"So, what did the doctor say?" asked Norman as he reached down to tie Rita's bowling shoes. Shane smiled at the gesture.
"It's nothing serious, thankfully. One of my nerves is acting up as it tries to heal. I just need to rest it for a while. She gave me a special brace to wear on my left leg when I attempt to stand." Shane sighed, "Also extra therapy sessions once I get back from my honeymoon."
"Are you going to be able to walk on it...?" asked Rita, tentatively.
"On Friday? I don't know. Oliver doesn't want me to even attempt to do so, but I'm still trying to decide. The brace does seem to help though, and it would easily be hidden under my dress." explained Shane.
Rita nodded understandingly.
Norman turned and looked behind Shane, "They seem to be getting along well."
Shane and Rita looked up to see Ramon helping Alex select a bowling ball. They were clearly already comfortable with one another and their laughter could be heard above the music.
"Oh!" commented Rita as Heather sat down next to Shane. "I've never seen Ramon flustered like that before."
"Well, he has never been around Alex before." chuckled Heather.
Shane furrowed her brow and leaned in to whisper to Heather, but before she could speak, Oliver and Joe arrived. They'd been running wedding errands since right after work, but refused to divulge details. Oliver scanned the group for Shane and walked right up to give her a kiss on the cheek.
Joe laughed. "It's a good thing we finally made it here. With how Oliver was talking, you'd think he hadn't seen his bride-to-be for days."
Shane grinned at Oliver, flattered.
"Okay," announced Heather, "boys against girls. We're ready!"
Alex walked over and gave Shane a high-five. "Feels great to compete together again, doesn't it?"
Shane laughed, "Yes, it really does!"
Oliver glanced at the clock. 10:16 AM. How had it possibly been only ten minutes since the last time he checked?
It was Tuesday. The last day of work for Shane before the big day. The last day for him as well. He had planned on working Wednesday, but Norman had insisted he take it off. Joe was going to step in while he was gone. And on Friday, they were actually closing the DLO for the day. Oliver had never, ever closed the DLO for any reason, but this was different. He smiled slightly.
Oliver sighed and kept shuffling through the papers on his desk, trying to focus on his work. Her laughter broke the silence. He looked up to see her sitting with Rita, sorting mail and chuckling about something only between them. Rita was holding her belly as she laughed at something Shane said.
Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver saw Norman quietly watching Rita, with a small smile on his face. He had witnessed this many times before, it had been his first clue of Norman's growing feelings for Rita.
He shifted his gaze to Shane's face, watching the animated way she was talking. He loved her laugh, the way she carried herself, even while sitting in a wheelchair. She seemed completely focused on her work today, while he struggled to sign his name. He was completely undone by her presence.
She glanced his direction, sensing his gaze as she always did. She gave him a small smile and shifted her attention back to what Rita was saying. He glanced around the DLO. The next time they reentered those double doors would be as husband and wife. Things were changing, but instead of the fear that he often felt when life shifted, total peace was in its place. Peace he had been searching for for a very long time.
"Are we still on for tonight, Oliver?" Norman asked as he placed a stack of envelopes on Oliver's desk.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. Looking forward to it."
At Oliver's request, Norman had planned a pre-wedding dinner at the Mailbox Grille, instead of a traditional bachelor party. He had kept the guest list short. Oliver was relieved.
"We are all set too!" said Rita, as she and Shane approached Oliver's desk.
"Oh, what are you ladies up to tonight?" inquired Oliver.
Shane glanced at Rita, "I have not been privy to the details, but from what I've gathered, there may be singing involved?"
"Yeah, I have this great karaoke machine and we're going to…" Rita stopped speaking and threw her hand over her mouth. "Shane! You know it's all supposed to be a surprise! Alex made me promise not to spill the beans!"
Shane laughed. "I promise I'll act surprised! It will be fine, Rita." she said, giving her a reassuring side hug.
Norman leaned and whispered to Oliver, "I'm glad we're not singing karaoke tonight."
Oliver chuckled, "Me too, my friend, me too."
"So, Oliver," asked Rita cheerfully, "have you finished our instructions to follow while you're away?"
Oliver felt his face grow hot. "Well, I uh, need to sign a few more papers and then I'll begin working on it."
There was an awkward pause with glances towards Oliver's desk where it was quite obvious that little work had been done that morning. Norman and Rita looked slightly perplexed for a moment. Shane just smiled.
"I'll definitely have it ready by the end of the day." he said in the most confident voice he could muster.
