You're My Best Friend

Chapter 10

Miss Yankee doodle, as Geoffrey had begun to call her in his head, was far from the right person for him. She was loud and brash. And she had opinions on everything. He didn't want to generalize and figure that all American women were that way, but she was the only one he had met. Their picnic was filled with debate and a colony of ants who tried to take away one of the sandwich halves. It was a dreadful occasion for all. He kept checking his watch to see when it was officially time for her to leave. Then he could spring upon William to see how things went with Caroline.

"Everything seems so backwards here." Yankee doodle dandy said, "Maybe you ought to have a revolution here too. Get rid of the monarchy."

"If you like America all that much" he said, trying to keep his cool, "why don't you just move back there. I can hardly imagine living in a place with someone... err I mean with something that I hate." he hoped she would see the harshness through his cool and collected words.

"I suppose you are right, but my mother and father want me to embrace their roots. But why someone would choose to give up some of their freedom for this place is incredible. It's so rainy and bleak here." each word aggravated him more.

His pocket watch read 4 o'clock. "Well it must be time for you to be going, I guess."

"Should we do this again?" she asked

"Absolutely not." he replied,

Yankee Doodle looked shocked, "Well I have never been so insulted in all my life"

"Truthfully, Dawn. I say that because I know you will just continue to be unhappy here. If you miss America that much, you should return. Live a life that makes you happy, rather than forcing whomever you marry to live with your agony. And I do apologize for sounding so blunt, but I figure you need to know the truth."

"Sir you are one of the most confusing men I have ever met." She said pulling herself up, "But I admire your honesty. You have the right idea, I may just sneak out sometime soon and leave a note saying I'm going home to the great United States of America."

Geoffrey broke out in a cold sweat, "Just don't mention my name in the letter" he said, motioning her to get ready to leave."

"Oh alright." she giggled and kissed his cheek, "thank you again for your help."

"Uh-huh" he nodded.

Sparing no time, he made his way up to William and was shocked to find him alone. He had assumed Caroline would still be here. "Where's Caroline?" he asked his brother, while simultaneously trying to catch his breath.

"She left just an hour ago. After she vowed never to marry me"

Geoffrey felt himself fill with rage. Out of all the selfish things he could have done, he had set his dear Caroline up with someone as careless as his brother. He had definitely broken her heart or hurt her in some way. And Geoffrey knew the only person to blame was himself. If he had been a better friend to her, he would have put her first. But he didn't want to lose her. Especially not to someone else. His whole body felt strange, like he panged for her. But regardless, it had all been messed up by his idiotic brother.

"You idiot" he said sharply, "what did you say to her?"

"What?' William took a step back, "I didn't do anything to her"

"Then why did she vow to never marry you?" he clipped back

"Are you implying that I did something to ruin her honor?" William said

"I don't know, are you?"

"No! No! She vowed to never marry me because I had vowed the same thing. She said we were too close of friends to ever feel anything about each other romantically."

Geoffrey felt a sigh of relief, hit simultaneously with the feeling of regret. If she felt that way about William, she would likely feel the same way about him. He still didn't know if it was love he felt towards her, but he knew it was something strong.

"Then of course she said something about you." William added

Geoffrey's ears perked up, "She did?"

"Yes. Something quite silly really. Something about feeling bad about letting you down. It seemed like she was in love with you, really. Or at least mildly obsessed with your well being."

"She is?" he said, his heart pumping.

"Well I'll be damned," William said, "You feel the same way about her, don't you?"

"I don't know. No I'm not sure." Geoffrey shook his head, "Maybe... I'd need to talk to her."

"You could drop by her house sometime soon. I'm sure you two will be dying to see each other and fall in love passionately." William said puckering his lips to imitate a passionate kiss.

"I'm still sort of mad enough to hit you from before," Geoffrey said, "I will not hesitate to hit you in the gut."

"With your weak left hook?' William laughed, "You couldn't hurt anyone if you tried."

He had to admit his brother was right, "But I don't recall you doing any better yourself. Weren't you the one who wrote to mummy the first time you got a black eye?"

'Did someone call for mummy?" Both young men turned around to find their mother behind them. For the first time in months, she was out of her bedroom and mourning clothes, and in a cheerful plum color.

"Mother!" The boys said in unison, running to give her a hug.

"I figured it was time for me to break out of my melancholy." She said kissing both of her boys on the cheek, "Now what were you two talking about?"

"I think I might be in love" Geoffrey replied.