Gary and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We grew up together, played together, and went to school together in the same small town from kindergarten through high school. Although we attended different colleges we stayed in close touch and ended up working in the same big city. When I married Lucy Gary was my best man, and for quite a while the thee of us spent time together — he and Lucy hit it off so well, it was just an easy and natural fit.
I met and married Lucy well before Gary was involved with anybody special. A few years ago he met Teresa, and soon it was clear that their relationship was serious. They got engaged about six months after they met and were married a year after that.
I believed that Gary loved Teresa, and I believed that she loved him, too. However, part of me had to selfishly admit that I missed the days when the three of us could just hang out. Teresa was always cordial toward Lucy and me, but she was just… what? Honestly, a little bit of a stick in the mud. Sweet and generous but missing that spark and spontaneity.