Clear Wind Brews Strong Liquor, Eyes Untouched by Dust

The year I turned twenty-three, I had a dream.

In it, a middle-aged man kept warning me, patient and pained.

Break up with your girlfriend, and do it soon. Otherwise those two will play you for a fool.

She and your so-called best friend fell for each other a long time ago.

Don't believe me? Go look at your girlfriend's screen name.

"The initials already tell you everything."

I went and checked her username. Sure enough, it was Bradley Simmons's initials.

Even so, it struck me as ridiculous. "That could just be a coincidence."

The man only gave a bitter smile.

"You don't believe me? In a little while she'll cancel the hot-spring resort you booked for your birthday,"

"and pick the country cabin your best friend set up instead."

I jerked awake, and only then realized it had been a dream.

I was about to share the strange, unsettling dream with my girlfriend and my best friend when, all at once,

a message popped up in our three-person group chat.

"Keith, your birthday's in three days. Let's skip the hot-spring resort and do a country cabin instead, okay?"

I stared at the message.

A chill ran through me.

They really wanted to scrap my hot-spring resort and switch to a country cabin?

"Keith? Why aren't you answering? Do you like the country cabin idea?"

Bradley's messages kept popping up, one after another.

"I searched forever to find this place, the reviews online are amazing!"

"They say their country-style roast chicken is one of a kind, and you can pick strawberries too!"

Bradley's icon kept surfacing again and again.

Then my girlfriend, Lorraine Gilbert, chimed in right behind him.

"Keith, Brad's right."

"The hot-spring lodge is packed right now, and it's expensive, no fun at all."

"A country cabin gets us close to nature, some fresh air, way better than soaking in a tub of disinfectant."

I closed my eyes, the man's bitter smile from the dream echoing in my head.

"Break up with your girlfriend soon they fell for each other long ago"

"You don't believe me? In a little while she'll cancel the hot-spring resort you booked for your birthday and pick your best friend's country cabin."

It had come true.

Those three words landed on my heart, a dull, heavy ache.

Before I could even reply, the chat had already scrolled up under new messages.

The two of them were chatting away, warm and easy.

Even without me there, they never seemed to run out of things to say.

The line I'd typed out:

"But I'd still rather do the hot-spring resort"

I deleted again, one character at a time.

I tried, gently, to say I didn't want to go.

But Bradley shoved three tickets in front of me and waved them.

"Tickets to the country cabin, already bought for you. Thoughtful, right?"

I said nothing.

Lorraine frowned, impatience showing in her eyes.

"Keith Henson, you've got a best friend this good arranging everything, booking everything for you, you should count yourself lucky."

"Could you stop sitting here with that face and ruining the mood? Nobody owes you anything."

I lowered my head. "Fine."

In the end, they forced me into the car anyway.

In the yard of the country cabin,

a plump woman in a blue apron came out to greet us, her voice loud and cheerful.

"You'd be the party Brad booked, right? Come on in, we've already got the fire going for you!"

Bradley chatted eagerly with her.

"So this must be your girlfriend, what a good-looking pair, real handsome, real pretty, perfect match."

Lorraine just stood there, smiling.

She let the misunderstanding stand and didn't correct it.

Bradley cut a testing glance my way out of the corner of his eye, then said with a shy little laugh,

"Ma'am, you've got it wrong, my best friend here is her boyfriend!"

The woman gave two awkward chuckles and walked off.

Bradley leaned in close to my shoulder, smiling, coaxing.

"That woman just didn't know, that's all, so she got it wrong. Keith, you're not upset, are you?"

I stayed quiet, saying nothing.

Any other time, I'd have jumped to clear it up first thing.

"You're my best friend. How could I ever take that to heart?"

Besides, this wasn't the first or second time it had happened.

Every time, I'd cheerfully explained it to people.

"One's my girlfriend, one's my best friend, both the people closest to me."

I never kept my guard up around them.

Once, the three of us went hiking together. I was too worn out to climb any farther and waited alone at the foot of the mountain.

The two of them went up to the summit to take photos.

And I never once suspected anything happened behind my back.

But now, something seemed to have shifted.

Just then, the owner came over carrying a birthday cake.

"There's a birthday cake too. The yard's running a promotion today, so we sent one over for you all."

I lowered my head, my eyes fell on the birthday cake, and everything stopped short.

Written across it in bold, glaring letters:

"Happy Birthday, Bradley!"

The air went quiet for a couple of seconds.

Bradley looked over too, and let out a little "oops."

"That's on me. The owner said she needed a name to write on the cake, and I forgot to send her Keith's."

"So she figured it was my birthday and just used the name on the reservation."

"Look how this turned out."

"Tell you what, I'll go buy you a new one with your name on it, okay?"

That was what Bradley said, but he made no move to actually get up.

"No need to go to all that trouble."

Lorraine was the one who cut in. "It's just a cake. Doesn't matter whose name is on it. Scrape the letters off and no one can even tell."

