What They Left Behind
When Gennie and Page attended the first Vietnam Day meeting of the year, it was held in one of the basketball courts at the Hearst Gym and the room was filled to capacity.
“I didn’t think this club would be so popular,” Gennie whispered to Page.
“See, I told you,” Page replied. “Everybody has a stake in this thing. Do you know why we’re fighting this war?”
Gennie shrugged. “I can’t say that I do.”
“Neither can anyone else. It’s just stupid. That’s why being in this group is so important.”
They stopped talking when the president of the group walked up to the microphone and began to speak. To Gennie’s shock, it was the girl Page insulted the night before--Bad Ass Betty.
“Are you sure you still want to be in this club?” Gennie asked Page.
“Yeah, sure. Why?”
“You don’t recognize the girl that’s speaking?”
“No…should I?”
“That’s Bad Ass Betty!”
Page smirked. “Nice name. What does that have to do with me?”
“Do you remember the Dart Club meeting?”
“Uh…somewhat. I don’t remember that girl, though.”
“Well, to refresh your memory, you said something about Freddy being a dork and you got into a confrontation with her. You almost called her the ‘C’ word. If it wasn’t for me pulling you out of there, you would have been chopped liver by now.”
“I almost called someone a C! Wow!”
“I think you should apologize to her.”
“Why?”
“Why? You insulted her.”
“Well, it must have been for a good reason.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t.”
They were silent for a while, listening to Betty’s speech. When she was done, everyone gave her a standing ovation.
“All right, Miss Priss,” Page said. “I’ll apologize.”
“Good,” Gennie replied.
After the meeting, they walked back to Page’s off campus apartment. When Page unlocked the door, they heard the phone ringing.
“Who would call here?” Page asked.
“I don’t know,” Gennie said.
Since Gennie was closer, she picked up the phone.
“Hello?” It was Ben.
“Ben! What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just have some news for you.”
“Is it good news?”
“Yeah, you could say so.”
“Okay? So what is it?”
There was a pause on the other end. “I got married.”
Gennie didn’t quite process it. “What? Married? To who? You weren’t even dating anybody.”
“I’m married to Val.”
“Val? Your boss?”
“Yes, that Val.”
“Were you going out with her?”
“No, but…”
Page grabbed the phone away from Gennie. “You’re married?”
“Exactly,” Gennie heard Ben say to Page.
“Ugh. Who would marry you?”
“I could ask you the same exact question.”
“Were you going out with this chick?”
“No, we weren’t.”
“Then why did you get married?”
“Because she wanted to.”
“That’s a dumb reason. You know, you’re not the smartest tool in the shed when it comes to this kind of stuff. No wonder Gennie is worried about you twenty-four seven. Every time she leaves you to your own devices, you go off and do stupid shit like this.”
Gennie grabbed the phone back from Page.
“When did you get married?” she asked him.
“An hour ago.”
“Ben…are you sure you’re not going a little too fast? I mean, I know you haven’t gotten over Charlene and now you’re…”
“Look, I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you love her? You don’t know her all that well, you know.”
“That’s nothing for you to worry about. I think she likes me a lot. Besides, I sort of owe her.”
“Owe her for what?”
“Well, first she gave me my dream job and today she bought me all the furniture for my apartment.”
Gennie sighed.
“You’re not going to give me a lecture, are you?” Ben asked.
“No, that’s not going to be of any use right now. What’s done is done.”
“Don’t worry, Sis. Everything will work out for the best.”
“I hope so. Well, congratulations.”
“Thanks. Bye.”
“What the hell was that all about?” Page asked. “He gets married to someone he barely knows? What if she’s some kind of psychopath?”
“Well, I don’t think she is, but this worries me. I just hope she treats him okay.”
Chapter 34: October 7