Best Whore of Dishonor

It was the worst punishment of the week: being forced to help with the girls plan the wedding...of course, Ava did it for Stu's sake. Yet she HAD to tell Stu about her feelings...get closure before moving on, as much as it would hurt to know that he had.

Just think of it as ripping off a Band-Aid, Ava said. It'll hurt for only a moment. Just get it over with.

Ava went over to Stu's house to talk to him. Thankfully, Lauren had left ahead of time to Thailand to make arrangements for the wedding. It was the perfect time to get closure.

"So how did it go?" he mocked, knowing Ava hated every minute of it. "Shopping with the girls?"

"It was fine," she said. "I guess I saved my ass a second time with your soon-to-be bride."

"Yea. Lauren said you impressed her again."

"Well, I intend to behave myself as promised, Stu."

"Good. Let's just hope the whole...marriage thing between us never comes out."

"Oh good God!" she sighed. "So how did it go at Alan's? I guess he's coming."

"Yea," said Stu with tight lips.

Ava felt sorry that Stu was forced to invite the ONE person he didn't want at his wedding. Well, it wasn't his fault that Tracy wanted him to come...and of course, Doug can't say no to his wife. Well he could...if Mom was still alive.

"So what happened?" asked Ava sipping her coffee. "Over at Alan's?"

"Well, you're not going to believe this...but he kept all the pictures from our Vegas trip."

"Aw shit!" she groaned. "I guess Doug found out about our...marriage."

"Yea. But I can tell you...he thought it was funny seeing our wedding pictures."

"Huh," Ava said. "Usually when I do crazy shit like that, I get a lecture from him. No doubt I will."

"Well, I explained to him everything. He seemed to understand."

"I won't hold my breath," she said.

"And get this: Alan's been in touch with Mr. Chow."

If there was another person besides Melissa she didn't want to see again, it was that crazy Asian flamboyant gangster, Leslie Chow: she pepper sprayed him, was beaten up by him brutally and his men, AND she stole $2,400 from him. Yea, a little revenge for beating her up, that motherfucker.

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed. "Oh my GOD! He really HAS lost his mind!"

"No kidding," he said flatly.

Ava sighed, looking at her iPhone of all her notes of what to talk about for closure with Stu. Yet...just seeing him. Reminiscing all those times together. What was she suppose to say to the man she loved?

"Stu," she began, taking a deep breath.

"Yea?"

"Um..."

She looked into Stu's blue eyes, behind those wire-rimmed glasses. Seeing the boy she used to play with in dorky clothes. The boy who used to hide with her in the tree house. The boy who never pulled her pigtails, never scared her, the shy boy. The orthodontia-adorned, coke-bottle glasses wearing nerd she remembered from high school to college.

"You want me to do a speech at your rehearsal dinner?" she blurted quickly.

"Well, you are the best maid," he said. "I think it's required."

Ava smiled. Fuck! She chickened out! Goddammit! She couldn't do it!

When the time came to leave for Bangkok, she carpooled with the boys. Their flight would leave at 3:15 PM. It would be a 16 hour flight. 16 hours with four men! Cramped in coach seats. Phil thought Ava should pay for first class seats for them, but Stu adamantly refused. Not that Ava would've minded giving her best friend a memorable time.

"Hi, Mother Wolf," Alan said, hugging her. "I missed you."

"Yea," Ava said, flatly as he called her that nickname. "OK, Al. I missed you too."

"I'm glad you're coming to Stu's wedding. I felt I haven't seen you in a very long time."

Ava answered with another inaudible 'yea'. It really hurt that she had to endure this. But she promised Stu she would behave herself. No outbursts. No crying. No nothing.

Then, she saw a young man approach them in a blue dress jacket. He was cute.

"Hey!" Stu said excited. "There he is!"

"Hey, Stu," said the young man, hugging him. "Good to see you."

"Who's this?" asked Alan a bit sullen.

"This is Teddy," Stu said. "Lauren's little brother. Going to Stanford. Premed. This is Phil, Alan, and Doug and his twin sister, Ava."

They all shook hands with Teddy. When it came to Ava's turn, Teddy stared at her. He smiled as he beheld the young woman. So this was Stu's crazy, colorful best friend he told him about? She was hot...for someone older than him: her sapphire eyes behind a long swept-aside bangs of dark pixie hair. She had dark eyeliner and red lips. Her jewelry was a pair of hoop earrings and a handmade bracelet, obviously by some kids.

"Hey, Teddy," Ava said, feeling that flirty side of her coming out a bit.

"Are you...Cherry Girl?" he said squinting her over.

