“I was thinking,” Maeve continues undeterred, “we could do something fun. Maybe go to an arcade, sneak into a movie, break into the pool again.”
“We never even got in the pool.” I smile at the memory.
“No, but I nearly broke my ankle hopping the fence, so I think it still counts.”
I sigh, “I wish I could, but –”
“You can.” She bumps her shoulder against mine. “School will be out, you’ll be free for the weekend, you could sleep over. Come on, Iz, we’ll wear dumb clothes and pretend we’re not from this shithole for a night.”
“I can’t, because my birthday is on Friday.” My voice is quieter now, “You know how he gets when he gets paid.”
Her mouth flattens into a tight line. “Right.”
We walk in silence for a bit.
“Let’s go to the mall during the day. I just need to make sure I’m back before him,” I concede.
“I’ll take that. I just don’t want you spending your birthday alone.”
The farther we walk, the uglier the houses get. The grass gets patchier and changes colors. I tug my sleeves down over my hands, shoving them in my hoodie pocket.
“If I showed up with a baseball bat, would you let me swing it?”
“Depends on who you aim it at.” I chuckle when she shoots me a look.
“You know exactly who,” she deadpans.
Truth is, I hate my birthday. It’s never been about cake or candles or making wishes. It’s just another night I hope to survive unscathed.
“Maybe next year.” I sigh.
“Just saying, my window is always unlocked.”
I nod as we head to the park between our houses. It has a rusted jungle gym, and the swings creak like they’re haunted. The smeared graffiti on the slide says,‘Suck it, Kevin.’
Maeve climbs up on the picnic table and stretches out, arms behind her head. I sit on the bench below her, my legs curled up. The air smells like grass and cigarette ash. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barks and a train blares its horn. It’s peaceful.
“You ever think about what you want to do?”
I shrug. “Not really.”
“Liar.”
“I’m serious.”
Maeve turns, her face thoughtful. “You ever think about leaving? Doing something bigger?”
“I try not to think about that. College costs money, so do cars, so does rent, and food, and breathing.” I huff.
Maeve sits up, frowning at me. “Okay, but just like…pretend. Pretend none of that matters. What would you want to do?”
I bite the inside of my cheek as I think.
“I dunno, I’d just want a place where the door locks and have somewhere warm to sleep. Maybe get a dog.” I shrug.
Maeve hums. “I’d visit you and bring you snacks. I’d also make sure the dog loved me more.”
“He’d hate you on sight.” I poke her.
