Page 37 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
I folded my legs carefully and seated myself next to Julian, and he frowned at me. “Are you okay? You went somewhere in your head you don’t like.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I only thinned my lips. They read me so well, so I would have to figure out how to throw them off. If theykept it up, after all, wouldn’t it just hurt more when they left?But how am I supposed to prevent them getting close if I am already so attached in just days?
“Meh, just thinking about something upsetting. It’s not a huge deal, but don’t we all have memories we don’t like very much?” I smiled at them, as if it didn’t matter.
Julian winced. “I hate bad memories.”
I stared down at my hands as a thought dawned on me. Mud still spattered me from our boat ride, which could buy me a few precious moments alone to collect myself. “Is there somewhere I can wash my hands?”
Jeremy jumped to his feet. “Good call. Yes, we should both wash up before we eat. Follow me, the restrooms aren’t far. They aren’t particularly wonderful, but they exist. We can use the sinks.”
I scrunched my nose sympathetically. “Public bathrooms are the worst.”
“Right?” He walked with me, leaving the other two at the blanket. “I’ve held it for hours before to avoid using them.”
I totally got what he meant. “Me too. We’ll both end up sick or something if we keep it up.”
He dramatically folded his hands across his chest. “Here lies Jeremy Lent, who wouldn’t use the bathroom in the park.”
The laugh that escaped me startled me. Him too, since soon we both laughed so hard, we could barely breathe. Finally, when he could speak again, he said, “Truth. Note to self, Alatheia likes bathroom humor, and when she cracks up, it lights up the world. There’s the bathroom, by the way.”
His phone rang as he pointed, so he glanced at the screen before grimacing. “Sorry, it’s my father. Since you pointed out how short life is, I’ll answer despite the lecture I’m sure he’s got ready for me. You okay if I meet you back at the blanket in a bit?You know where it is? You can see it from here. Right there.” He winced. “Except Ishouldwalk you back …”
I touched his arm, because the chivalry didn’t have to be ridiculous. “It’s not Armageddon yet, and I can make it from here to there.”
He tilted his head at me, considering my expression carefully as the phone continued to ring in his hand. “Some time, I would like to just roll around in your head, see what makes you tick.” He grinned before he took his call, stepping away. “Yeah, Dad?”
I ducked into the bathroom quickly, breathing out a relieved breath once I was alone. My reflection stared back at me, cheeks flushed, and I wondered about Jeremy’s conversation.What must it be like?I couldn’t imagine a parent just calling me up, not even to yell at me.Wouldn’t it be great if they could?I snorted, and the reflection revealed a scared and very alone little girl, if I was honest. I wondered if my parents would call to yell at me, if they’d lived. Would I be annoyed at them, maybe tell them I wouldn’t speak to them? Would I be like,yeah … I wish they’d leave me alonewhile I hung out with my friends down by the lake.
I sighed, turning away from the reflection in defeat.Maybe in some different world.
Easier to reminisce about alternating timelines in sci-fi movies as I washed my hands, the water cold and jarring against my overheated skin. Two women talked near a closed stall door, the one considering leaving her husband for another man who her friend thought wouldn’t work out long term, and I eavesdropped without hesitation. They were clearly each other’s confidants, which I honestly found more fascinating than their marital problems. Personally, I never bought into the happily ever after storyline to begin with, since no relationship could actually last forever without someone eventually leaving for some reason or another.
How do people even think that can work, anyway? Why would someone want to stay?
It never made sense to me, since it seemed inevitable for partners to let one another down. Not that my opinions mattered right then. I dried my hands quickly and headed out of the bathroom. Barrett and Julian waited at the blanket, and I apparently stared at them so intently while I daydreamed, I walked right into someone.
He kind of oomphed and I gasped at the impact. I muttered, “I’m sorry,” before even looking up to see who I hit.
The guy didn’t glance down, which made me smile. New Yorkers weren’t particularly rude, but some kept such tight schedules, they came across as terse. I shrugged and kept moving.
“Hey,” Barrett asked as I approached them. “Where’s Jer?”
“Talking to your dad,” I said before I sat. As I crossed my legs, I noticed the weight missing, so I smacked my hand down on my back pocket.No wallet. It didn’t fall out . . .
“What’s the matter?” Barrett asked, shooting to his feet.
My voice wobbled, on the edge of a sob as I confessed, “My wallet is gone. I must have been pick—pickpocketed.” I could hardly say the words aloud. I felt so dumb and violated. I would have to tell my aunt so she could cancel my card. Despite the fact someone robbed me, all I could think was how much trouble it would cause me.
“What?” Julian and Barrett were on both sides of me. “When?” Barrett asked as Julian said “Where?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. It’s gone. I never lose it. I … Maybe it was the guy who bumped me? Some guy ran into me on my way here. I bethetook my wallet. I have to go.” I lurched to my feet, intent on finding the guy.
Julian put his arm around me. “Hold on a second. Let’s make sure you didn’t drop it. Don’t panic. If it’s gone, the cardcompany can make sure you don’t get hit with any of the charges. No one will be hurt because of it.”
I shook my head and pulled away from him. He didn’t get it. “You saw my aunt last night. She’s going to be furious. Even if it’s a simple fix, she’ll use this against me.” Tears I didn’t want to shed escaped, trailing down my cheeks faster than I could swipe them away. Although I knew boarding school loomed, I wasn’t ready for it, not yet. “Sorry, this was so nice, but I have to go. Maybe if I tell her fast, at least less damage will be done.”
“Hey!” a voice I didn’t recognize called out. “Here. Relax. I have your wallet.”
