Andy kicked at a stack of hay as he passed. Even his own humming was unable to fill the voids with cheer.
Oscar followed, unsure if any words that were circling around the sidewalk of his mind were appropriate to use at the moment. Seemed hopeless.
"I'm sorry, man." Oscar offered, nervously.
"It's fine, I guess." Andy reached to open the looming wooden doors before him. Oscar dashed up to help, hoping that would be better interpreted than his choice of words.
One door slid open, then the other, creaking along the dirt and leaving several bits of hay and flower petals homeless.
Both men, for different reasons, were surprised to see the barn entirely decorated. From the rafters glittered strings of light. Candles muttered in each window, neatly cascaded away from the hay. Heavy fabric protected the wooden pews from a possible snowfall. The arch itself had been meticulously draped in bright blossoms, still inhaling the joy of the scene, unaware their stems had been sliced away.
With a similar feeling brewing within Andy, he approached the arch to study it. As he reached for the brightest flower he could see…
"Don't." rang a decisive voice, like a hammer to a nail.
Dwight emerged from the side of the barn, eyes focused on the ground.
Oscar sat down in the front row, waving for Andy. He backed away from the arch.
"Just sit down, Andy… or we can go." Oscar tried to speak quietly. Dwight watched them.
"This was supposed to be my wedding day." Andy recited, "That's all."
Dwight sat down in the row across from them.
"You know what?" began Oscar. He knew this trip would only end in his failed attempts at consolation, "Save this for someone else."
"Yeah…" said Andy, "She wasn't that great, was she? I just realized that."
Unsure of displaying insult or agreement, Dwight's eyes swiveled over. They were cloudy, but otherwise unreadable.
"Please, I could've told you that."
"Y'know, you kind of ruined this for me, so why don't you stop." Andy felt childish and kind of enjoyed it.
Oscar picked at the sentence Dwight abandoned:
"I did try to tell you how awful she was, remember? I've worked with her for what, ten years now? It must be ten years… believe me, that's long enough."
Dwight did agree with this, providing a solemn nod.
Spontaneously, the three of them laughed. Then immediately stopped to ask why they'd done so. No answers.
"This can still be a day you remember, Andy." Oscar told him, "A… new beginning."
Dwight proceeded to a crate at the back of the room, appearing as if its only purpose was to hold the massive doors open or shut. From this box he removed a half-surrendered bottle of beet-infused wine. And mugs, not glasses.
Oscar shrugged at how ridiculous his day was becoming. This was a day off, yes, which he had taken… to be Andy's 'backup best man', since Angela hated the idea of letting Here Comes Treble anywhere near her.
"A toast," said Dwight, "To Andy's new beginning."
The drinks were poured, pressed together, then sipped.
"Thanks, guys, for everything."
"You weren't supposed to forgive me that quickly." Dwight mused.
"That's what I do."
They smiled at each other. Dwight's eyes widened, just enough for Oscar to feel uncomfortable. Which wasn't much.
"Did you want to leave?"
"You're free, Oscar. Sorry for wrecking your day off."
"Your day, man. Wouldn't miss it…"
"Thanks. I'm fine."
Dwight's turn to feel awkward. He settled by announcing:
"Don't drive while intoxicated, Oscar."
"You're kidding, right? I barely had a sip, Dwight."
Dwight raised an eyebrow above the frame of his glasses. Oscar returned to his seat.
"I was kidding. That was a joke."
The mugs were passed around again, sparking a comforting conversation. For many hours, the three men sat and talked, often laughing and always agreeing.
When the bottle was empty, Dwight removed its cork for a final time.
"Here, Andy."
"What?"
"Don't people keep random stuff from their wedding day?"
He smiled and caught the cork as Dwight tossed it.
"We should get going." Oscar said, straining to see whether the sun was still visible through the rafters.
"Yep. Hey, thanks Dwight. We're cool, right?"
"I accept your apology… Drive safely."
Dwight shut the doors behind them as they left.
Oscar and Andy chatted on the way to their respective vehicles.
"Thanks for everything."
"You too. Hey, let me know about plans this weekend, okay?"
"Sure. Sounds great."
As they drove away, Angela's car pulled into the driveway. She crept to the barn doors, struggling with all her strength to open just one. Dwight heard this and pushed it ajar.
"Hello, Dwight." Her smile was hopeless.
"No." he told her, slamming the door.
