Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

Author:Claire Gibson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

17

Fall 2005 // Boston, Massachusetts

Clink, clink, clink!

“A toast.”

Dani’s brother, Dominic, stood at the center of the table, holding a glass of champagne. He looked almost exactly like Dani, Avery thought, only tall and bald, with thick Buddy Holly–style glasses and the same glowing McNalley aura. Dominic’s partner, Charles, a Canadian-born physics professor, sat beside him, surreptitiously feeding their pug, Daisy, scraps of food under the table.

A half-carved turkey rested in front of Avery, surrounded by empty dishes, where an hour earlier had been the most beautiful assortment of delicacies: sweet potatoes, roasted corn, fresh broccoli, creamed spinach, acorn squash stuffed with mushrooms and rice. Tim stretched his arm over the back of Hannah’s chair. Locke Coleman cut his girlfriend, Amanda, another slice of pumpkin pie. Dani’s parents had retired to the living room to watch football, leaving two empty chairs beside Dani, who sat at the head of the table, rolling her eyes at her brother’s theatrical toast. Noah’s hand warmly massaged the back of Avery’s neck, and a thimbleful of red wine sat in her glass. She was surprised to see the glass so empty. It had been full at least twice during dinner.

Everyone was leaning back in their seats, bellies full, smiles wide, though in all honesty, Avery was still hungry. Noah had convinced her of the benefits of vegetarianism, but staring at that leftover turkey on the table, Avery’s mouth watered with desire. She’d never not eaten turkey at Thanksgiving. She found herself growing jealous of Dominic’s pug.

“I drink to the general joy of the whole table,” Dominic began, raising his glass.

“That’s Shakespeare,” interjected Charles. “How about something original, Dom?”

“Pipe down, Charles. I’m talking.”

Noah reached for the open bottle of wine and refilled Avery’s glass.

“Like I said,” Dani’s little brother continued, “I drink to your joy. But most of all, I drink to my sister, whose greatest joy in life is to share it with others.”

“Here, here,” said Locke.

“Here, here,” said Hannah.

The table clinked glasses.

Avery took a big swallow of wine. Dominic was right: Dani did love to share her joy with others. And her wealth, too, now that she had it to share. Dani had purchased plane tickets for Avery and Hannah with her frequent-flier miles. She’d even offered to put Avery and Noah up in a hotel nearby, but Noah didn’t feel comfortable accepting that much charity, so instead of staying at the Hilton with Hannah and Tim, they were stuck at a Holiday Inn.

It was strange to think that this soon after college, the world had already pushed Dani into such a different tax bracket. In the Army, everyone of the same rank made exactly the same amount of money—Avery could look at Hannah, Locke, and Tim, and know exactly what their bank accounts likely said. You had to hand it to communism. At least with forced equality, you didn’t have to deal with your feelings of inferiority.

Avery hated that she felt—what was it? Envious of? Surprised by?—her friend’s success, but it was hard not to.

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