“It’s almost midnight,” she says coolly, her voice quivering. “You’re too late.”
“Lois, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you call me back?”
She places a bowl down in the sink and whips the air between us with a dish towel.
“Are you kidding me? I asked whether we were still good this afternoon.”
“You did?”
I dig deep, sifting back through the day’s memories, but I don’tremember her ever asking me. She tosses the towel to the side and glares.
“You said ‘uh-huh,’ which is more than you’ve said to me over the past few days combined. I should’ve guessed it didn’t mean anything.”
Ouch.That hits hard.
Lois stalks out of the kitchen, huffing at her friends. “I’m really disappointed with you, girls.”
“He was worried, kitten.”
“Sure he was,” she snaps.
“He was white as a sheet! On the brink of a panic attack…”
“Bullshit!”
“If I hear one more curse word out of that pretty mouth of yours…”
I hear a chair scrape against the floor, a door creaking. I dash out of the kitchen to find Lois standing in the hallway, and by the time I let out a “shit,” she’s gone.
“Thanks for picking up,” I call out to the twins. “I owe you one!”
“This is an Alzheimer’s-free zone, sweetie. We’ll remember that!”
I race out onto the sidewalk, scanning the street for a sign of Lois, catching a glimpse of her as she turns a corner. I start to sprint.
“Wait!”
Her shoulders tense up, but she doesn’t slow down. Cursing, I pick up the pace, finally outrunning her and blocking her way, forcing her to stop. She sighs, trying to skirt around me, but there’s no way I’m about to let that happen. Finally, she gives up, folding her arms across her chest, her eyes bright with anger.
“I’m sorry,” I try again.
“It’s nothing, okay? I’m not mad at you. Everything’s fine. I just want to go home.”
“Liar.”
“Go back to the party, Lane. I’m a big girl, you know—you don’t need to tiptoe around me. Anyway, it’s not like we were ever really friends.”
She’s taken a swipe at me, and it stings.
“Of course we’re—”
“Lane!” she explodes. “I’m telling you, we’re good!”
Before I know it, she’s bursting into tears and I’m standing there reeling. I hold out a hand to her.
“Please, don’t cry because of me…”
She wipes her cheeks. “I’m just disappointed, that’s all. I had a shitty week, and I was looking forward to a good evening. You forgot.” She shrugs. “Shit happens.”