"Uh..." aw shit! Soon, Phil and Doug's laughter rang out as well as Stu's uncomfortable chuckle.

"I can't believe it! You're Cherry Girl! I saw your video. Pretty awesome. You're really popular on campus...the girls do your little trick all the time at frat parties."

Even though Ava was older than him, she was young enough to pass off as a college girl. She was hot: nice tits. Cute ass. Really nice legs with a tattoo on her right ankle. He wondered what other surprises she had in store underneath her clothes.

"Yea," Ava said, turning red with embarrassment. "Um...could you NOT tell Lauren about that? That was really embarrassing."

"Your secret's safe with me. Anyway, Stu told me all about you."

"What did he say?" She asked, looked over at Stu with a cocked eyebrow.

"That...you're colorfully interesting," Teddy said blushing.

Ava shrugged, flattered. "Yea. I can be. But I have to behave this weekend."

"That's right," said Stu.

"Stanford?" said Phil surprised. "How old are you?"

"I..." Teddy began.

"He's 17. Kind of a genius," Stu added.

"Actually, I'm 16," he corrected. "And I'm not really a genius. My dad made me take the entrance exams early."

"So what? Are you a doctor?" asked Alan dumbly, but glaring at the young man.

"No, not yet. Premed," Teddy said.

"Ever heard of that guy Doogie Howser?"

"Yea," said Teddy.

"Well, turned out to be a gay."

"Alan," Ava sighed, mortified by her brother-in-law's blurt. Ava was a bit embarrassed to have Alan as part of her family.

"It's true," Alan insisted. "I read it in Teen People."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Don't mind him, Teddy. He's a bit...let's just say he played under power lines and ate paint chips as a kid."

Stu, Phil and Doug laughed. Even Teddy laughed. Ava sure was funny! Alan just stared dumbly with resentment at Teddy.

"Well, I'm gonna grab a book or something for the plane," said Teddy. "You guys want anything?"

There were various nos amongst the boys.

"I would love a Smartwater," said Stu.

"Yea," said Ava. "I'll come with you, Ted. I might get a magazine and a few other things."

"Are you sure you don't want me to get them for you?"

"I'm a big girl, Ted. I can look after myself. But thank you."

She and Teddy took off to the convenience store at the airport.

Really Aves? she thought to herself. Was she really going to think about sleeping with a teenager?! Was she THAT desperate to get laid? Still...why not? She had slept with teenagers...when she WAS one! God! There was that stupid slutty side of her thinking like that!

Ava looked over the young man. He was sixteen! And in college. A premed! Maybe Teddy was just what she needed to get over Stu. A nice fresh lay. Oh...who was she kidding? This was illegal! Teddy was off-limits. OK, maybe just light flirting with him. She didn't want to lead him on.

"So, Ted," she said. "Do you like Stanford?"

"Um...it's OK," he said with a shrug.

"You don't seem to be too happy."

"Well...not really," he said. "I mean...I wish I could do normal stuff."

"Yea, like what?"

"You know...crazy shit like you do."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my sister told me that...you acted crazy at her engagement party. She told me you took out two cakes."

"Yea. I embarrassed myself...I don't normally act like that. I was just having a really bad day..."

"Nah, I thought it was kind of...funny. It was like watching one of those MTV shows with screaming teenagers."

"What I did was immature and stupid, Teddy. That's not really a colorful side of me. That was more like a psycho-crazy side."

Teddy smiled with a light chuckle. He stared at the cute older girl. She had really nice tits. He'd like to get laid by someone this hot. They walked back together to sit with the boys, waiting for their flight.

"Do you mind if I sit?" asked Teddy, gesturing to the empty seat next to Alan.

"Yea," said Alan sullen. "Wolf Pack only."

"There IS no Wolf Pack," Stu sighed exasperated.

"You can sit with me, Ted," Ava offered.

"OK. Thanks, Ava!"

Ava read a mini Thai dictionary, which also contained Thai phrases and greetings. She looked over at Teddy, who was staring silently, looking at all the boys and a little at Ava with shy glances.

"So, Ted," said Ava, breaking the ice. "Would you mind helping me with these Thai pronunciations? I want to make sure I'm saying them right."

"You've been studying Thai?" Teddy said amazed.

"Yea. If I'm gonna be visiting another country, I'd like to know how to speak the language. I always like being prepared. I'm sure some people there might not speak English."

"I'd be glad to help you."

Stu watched as Ava and Teddy chatted away. They were leaning over some book, laughing and giggling like two school children.

Oh my GOD! Was she really...? Stu sighed.

