Laura and her mother were in the living-room of her parents' home. They had been fussing with wedding details for hours. Gene sat idly in a chair absently playing with the buttons on his shirt. He'd never realized all the rigamaroll involved just to say, "I do."
In fact Gene spent most of the conference in a self induced daze. He only half heard Janet say, "Of course your sister Charlene will be your maid of honor."
But something snapped Gene's full attention to the situation at hand. "Which one of your brothers have you chosen for best man?" Janet inquired.
Gene's mind raced. He had not even begun to think of that. "I haven't," he said.
Janet addressed him sternly. "Well, I should say you ought to." She rose from her seat. "I mean we can't have a wedding with THREE best men. Excuse me, I must attend to something in the kitchen." She turned on her heel and left.
Gene stood and looked after the departing woman then to his fiancee. "I honestly hadn't thought about this."
"Well, which brother do you want?" Laura asked not noticing the bewildered look in Gene's eyes.
"All of them!" Gene snapped. He grabbed his hat and jacket from beside the door and stormed out.
Three days later Gene was still battling his personal demon although it was seen by everyone around him. His mood wasn't foul but he was short-tempered. And his eyes held a cross between anger and hurt. Yet he refused to talk to anyone about it.
"What's with Eugene?" Adam Cartwright asked Michelle. He had come to visit for a few days. (so what else is new). "I said 'hello' and he about bit my head off."
Gene reentered the room. "Sorry, Adam. I really didn't mean to be so rude. In fact, I'd like to talk with you about something if that's okay?"
Adam looked to Michelle who nodded.
Gene took Adam's bag. "I'll take this up to the guestroom for you. We can talk there."
Adam shrugged, kissed Michelle's cheek and followed Gene up the stairs.
Michelle sighed relieved that Gene had decided to talk to someone. "Now if I could have a clue," she said out loud to herself.
"I think I can help." Laura came from behind.
Michelle turned.
Laura neared. "I should have said something sooner... My mother upset him. She didn't mean to. She just suggested that he pick his best man and..." Her voice trailed off. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Now that I know the situation I can help."
Upstairs in the guestroom Adam sat in a chair watching Gene pace and wring his hands.
"You know I can't be of much help if you don't tell me anything."
Gene stopped. "You're right. He sat on the table in front of Adam. "I wanted to talk to you because I figured you're going to have the same problem when you marry my cousin."
"What problem is that?" Adam asked smiling at the thought of marrying Michelle.
"Having to choose your best man. You're going to have to ask one brother over another. What should I do? How do I choose between three people I love?" He looked expectantly at Adam.
Adam inhaled deeply. He folded his arms letting the breath out slowly. "You know I can't tell you what to do. This is one of those tough decisions you have to make for yourself." He leaned forward and rested his hand on Gene's shoulder. "Just listen to your heart. It'll tell you what to do." He gave Gene a small smile.
Gene returned the smile as if he'd known what Adam was going to tell him.
Adam sat back. "I know that may not seem like much help but this is something you really do have to work out for yourself."
Gene nodded. "You're right." He stood to leave. "You know Joe was right about something too."
Adam looked puzzled.
"You are a lot like Jarrod." He stepped over to the chair, hesitated, then hugged Adam quickly.
"Jarrod, are you busy?" Michelle entered the study to find him at his usual spot behind the desk.
Jarrod looked up. "Well, I am... but for you..."
Michelle sat on the desk. "I know why Gene has been snapping at everybody."
Jarrod's eyes showed concern. "Why?"
"Laura's mother cornered him about the selection of his best man. He can't bring himself to choose one of you."
Jarrod stood and rounded the desk. "Poor guy. Did HE tell you this?"
Michelle shook her head. "No. Laura did. He's talking with Adam about it."
Jarrod fingered some papers on the desk. "Would you tell him that I'D like to see him."
Michelle smiled as she rose from the desk and started to leave. Jarrod took hold of her arm. He looked at her like he wanted to say something but hugged her instead.
Michelle was waiting for Gene at the foot of the stairs. "Laura filled me in on the situation. How did it go?"
Gene sighed. "Okay, I suppose. He told me what I already knew."
"Gene, there really is no rule that says you can only have one best man." She tried to be reassuring. "And Jarrod would like to see you."
"Did you tell him?"
"I thought he should know."
Gene gave her a kiss on the forehead before heading to the study.
In the study Gene found Jarrod sitting in one of the big chairs. "Michelle said you wanted to talk to me."
Eugne nodded.
"Come here." Jarrod patted his thigh, a gesture that indicated he was inviting his brother to sit in his lap.
Slight embarrassment came over him. "Jarrod, come on," he said quietly.
Jarrod was amused. "Come on what?"
"I'm twenty."
"I don't mind."
Shyly Gene approached his brother. Carefully he sat on Jarrod's legs leaning his right side against his chest. It took a minute for him to arrange himself with his head resting on Jarrod's shoulder. Jarrod cinched his arms around him. It was awkward for them both. Physically, Gene was too big for this. Emotionally, however, he had to admit to himself that it was comfortable.
Jarrod rubbed his cheek against Gene's forehead. "You know, when you were younger when you sat in my lap you would tell me anything."
"Except that I loved you," Gene reflected with regret. "I'm really sorry it took so long for me to say."
Jarrod stroked his arm. "You let me know in other ways. But thank you for saying it. Now why don't you tell me about the problem at hand?"
"Michelle already told you."
"I'd like to hear it from you."
Gene swallowed. "Laura's mother wants me to pick my best man. But I can't choose between you."
"So you talked to Adam. What did he say?"
"He told me to listen to my heart."
"And what's your heart saying?"
"I want all three of you. Michelle said that there's no reason not to..."
Jarrod patted Gene's side. "Well, as an attorney I can tell you that there is no law stating that you are limited to one best man. And I know I can speak for Nick and Heath that we would be honored to stand up for you... together."
Gene felt a tear slide down his cheek. "Thanks, Jarrod."
"You're quite welcome."
"Not just that. I mean thanks for being such a great brother."
Jarrod gazed at the young man in his arms. "That... is my pleasure." He squeezed Gene tighter. His legs were starting to lose feeling but he would not have requested that Gene move anymore than cut off his own arm.
Gene nuzzled Jarrod's neck. There were a few minutes of silence before Gene said, "I just hope Mrs. Templeton will be alright with this."
"Would you like for me or Michelle to speak with her?"
Gene lifted his head. "No. This is something I need to do for myself." He paused not really wanting to end the session with Jarrod. "I guess I'd better do that now, though." Slowly he hoisted himself but as he stood he slipped his hand into Jarrod's. They gazed at each other both realizing that this probably would be the last time Gene would find himself in Jarrod's lap. Gene returned to the position he had occupied and wrapped his arms around Jarrod's neck. "Thanks again," Gene said. His lips found Jarrod's cheek. Gene rose again and smiled at his brother. He left the study before he couldn't.
"There is no rule or law that says I can't have three people stand up for me," Gene informed Mrs. Templeton. Laura was by his side.
"Well," Janet responded. "You sound as though you have thought this through. I admire your conviction." She turned to her daughter. "Laura, we will be needing THREE best man's boutonnieres."
THE END