Page 88 of The Alibi Club

“Yeah, about that,” Jamie said. “I’m thinking about bringing my friend Derick.”

There was an audible, frustrated sigh from the other end of the phone. “Fine. It’s your inheritance.”

Irked and exhausted not merely from the ridiculous circus of dating in the modern age, but from lurching toward this goal under financial threat from, of all people, her own mother, in addition to the heightened and terrifying prospect of being alone forever, especially after nearly being strangled by a deranged killer—freaking again—something in Jamie snapped.

“I tried Mom, okay? I tried. I tried online dating, I tried conventional dating, and I even tried a group blind date. It turns out that I am not fit for it. A normal relationship is just out of scope for me.”

“Nonsense,” was all she said.

“It’s not nonsense. On my last date, someone blew up Manhattan Beach, I had an AR-15 pointed at my head, my best chance at love is an ex-convict who’s headed back to prison for executing a heist of an ex-client of mine, and I was almost strangled to death. And to add a cherry to the shitcake of my life, I am now unemployed.”

There was a long moment of silence at the other end of the phone, and then she heard her mother clear her throat. “This may not be the best time to remind you of the bridesmaids’ dress fitting I have set up for you for tomorrow, but be that as it may, you must show up.”

Jamie scoffed. “Bridesmaids? Mom, who are you kidding? This is not your first wedding. Hell, it’s not even your third! Who, at your age, even has bridesmaids? What is driving this bizarre behavior? Your race to be a senator’s wife? The role you think you were meant for? I got news for you Mom, Barry ain’t your guy. He is likely to be indicted for some as-yet-unknown white-collar crime before he becomes a senator to try and strategically place himself in a position to commit even more crime, but crazily that alone does not prevent him from being elected. He is not perfect by a stretch. I am not perfect, either, and guess what, Mom, you are not perfect!” Jamie was breathless but nowhere near finished.

She heard Elaine Cromwell Frisco tut at this. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

She continued on, “You know the crazy thing is, against all odds, Mom, even when I know nearly everything you say to me will be dipped in cruelty, I still love you. If that is not enough for you, then I cannot fill your cup. So, I give up. On this entire insane quest for a mate you’ve put me on. I give up on ever expecting you to come around, to show an iota of kindness toward me. I give up on the idea that you could love me just as I am. I give up. I will not be at your appointed dress fitting. I may not be at your wedding.”

Jamie didn’t even realize it, but she was crying. She wiped the angry tears from her cheeks and tried to calm her breathing. Her mother remained mute, but she was still on the line. Jamie had never dared unleash a tirade like that on her mother before; she had no idea what to expect.

“Mom?”

Like the quietest bullet ever to pierce a heart, Elaine Cromwell Frisco hung up on Jamie. It was the sound of her mother plainly telling her she was not deserving of her love, her support, or even a response.

Jamie looked at the phone, which would not give her a further response. She was shaking. She threw her phone in her bag, got on her bike, and rode down to The Strand.

On the long, slow bike ride by the beach to Old Tony’s, Jamie let the wind dry the tears on her cheeks. She took small breaths of the lightly salted air until she calmed down, and on one stretch between the sand and the sea, a lone pelican joined her and flew right alongside her, as if somehow the bird knew she needed someone by her side.

She felt heartbroken and fragile, but strangely lighter, too. Like an old wound had finally stopped bleeding, closed up, and was quickly fading to a faint scar.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

HAPPY HOUR FOR LOSERS

Southern California can be indifferent and sometimes downright hostile to its old-school landmarks. Scores of classic California spots like Turc’s, Beachbum Burt’s, and The Mermaid Lounge in Hermosa Beach had been unceremoniously shuttered only to be replaced by smash burger joints and frozen yogurt shops. It was a travesty. But it was all merely a testament to the staying power of Old Tony’s Crow’s Nest, the dive bar that endured.

Located on the once grand and now dilapidated Redondo Beach pier, Old Tony’s had a shingled roof and a commanding panoramic view of the Pacific. Its neon sign welcomed all who dared to climb the worn, wooden steps. Once they did, they would be rewarded with the cozy ambience of a bar in the round, sailor-themed decor complete with colorful glass fishing floats hung from the ceiling by nets, while patrons sat on red leather barstools and ordered the famous Mai Tai in Tony’s signature glass. The setting sun cast a glow over the convivial crowd.

Jamie’s Mai Tai had just arrived when she saw Shannon’s blond head grace the door. She was on brand with bright pink lip gloss and fresh eyelashes, followed closely by Kyle, who had a spiffy new haircut and one hand around her waist. Jamie waved them over to the table. A minute later they were joined by Rick, who was still short but looked dashing in a Travis Mathew golf shirt, with Holly in tow, sleek and polished in some expensive linen getup. They were bickering but also holding hands.

“So, you two are together? Like, officially?” Jamie asked.

Holly blushed and Rick, the same guy who could not stop talking about himself, kissed her hand and said, “Turns out her kind of honesty is exactly what an advertising god needs.”

Jamie smiled and turned to Kyle and Shannon. “And you two?”

It was Kyle’s turn to blush. “I am as shocked as you are that a girl like this likes a nerd- boy gamer like me. She’s my unicorn.”

“You’re not just a gamer.” Shannon squeezed his cheek. She addressed Jamie. “He lets me lead the quests and be the warrior I want to be. It’s sexy. I need a Mai Tai.” Shannon summoned the waitress, who came over immediately.

Holly pulled Jamie aside and asked quietly, “How’s Cliff? Have you heard from him?”

Jamie cast her eyes downward and shook her head. “No. I tried to reach him at the MBPD jail, but no luck.”

Holly gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

Jamie gave her a tight smile and tried not to show how disappointed she was. “Thank you. I think I blew it.”