Page 36 of Legal

Perry re-filled the others’ drinks, then went over to Stephen. They were a striking couple. They’d have some beautiful babies together someday. My brother shared the same fair coloring as me; Perry was the photo negative with her rich coffee-colored hair. His light to her dark.

I took one more baby sip before getting up to dilute it with something. Perry was right on my heels, following me inside. “Whatcha doing?”

“If I don’t water this down, I won’t even make it to the fireworks.”

“Hmph. And you said you can handle your liquor.” She took the glass from me and mixed in a little more water and some lime juice. “There. Good enough.”

“What was wrong with the first one you made me?” I squinted at her; she was acting strange all of a sudden.

“Just eat something and you’ll be fine. Now let’s go.”

Perry clamped on to my arm and steered me out of the kitchen. I stopped hard, almost dumping the drink down my shirt. “What is going on with you?” I asked.

She eyed me up and down. “Now that you mention it, are you going to wear that?”

“I didn’t mention anything. And I think you’re cut off for the night.” I made it out to the patio and paused. “Wait, what exactly is wrong with what I’m wearing?” I glanced down at my shorts and T-shirt. She basically had on the same thing.

“It should be more patriotic.”

“You’re wearing pink.”

“Well, yes, but we’re talking about you. You should go put on that red dress that looks so awesome on you.”

“You want me to put on a strapless evening gown to go lie in the grass?” I shook my head, then went to make a plate. The food was done and spread over the table. I was starving, and the alcohol was starting to catch up with me.

Perry rolled her eyes. “It’s still a summer gown. Picky, picky.”

I sighed, chalking up her behavior to Perry just being Perry on sugary drinks and left it at that. I was feeling too good to worry about it. It was a perfect day in the sunshine with people I love. Comfort food and the kind of conversation that made you bust a gut. I’d finished most of my glass before I knew what hit me. I think what tipped me off was playing Frisbee; I kept throwing it to myself instead of the other person.

“Lemme just grab my purse,” I said when it was time to head to the park. Everyone made sure all the windows were closed, and the fans were off. The food was all back inside and put away. We were good to go. “I need my phone too.” I scanned the area where I’d last left it, but it wasn’t there.

“Why don’t you check your purse?” Perry said. I peered inside, and yes, it was there. I frowned. I knew for sure I’d left it on the spare table. She tugged on my arm. “Come on; we gotta go.”

Fortunately, I lived within walking distance, and all we needed to carry were a couple blankets. And bug spray. Lots of it. The mosquitoes would be out in hoards after all that rain we had.

The five of us set out for Candle Park. Tony and Val had to cut out early before the fireworks, so they’d walk back on their own after the festival. It was just a little something extra the city put together: bands, beer, bouncy houses.

Seeing the madhouse of cars made me thankful I lived so close; it was tough to find parking around here. We walked through the entrance and made a beeline for the hill to claim our spots. After spreading out the blankets, Perry hauled me away again.

“Let’s get some cotton candy.”

“Seriously?”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “You can get something boring like water.” Actually, that did sound pretty good. I had a shitload of alcohol floating around in me, and I was feeling mighty fine, but why tempt it? The tides could turn in the blink of an eye, and then my entire night would be in the toilet. Literally.

Perry led me toward one of the concession stands that had dozens of kids swarming around. I scanned the area and pointed to one of the others. “That one is much less crowded.”

“Nah, this one is better. What, are you in a hurry or something? We still have a good two hours before it’s dark yet.”

I scrunched my face. “Oh-kay.” So, she was a cotton candy connoisseur now?

The music started back up, and I tapped my thighs as we waited in line. I remembered this band; they were here last year too, but I couldn’t place the name. Just a local cover band, but decent enough.

We finally made it to the front and placed our order. Perry started darting her head around as if she had some nervous tic. “Sugar withdrawals?”

“Ha-ha, funny.”

The teenager working behind the counter was acting a little too helpful as he handed Perry the pink and blue cone. He fumbled with the napkins, shoving them into her hands and knocking over the straw dispenser in the process. I snickered; she could cause a commotion wherever she went without even trying.

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