Wow! She was flirting with a teenager, his fiancee's little brother! How pathetic! Yea, he'd seen this flirty side of Ava before, plenty of times: throw in a little flattery and a few jokes, then she had men hooked. Yet, he still couldn't help but feel a little...

Jealous.

What?! He shouldn't be feeling jealous! He was getting married! Ava was his best friend...and his former flame.

The boys and Ava boarded the plane to Bangkok. Ava continued to read her book on Thai phrases and the language. She wanted to understand anything while they were there. She studied the script and the pronunciation, leaning over towards Teddy to ask how to pronounce it.

"Are you really...going to do it?" Stu whispered.

"Do what?" Ava said confused.

"Fuck my fiancee's little brother...at my wedding?" he hissed.

"We were just talking," she insisted.

"Yea. I know you, Aves," he said. "You were flirting with him. I saw you."

"Oh, so now you're stalking me, Stuart?" she said dryly.

"OK, I'm going to add another rule to our little agreement: you are NOT allowed to fuck Teddy, OK? In fact, you're not allowed to flirt with him. What you're thinking of doing is illegal."

Ava sighed. "So, basically I can't talk to him."

"You can talk to him. Just no flirting...or fucking. I will not have you be Best Maid of Dishonor at my wedding. Also, keep your alcohol to a limit...and your legs closed."

"Fine," she said flatly. She rolled her eyes when Stu wasn't looking. Jesus!

Once they reached the resort where Stu was having his wedding, Ava watched with sour envy as Stu hugged and kissed Lauren. NO! She yelled at herself. You HAVE to behave. No green-eyed monster! No emotional outbursts! Though she promised Stu she would behave, she still couldn't help but feel...

Jealous.

"Hi, Ava!" Lauren greeted her with a cheek kiss. "So glad you could come. Stu said you're his Best Maid."

"Yea," she said with a forced smile. "And don't worry, I won't take out your wedding cake this time."

Lauren laughed.

Ava went to her room to drop off her luggage and change into something comfortable. First they had to go to rehearsal by the afternoon, next would be the dinner. Ava was already sweating. She had to admit that Thailand was a beautiful place, but it was so hot! At the rehearsal, she was standing at the alter with the boys, feeling the beads of sweat roll off her skin. She watched with a sullen, yet composed face as Stu and Lauren stood at the alter, practicing their vows. She tried to keep it to a limit, behave herself.

Suddenly, she felt water flooding her eyes, but tried to be as poised as possible. The wound in her heart was still fresh...even though two years had passed. Doug saw his twin sister, her body convulsing and her head lowered, trying to hide her wet blue eyes as she watched Stu standing with Lauren. He leaned over to whisper to her.

"Hey, baby sis, are you OK?"

"Yea," she whispered painfully. "You know me...and weddings. I promised Stu I'd behave...but I can't help it."

"I'm sure he'll understand," Doug assured her gently, holding her hand. "Did you get any closure with him at least?"

Ava lowered her head, dabbing her eyes discreetly. "No. I chickened out. I guess...I suck and I have to live with this."

"Yea, baby sis," he said. "You feeling the little green-eyed monster again?"

"Mm-hmm...it's getting hard to resist...even though I promised Stu..."

He took Ava's hand and let her squeeze it tightly...just like when they were kids. Whenever they felt angry, sad or jealous, they'd hold hands and squeeze them until their feelings were gone. He felt sorry for Ava, knowing that she was so full of regret letting him go. How much she still loved him.

"Thanks, big brother," she whispered.

"That's what I'm here for," he whispered.

At the rehearsal dinner, Ava wore the red dress Stu bought her in Vegas. Maybe she'd wear it, for old times sake. Everyone was wearing normal colors like blues and greens, she saw some Tibetan monks dressed in sienna and golden yellow linen robes. Ava felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb, embarrassed. Well, it was her favorite color.

When Ava stepped out where they were having dinner, Stu saw her...wow! Ava did look good...she wore the dress. The dress he bought her. Words failed him as he looked over his best friend, his former flame, so beautiful. All he could do was give a smile.

"Sorry," she said ashamed. "Should I have not worn this?"

"No," he said. "It...still looks good on you, Aves."

"Thanks, Stu," she said, blushing.

There was a pang in both their hearts as they shyly talked to each other. It was that night...the night they actually made love in Vegas. A beautiful night they had together. Ava wished she could reminisce with him...if he wasn't engaged...or if they weren't around all these people.

Stu introduced Ava to everyone, including Lauren's father, Fong. He looked over the small brunette in the red dress with Stu. Definitely a whore. Fong thought.

