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Dilyn’s Party (Part 4)

“Well, it’s not all that common. Most people wouldn’t guess that right away.” Veronica said.

“True,” Bryce said. “but looking at you it’s almost obvious.”

“Really?”

“Definitely. You’re so lithe and graceful.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me for stating the obvious.”

Chad came dashing back up the stairs. “Got it!”

“Is that the one with the bridges?” Janka asked.

“Um… yes.”

“I love this book. Veronica, come with me.” Janka grabbed her hand and pulled her over to an Ottoman against the wall. She set the plates on the floor and pulled Veronica down beside her.

“She’s a pistol.” Bryce said.

“Veronica is quite a dish.” Chad said.

“She’s lovely but I don’t really see us together.” Bryce said.

“Well, if you’re not interested…” Donnie said.

“Now, I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. I just don’t know how a dancer with legs to the moon is going to be bothered with a shrimp like me.”

“She was downstairs feasting on shrimp, Bryce.” Chad said. “Don’t sell yourself short.”

Bryce glared at him.

“I don’t mean it that way.”

“I know. I know. I’m too short for a girl like that.”

“Jeez, Bryce. I thought you got past this in Sophomore year.” Donnie said.

“Look at her sneaking glances at you.” Marv said. “Janka’s probably setting up a double wedding.”

“Wedding?” Bryce squeaked. “I don’t even know her!”

His friends laughed at his discomfort. He caught her looking at him. What was that look?

She caught him looking at her and dove back into the book with Janka.

“That’s the George Washington Bridge?” Veronica gasped. “How did he get that angle?”

“Is a good question. This is something you could ask him over coffee, maybe.”

“I don’t know. If I get picked up by one of these dance companies, I’m not sure how much time I’ll have for coffee.”

“Veronica, there is always time for coffee. Look at the creativity in these pictures. Anybody can take pictures. Only a very sensitive soul can take these pictures.”

“But he’s so…”

“Nice?”

“Short.”

Janka shrugged. “Nobody is perfect, but his heart is on these pages. Would it not be nice if all men could advertise their souls like this?”

“Did your guy?”

“He gave a business presentation in Budapest. The summaries. The pie charts. The bar charts. The Gantt was so beautiful I nearly swooned.”

“Swooned? I didn’t know anyone swooned anymore.”

“Maybe the wrong word. English is difficult sometimes.”

“Maybe. What do you mean, exactly?”

“When you are with a man.” Janka started rocking her hips. “And you want to scream or maybe go unconscious…”

“Oh, my goodness! Okay, yeah, we’ll stick with swoon. Wow. Oh, look, it’s the Willems Bridge. That’s a really interesting view of the Willems Bridge right there.”

Janka winked at her fiance. Marv turned to Bryce. “She’s hooking you up for sure. Don’t be surprised if she gets you a date with her this very week. Janka is very, very efficient.”

“Oh, okay. This week might be nice.” Bryce nodded, but he was thinking, ‘Plenty of time for her to forget the whole thing.’

“Well, hopefully it’s after you drop me off at the airport. There’s barely enough room in your apartment to turn around. The three of us together might cause nuclear fusion.”

“It’s not that bad in there, Chad. It’s bigger than our dorm room.”

“Not by much, mate.”

“But still big enough for Bryce to work over those triplets while you were at your Chaucer class in the evening.” Donnie laughed.

“Wait, what?” Chad looked at Bryce.

“Best hour and a half ever.” Donnie said.

“How do you know?” Bryce asked.

“Dude, we could hear the carrying on under the door. You were a freaking legend. The look on their faces when they piled out of your room said only one thing.”

“Donnie, that’s a long time ago.” Bryce said.

“What did their faces say?” Chad demanded.

“Beast Mode! Bryce and the Genetti Triplets. It was epic.”

Bryce blushed a shade of deep mulberry. Veronica was looking at him again.

“I wonder what they’re doing to Bryce.”

“That is a very interesting color he is turning.” Janka observed. “They went to university together.”

“Even the British guy?”

“Exchange student. He was in the room with Bryce.”

“Oh, did he stay here?”

“He came for shopping. I think he has kids in UK.”

“Oh, I see. Is he staying long?”

“He will fly back some time this week with his gifts.”

“It’s nice he could come visit, though.”

“Yes, I am glad I got to meet him. Marvin has talked about him sometimes.”

“What does he say about Bryce?”

“Hmm, he said ‘Legendary…’ this word I cannot remember.”

“Legendary?”

“When farmer lends bull to other farmer.”

“Stud? Bryce is a Legendary Stud? Really?”

“That was university time. Now, he is this guy.” Janka patted the book.

“People don’t change that much, do they?”

“Yes, I think they do. Legendary Stud is too busy farming to take such pictures as these. These pictures are taken by a grown.”

“A grown-up? Really? Look at him, Janka. Even without that god-awful sweater, he’s a hobbit. I can’t take him seriously.”

“Maybe good things come in small packages?”

“That’s for jewelry, not midgets. I think I need to go.”

“Can I get your number? I would like to know how you do with your dance company.”

“Oh, sure.” Veronica pulled a piece of notepaper out of her purse and wrote her number. She jumped up and said, “It was really nice to meet you. I’m going to get going.”

“Thank you. We can talk later.” Janka held up the piece of notepaper and waved goodbye. Marv caught the motion.

“Bryce, I think your dancer is going to boogie on out of here.”

Bryce looked over to the spot where the girls were sitting. Janka was there by herself with the photo book. Veronica was already halfway down the stairs. She turned and looked over her shoulder. Their eyes met. He turned back to his friends and she got her coat.

“Shouldn’t you go say goodbye?” Chad asked.

“She didn’t. Why should I? She’ll be gone by the time I get down there anyway.”

“Spoken like a true romantic.” Chad rolled his eyes.