Page 100 of Over the Edge

She stands, and I know I’ve been dismissed. Over two hours driving for a meeting that lasted fifteen minutes.

“I’ll keep an eye out for it,” I say.

“And, Garrett,” she says with a rare softness.

“Yes?”

“I do appreciate how seriously you took your time away. I know it didn’t come naturally to you, but relaxation suits you.”

“I can’t take all the credit.” My lips threaten to turn upward despite the current melancholy.

“Then thank that photographer for me.”

“Who?”

“Unless you were set up with a tripod, there was someone there with you,” she explains.

“Oh, yeah. Well, I’ll add it to the list of things I need to say to her.”

“Good. Talk to you again soon, Larson.”

I leave with only one thought in my head:I have to get this next part right.

36

Evelyn

Squeaks fill the air as shoes scuff across the linoleum flooring of Hartsfall High School’s gymnasium. Long white plastic tables line the perimeter with different vendors testing out their foods and services. Hand painted signs are being touched up at the far end away from the main entrance where coordinators are checking in volunteers. We join the short line and I check my phone again. I stopped counting how many times I’ve reached for it an hour ago when the number hit an embarrassingly high double digit.

Garrett

I’m in the city. Talk soon.

Evelyn

Why didn’t you wake me up?

Garrett

You haven’t been sleeping well. You needed to sleep.

I’ve drafted and redrafted messages, but none of them have felt fair. We made no commitments to each other last night. It wasn’t about me at all. I’m not the one who severed ties with the only parent I’ve ever known. No matter how much him leaving for Manhattan feels like a knife in my gut, I understand it.

He’s going back to somewhere safe, somewhere without all the memories. He needs that, and it was always supposed to be the plan. I said yes knowing I wanted more, betting on being strong enough to turn off the emotions that are now swallowing me whole.

He left and didn’t say goodbye. It’s just a few days early. I can’t be upset about something that was lurking right around the corner.

So, I deleted the texts and told Oliver and Quinn he’d be here late. I’ll come up with another excuse about his absence later.

The pair in front of us finishes and I sign us in. As I scrawl our names, I do my best not to look for any evidence that Garrett could be here. He’s not on stage with the other musicians or mingling with the crowd. Quinn and Oliver didn’t originally have placements, but Poppy is the person who is checking us in so she’s able to help us find places for them to fill in for people who are sick or will only be able to work the actual event in a week.

Quinn joins me at the face painting station while Oliver helps with the cider. Between every person who sits at my station, I make any excuse I can to get up and look around. The moment we run out of paper towels, I head out to find a bathroom to get more. I offer to grab water and refreshments. I probably only paint one person’s face for every five anyone else does.

Before I can get up again, Fletcher slides into the folding chair across from me.

“What will it be? I can do hearts, flowers, or hearts,” I offer. Though I’ve worked in design before, Photoshop is a completelydifferent ballgame than a tiny plastic brush against the contours of a human face.

“Hmm, I have a novel idea. What about hearts?”

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