But if he delivers on the status of Jessica’swell-being – and he told me he’d try, which is something hecould’ve blown off by saying he didn’t know anyone in the Bostonarea, and I wouldn’t know if he’s telling the truth – then I’d knowhe’s in law enforcement. Sure, he could be a complete nutjob copwannabe, but I’d like to think I’d have gotten that vibe bynow.
Only time would tell if he’s for real.
In the meantime, Sofia had texted to let meknow she’d convinced Amy to spend the weekend, and that made mefeel better. Whether Amy understands what she’s feeling isdebatable. Most people who escape trauma have some type ofsurvivor’s guilt, but they don’t tag it as such. Something likethis might keep Amy from socializing in clubs or bars, which wouldbe a shame since she’s such a vibrant person. This week the othervictim, Amy’s friend Sky, returns to school, and seeing her willtrigger deep emotions. Knowing that Sofia and Matt are looking outfor Amy is comforting. From what Sofia has told me, she and Amyshare pretty much everything. If Amy’s having a hard time coping,Sofia will know and do what she must to get Amy the help sheneeds.
Hungry and wanting a quick fix, I’m staringinto my fridge when the phone rings. I pick it up and see Max iscalling.
“Yo, Ter,” she sings in my ear.
“What’s doing?”
“Guess who I saw at Henry’s Wednesday nightdancing her ass off in a tube dress that barely covered herass.”
Henry’s, a typical small-town bar with livemusic, is a fixture in Redwood Falls. Given recent events, thiscall has to be about Ziggy. “Ziggy.”
“Ding, ding, ding, ding. You get the grandprize.”
“I’m guessing this means she’s not preggersanymore.”
Max sighed. “You guess right. That dress,which was more like a stretched-out scarf, left nothing to theimagination.”
“Sounds about right for Ziggy. Did she talkto you?”
“Hell no. She took one look at me, curled herlip, and kept on dancing.”
I shook my head. “Par for the course.”
“Yeah. She’s a pain in my ass.”
Ziggy is a pain in everyone’s ass. But Idon’t need to remind Max of that. She lives it.
“Hey. What were you doing at Henry’s?” Maxwasn’t much of a drinker – another long story for another day – anddidn’t frequent bars.
“Remember I told you Lola’s hubster Will gota promotion?”
Lola and Max have been friends since gradeschool, and Will started dating Lola when they were in the seventhgrade. “Ah-huh.”
“We were celebrating.” She paused. “Well,Will and I were celebrating. Lola, whoispreggers, andwe’re all thrilled about that, is nauseous all the time, so shestayed seated at our table and drank water while Will and I tore upthe dance floor.”
“I’d say sounds like fun, but the tone ofyour voice says differently.”
“Can you give me a pass here? I’m trying tosort my head on some weighty shit, but I promise to share when Ican talk about it without losing my mind.”
Uh-oh. Max can be mercurial, and I’m beingdiplomatic here, but she works hard at keeping an even keel. Sheknows herself, her boundaries, and her limits. If she’s unable totalk to me, which is never, a man is involved and he got too close.It’s the only time Max loses her shit, and that hasn’t happened formany years.
“Absolutely. I’m here when you’re ready.”
“I know you are, and I love you for it.”
Geesh. She sounded so sad. If she couldn’thandle talk advice, maybe location advice would work. “Love youtoo. A suggestion?”
“Shoot.”
“Before your next day off, call Nom Nom Cakesand order two dozen cupcakes. Drive west, stop at Bodega Bay, getthe cupcakes, then drive up to Jenner, and stay overnight at arental. Walk on the beach. Stare at the ocean. Eat cupcakes.Repeat.”
“You’re a fuckin’ genius. Thanks, cuz.”
“Anytime, Max.”
