“It definitely wasn’t my best hair day,” Ben admitted, looking at the picture.

“I’ll say,” Ober said. “It looks like you slept with a small box around your hair. It’s almost a perfect square.”

“We should try to find Lisa’s picture,” Nathan said, moving toward the Stanford pile. “She graduated the same year as you, didn’t she?” He flipped through the appropriate yearbook. “She’s not in here,” Nathan said after a minute. “She’s apparently camera shy.”

“Really?” Ben asked suspiciously.

“See for yourself,” Nathan said, handing Ben the yearbook. “She’s nowhere to be found.”

Ben scanned through the last names that started with S. Finding no picture, he flipped to the back of the photo section and saw Lisa’s name among the list of “Not Pictured” students. “Y’know what I was just thinking?” he finally asked. “What if…”

Before Ben could finish his thought, Eric opened the front door, stepped inside, and shook the snow from his hair. “It’s almost midnight,” Ober said, looking at his watch. “This is an early work night, even for you.”

“What’re you guys doing?” Eric asked, immediately noticing the yearbooks scattered around the room.

“If you don’t mind, this is private,” Ben said.

“Nice to see you, too,” Eric said to Ben. “By the way, I wanted to talk to you about your note.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Ben said. “Just let me know what your decision is. I won’t fight you on it.”

“But what about-”

“I don’t want to discuss it now. So unless you have an answer, can you excuse us? I want to discuss something in private.”

“Can we talk about it tomorrow?” Eric asked, scratching at the five o’clock shadow on his chin.

“No, I already told you what-”

“Ben, if you expect me to move out, the least you can do is spare half an hour. Now, can we please talk tomorrow?”

“Fine,” Ben acquiesced, grabbing a piece of pizza crust from his plate. “I’ll find you tomorrow.”

As Eric walked up the stairs, Nathan asked, “What was that about?”

“I left him a note that said I wanted his decision as soon as possible. If he doesn’t move out after New Year’s, I will. I just need to know so I can start looking for a place.”

“Ben, please don’t do this,” Ober pleaded. “You guys can work it out.”

“No, we can’t,” Ben said. “We’re way beyond working it out. I know the idea upsets you, but we can’t all be best friends for the rest of our lives.”

“Don’t say that,” Ober shot back angrily. “All you have to do is-”

“I don’t have to do anything. Whatever Eric decides, I’m abiding by. I really don’t care at this point.”

“You don’t care?” Ober asked. “How can you be so dense?”

“I’m dense?” Ben responded. “This is coming from the man who wants to open a non-Jewish deli, and who thinks Mussolini is a kind of pastry, and who thinks it’s a federal crime that the Air and Space Museum doesn’t sell bombpops! This is the person telling me I’m dense?”

Looking as if he had the wind knocked out of him, Ober was silent.

“What?” Ben asked.

Nathan turned to Ben. “Was that really necessar-”

“I’m not stupid,” Ober said, his voice shaking. “I may not be as great as Super Ben Addison, but I’m not a moron.”

“I’m sorry,” Ben said defensively. “I was just trying to-”

“You were just trying to make yourself feel better,” Ober interrupted, his eyes welling with tears. “You did what you always do-pick on Ober and get everyone laughing again. That’s the best way to deal with a problem. Yes, sir, that’s the best thing I can think of. Forget about the fact that I constantly take the fall. You just keep doing what you do best.”

Caught off guard by Ober’s outburst, Ben didn’t know what to say. In all their years together, after all the teasing Ober had taken, it was the first time Ben had ever seen his friend crack. “Calm down,” Ben began.

“I don’t want to calm down,” Ober said, wiping the tears from his cheeks. “You guys may get a big laugh out of it, but I’m sick of being court jester. I’m not a failure.” Ober’s face turned scarlet. “I’m not a failure and I refuse to be treated like one.”

“No one thinks you’re a failure,” Nathan reassured his friend. “Now take a deep breath and relax.”

Ober turned his head away.

“I’m really sorry,” Ben said. “I never should’ve taken it out on you.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Ober said.

“I knew you were upset about Eric moving out, and I shouldn’t have pushed your buttons like that.”

“I’ll get over it.”

Silently staring at Ober, Ben wondered how a calm conversation had turned into such a disaster. He knew Ober was upset about Eric, but he could tell he had struck a deeper nerve in Ober’s self-confidence. “You know I don’t think you’re a failure.”

“I know,” Ober said. “And I’m sorry for getting so crazy. It just really bothered me.” Leaning forward on the couch, Ober took a deep breath and stared straight at the floor. “It’s not even about Eric moving out. It’s about the four of us. If we’re all going to be together, the two of you have to work it out.”

“To be honest, I don’t think that’s possible anymore,” Ben said, sitting down next to Ober. “You have to be prepared for that possibility.”

“Can’t you just-”

“Ober, I’m doing the best I can.”

“No, you’re not.”

“We don’t have to go through this again,” Ben said. “The choice is in Eric’s hands now. Let’s wait and see what happens.”

“Fine-we’ll wait,” Ober said as he stood up from the couch. “But if you wreck these friendships, I want you to know I won’t forgive you.” Without saying another word, Ober walked upstairs.

When Ober was out of sight, Nathan looked over at Ben. “You really have to take it easy on him,” Nathan said.

“I knew he was upset, but I didn’t think it was that bad. When he started crying, I thought I was going to break down. I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach.”

“Does that mean you’re changing your mind about Eric?”

“For Ober’s sake I’d like to, but you know I can’t. Right now, my main concern is still catching Rick and getting myself out of this mess.”

“That’s fine,” Nathan said. “But do us all a favor? Don’t forget your friends.”

Early the following morning, Ben took the Metro to Union Station and headed to Mailboxes & Things. As he approached the store, he wondered if everything would work out with Eric. It’s the only way, he reassured himself. This is the best solution to the problem. Just sit tight and see what happens.

At the store, he pulled an unsealed envelope from his back pocket, removed the typed letter inside, and reread it for the fourth time. “Dear Rick: Since we’re almost three weeks away from decision time, I thought it would be appropriate for us to get together. As we discussed in the limo, I have what you requested, and you have what I want. Please pick an appropriate time and place as soon as possible.”

Stuffing the letter back into the envelope, Ben placed the envelope inside his empty P.O. box. He wondered if Rick would believe that he was interested in the money. After locking the box, Ben walked to the front of the store. Maybe we should stake out this place, he thought. Rick will have to come here to pick up the letter-unless he sends a messenger to get it. Deep in thought, Ben pushed open the door and accidentally bumped into an incoming customer.

“I’m sorry,” the customer said. “My fault.”

Ben recognized the voice with shock and looked up. It was Rick.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Rick said. “It makes you look like a little kid.” As Rick stepped into the store, Ben turned around and walked in behind him.

“You followed me here, didn’t you?” Ben asked.

Ignoring the question, Rick pulled out his own key and opened the P.O. box. He removed Ben’s letter, opened it, and read its contents. “I agree,” he eventually said. “Now where would you like to meet?”