Page 14 of When The Rain Falls

"Aimee, stay here as long as you need. Do what you need to do. I only ask that you not bring them home. Not here. Ok?” Oh my God. My reputation is following me around like a black cloud. Alicia runs her fingers across the back of Logan's head as he continues sucking on his hand, oblivious to the conversation around him.

“Yeah. Sure. I mean that’s why I came here. I already banged all the guys in Seattle. Thought it was time for some fresh blood. Got any hot neighbors?”

“Aimee, you’re not funny.”

“I’m Aimee Jones, the Queen of Casual. The Caller of Booties. The Fucker of Buddies. First of her Name. Debauchery is coming. To a neighborhood near you. Lock up all your men.”

“Aimee, I didn’t mean?—”

“Yes, you did,” I correct her. “I get it. I’ll try not to scandalize your family while I’m here. I’ll try not to sleep with all the dads at Julie’s school so you won’t be the laughing stock of the PTA.”

“Aimee, I’m sorry.”

“No, Alicia, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m a screw up. Ok? And thanks for the bail money last year. But I’d prefer if we scrapped the lectures and just hung out like sisters." I collapse backwards into the mattress and rub my temples. What I really need right now isn’t lectures or criticism. What I really need is a friend. Maybe even a sister. But we’ve never really had that kind of relationship.

“We can hang out,” she says quietly. “That would be nice.” The response surprises me. First, because she didn’t eventryto deny that I’m a screw up. And second, that she wants to hang out with me?

"Really?” I ask hopefully. “Do you want to do something tonight? See a movie? Go out for drinks. The place I went last night had?—”

"I have to work tonight,” Alicia says, cutting me off. Logan reaches up and grips a piece of her hair with a wet, drooly fist. It's kind of gross, but Alicia doesn't even flinch. “Unfortunately, I got stuck with the late shift this whole week. Maybe another time, though.”

"Sure. Another time." I stare up at the ceiling. I can't imagine having Alicia’s burdens. A five month old, a teenager, a husband, an entire house to maintain, and working late shifts at a hospital on top of all that. I know we don't always see eye to eye. But I have to hand it to her. She works really hard to keep her life together.

“You work remotely, right? Do you need anything for work?” Alicia asks.

“Just the wifi password.”

“I never remember it. I’ll have Greg get it to you,” Alicia says. She pauses before continuing. "Hey, if you don’t mind, I was going to ask you a favor.” Alicia throws a pair of pleading eyes in my direction. "Homecoming is Friday and I have to work that night. Could you take Julie to the dance? You know, just drop her off and pick her up?”

“I'd love to,” I say quickly, “That sounds fun."

"Like I said, you clearly don't spend enough time around teenagers." Alicia chuckles.

“Maybe you can take Ruby, too. If you don't mind."

"The more the merrier," I say. But I wince inwardly. Because Ruby kind of scares me.

“Ruby lives across the street, so it shouldn't be too inconvenient. In that house." She points to the dark, creepy house across the street. Large pine trees hover above it in the back yard and their boughs hang limply down over the house, almost like they’re clutching it in their long, spindly claws. The whole place has this eerie, haunted look. I shiver.

"I know it would be a huge favor for Ruby's dad,” she adds. I’m suddenly wondering why I’d want to do a huge favor for some dude I don’t even know.

“What about Ruby’s mom?” I ask.

“Her mom passed away. He’s a single dad,” she explains. “As a former single mom, I have a soft spot for him. He's a really good guy. Salt of the Earth."

"What does that even mean? Salt of the Earth?” I ask. “How is that a compliment? I mean, who wants to be compared to salt?"

Alicia laughs. "It means hardworking and reliable.” Alicia gives me a look that suggests I have little experience with either of those concepts.

“Whatever. I know how to be salty.” I laugh.

6A LOT OF NIPPLES

AIMEE

“Please?”Ruby hands me her bright pink phone.

"Can’t you just text him?" I ask, pushing the phone back towards her. Ruby, Julie, and I are at Brew City, a local coffee shop and brewery in town, waiting for our coffee orders to be called. We were originally going to go shopping for homecoming dresses, but the girls were invited to meet their friends at a trampoline park. Now Ruby needs her dad to sign some online waiver.

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