But I'd been looking forward to this cake. Looking forward to this birthday.

I'd thought I could go to the hot-spring resort and enjoy some real time with my girlfriend.

Instead, it turned into a mess.

The upscale hot-spring backdrop I'd pictured became a country yard with wild birds running around everywhere.

The candlelit dinner and pretty food I'd wanted.

Turned into a big pot of country-style roast chicken.

In the end all I could do was watch the two of them get blackout drunk and smear cake across each other's faces.

While I sat there stiff, like an outsider.

That night we searched the whole town, and the only room left was one single room.

A big shared bunk.

The three of us stood in the room, staring at that six-foot bunk, looking at one another.

I couldn't believe it. "We're all... sleeping here tonight?"

Bradley dropped his head and started poking his two index fingers together.

"Keith, that's my fault, I didn't plan this out well enough. The place is a little rough."

"How about the three of us just make do in one room tonight?"

I looked at Lorraine. "This... isn't really appropriate, is it?"

"When you're away from home you can't be that picky."

Lorraine set down her suitcase. "Just tough it out one night. Brad already booked it."

"Worst case, we all sleep in our clothes."

Bradley clapped me on the shoulder, grinning too.

"You sleep in the middle."

Seeing the two of them start unpacking, and with nowhere else to stay nearby.

I could only agree.

"Hey, this works out perfectly!"

Bradley tossed his bag on the floor.

He threw himself onto the bunk and rolled over once. "Doesn't this feel like our school field trips as kids? The three of us haven't crashed like this in ages!"

Then Lorraine tossed a pillow at me.

Told me to get out and sleep somewhere else.

I was baffled, but she said,

"Keith, you know exactly what you're like when you sleep, don't you?"

"Did you forget last time, before Brad's exam, you snored all night at the hotel and kept him from getting any real sleep?"

"You go make a bed on the floor outside."

Bradley cracked up beside her, hand over his mouth.

He stuck out a foot and kicked her.

"Talking about your boyfriend like that. You trying to get yourself killed?"

"Keith, don't listen to her. Last time I was totally fine. She's just laying it on thick and blowing it way out of proportion!"

The two of them started messing around again.

I clenched my fists. Last time I had gone out of my way to ask Bradley about it.

He'd told me my snoring really wasn't that bad.

That Lorraine was just too much of a perfectionist.

"Lorraine..."

I tried to speak up. "The room's only this big. Where am I supposed to make a bed on the floor?"

"That's your problem."

Lorraine shot me an impatient look. "Point is, don't disturb our sleep with your snoring."

That night I sat on a chair beside the bunk, the whole night through.

The next morning I opened my eyes.

And the first thing I saw was this.

Bradley's leg thrown across Lorraine.

And Lorraine's hand, resting at Bradley's waist.

The two of them looked more like a couple than we ever had.

In that moment I could almost hear the voice of the man in the dream.

"See it now? Sooner or later they end up together. This is your proof."

"If you don't wake up and get out fast, the only one left holding the loss will be you."

A vicious cramp tore through my stomach.

By the time I came out of the bathroom, they were both gone.

I finally found them in the restaurant downstairs, both of them halfway through breakfast.

Laughing and talking.

Bradley was showing Lorraine a pretty little charm he'd just bought off some roadside stall.

"Weren't you saying a while back that you needed a keychain charm?"

"You like this little doll, right? It'll be perfect on there."

Bradley took it without a hint of hesitation. "So thoughtful. My man Keith really picked the right girlfriend!"

My stomach was killing me. I brought it up three times, standing right there.

Asked Lorraine to take me to a hospital.

All I got back was her total indifference.

"You probably just ate too much yesterday. A few more trips to the bathroom and you'll be fine."

"We finally get a trip out, and you want to spend it at a hospital? What a buzzkill."

Lorraine packed up the fishing rods without even lifting her head.

"Besides, Brad just texted telling me to hurry up and bring the rods to the river."

"He just messaged saying he found a river near the cabin where you can fish."

"He finally worked up the mood to go fishing and wants us with him. You can't be that much of a downer."

I clutched my stomach, my face gone white with the pain.

"But I really hurt"

"Just tough it out. It's all these bad little habits you've spoiled yourself into."

Lorraine shouldered the rods and started to leave.

I was genuinely angry now, hissing through the pain.

"I'm counting to three."

"Lorraine, if you don't take me to a hospital, we're breaking up."

In all our years together, this was practically our private signal.

If I started counting,

it meant I was truly angry.

And every time, no matter how serious the thing we were fighting over,

Lorraine always caved, softening her tone and giving in.

But this time she didn't.

The cold sneer in her eyes only sharpened.

"Keith, every time you lose an argument you pull this childish little trick. You really think I'm scared?"

"I can't be bothered to play these baby games with you."

In my head I counted silently:

Three, two, one.

I watched her turn and walk off without looking back.

I bit down on my lip and told myself.

Lorraine, we're done.

