Of course. Stoner.Jessica Stoner. That woman was Jessie’s mother. No wonder Jessie hasn’t gotten the help she needs.
I look down at my feet and blow the anger at my toes. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Donato take his leave. When he’s gone, I stare at my posters until my eyes blur and the words have no meaning.
Dr. Dick
Dr. Dick: Kev and Mer are coming over for cards tonight.
Devon: How’d you get my number?
Dr. Dick: From the three hundred texts that you’ve sent me. Do you want to come? We need a fourth.
Devon: Yeah, Kev mentioned it. I’m super busy.
Dr. Dick: With what? You get done school at 2:15 and we are your only friends.
Devon: I’ve gotta put out my outfit for Monday. And wash my hair and plan my jokes. And FYI, I’m drowning in friends. Elena, Bonnie, Caroline. Joseph, Madison, and Sal.
Dr. Dick: Did you just name the characters from Vampire Diaries and three of your students?
Your jokes are better unplanned.
Devon: Aww. You think I’m funny.
Dr. Dick: Oh please. You know you’re funny.
Devon: Alright. Alright. I’ll come to poker night.
Dr. Dick: Too easy.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jeff
Lesson 23: Care packages from Donna should not be opened around others.
I’m just finishing up my fifteenth voicemail to my sister when the doorbell interrupts my plea/demand that she call me back. I toss my phone onto the kitchen counter and make my way to the intercom beside the window, pulling the white lace curtains to the side to see Meredith, Devon, and Kevin standing on the brick sidewalk that lines Washington Square. The lace between my thumb and pointer finger, along with every other item in this fully furnished apartment, would not be my first choice, but eight months was too short a time to give a shit about interior design. I watch Kevin shift the pizzas he’s carrying to his other hand as Devon catches sight of me staring down and lifts her hand in a what-the-fuck-let-us-up gesture. I buzz them up.
“Pizza, beer, and strippers,” Meredith calls from the foyer at the bottom of the steps as I hold the apartment door open.
“Bring them up,” I tell her.
Devon carefully makes her way up the steps. She must still be in pain. Hopefully, she’ll let me check out her ankle tonight. She’s dressed in full sweat clothes, her hair in a top knot still wet from the shower and somehow, she looks gorgeous.
“Did you put out Monday’s outfit?” I ask her.
She reaches the top of my steps, a little out of breath, and I don’t step aside.
“I put out the whole week. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” she explains while brushing past me, lifting her chin. She makes her way into the kitchen and starts putting the beer into my fridge like she’s done it a thousand times, even though it’s my first time having any of them here.
“Hey.” Kevin puts the pizzas on the coffee table and looks around the apartment. “No wonder why you didn’t want to host. This place looks like my grandmother’s grandmother lived here.”
“What? You don’t like lace?” I ask, picking up a doily from the end table and tossing it at him like a frisbee.
“Only for the thongs he wears,” Meredith says from behind me. I turn to find her trademark grin stretching the tan skin around her eyes. She’s holding a box that I know must be another care package from my mother. Apparently, financial troubles aren’t as important as sending me well-intentioned-but-insane gifts. My phone rings from the counter, and with the exceptional timing she’s always been known for, my mother’s face appears on the screen. But before I can get to it, Devon accepts the call on speaker.
“Hey, Mom?—”
“J.J., did you get the package? I have my tracker up and it says delivered.” She sounds excited about this one which doesn’t bode well for me.
