The lie slid out. “Sorry. Katie’s mom texted to see if I could take you both back to our house. I guess the party might go later than they thought.”
“I’m not surprised by that,” said Morgan philosophically. ToKatie she said, “Brooke’s parties always go really late. Brooke’s parties are crazy.”
“Why do you know that?” asked Alexa.
Morgan shrugged. “People talk.”
Understatement of the century, thought Alexa.
“Katie, you’re spending the night,” said Alexa. She pulled out onto Route 1 and then took the traffic circle back toward town, looking in the rearview mirror every two seconds.
“I am?” said Katie. “I didn’t bring my stuff. Can we go back to my house to get my stuff?”
Before too long they were almost at Alexa and Morgan’s house. The traffic on High Street was moving normally, no black SUVs were stopped in front of the house, but all of Alexa’s organs felt like they were jumping. She said, “You can borrow some of Morgan’s things to sleep in. It’ll be more fun here, I promise. And maybe you guys can swim later.” Two truths, one lie. No way was she letting them outside, and certainly not in the pool.
Katie looked dubious. Morgan was about three sizes smaller than Katie.
“Or mine,” said Alexa, and in the rearview mirror she saw Katie brighten. Why the hell not? She pulled into the driveway, and said, “Everybody out.”
Once the girls were inside Alexa locked the door, installed Morgan and Katie in front of the television and told them they could re-rent the movie and fast-forward until they got to the part where they’d left off. She said she’d make popcorn, and she was rummaging through the pantry for the jar when the doorbell rang.
Never until that moment had she truly understood the meaning of the phrase “jumping out of your skin.”
Shouldn’t she let someone know what was going on, in case something bad actually did happen? Shouldn’t she letSherriknow? Alexa was responsible for two young girls, and they were in danger.
She typed out a text. She didn’t hit send, but she got it ready. Just in case.I think you should come back.After a second she added,I’m scared. I’m really sorry but I found out who you are.
(Three truths, no lie.)
“Alexa!” called Morgan. “Door!”
The doorbell went another time. Whoever was ringing it was pressing down really hard, again and again, and the sounds were reverberating through Alexa’s whole body.
“I know,” whispered Alexa, too quietly for Morgan to hear her.The bad man is coming,she thought.The bad man is coming. The doorbell rang again, again.
The bad man is here.
She sent the text.
77.
Sherri
Sherri had laid her evening bag (also gold, also purchased at Bobbles and Lace) on one of the many cocktail tables scattered across the lawn. There were at least five people in the pool, and others hovering around, looking like they wanted to join in. Once the pool extravaganza was under way she slid the phone out of her evening bag and looked at it, and her heart jumped directly into her throat and nearly straight out of her body. The text was from Alexa.
I think you should come back. I’m scared. I’m really sorry but I found out who you are.
Sherri’s response to this text was visceral, immediate, physical. She left her shoes where they were, took her phone, and ran over to the side of the lawn, where she threw up into the bushes, just beyond where the outdoor lights reached. Her entire body was shaking. Her legs could scarcely hold her up.
I’m coming home, she texted back.I’ll be right there.
Could she drive with the alcohol in her system? Should she? No, she shouldn’t, but did she have a choice? Would she be faster running home?
No. She couldn’t run in this outfit, and walking would take too long. She’d have to drive. The fear had sobered her up. She’d be fine.
But when Sherri got out to the driveway she saw that her car was blocked in by all the partygoers who had arrived after her. It would take some serious maneuvering to get it out. She saw Melanie wandering around the driveway too. “I’ve got to get the hell out of here,” Melanie said. “I’m looking for Rebecca’s Acura. But I can’t find it.”
“I’ve got to get out of here too,” said Sherri.