I went back near the cabin and borrowed some painkillers from the owner.

Only after taking them did the pain ease a little.

Then I pulled up tickets on my phone, planning to buy one and leave this place on my own.

But I dug through the whole travel bag.

And couldn't find my ID.

Bradley had taken my ID earlier so he could book my ticket.

It should still be in his bag.

Face still ashen, I headed out to find him.

I spotted Bradley crouched at the riverbank, head down, doing something I couldn't make out.

I stepped closer to speak.

"Brad, I"

Then Bradley whipped around, and a snake came flying straight at me!

The one thing I've been terrified of my whole life is snakes.

So the instant that snake came flying at me, my whole body froze like it had been nailed to the ground.

By the time it registered and I tried to scramble back, I was too slow.

The snake sank its fangs hard into my calf.

My legs buckled and I crumpled to the ground.

And what reached my ears was howling laughter.

"Hahahaha, Lorraine, look at your boyfriend!"

Bradley pointed at me and roared with laughter.

"Keith, you're such a coward scared so bad your face went white."

"This snake isn't venomous. I just heard your footsteps and figured I'd play a little joke on you"

Lorraine stood beside him, laughing and egging him on.

"Keith, you really are too much of a coward. You should take some lessons from Brad."

"He was reaching bare-handed into a hornets' nest earlier. That takes nerve."

I ignored the two of them and their carrying on, staring in silence at the bite on my calf.

A cold spread through me.

"Venomous or not, do you two actually think this is funny?"

The air went dead quiet in an instant.

Seeing that I was angry, the grin on Bradley's face faded a little.

"Come on, you're not actually mad, are you?"

"A grown man. You're not going to be this petty about it, are you?"

He came over smiling to help me up. "Between brothers it's just a joke, that's all"

"Don't come near me."

I coldly threw off his hand. "Give me my ID."

Bradley looked at my face and couldn't muster a smile anymore, so he obediently handed my ID over.

"Keith, I really was just messing with you. Don't be mad, okay?"

Bradley chased after me to apologize, but Lorraine stopped him.

"That's just how he gets. You don't have to coax him, he'll be fine in a bit. Leave him alone."

"Didn't you want to fish? I promise I'll land you a big one today."

Watching the two of them, a matched pair, run off to the riverbank to fish with such excitement,

I turned away, bitter, and went to bandage the wound myself.

A girl in a white dress saw how clumsy I was at it and stepped in to help.

"That was your girlfriend just now?"

"Not very loyal of her."

"Why don't you find someone else to love? What do you say?"

My head snapped up, and the person in front of me turned out to be Ramona Fox, from my school.

"Ramona, thank you."

"But I don't plan on dating again for now. As for breaking up, I'll go back and think it over."

After I got home I packed my things, and it wasn't until three days later

that Lorraine and Bradley finally touched down and came back, taking turns apologizing to me.

"I'm sorry, Keith."

"We didn't realize you weren't having a good time and went home by yourself."

"After we got back I thought about it for a long time. It really was my oversight, deciding on the country cabin on my own. The whole trip wasn't a great experience for you."

Bradley looked all wounded.

"So we came to apologize."

"See, we even got a new cake to make it up to you."

The cake in Lorraine's hands looked exquisite.

Bradley said, grinning, that the engagement ring was inside the cake.

The moment I found it, Lorraine would propose to me.

I choked down the nausea and the cloying sweetness and ate the entire cake, and I never got to that ring.

Lorraine burst out laughing.

"Keith, you really are a glutton. Don't tell me you ate the ring into your stomach?"

While I sat there in a mess, Bradley suddenly held up his finger to show it off.

"I was afraid Keith would swallow it, so I put the ring on my hand ahead of time."

"Keith, shouldn't you be thanking me?"

He didn't want to take it off, admiring it with a sigh.

"Lorraine, how are you so good at picking these? It fits me perfectly."

"I don't even want to take it off"

And I, forcing down the sickness and discomfort in my gut, tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"It does fit well."

"Then you keep it."

I turned and walked away. This time I wasn't going to want any of it.

While I was outside getting some air, a message from Lorraine came through.

"Don't be mad anymore. I bought you your favorite mango cake. I'll bring it to you when I get back."

I stared at the message, and then I laughed.

Six years together, and Lorraine still couldn't tell.

Which one of us, me or Bradley, was the one who loved mango cake.

If that's how it is.

Lorraine, I'm letting you go.

I turned around and headed home, then took my packed suitcase and made for the airport.

Looking down at the boarding pass in my hand, I called my mother.

"Mom, I'm coming home today. That arranged-match partner you mentioned last time is she still available?"

My mother went silent for three seconds.

Then her voice broke out in a joy she couldn't hold back:

"Yes! Yes yes yes! Her situation is wonderful, she's beautiful, she's good at her job, she's just never dated anyone You're willing?!"

"Mm."

I gripped the phone. "When do we meet?"

"Today! I'll have them set it up!"