saunter around in my stomach. I am not sure if it is just nerves or Ben’s touch, but I release myself from his grip just to be sure.
Ben laughs, and Eric hikes up beside us, “Well you better hope you aren’t behind me, because I am sure I am going to spew.”
“That’s disgusting!” Stephanie shouts from in front of us.
“Well it’s true!” Eric shouts back to her, “You can all thank Jessica and Michael for that when it happens.”
Jessica turns around and gives Eric the finger, as we all laugh our way up to the zip-lining platform.
The instructor goes over safety protocol and gives us some demonstrations, but I barely pay attention. Ben keeps on looking over at me and it is making me really uncomfortable. But for some reason, I stare back unable to shake away my sudden fascination with his lips. His dark brown eyes gleam in my direction, and his smile is so infectious, I can’t help but blush and smile back. When the instructor asks us who is going to go first, I pull my eyes out of my Ben tunnel vision and see Jessica immediately shoot up her hand, jump up and down and shout, “Me, Me, Me!”
No one argues with her and the rest of us fight for who follows. Finally Michael volunteers to go next, once Jessica gives him a dirty look. Eric suggests the rest of us decide over a proper game of rock paper scissors. He insists this will surely settle the dilemma. But the instructor quickly becomes annoyed, and pulls Stephanie and Michelle in line, then yanks me, to have Matthew and Eric follow, leaving Ben for last.
“Matt can I trade with you?” Ben asks adjusting his helmet.
“Sure man.” Matthew says and walks in behind Eric. I watch Ben stroll up behind me and give me a wink. I turn around and blush hoping no one saw that. But when I hear Jessica screaming and the buzzing of the zip-line, I know everyone is too occupied with fear to notice such an odd gesture from Ben to me.
“Wait for me on the other side?” He whispers in my ear as Michelle is hoisted onto the platform.
I nod acknowledging his request and take a deep gulp before the instructor yells and points to me, “You Muchacha. You’re next.”
****
When we get back to the resort, we trudge off the bus one by one. Jessica still remains her bubbly self, and suggests we have a quick rest before our dinner reservations tonight. Everyone agrees and we begin to chat about what an amazing day we had, thanks to both Jessica and Michael. Jessica beams and says they were honored to do something so nice for us since we have travelled so far and have done so much in preparation of the wedding. Eric gives Jessica a quick squeeze, thanks her, and says she is the best event planner ever. I see Jessica’s eyes go a bit bleak before she makes a point of saying, “Well, I was one of the best party planners in the Chicago, Illinois area.”
Michael lovingly pinches her cheek and says, “Not anymore”
Jessica immediately shoots him an icy stare, but composes herself and says out loud for all of us to hear, “That’s right. Now I am just your unofficial medical office secretary that works out of our empty mansion.”
Oh no, here we go. I really hope I don’t have to intervene in this fight. Michael opens his mouth to say something, but quickly slams it shut. After all the years they have been together, he knows better than to pursue a fight with Jessica, especially in public. She is relentless and doesn’t care who is around.
A few months ago, when we were shopping on Block 37 of State Street for wedding favors for their guests, I was subject to a public fiasco. Jessica forced Michael to come along, and insisted he had to do something in preparation of the wedding (because she claimed she had done everything). She also said his input was required, because she didn’t want his mother criticizing another one of her decisions. We shopped around from store to store, searching for the perfect gift. But after three long hours with no prospects in sight, Michael made the mistake of rolling his eyes when Jessica debated at Barnes and Noble over a book of love poems versus a bedazzled picture frame.
As soon as she caught a glimpse of his disinterest, she went off the rails. She