15 Chapter 15

Just and I learned that the grooms had a hired staff of three: Lucille, a cuisine artist; Broderick, a nineteen year old houseboy; and Tessa, a housemaid. Lucille prepared club sandwiches, fruit salads, and cups of cottage cheese for our meal. Broderick, a blond twink with plump cherry-colored lips, poured glasses of Rothshire White, 2004.

During our meal, I politely asked Andrew to regale us with the story of how he met Brice. Just had never heard it and I had wanted him to. My long-time friend was delighted to oblige and started his tale with: “We met skiing in Aspen.”

Brice was in a cheery mood, even if he still loathed me. He took a massive swig of his white wine, swallowed, and interjected, “He tried to kill me.”

Andrew laughed. It came across as hearty, pleasurable, and with much grace. “It was an accident. I was just learning how to ski and Brice happened to be in my way.”