“You know that she’s not happy about your life choices, Paige.”
I swear these people must live in a bubble. My “life choices” were moving to a disadvantaged neighborhood and trying to find some way to help. It’s not like I joined a gang.
Imagine if they knew about Ryder…
I took a sip of wine and said, “As a matter of fact, things are going great. I had an interview with the Californians for Social Justice.” It was true. I did have an interview. Scheduled. That I missed. I made a mental note to call Elizabeth Maroni again tomorrow.
His eyebrows went up in surprise. “Oh really? I’ve never heard of them. Who heads them up?”
I didn’t want to get into it, and fortunately my mother came back and saved me by changing the subject.
“I ran into Gladys Weinstein in the bathroom. That woman had another face lift! Her face is already so lifted she could reach the space station.”
My dad chuckled and Bailey and I shot each other a glance.
“Your sister tells me that you and she are going to a concert together?” My mom held her martini glass up to indicate to Miranda that she was ready for another.
I knew nothing about this and glared at Bailey. “Uhhh, yeah!”
Bailey jumped in. “Yeah! My favorite band, My Chemical Romance, has finally gotten back together for a reunion tour, and they’re playing at the La Playa Convention Center of all places. You remember we saw Gerard Way a few years ago, but this is the whole band!”
“What a stupid name for a group,” was all our mother said as Miranda set her third martini down in front of her.
“Well, you girls have fun, but be safe. You know better than anyone what that neighborhood is like, Paige,” Dad said.
“Actually, the convention center is in a really nice neighborhood.” Not like where I lived, I thought.
The whole time we were having this conversation, I was shooting daggers from my eyes at Bailey. I hoped she didn’t really expect me to go sit through some concert with her.
“Let’s hit the little girls’ room, Bail.” I stood up and she sheepishly did too.
* * *
“What the hell was that?”We were washing our hands in the marble sinks.
“Sorry, Paige. I thought I texted you. I’m going to the concert with that chick I met at the market the day I stayed with you.”
I figured I’d better check my texts and see if maybe she did text me. I’d been a little distracted lately. “That chick you met?”
“Yeah. Lily?”
I scanned my mind and vaguely remembered her telling me about it. “Oh yeah.”
“She’s great. Totally real and normal. Gets good grades and everything.”
“Why not tell Mom and Dad the truth?” As soon as I asked the question, I knew the answer. If she didn’t live in Verde Hills, my parents would think she wasn’t good enough to be friends with their precious daughter. They were so elitist!
“You know why. Anyway, I thought I could just spend the night after. If that’s okay.”
I was reapplying my lipstick and said, “Sure, that’s fine. Maybe we can get dinner before the concert or something. Does she drive?”
“I don’t think so. She’s sixteen but hasn’t gotten her license yet. We talked about doing it together.”
We headed out to the dining room and I said, “Sounds good Bailey. Just make sure I know about this kind of stuff before I hear about it from Mom and Dad.”
She hugged me and said, “Thanks, Paige. You’re the best.”
Seventeen
