Page 28 of Mic Drop

The interviewer prompts, “Don’t leave us hanging. What happened?”

“Well, it’s been such a long time that I don’t think Bennett would mind me telling you.” She leans forward.Get on with it!“Bennett and I had our own prom, if you catch my meaning.”

Liar!Unable to remain seated, I pace around the coffee table.

“We had the most amazing time, just the two of us. I wore a pretty sundress and he wore khakis with a button-down shirt and a red tie. Not appropriate prom attire, but we didn’t care. We played music and danced. He even sang a song he had written for me.”

“A capella?” the reporter interrupts.

“Yes. He had a great voice, even back then.”

Is this why he won’t sing for me without the band?

The reporter appears intrigued. “Have we heard this song? Is it on any of Untamed Coaster’s albums?”

Lissa’s bowtoxed lips curve upward. “Oh no. He’s kept it only between us. It’s our special song.”

Bitch.

“Lucky you,” observes the reporter. “Then what happened?”

“Well, after a magical night where I gave him my virginity and he gave me his, we kept up our more physical relationship. Teenage hormones are impossible to keep in check.”

The host allows a pregnant pause before asking in a quieter voice, “How did your relationship end?”

Duck lips turn downward. “It’s a sad story. His father died and he got invited to join Untamed Coaster within weeks. I encouraged him to go and make a name for himself. He promised he’d come back for me. We were so in love back then.” She sighs. “I guess life had other things in mind.” Her hand strokes her flat stomach.

“Did you tell him you were pregnant?”

She crosses her shapely legs. “I tried to reach him when I earned two pink stripes. He must have lost his phone or something, because my messages never were returned. I didn’t know the rest of the guys in the band, except I had met Darren once.”

I stand still. She’s seriously bringing him into this story she’s concocted?

Lissa tucks her hair behind her ear. “I did text Darren, who promised me he’d pass along my message. I waited and waited, but Bennett never did call.” Her eyes cast downward.

In a gentle tone, the reporter asks, “Then you lost the baby?”

Her head bounces. Lissa sniffles and takes a tissue from the box sitting next to her. “I didn’t understand what was happening. All of a sudden, I had these massive cramps,” her arms cradle her stomach. “There was blood, too. So much blood. The doctors at the ER said there was nothing they could do to save the baby.” She cries into her tissue. Not like my ugly cries, more like the dainty tears of a practiced actress.

“I am so sorry for your loss.” Lissa waves her tissue. The reporter continues, “Why now? Why are you coming forward now?”

Exactly. Good question, for once.

Lissa blows her nose one final time. “Now I’m an influencer. I get paid to wear clothes, go to places to be photographed. My story needs to be told so other young girls won’t have to go through what I did.”

More like you see dollar signs, bitch.

The reporter puts her hand on Lissa’s knee. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all this, especially by yourself. If you had the chance to speak with Bennett right this second, what would you say?”

My feet stop moving. I stare at the television.She had her opportunity right here in Aroostook, and never mentioned this fake story.

Lissa dabs her face. “As you know, we did reconnect recently in the Hamptons. It was magical.” Her fake eyelashes flutter. “But, we didn’t have time to reallytalk, if you get my drift. If he were here now, I would tell him I’m sorry I lost our baby. I would forgive himfor running away. Mostly, I would ask him why he never came back for me. That’s what hurts the most.” She cries. Again.

My eyes roll.

Unlike me, the reporter eats up her lies. “We’ll see what we can do to make this happen for you. You, and the rest of the world, deserve his apology. No man should ever treat a woman like this, especially one he professes to love.” The interviewer turns to the camera. “If you’re out there, Bennett Hardy, we’d love to hear your side of the story. That is, if you’re man enough to tell it. We’ll be right back.”

Music plays as the cameras show a tight shot of Lissa, still crying.

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