“Our computer was one of the ones hacked into,” Maude said. “And the pictures Sophia took of herself, they’re provocative, really provocative. They’ve threatened to post them.”
“Those motherfuckers,” Sarah growled.
Maude’s tears were coming even faster now. Her cheeks were glistening. “The worst part is, some of Sophia’s letters from camp have made it seem like there’s evenmorethan that. Something I don’t know.” Maude looked from Sarah to Amanda and back again, like surely they must have some answers. “What else could there be?”
Sarah shook her head. “She’s going to be fine. You just need to talk to her. All that time away from home without her phone? She’s had too much time to think.”
But Maude continued to look so worried. And Amanda felt worried for her.
“You can talk to her on Thursday, you said?” Amanda asked.
Maude nodded. “Yes. But they can’t even tell me what time. What if it’s in the middle of the stupid party? I should cancel.”
“Oh, don’t cancel!” Sarah cried, then recovered with a wave of her hand. “I mean, getting ready will keep you distracted. There’s nothing you can do right now anyway. What’s happened has happened.” Then she smiled playfully, like she was trying to lighten the mood. “Besides, you cannot have this be my last sex party and then cancel. I’ll have no closure.”
“Maybe you should host my party then.” Maude smiled tearfully. “Speaking of the party, I should be getting home. There are deliveries coming.”
“Will you be okay?” Amanda asked. “Do you want one of us to come with you?”
“No, no,” Maude said. “I must seem spectacularly unhinged, but I’ll be fine. I think I just need some time to myself.”
“You’re sure?” Sarah pressed.
“Yes,” Maude said, taking a deep breath as she stood. “I promise.”
Amanda and Sarah watched as Maude gathered her things and left. They did not speak again until Maude was safely out of sight.
“God, what the fuck is wrong with me?” Sarah shook her head. “Peeper porn? I am such an asshole. It’s because I’m exhausted. Fucking Kerry.”
“Kerry?” Amanda asked.
Sarah looked startled by the question. “Oh, an argument. It was silly. Too much wine more than anything,” she said. “I was just mad about that fairy tale Kerry told about his stepfather.”
“Fairy tale?” Amanda asked.
“Kerry’s stepfather never broke his arm, though according to Kerry he was quite the jerk once upon a time,” she scoffed. “Anyway Kerry felt like everybody was gawking at you, and he didn’t want youto feel bad.”
“Oh,” Amanda said, indeed feeling bad. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. That was only how the fight started, anyway … it blew up from there.” Sarah waved her hand. “But that’s a discussion for another time. Right now, poor Maude is what matters. I can’t believe I made her feel worse.”
“No, no,” Amanda said, even though she was pretty sure that Sarahhadmade it worse.
“I’ll call her later and check in.”
“Can I ask you something totally unrelated?” Amanda began tentatively. She should have probably let the conversation go on a little longer before changing the subject. But she couldn’t bear to wait anymore. “It’s about that email you received from Country Day. About Will?”
“You mean the one I decided to ignore because I wanted to get on with the business of enjoying my kid-free summer? Another example of my sterling judgment. Sure, why not? Ask away.”
“We got a similar one about Case,” Amanda said. “A couple of them actually. But I overlooked them, so I didn’t respond.”
“Well, at least youaccidentallydidn’t respond, instead of intentionally not responding like me.”
“Will the school hold it against Case?” Amanda asked. “That I didn’t answer and set up the meeting?”
“Absolutely not. Especially since the meeting was probably about nothing. All that school does is set up meetings. I get it. Bad things have happened because some other schools around here were asleep at the wheel. But how about a happy medium. Honestly, a kid stubs their toe and Brooklyn Country Day wants to have a meeting between you, the kid, and the offending piece of furniture. If Case was having an actual problem, they would have called you.”
“They would?” Amanda asked.
