Page 44 of Familiar Things New

“You’re such a braggart,” Edwin said, laughing as he collapsed onto one of the sofa cushions. He took off his hat and flung it over onto an empty sofa nearby. “Not that I’m complaining, either, though I imagine you’d like us to kiss your feet for this.”

Laughing heartily, William pushed past Andrew and fell onto the sofa beside Edwin. With a playful wiggle of his eyebrows, he bent down to untie his shoe, and Edwin knocked his hand.

“I’m only kidding!” William protested. “I promise! I just want to sleep comfortably!”

Edwin pushed William once more but then relented, relaxing back with a sigh. It was sweet how close William and Edwin were. Sometimes it felt to Andrew as though he was watching brothers bicker, rather than friends. He’d had that sort of closeness once. With Theodore.

Sorrow twisted in Andrew’s chest as cherished memories of his lost friendship rushed to the surface.

Wrestling each other when they were kids.

Teasing each other on the way to school.

Chatting and laughing when they’d worked together in the lumber yard.

Andrew shook his head to force the thoughts away and continued into the train car. He set his camera bag on the closest free seat. Edwin’s and William’s bags were on the floor next to their shared sofa. Hooking his hands behind his back, Andrew wondered where he ought to sit.

Before Andrew could decide, William stood up and made his way to the back of the car, where there was a particularly long sofa, the upholstery a velvety-looking fabric, rather than leather. He stopped in front of it to remove his overcoat and hat, both of which he then tossed onto the sofa where Edwin had thrown his hat. Afterward, William lay on the longer sofa, curling up on his side.

“Good night,” he said dramatically. “Wake me when we’re in the city.”

Edwin and Andrew looked at one another and shook their heads, both of them smiling a little. And then Andrew’s smile faltered. He still wasn’t sure where he should sit. If only there weren’t so many options. He’d have preferred to sit next to Edwin, of course, but that might look strange with there being so many other seats available.

Resigned to sitting by himself and staring out the window for the entirety of the ride, Andrew started over to the Chesterfield opposite Edwin, but he only made it three steps before Edwin spoke up.

“You could sit with me. If you want.”

“Oh. Uhm.” Andrew turned to face him. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. I’d . . . really enjoy getting to chat with you, actually. I’ve missed it.” Edwin paused and wrung his hands. “But you knew that already. From my letter.”

Blood rushed to Andrew’s cheeks. “I’ve missed chatting with you, too, Edwin.”

Heart hammering, Andrew sat next to Edwin. He took off his hat and set it in his lap, figuring that having it close might provide his hands with something to do while he was feeling nervous.

“I’m really happy you, ah, you came,” Andrew said, his voice wavering a bit as he stumbled over his words.

“Thank you. I am, too. I wouldn’t have come if William’s parents had insisted on being here as well. They opted to stay in Albany, though, so . . .”

He trailed off as though the statement spoke for itself. Andrew couldn’t help but want to know more, though.

“Do you not like his parents?” he asked.

“It’s . . . complicated.”

Andrew nodded a couple of times. Edwin didn’t elaborate. Perhaps it wasn’t for him to know, then.

Andrew picked up his hat and started to rotate it, moving his fingers over the brim as he spun it around and around. Edwin began picking at his cuticles. After a few minutes of uneasy silence, the train began to move. When it lurched forward, the sudden movement caused Andrew to rock, too, and he bumped into Edwin.

“Sorry,” Andrew said, cringing.

Edwin huffed a light laugh.

“What?” Andrew asked, a smile creeping across his face.

It was hard not to smile whenever Edwin smiled.

“Just you,” Edwin replied. “Always saying sorry.”