* * *
Vega called it a panic attack. Evie’s mind was racing and she felt like her chest was going to collapse in on itself. The fresh air did help calm her breathing and her nerves, but it didn’t do a thing to ease her embarrassment. She thought the crushing, overwhelming feeling that had caught her off guard a few times in the hospital was a rare accident, but Vega explained that they were pretty common.
“We’re just gonna go for a slow stroll. You take some deep breaths and enjoy this cool night air.” They walked the length of the cul-de-sac twice, with Euca tailing along, before Evie started to feel like herself again. Vega didn’t say anything, just walked arm in arm with Evie while she focused on the cool air and the sparkling stars in the sky. Every now and then Euca would bump into her leg, and she found a little comfort in patting the large dog’s head. Evie felt like she could breathe again, but she was oddly drained. She didn’t want to go to bed, but she didn’t want to go back into Zach’s house to face him or Jesse or their cousins.
“I think I might be done for the night,” Evie said.
“Took the words right out of my mouth. I bet Miss Leona has a banging tea stash. Why don’t I make you some and you can unwind in your room. You’ve had a pretty full day. I’m sure this puppy here will tag along if we let him.”
Evie looked down and almost laughed at the pleading look on Euca’s face. She felt bad for ditching everyone. Especially Zach. She liked spending time with him, and being near him helped ease all the complicated emotions about her parents that were swirling through her. The look on Evie’s face must have given her away.
“Don’t worry about them. Or your photos. Jesse and Zach will bring them over.”
“Yeah, okay. Tea and bed sound good.”
Evie went straight to her room, Euca following after her. After she washed her face and changed into her pajamas, Vega brought her a large cup of tea. She had Evie’s phone too, but she didn’t hand it over right away.
“Raquelle and Blaire texted a few times,” Vega said, showing Evie her locked phone screen. Sure enough, there were a whole bunch of alerts crowding the display. “Again, you’re an adult, and my business is your health. I’m not a therapist, but I feel like your mental health falls under my jurisdiction. If I were in your shoes, I’d at least give my phone a rest until the morning. Is it okay if I respond to them for you? Friends freak out when you don’t text back.”
“Yeah, I’m seeing that. Please text them back.” Evie used her thumb to unlock her phone, then handed it back to Vega. She sent whatever texts she needed to send then plugged Evie’s phone back into its charger.
After she helped Evie take down her hair and change her bandage, Vega offered to keep her company until she fell asleep.
“I think I’m okay now. I’m pretty tired.”
“Okay. I’m right next door. Come on over or tap on the wall if you don’t feel like getting up.”
That made Evie smile. “I will.”
“Come on, dog.” Vega waved Euca over from her command post on the floor. They said their goodnights and Evie was alone. She sat on the edge of the bed and finished her tea.
Over an hour later she was no closer to sleep. She’d promised Vega she’d give her phone a break, but now she was just bored. TV would have to do. She found the Cooking Network and started a show calledKnifed. Watching chefs try to do their best with secret ingredients from a basket was entertaining in a way, but not enough to distract her from the thoughts roaming around in her head. She wished she’d asked the guys to bring over the last box of pictures. At least sorting through the photos would give her something to do with her hands. She looked over at her phone and broke her promise. She pulled up Zach’s number and sent him a text. Sorry I didn’t get to kiss you goodnight.
As soon as she set her phone down it chimed with his reply. You don’t owe me an apology. I’m sorry Melanie Burns is such a dick. You feeling okay?
Evie: Much better. Vega put me to bed with some tea. Euca offered what comfort she could.
Zach: Vega’s good people. Euca’s a good dog. You should get some sleep.
Evie knew he was right, but she could see from the three little dots blinking on her screen that he wasn’t done texting her yet.
Zach: We have a wedding this weekend up at the ranch so I’ll be tied up, hopefully I can come by and give you a 10 am kiss.
Evie: I think that’ll work.
Zach: Goodnight, beautiful.
Evie: Goodnight.
This time when she set down her phone another layer of stress melted away. Zach was still into her, in spite of her little meltdown. She hoped it wouldn’t happen again, but if it did, she had Vega here to help her through it, and she had Zach.
Evie stood in the middle of the field, surrounded. The cardboard cutouts, still images of her parents, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant standing hand in hand without a care in the world, faces she didn’t recognize but she knew she should. And Zach. She whipped her head over her shoulder and there he was, over six feet of flat pressed paper and pulp, winking at her like she knew exactly what was happening.
A crashing sound made her jump. She knew she was dreaming and so close to jolting awake, but the dream wouldn’t let her go.
In the distance a hole opened in the grass, a gaping hole that seemed to be spreading before it suddenly stopped. A set of hands appeared at the hole’s grassy edge. A woman Evie didn’t recognize hoisted herself out from the hole. Evie couldn’t focus on her face for some reason. Her features were a slowly moving blur, but when she spoke, Evie instantly knew her voice.
“You know the game. I don’t know why you’re just standing there.” Melanie produced a kitchen blowtorch from her pocket. Evie had used them plenty of times. She knew the perfect finishing touch they could add to a dish and the danger they were in clumsy hands.
