Count On Me

Past, Meet Present

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016 | 1:25 PM | ZEKE

"What the hell just happened?" I say after Tris has disappeared around the corner. Everyone slowly turns to look at me.

The meeting between Uriah, Tris and my best buddy Four was not at all what I expected. At first everything seemed totally normal. But then while Four and Uriah were starting to shake hands Tris made this weird sort of gasping noise and... I don't even know. Tris was pale and she and Four just stared at each other, and then he said something really quiet, and it was like we were all holding our breath even though I had no idea why. Then she just turned tail and ran away.

I look at my brother and Four before I share a look with Shauna. She's as clueless as I am. Four is as stone-faced as I've ever seen him, giving me nothing, and Uriah is scrutinizing him with the tip of his tongue poking out the side of his mouth and his forehead all wrinkled. I can see it the moment Uriah figures out what's going on, I've never seen his eyes so hard, but I'm just as lost as ever.

"Uriah?" Shauna prods. "What's going on?"

Uriah doesn't stop glaring at Four but he finally does answer. "Why don't ask him?" he spits, gesturing at Four. But Four, of course, stays silent. I look back at Uriah.

Uriah scoffs. "Fine. Guess I will, then. He's Tris's ex. I've seen a photo before, and he called her Beatrice. No one calls her Beatrice any more. He disappeared on her two years ago. Didn't even say goodbye."

I narrow my eyes at Four. Why would he just leave her like that? And with her mom sick, no less. They're both great people, I'm sure of that, so what could have made Four leave like that?

Four's impassive expression finally breaks. "She told you?"

"Of course she did!" Uriah snaps. "We don't keep secrets from each other. Who do you think picked up the pieces?" Four flinches at that. Uriah's teeth are gritted and his arms are stiff and straight at his sides, with his hands balled in fists. He steps closer to Four and his stance is so threatening that Shauna steps back from them.

For a second I think Uriah is going to take a swing at Four. Instead, Uri glances behind him and his shoulders sag. "Look, I've gotta go after Tris." He digs in his pocket for his keys.

"I'll help look," Four offers, immediately earning another glare from Uriah.

"I think you've done enough," Uriah spits. He looks at me. "Zeke, make sure he doesn't go anywhere. He would only make things worse."

"Take my car," Shauna offers, tossing her keys to Uriah. He catches them easily. "I'll keep Four in line. Give us your keys and we'll unload the car for you." Uriah hands me his keys and, with quick nod and word of thanks, Uriah jogs to Shauna's car.

As soon as Uriah pulls away from the curb, I raise my eyebrows at Four. "Care to explain?" Four looks away, scratching the back of his neck, and I can see we'll have to drag it out of him. Typical Four. "So, you and Tris used to go out?" Four nods, staring at Tris's motorcycle, probably just so he can avoid looking me in the eye. "And she was called Beatrice?" I can't help the hint of laughter when I say her name.

"Yes," he says, finally looking at me. Well, more like glaring at me. "What's wrong with 'Beatrice'?"

"It just... really doesn't suit her," Shauna says. I'd almost forgotten she was there.

"It suited her just fine," Four growls defensively. Shauna holds her palms out in front of her in a universal "calm down" gesture.

"I had forgotten that was her real name. By the time I met her in person, she was going by 'Tris'."