Anne rolled her eyes. “And that water-skier? In his late twenties, supported by his parents, psychotic ex still in the picture.”
To this Lana just shrugged. “It was never dull.”
“Meanwhile, poor Cardoon has been making googly eyes at her for multiple summers. And she won’t evenentertainthe thought because he’s actually honest and nice.”
Or maybe she would, if Clark was correct. I kept this to myself.
Just then a phone buzzed. Not mine. But it did remind me that I now had one.
“It’s Jonathan,” Anne said, studying her screen. She pulled a knee up to her chest, her brow creasing. “He wants me to come have dinner with his parents. Try to bring down the collective temperature.”
“What happened?” Kasey asked, as Nurse Geralin began to pack up her equipment. My mom, freed, sat back, immediately crossing her arms. If she was this bothered by simple preventative medicine, I couldn’t imagine how she’d handle surgery.
“Well, there was an attempted dress veto by two of the bridesmaids,” Liz explained, as Anne reached into the dollhouse, pulling out the box of furniture. “And now the planner is making allusions to other changes. We’re fighting just to hold our position.”
“It’s not a war,” my mom said.
“It’s not peaceful.”
Anne’s phone buzzed again. Glancing at it, she said, “I should go,” and kissed Liz on the cheek. “Call you later.”
“All right,” Liz said. But she kept her eyes on the door even after it had closed.
“Want me to get your phone set up?” Lana asked me. ThenI realized she was holding the bag I’d left on my bed. And then, suddenly, taking out the box itself.
I felt a sudden panic, indescribable. “No,” I said. “I’m… not ready yet.”
“You got a new phone?” my mom asked. “Thank goodness.”
“The house one works,” I pointed out.
“If you’re in the house,” Lana said, as she unwrapped the plastic covering it, then hit a button. There was a series of tinny chimes.
My stomach sank. “It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll do it.”
“No worries, I love this kind of stuff.” As the phone chirped again, she sighed happily. “There is nothing better than an unscratched screen.”
I had a flash of my old one, hitting the water. Sinking.
“Seriously,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “I want to deal with it later.”
Bing! Bing!How could I already have messages?
“Just chill,” Lana said. “I’m doing it.”
“Don’t.”
The word came before I could stop it. After, Lana got very still. Then a red flush crept up her neck. She quickly put the phone back into the box, fumbling with the top.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted. I could feel Liz, Kasey, and my mom all staring. “I just—”
“I get it,” she said stiffly, pushing the bag toward me.
“Lana.”
But she was already on her feet, then walking to the kitchen. I heard the front door bang shut.
Everyone was silent for a moment. Then Liz said, “Dear Lord. What an emotional day.”
