With a loud sneer, my voice escalated. “Are you kidding? Of course I knew! You saw me standing there with those protesters, but you hustled past, pretending you didn’t.” I disregarded Leon and Johnny, not caring that they were watching the showdown or learning about my crazy family. I was nearly shouting when I added, “I saw you with Marianne! I know you gave her my ticket.”
Air blew from Livy’s lips as she pressed a palm to her heart. “Can you please let me expl—”
“Of all people!” I interrupted before another lie could leave her lips. “You knew I couldn’t stand her. She was the one who spread that rumor about you and John Dearing. Not me. I would have never betrayed you like that, and you know it. Why would I want Marianne to be the one to getmybirthday present?” Livy tried to interject, but I wouldn’t let her. “You told me Kim was using my ticket. You lied to me.”
She stared down at her feet as if she was contemplating a response. Her voice was neither defensive nor angry when she said, “Marianne did not use your birthday ticket. Neither of us did.”
“Then how did you go to the concert, Livy? The tickets were sold out.” At this point, I was so upset I could hardly get the words out. “Dad gave all three of my birthday tickets to your family.”
“Suzannah,” Livy said, in that authoritative tone of hers. “That’s not what happened. Your dadburnedyour tickets. Or so he told my dad. He said he didn’t want anyone going because the Beatles were making devil music.”
Hanging my head in shame, I felt heat rush to my face. Livy had exposed my darkest stain.
“He left me at the last minute with no way to go. Thank God for Marianne. If she hadn’t invited me, I’d have missed out on the concert of a lifetime. Your dad’s the one who lied to you. Not me.”
I was the one who had missed out on the concert of a lifetime. And spent three long years thinking Livy had betrayed me. When, in actuality, it was Dad. “If what you’re telling me is true, then why didn’t you call me for three years? It wasn’t my fault Dad burned the tickets. Was that a reason to walk out on our friendship? You were mybest friend!” My voice broke. Tears blurred my vision.
Leon placed a hand on my back, rubbing his fingers across my spine. It gave me much-needed comfort.
“Your dad told my dad I couldn’t see you anymore,” said Livy. Her voice softened as she scooted toward me. “That’s why.”
“Hewhat?” My mouth fell open. “My dad said that? Why?”
She lifted her shoulders. “He’s psycho.”
I covered my ears. I couldn’t hear anymore.
Johnny, still naked, piped up. “Ladies, ladies. There’s no reason to fight. This weekend is about peace and love. You said it yourself, Suzannah. You guys were best friends. Can’t you kiss and make up now?”
Livy laid a hand on my knee. “My parents weren’t making me burn my Beatles stuff. Or boycott the concert. Your dad was. He told my dad he thought it would be best if we didn’tkeep companyanymore. Who knows what goes on in his head? That’s why I didn’t call you.”
With a palm to my forehead, I muttered, “My God.”
Leon clutched my shoulder, saying in a soft voice, “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
I peered at him, my world shattering all over again. “I’m sorry you had to hear this. You too, Johnny.”
“Suzannah.” Livy’s voice was gentle, laced with compassion. “I’m sorry it happened to you too. You and Ronny have been through a lot.”
Johnny clapped his hands together. “Hey, man, can you guys kiss and make up now?”
Livy pulled me into a hug. But all I could give her was a limp embrace.
A choppy sea of emotions surged through my head. On one hand I was relieved to learn she had not betrayed me. Part of me wanted to break down—right then and there—and weep over all the wasted time away from my best friend. Sob over the endless energy I had expended on anger. But the other 50 percent of me couldn’t get past the gall of her to prance her nude body around the boy she knewIwanted. Sure, it was Woodstock. Lots of people were into free love. But still. Who does that to a best friend?
With a look of exasperation, Livy pulled away.
I couldn’t muster up the energy to feign goodwill; I was exhausted from hardly any sleep. Awkwardness returned, but I owed Leon some sort of an explanation about my father. “My dad’s super strict,” I told him. “He’s an army colonel. Very tough on my brother and me.”
“Is he in ’Nam?”
“No. He’s retired. He probably wishes he was so he could whip my brother into sha—”
“The brother heforcedto enlist in this horrific war.” Livy straightened, pressing her fists into her waist.
I glared at her. “If you would hush your mouth, maybe, just maybe, I could finish my sentence.”
“Yeah. Let her finish.” Leon’s deepened tone surprised me. It must have surprised Livy, too, because she shuffled next to Johnny, buttoning her lip. For once. She stretched out her legs, tapping her feet together.
