.
I walked into the center of the room holding a microphone.
His eyes widened.
I paused dramatically.
"This wedding cannot happen."
Ryan's face fell.
Everyone who knew the story burst out laughing.
I let him suffer for three seconds.
"Unless somebody brings me another drink."
He threw a napkin at me.
Then I became serious.
"Years ago, Ryan taught me that friendship sometimes requires courage at the worst possible moment."
I looked at Claire.
"He is annoying. His timing is terrible. His judgment about speeches is questionable."
More laughter.
"But when the moment comes when telling the truth costs him something, he'll tell it."
Ryan's eyes filled.
"That's the kind of friend he's been to me. I think that's the kind of husband he'll be to you."
Afterward he hugged me.
"You got me."
"Waited years."
"Worth it?"
"Absolutely."
Emily joined us.
She was laughing.
For a second I saw all three of us as we had been that first night.
Young.
Terrified.
Certain our lives were collapsing.
We couldn't have imagined this.
That's one of life's cruelties and gifts.
When you're inside the worst moment, you cannot see the years beyond it.
You cannot see the repaired marriage.
The child.
The laughter.
The second ceremonies.
You see only the room burning.
But sometimes the room isn't your whole life.
May you like
Sometimes it's just one room.
And eventually you walk outside.
