The house is quiet. Empty. And for the first time, I don’t like it.
My parents were hired to swoop into a large corporation’s New Orleans office for a surprise audit and it’s expected to take them all week to get it done. I made a deal with them that I would get Life360 on my phone so I could stay here alone while they are out of town instead of two blocks over at Nonna’s, and now I’m regretting it a little. In the quiet, there’s nothing to distract my brain from rolling over and over the same thing—what if I don’t graduate? But I’m also glad Mom isn’t here because there’s no way I wouldn’t blurt out everything in one giant breath. And I’m not ready for her to know just yet.
Because if she knows, my grandparents know. And if my grandparents know, then all my aunts and uncles know. And instead of being Olivia, the one who always has everything together and will conquer the world, I’ll forever be Olivia, the one who might lose out on graduating as salutatorian, all because of a dumb off-campus PE golf class. All the other things I’ve accomplished will be overshadowed by this one thing, and I can’t go down like that.
I am going to fix this without my parents ever knowing.
I could call my brother, Jake, but I’m not sure what he can do. He’s not even coming home this summer, except for my graduation day. Jake and our cousin Graham took jobs in Gulf Shores, where they spend every morning hauling chairs and umbrellas out to the beach and then spend every evening packing them back up. I think they plan on ending the summer with a good tan and a pocketful of tip money.
My phone vibrates on the table, startling me.
MOM:The questionnaire seemed to go faster this year! I’m surprised since there are so many of y’all graduating. I saw you went to the golf course but didn’t stay very long. Dad was hoping you developed a love for the game!
I let out a sigh. Ever since I agreed to Life360 on my phone, Mom’s new favorite pastime is watching my every move. She even has those parameters set up that send an alert when I either come home or leave. And it’s not like she’s trying to catch me doing something wrong…. I think she’s genuinely fascinated by being able to see my every move. I mean, I can’t pass the grocery store without her texting me to pick up milk or any other item she thinks I need while she’s gone.
ME:I thought I left my sweater there but they didn’t have it
MOM:Oh, okay. The blue one? I thought I saw that in your closet. I hope you haven’t lost the soft pink one. It looks so good on you.
MOM:Say a prayer to St. Anthony. $5.00. It will turn up.
My mother’s answer for every lost item—pray to St. Anthony and offer up a monetary reward for the poor box at church. In her mind it’s foolproof.
ME:Yes Ma’am
I put my phone down again and open up my laptop, searching for e-mails from Coach that he sent throughout the semester. Maybe I can contact him that way. I find one he sent from his school account and hitREPLY.
Coach Cantu,
Hello. This is Olivia Perkins and I believe there has been a mistake with my off-campus PE form. The school office never received it. I’m happy to bring you a copy at your earliest convenience! Please let me know the best time and place.
Thank you so much,
Olivia Perkins
I hitSENDand stare at my in-box, willing his reply to be instantaneous. But it’s not. So I start a group text with a few friends who took his class with me.
ME:hey trying to get in touch with Coach Cantu but all I have is his school e-mail. Anyone have his number?
At least the replies come in pretty quick.
STEWART:No only e-mail
BRIDGET:Sorry! I don’t!
HECTOR:Have you tried to call the golf course?
CASSIE:Uggghhh so glad that class is over! I hate golf! Why do you want to talk to him????
ME:Need to get a copy of my form. The office misplaced mine.
Okay, so a little white lie. Also, trying to feel them out to see if they heard from our vice principal, too.
BRIDGET:Oh! I’m so sorry! He’ll sign it for you again. He’s the nicest guy!
HECTOR:Cassie we all know you hate golf. You told us every chance you got
CASSIE:I wouldn’t hate it if they let us use the carts. Why would I want to carry that bag all over the course when there are carts?!
