My dad bit into his burger, chewed, and said, “I don’t know what I’ll do with you off at college next year. I’ll sure miss you, baby girl.”
“Dad,” I whined. “Don’t make me cry. I have all summer with you. Don’t say goodbye yet. Besides,” I added, “I’m still going to be living at home and working around here. I’m only taking one class.” One class was sadly all I could afford. My dad wasn’t rich by any means and since I hadn’t been able to work much yet, here I was.
My dad reached across the table and took my hand, a sad look stealing over him.
“It’s never too soon to say goodbye. Remember that, Mara.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He swallowed. “I just mean that … sometimes you don’t have a chance to say goodbye.”
“You’re talking about Mom, aren’t you?”
He sighed. “Of course … among other things.” His eyes left me and darted around the restaurant, as if he was searching for something. It was strange behavior for him, that was for sure. He wasn’t normally so jumpy. I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder, expecting some kind of trouble.
Jessica came by with the ticket and Dad couldn’t get it paid and out of there fast enough.
On the way home, he kept glancing in the rearview mirror.
I never saw anything.
Chapter 2
WE SAT THERE FOR A moment, staring at the one-level ranch-style house with white siding, blue shutters, and a matching blue door.
When he finally reached for the car door, I followed suit. We traipsed the walkway around the side of the house to the side door that led to our sunny yellow kitchen where fruit was stenciled on the walls. It was one of the last things my mom did before she died. The walls were in serious need of paint, but Dad just didn’t have the heart to paint over her hard work. I didn’t either. Dad said she’d wanted the house to be cheery and have a special touch from her so she could always look back and know she did that. It’s too bad she didn’t live long enough to enjoy it.
Dad grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed into the living room. A moment later, the television clicked on and some kind of sports game blared loudly. I heard the creak of the recliner and knew that Dad was now in his zone.
“I’m going to shower,” I told him, heading toward my room. I might’ve showered this morning but after sweating off what I’m sure was five pounds of water, I felt another shower was necessary.
The hiss of the beer can being opened was the only answer that greeted me.
I shrugged and headed into my bedroom and the attached bath.
The sweaty salt had created a film on my skin and I scrubbed it away with my warm vanilla sugar body wash before I lathered my hair and watched the bubbles run down the drain. Climbing out, I towel dried my hair. I knew there was no point in doing anything to it. Dani would deem it wrong and then fix it. It was best to give her a clean slate. I pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and an olive green top. Checking the clock, I decided I better head on over to Dani’s. Who knew how long it would take her to finish getting ready and then redress me, because I knew there was no way she’d ever let me go in what I chose.
“Dad, can I borrow the truck?” I asked, leaning against the doorway.
“Sure,” he said and raised up off the recliner, pulling the keys out of his pocket. “Be back at a reasonable time, no—”
“—drinking and driving, no getting in fights, don’t let anyone else drive the truck, leave my cell phone on, and let you know when I arrive home. Did I forget anything?” I asked, ticking the list of rules off on my finger, grinning at him.
“You got it, kiddo.” He gave me a thumbs up.
“Love you,” I called on my way out the door.
I closed the door behind me and climbed into the truck. It sputtered to life like the good rusty piece of American history that it was. I wasn’t good at changing the gears, but I was decent and made it to Dani’s without stalling even once. Dad would be proud.
Dani lived in a suburban neighborhood a few miles from me. Her house was large, two-stories plus a basement. It was nice, but it didn’t feel homey to me. I’d never tell her that, though. I guess maybe I preferred the smallness of my home, the fact every room felt lived in and necessary. We certainly didn’t have a formal living room to only use on special occasions.
I parked on the street, Dani’s car in the driveway, and strode up to the front door. I rang the doorbell and, a moment later, Dani’s mom pulled it open.
“Oh, hello, Mara,” she said with a smile, moving aside to let me in. I could hear the sounds of Dani’s fifteen-year-old brother, Levi, playing Xbox in the basement. “Dani’s in her room,” she told me before disappearing into the den, scolding Levi to turn the volume down.
I bounced up the steps and into Dani’s bedroom. I didn’t bother knocking. We were both so comfortable with each other that it didn’t matter.
Dani’s room was an explosion of color. The walls were painted hot pink with one wall done in lime green wallpaper with some kind of white fancy design on it. Her headboard was a Parisian style that was obviously expensive but her hot pink and green bedspread ruined the rich look. I had more subtle taste in clothes and well … everything compared to Dani. Dani liked to make a statement.
“There you are,” she said, dancing around her room to an obnoxiously loud pop song. She turned the volume down but continued to sway her hips. “Ugh, Mara, don’t you have any … I don’t know? Party clothes?” she scoffed at my shorts and tank.
I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hips. “Dani, I agreed to go. Don’t push me. I can always go back home,” I warned.
“Fine, oh fine,” she said, taking my hand and dragging me toward her closet.
Clothes were spilling out of drawers and falling off hangers. In fact, I was pretty sure that half of her closet was on the floor.
“Having trouble finding something to wear?” I laughed.
She sighed and looked in her closet. “I have to look peeerfeeect,” she said, drawing out the word. “Ian’s going to be there, and I’ve had the biggest crush on him fooooreeeever,” she said in typical dramatic Dani fashion.
I also knew for a fact there was no way she’d had a crush on him fooooreeeever like she said because I hadn’t heard about him yet and she told me everything. To Dani, forever could be hours.
“Ian? Isn’t that Jules’ brother?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said, and her cheeks darkened in hue. “But he’s sooooo hot, Mara.”
“Superficial much?” I joked with a raised brow.
“You didn’t let me finish,” she said, holding up a hand. “He’s hot, he’s nice, he’s sweet to kids, he’s in college, he’s—”
“Perfect, I know.” I sighed. “If we ever want to make it to the party we better hurry.”