Chapter 76 The Tarnished Ring

Chapter 76 The Tarnished Ring
Shayne took special time making dinner for Jeffrey. She knew it would be the last one she would have with him and the thought of it was already breaking her heart. She made a point to make a meatloaf that she knew that he liked. She whipped the potatoes, and even made a mess of home-grown green beans. She baked a double layer chocolate cake for dessert.

She cried on and off for most of the day, as she steeled herself. She knew what she had to do but it wasn’t easy to think about. She couldn’t imagine a future without him or what it would be like to raise Baby Bean by herself. Yet, being in the future was better than dead. No matter how much it was going to hurt, she was resolved that being alive and away from her was better than him dying. Her only hope rested in knowing that somewhere out there his heart would still be beating.

She was finishing up dinner when Jeffrey, Brian, Kevin and Jamie got home from work. She set the table as the boys got into the shower to wash off all of the construction dust of the day. Jeffrey has been in a good mood, and teased her about getting into the shower with him. The guys each appeared at the dinner table, one by one.

Despite multiple attempts at starting conversations, dinner seemed subdued as almost everyone ate in silence. Jeffrey told Shayne they had wrapped up their current project and would be starting a new one tomorrow. No one else really talked about work. Jamie, who didn’t know what was actually about to happen, was especially sour. He spent much of time complaining. Shayne found it irritating.

By the time the last bite was eaten, Shayne was feeling even more devastated. She has hoped she could send Jeffrey off to the future with one last hurrah but she realized that was impossible because she wasn’t the only one he would be leaving behind. Kevin and Brian had been Jeffrey’s best friends for most of his life. They weren’t just losing their friend, they were letting go of a brother.

After dinner, Kevin, and Jeffrey offered to wash up the dishes. Jamie quickly disappeared into the basement and it felt like the air in the dining room became ten pounds lighter. Brain was beginning to get nervous about his date and Shayne was holding his hand to comfort him.

Brian and Shayne both heard his date’s car pull up into the driveway. He held Shayne’s hand until the doorbell rang. Brian got up and went to the entry while Shayne waited in the dining room. Jeffrey and Kevin finished the dishes and Shayne asked them to join her at the table.

A few minutes later, Brian walked into the room with the lifeguard’s hand in his. “Hey, before I leave, I just wanted to introduce you to my date. This is Leonard. Leonard, these are my friends, Shayne, her husband Jeffrey and Kevin” He said as he pointed to each of them. Shayne waved at Leonard emphatically.

Jeffrey stood up and walked over to Brian and his date, “Hey Brian, you do realize your date is a big black guy, right?” Jeffrey said in complete shock. Everyone chuckled as Jeffrey reached out and shook Leonard’s hand. “No offense man, you're just not what I expected.”

Leonard shrugged. He was over six feet tall with chocolate brown skin, a bald head and large dark eyes. He had an easy-going smile, that instantly put people at easy and Shayne could see why Brian liked him. Leonard just smiled at Jeffrey. “It’s okay, I get that a lot.” He chuckled.

Kevin got up and walked over to Brian. “Yeah, I didn’t see this coming but now that I think about it, it does make sense.”

They all turned around to see how Shayne would react. “Oh, I already knew. I’ve known for a long time. I’m just glad to meet you formally.” She said as she gave both Brian and Leonard a side hug.

Leonard reached over and casually put his arm around Brian’s neck. “I told you it would be okay. Your friend’s care about you and want you to be happy.”

“I guess we should get going.” Brian said awkwardly. Shayne waved her hand for them to go.

Before he left, Brian walked over and pulled Jeffrey into a hug. “Are we good?” He asked.

“Sure, why wouldn’t we be?” Jeffrey asked with a raised eyebrow.

Brian’s eyes teared and he pulled Jeffrey into a hug. “I love you,” Brian whispered. “I should have told you that a long time ago. I’m going to miss you so much. Good luck,” he said as he turned and walked away.

Jeffrey had a confused expression on his face as Brian disappeared out the front door. Shayne heard him speaking to Leonard on the porch. He told his date that Jeffrey was leaving for a sports train camp in the morning and they would be going separate ways. He didn’t think he would see him again for a long time.

Shayne decided that would be the story she would tell people to explain where Jeffrey had gone. Like her grandmother, who told everyone she was in Europe, she wanted people to be happy for Jeffrey rather than grieve for somebody who technically wasn’t dead. She believed it was the kindest thing she could do for his family, especially considering they still weren’t talking.

Once Brian had left, Jeffrey turned to look at Kevin and Shayne. Before he could say anything, Kevin walked over and hugged Jeffrey tightly. “You’re my brother, and no matter what, remember that I keep my promises.” Kevin choked out. He turned around and quickly disappeared.

Jeffrey turned around with a mystified expression. “What the heck did you put in dinner?”

Shayne chuckled nervously. “Let’s go cuddle in our room. I want to talk to you about my vision.”

Jeffrey reached down and swung her up into his arms. He kissed her on the lips. “I don’t see us getting much talking done.” Shayne hummed against his lips happily as Jeffrey carried her up to bed.