"Sàwàtdee kâ," Ava said. "Dì-chun chêu Ava Billings . Yin dee têe dâi róo-jàk." (Hello, My name is Ava Billings. Pleased to meet you.)

Stu and Lauren, even Fong were amazed at how well Ava spoke Thai. Wow! She did it with eloquence, fluidity and her pronunciation sounded like she was from Thailand itself.

"Your Thai is very excellent, Ava," Fong said in English, a bit impressed.

"Thank you, sir," she replied with a smile. "Teddy helped me out a little bit at the airport. I figured I'd surprise and impress you."

"So, how do you know Stu?"

"Stu and I have been best friends since we were children," she said. "And he's my dentist as well."

"You played with boys?" he said.

"Yea. I was never interested in playing with girls. The boys and I always had fun."

"Well, isn't that nice," he said with a fake smile. Then, walked away, shaking his head with disapproval, saying something under his breath, walking away towards Teddy.

"Did he just call me a 'whore'?" Ava whispered to Lauren. Oh yea. Teddy taught her the dirty words as well.

"Don't worry about him," said Lauren. "My father doesn't like anything."

"Jesus, what a dou..." Ava was about to say until she saw Stu glaring at her. "Sorry. That's my colorful side coming out again."

"No, it's OK. He is kind of...a douche," whispered Lauren giggling.

The rehearsal dinner a grand affair: a beautiful view on the water with lotus blossoms blooming in pinks, the sunset and the mountains in the background. Ava was a bit unsure of what to eat. There was lots of seafood, which she did like, but had to be careful since she was allergic to shellfish. God forbid if she ate something and ruin Stu's rehearsal dinner because of an outburst...well, one that wouldn't be her fault. Good thing she stocked up on PLENTY of EpiPens.

While they ate dinner, Teddy played Bach's No. 1 Suite in G at the dinner. Ava listened to it and it was quite beautiful. Teddy was talented. Yet, she kept staring at Stu, feeling so much bitter regret for not telling him her feelings. Restraining with every ounce of effort to behave. Pushing the green eyed monster down. Keeping her tears back. Just keeping herself composed.

Stu looked really happy...and handsome. She missed him.

"Thanks," he whispered. "For behaving yourself so far."

She nodded. "I'm trying."

Soon as Teddy finished playing his cello, everyone applauded. Lauren's father tapped his champagne glass to indicate he was making a toast.

"Thank you, Teddy," said Fong. "The hands of a brilliant musician...and someday of a brilliant surgeon."

Then Teddy sat down, beaming with embarrassment next to Alan, who continued to stare resentful at him.

"I admit it," he continued. "When I first met Stu, I wasn't quite sold. He seemed unattractive...he lacked intelligence and imagination...he was missing that spark you look in a man..."

You motherfucking asshole! Ava wanted to scream at Fong. She knew Stu was certainly neither of those things! She swallowed her rage, trying to stay calm. Stu looked a bit wounded hearing this, but managed to smile with dignity, holding Lauren's hand.

"But then I look in his eyes," continued Fong. "And he reminded me of my sweet brother, Chaiyo. Chaiyo, as you know, is learning-disabled and lives in group home..."

Alan let out a laugh, splitting the awkward silence. Everyone stared at him. Ava rolled her eyes, thinking dumb ass!

"But he loves chok. And Stu is chok."

"What is that?" whispered Stu to Lauren.

"Chok is soft white rice in lukewarm water," Fong explained. "It has no taste. We feed it to small baby and very old people..."

Ava's eyes went wide, feeling her cheeks redden with anger. She felt herself balling her fist, seeing her ten-year-old self...seeing Stu lying in the mud with a black eye that bully Tammy gave him after beating him up. Getting madder by the minute that the bride's douche bag father was insulting her best friend...yet she had to remember:

No outbursts! No outbursts!

"The world needs chok. Just like the world needs people like Stu."

Oh, you got that part right, old man! Ava wanted to say. I need Stu! I need him.

She looked over at her best friend, who's face looked so hurt. She wanted to hug him. Tell him it was OK. That none of those things Fong said were true.

"Now I believe Ava, the Best Maid and Stu's best friend..." Fong said. "Whom I had the pleasure of meeting. I was surprised that this colorful flower is friends with someone like Stu. When she told me she played with boys, I believe this girl is what we call dok, a whore."

Ava placed her hand on the side of her head, reddening as stood up, angry and humiliated that this man blatantly insulted her. Yea, she was a slut, she knew that. She joked about it plenty of times with her friends, but the way that old man said it was just hurtful. Oh...God! She wished she didn't wear this stupid red dress. It clearly said she was one.