"Of course you will!" said Norman, trying to be reassuring and supportive as always. "And don't you worry about a thing while you're gone. Rita, Joe, and I can handle it."
Oliver smiled appreciatively.
"Well," said Rita placing her hands on the back of Shane's chair, "Why don't I take Shane away...I mean, why don't Shane and I go pick up the undeliverables from Hazel and then you can have some quiet time to work."
"That is a great idea, Rita!" said Shane, with a smile in Oliver's direction. "Let's go see Hazel!"
As they passed through the doors, Shane and Rita both began laughing.
Oliver glanced at Norman. He didn't say anything, just gave Oliver an understanding look and a pat on the shoulder before heading back to his own desk.
Oliver sighed and shook his head, slightly embarrassed. It was time to focus. He signed the first form on top of the pile and as he moved it he found a note underneath on a piece of Shane's stationary. It simply said, "3 days, Mr. O'Toole" with a heart drawn around it.
So much for focusing. Oliver smiled to himself. Yes, just three days.
"Hazel, you are actually really good!" said Alex as she gave her karaoke partner a high-five. They had just finished singing Respect by Aretha Franklin and everyone was laughing and clapping.
"Thanks!" giggled Hazel. "You are too!"
When Alex and Rita had asked Shane what she would like to do for her bachelorette party, she had surprised them by saying she wanted a good old fashioned slumber party.
They thought she was kidding, but she wasn't. With all of the wedding week stress, she wanted something relaxing and fun and different.
Alex and Rita took this seriously. There was food from two of Shane's favorite restaurants in Denver, and a lot of chocolate. They had started with manicures and pedicures and moved on to karaoke. Rita had made everyone matching pajama pants and Shane donned a hot pink 'bride-to-be' sash with an unhealthy amount of glitter.
Everyone was there that was in town. Heather, Alex, Rita, Hazel, some other ladies from work, and even some of Shane's cousins from out of state had come. There was a lot of laughter and it was very loud.
Someone yelled out, "I think it's Shane's turn!"
Shane laughed, "Only if I have a partner! Any volunteers?"
Almost as if on cue, Becky walked through the front door. She yelled "Shaney!" and gave Shane a huge hug.
"Becky! I thought you couldn't make it?!" exclaimed Shane.
"Well, the stars aligned and I'm here! And I'm so glad!" said Becky.
"Me too! Hey everyone, this is my dear friend Becky from D.C." announced Shane.
There was a chorus of "Hi, Becky!" and then Alex said, "Do you sing? Because Shane needs a partner."
Becky looked amused, "Wouldn't be our first time, would it Shaney?"
Shane laughed, "No it would not. Let's go for it!" This brought applause from everyone.
Shane and Becky then sang Wannabe by Spice Girls with several ladies joining them on the chorus.
Karaoke lasted an entire hour. Shane laughed so much she cried.
As Shane's cousins finished the final bars of Dancing Queen complete with dance moves, Alex leaned over to Rita, "It's going great so far, isn't it?"
"It really is! Let's bring out the food and then we can start games!" exclaimed Rita.
Heather, Alex, and Rita went to the kitchen. Shane saw them leave and followed them.
"Thanks so much for doing this! It has been so much fun!" said Shane.
Alex laughed, "Just remember how awesome it was when it's my turn!"
Heather glanced at Alex as she filled a bowl with chocolate covered pretzels. "I think we should play 'Truth or Dare' next, so I can get an honest answer from someone about Ramon."
Rita giggled and Alex's face turned pink, but before she could respond Shane spoke, "You are not seriously interested in Ramon, are you?" She said it as if it was a ridiculous thought.
Alex's eyes narrowed, "So what if I am?"
Shane shook her head, "That's not a good idea…"
"I thought Ramon was your friend? And a good guy?" Alex shot back.
Shane looked slightly flustered, "He is, but…"
"So I'm the problem then?" Alex said, willing Shane to answer.
"Girls!" Heather finally interjected.
Rita cleared her throat, looking terribly awkward, "I'm uh, going to take these pretzels out. Everyone was looking really hungry." She quickly left the kitchen.
There was silence for a moment, and then Alex's face softened. "Sorry Shane. This is your night." and then turning toward her Mom, "What can I carry out?"
Alex left the kitchen and Heather put an arm around Shane. "If your reasons for opposing Ramon are what I think they may be, you need to let your sister make those decisions. Give her room to change, Shane. We all need that, especially from those we love."
Shane sighed as Heather left the kitchen. She hadn't meant to hurt Alex's feelings. She tucked it in the back of her mind and went out to enjoy the rest of the party.
