Page 167 of Hate Mates

“Yeah. I’ll leave early in the morning.”

“Maybe take your dad’s car? The forecast predicts a lot of snow, and I don’t see yours making it to central Oregon.”

“You don’t see it, as in, one of your spooky witchy visions or because my car is almost falling apart, and you’re making a joke?”

“I see your car as a deathtrap, and I don’t need my spooky witchy visions for that. It’s time for the scrapyard, my friend.”

“I will when I can face the sleazy bastard who works there.”

“Oh, old man Johnson. Yeah, he’s kinda gross to all females.”

“Speaking of sleazy bastards, did you enact your revenge yet?”

“Err, no. But this stupid guy has no idea that one of his floozies was messaging me all day today. Even on his deathbed, Colten still swears we’re meant to be together. Maybe in the next life, huh?”

“Maybe. You really were great together.”

“I know. I chose the wrong guy, and now look where I am. I’m just here, playing along to his bullshit. He’s seeing me tomorrow, and all his friends are gonna be there, and he’s gonna look like such an idiot, but serves him right for screwing around while he’s with me. Fifteen girls, Lourdez! Fifteen! He’s so lucky he wears socks, if you catch my drift, or he’d have already woken up without a peen.”

A small and silent laugh claws its way out of my mouth. I thank the Lord above that it’s silent because Amelie, despite her brash tone and big plan for revenge, is hurt by her boyfriend’s infidelity. Not as much as she is by her ex-boyfriend and his soon-to-be departure from this world, but she is.

“I understand. I don’t understand why you’re still sleeping with him, but I get the peenless part.”

“Trust me, when you blow out those cobwebs, you’ll have needs too.”

“Please, I’d never bring a guy back here.”Not with my dad and his violent temper tantrums.Like the one earlier that resulted in half of the kitchen plates smashed and another bruise to hide on my cheek.

“Well, you surely don’t wanna live with him forever.”

Amelie has no idea how badly I want to leave. I’ve never spoken of Dad’s moods. I’ve always brushed off my bloodshot eyes as a lack of sleep. I’ve always told her the bruises on my body are from clumsiness.

“Anyway, get some sleep. You have a long drive tomorrow.”

“I know. Do you wanna come? I know you were there today, but no one says you can’t go tomorrow. What time is revenge? Maybe we could be back.”

There’s a pause where all I hear is my heart racing and Dad stomping around.

“I can’t see him again, Lourdez. I can’t. Not like that.”

“I get it.”

“Life is just unfair. It shouldn’t be him.”

A cold tear rolls down my cheek. “I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

“I know. I’ll be okay. Be there for him. And Lourdez, will you tell him I love him? Because I couldn’t. I couldn’t say it, and he said it to me. I just couldn’t.”

“I’ll tell him.”

“Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow night to find out what he said after I dump my loser boyfriend. Love ya!” Amelie doesn’t linger on the phone. She disappeared to finish the supper I could hear her crunching down the line. Chocolate, no doubt. She comfort eats, too.

I sit in the dark for a little while, letting my thoughts dance to the tune of my slurping until the drinks run out and my heavy eyes fall closed.

TWO

Lourdez

Faulty wiper blades struggle to shift the snow from my windshield. Squinting to see the road ahead, I continue, ignoring the rattling sound coming from my engine.

---