Revolting Youth: The Further Journals of Nick Twisp by C. D. Payne Page B

poem.”
    Great. Trent flubs a rhyme or two so the wedding’s off.
    “Apurva and I are strangers, Carlotta.”
    “Hardly strangers, Trent.”
    “Do any of us really know anyone, Carlotta? Is there such a thing as true intimacy between people?”
    What on earth does intimacy have to do with marriage? I considered administering a vicious head-slap, but resigned myself to a philosophical debate. I dunked my donut and plowed ahead.
    “Trent, everyone has those feelings. Of course, we’re all locked inside our own skins. People who have been married for 50 years feel that way sometimes. They look across the breakfast table and suddenly wonder who the hell is that old fart?”
    “I have to feel a profound connection, Carlotta, before I can marry someone.”
    “Trent, you’re a very fortunate person. You’ve won the lottery, guy. But you can’t even see it.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Trent, think of the odds of your ever meeting Apurva. She came from halfway around the world, to our small out-of-the-way town. From a totally different culture. Yet, somehow, you two made a connection. A deep and intense connection. You can’t deny that.”
    “I suppose not.”
    “And she’s a wonderful person. Intelligent and kind—she lights up every room she walks into. And she has a generous heart—full of love … unselfish love for you.”
    “Yes, I think she does love me.”
    “You’re so fortunate, Trent. You have a chance to do something truly noble.”
    “What, Carlotta?”
    “Make a difference in a person’s life. You know what will happen to Apurva if you don’t get married. She’ll be shipped back to India and get shackled to some stranger.”
    “She might be happier in the long run.”
    “You don’t believe that for a minute. That’s a coward’s voice talking. Apurva will always love you, Trent. She’s committed herself to you. That is her destiny. OK, you’re both young, but these feelings don’t change. You must do what you know is right.”
    “And what’s that, Carlotta?”
    “Make Apurva happy. Save her from the nightmare you know she faces. Do what’s honorable and right. Be a man, not a wimp.”
    Trent sighed and wiped away a tear. “OK, Carlotta. You’re right. I guess I’ll marry her.”
    I slammed down my coffee cup.
    “That’s not good enough, Trent! Apurva will never marry you if she feels you’re at all reluctant. Love is a delicate thing, Trent. You’ve injured her deeply. Now you have to win her back.”
    “I’m so mixed up, Carlotta. I’ve, I’ve been thinking of Sheeni.”
    Flushed out into the open at last!
    “OK. Well, Sheeni’s a special person too. We both know her very well. She’s quite exceptional.”
    “She is, Carlotta.”
    “But let’s face the facts here, Trent. Enduring love requires constancy. Right?”
    He stared at his plate. “Very much so.”
    “And do you believe Sheeni ever will commit her heart and soul to you?”
    “Probably not.”
    “And do you have faith in the strength and endurance of Apurva’s love for you?”
    “I’ve never doubted it for a minute. Not really.”
    “So why are we sitting here indulging in these boring head games?”
    “You’re right, Carlotta. I’m very fortunate to have Apurva in my life.”
    “Well, you don’t have her at the moment, Trent. But here’s a suggestion: I’ll stay here and order another donut. And you go back to the room and convince Apurva that you’re the luckiest guy in the world.”
    “What if she doesn’t believe me?”
    “Just turn on the charm, Trent. God knows you’ve got enough to spare.”
    10:45 a.m. The wedding is back on. Well, sort of. The happy couple is willing, but the town is virtually paralyzed under a foot of snow. Now an icy wind is blowing the stuff into impassible drifts. No one seems to possess so much as a snow shovel. Court has been canceled, but Carlotta managed to establish phone communication with a county clerk, who is trying to locate a judge. I told her it