Well, she was going to one-up that asshole Fong...but with grace and dignity. She was going to be a mature adult.

"Um...hi," she said. "I'm Ava Billings. As you know, Stu and I have been best friends since we were kids...um..."

She was sweating nervously, looking at Stu. All eyes were upon her as they eagerly awaited to hear her speech. She sucked in her lips, feeling her cheeks reddening.

"I..uh...spent the whole week trying to figure out what I could say...about my best friend, express how much...Stu means to me as a friend," she continued, her throat tightening. "It was in that moment...I came across a poem I wrote in second grade, but I never got to read it though...well, because the teacher sent me to the principal for using...a dirty word in it. It's a little corny, but it's sweet."

Her hands fumbled for the crumpled paper in her purse, shaking. She had to compose herself.

"It's called My Best Friend Stuey," she said.

She looked at Stu who was smiling, then at her chicken-scratch, second-grader handwriting and began to read it:

"The little boy in the mud with a black eye/I gave his bully a bloody ride/The little boy with the shy smile/That lit up any room/Even when there's gloom and doom/The little boy who I shared secrets/He'd never tell/Even if we went through hell/My best friend Stuey and I/Friends forever that's no lie."

There were various aws amongst the table. Stu smiled, so touched by Ava's words. His blue eyes were brimming with water.

"Anyway, I just want to say," Ava continued, her own eyes misty; they were regretful and hurt, yet she tried to make them look happy. "Stu, you're my best friend. You're getting married to a really super cool girl...I'm sure you'll make an awesome husband. I wish you the...best congratulations in my...heart." Clearing her throat a bit and ridding whatever tears she had, she looked at Lauren. "Lauren, all I ask is you promise me that you'll be really good to my best friend..."

Lauren nodded with a smile, very touched.

"...because if you don't, I will give you that bloody ride I did to his bully," she concluded with a laugh.

Stu laughed, recalling how much Ava beat up Tammy that day. Everyone laughed of course at the last line, then applauded.

"Thank you, Ava," said Fong. "Now, I believe Teddy has something to say..."

Teddy was about to stand up, only for Alan to stop him with a 'I got this'.

"That was a great speech, sir," said Alan to Fong. "I liked the comparisons between Stu and rice..." Then to Ava, "Ava, I liked your poem. I liked the part about how you mentioned his smile."

Ava nodded, a bit embarrassed. Alan took out some cards and went on and on about facts about Thailand in a monotonous voice, pronouncing the name wrong with a 'th', making it sound like thigh-land. Ava wished he would shut up. She drank her wine, trying to stay as composed as possible.

"Alan," said Doug. "Why don't you just skip to the last card, buddy?"

"None of you know Stu like I do..." Alan began. "Not you." He kept pointing to random people. "No one. I can't even tell you what we've been through because we made a pact more important than blood..."

He flipped the card.

"What I can tell you is this," Alan continued. "This is not Stu's first marriage..."

Ava blanched and her face dropped in fear. Oh fuck! He'd better not say it! She had been trying to make herself as graceful and dignified as possible, playing the part as the best friend, not the whore.

Please don't say my name! Please don't say my name! She chanted with hopefulness.

"Stu married Ava in Las Vegas a few years ago...they slept together...they tried a relationship out, but they broke up..."

Oh my...FUCKING GOD! Ava screamed inside. She hid her flushed face in her hand, sucking in her lips with eyes shut tightly. Stu looked equally mortified as her. Lauren was staring at Stu and Ava, unable to believe what she had heard. The dreadful words that Alan said still rang in the room, echoing. She wanted to fucking die.

"OK," said Phil, coming to the rescue. "Time's up. Sit down. You can sit down, bud."

Everyone was staring at her. There were hisses of whispers amongst the table where she sat, pointing at the girl in the red dress. Oh yes! Here she is: the Best Whore of Dishonor! The slut who slept with the groom. Her in her fucking red dress, right there! Well it was official! Every one knew who she was: the whore ex-wife. Fong's words were indeed correct.

There was an uncomfortable applause at the table. Stu's face was also red as Ava's dress, his lips thin and tight with humiliation that this painful truth was revealed about he and Ava's past. There was no way he could make an excuse for this. He lied to Lauren...and brought Ava into it. It was all his fault. He could see that Ava was trying to behave herself. He would've given her the right to have a colorful outburst. Yet, she was being so graceful and mature even at this atrocious event that just happened.

Ava couldn't compose herself anymore. She got up slowly and walked the walk of shame to the door, near tears, covering her face...she went back to her room, locking the door. She screamed and cried into her pillow.