"How was your night?" asked Shane into the phone. It was after 10PM, but she was wide awake and wanted to talk to Oliver.
"It went well." said Oliver. "We had dinner and then went to Ramon's for some poker. I think they all went easier on me than usual."
Shane shook her head, "Ramon..."
"Is everything okay, Shane?" asked Oliver.
She quickly spilled out the whole story about Alex and Ramon and the almost argument she had had with Alex.
"I just don't see how he would be good for her, Oliver. He likes to gamble and is unpredictable and she's trying to get away from all of that. She's dated exciting guys before and it always ended badly. I don't want her to backslide again. She just barely got out of rehab and…"
"Shane…" said Oliver.
"Yes?"
"Ramon may have a very...animated, spontaneous personality, but you know as well as I do that he is a good man. And he is our friend." Oliver paused, "I agree with your mom on this one, Shane."
A long silence followed. Oliver sat there, hoping she wasn't angry.
Shane finally sighed, "I thought you'd be on my side."
"Shane?" said Oliver softly.
"Hmm?" said Shane.
"I'm always on your side."
Shane let his words sink in. "I know." she finally said.
"Ramon could not stop talking about Alex tonight. I have never seen him so focused on one woman. I believe he is quite taken with her." added Oliver.
"Really?" said Shane. "I...I think I better go talk to Alex."
"Okay." Oliver smiled, "I'll pick you up in the morning. 10 o'clock alright?"
"Yes, that sounds wonderful." Shane smiled. "Oliver?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for listening. I love you."
"I love you too. Goodnight." replied Oliver.
Shane sat there stewing for a few minutes. She was already in bed and getting up was always a chore. She decided to call Alex.
Alex didn't answer, but she burst into the room five seconds later. "You rang?" she said sarcastically. "You know I sleep like two doors down right?"
Shane laughed, "Well, I was going to yell, but mom already went to bed and I didn't want to startle her like that."
"Fair enough," shrugged Alex as she plopped down on the end of Shane's bed. "What's up?"
"I'm um, really sorry about earlier, those things I said about you and Ramon. It wasn't fair to you, and I'm sorry." Shane fumbled over her words. "I just worry about you…I want you to be happy and..."
Alex sighed, "You were probably right. I don't have the best track record with men. I'd probably ruin it." said Alex sullenly, throwing herself backward on the bed.
"If you are ready for pursuing a relationship, Ramon is a good guy." encouraged Shane, and then added with a grin, "A little bit overwhelming at times, but…"
"But that's just it, Shane! Most of the 'good guys' I meet are so terribly boring. But the not boring ones tend to not be so good for me. Ramon seems like he might be both?" Alex shook her head, "What am I even saying? I just met the man and he probably isn't interested anyway."
"Well," said Shane, pausing for effect, "Oliver said Ramon couldn't stop talking about you tonight."
Alex quickly sat up straight, "Really? You're not just making that up to make me feel better?"
Shane shook her head. "Of course not! You can tell if I'm lying, remember? Oliver believes he is "quite taken with you."
Alex grinned and then laughed. "This is crazy!"
Just then Shane's phone beeped and it was her turn to laugh, she held up her phone for Alex to see, "Crazy...or fate?"
It was a text from Ramon asking for Alex's phone number.
Alex grinned. "This week is going to be fun."
"So you want me to give him your number?" asked Shane, pretending to be unsure.
Alex grabbed a pillow and swung it playfully at Shane, "Yes!"
Shane laughed, "You really shouldn't be hitting a poor cripple."
"I can if the cripple deserves it." laughed Alex.
They suddenly heard three taps on the wall.
Shane whispered, "Uh oh! We woke up mom."
Alex giggled, "Oops! Some things never change. Do you remember that one time we stayed up until midnight to make her a circus for her birthday out of our stuffed animals?"
Shane struggled to stifle her laughter. "I didn't realize she wouldn't be able to open her door in the morning!"
Alex and Shane both sat there shaking with laughter, trying to keep quiet.
"We better get to sleep. Mr. O'Toole will never forgive me if you are tired for his day with you tomorrow." said Alex as she stood to leave.
"Alex? Before you go, can I ask you for a huge favor? You can say no, but it's for the wedding."
"Sure, what is it?" asked Alex curiously.
They stayed up a while longer, whispering and making plans. Heather listened from the room next door, feeling like she was witnessing a miracle. Her girls, together again, laughing and talking as if nothing had ever driven them apart.
