Page 22 of The Top of Admiration
“Okay, outside.” She put my phone on the counter and grabbed my arm, dragging me forcefully outside.
She made a huge fuss of sitting me down on a lounger, taking the opposite seat herself.
“I wanted to talk to you about Miranda. Things didn’t end well, and I need to apologize for the pranks I’ve pulled.”
I nodded. Her pranks were shit. None of them worked.
“Forgiven. Now, I need to go. I’m due—”
She pulled my arm to force me to sit back down.
“That’s not all. It’s about … it’s about Mom and Dad.”
This was painful.
I sighed. “What about them?”
“Well, people get to a certain age, and they begin to think about things. About doing things together. You know, like in thetwilight of their lives. Mom and Dad are thinking of buying a camper. I think they’re too old to be setting those things up and Jules agrees.”
I nodded, not understanding how I fit into this story.
“And well … I think that you can appreciate that.”
What the fuck was going on here?
“Cordelia, I don’t really care what your parents do.” I stood, only to be tugged down again.
“The thing is Cam, I think you do. That’s what I want to talk about.”
“No, I really don’t. Let them get a camper, Cordelia. I don’t really care. This is none of my business. Have you been drinking?”
“No, I haven’t,” she huffed. “But I do think this is a metaphor for your life. You know, the camper. And twilights.”
Yep, she’d definitely been drinking. That’s it. I was done.
I stood, flicking off her hand as she again tried to drag me down.
“Jess has crabs!” she shouted.
“What the fuck?” That did make me turn around. I hadn’t been itchy. Is this why she was being so weird and mysterious? Why the camper talk?
“How would you know that?” I asked.
“I just do. I heard it. From someone. She has nasty crabs, and they are treatment resistant. You’ll need to talk to a nurse. Or a doctor. Maybe even a professor.”
This was ridiculous. “Cordelia, I don’t know why you’re telling me this, but I haven’t even slept with Jess,” I lied.
“You have. I know it. And now you’re going to end up with the plague. Listen to me. I know what I’m talking about. Thething about crabs is ….” She trailed off, glancing at the kitchen window. She stood.
“Well, thank you for coming by. This is the last time I’ll speak to you,” she said formally.
This whole thing was fucking weird. If she asked to speak to me again, I’d just ghost her.
I walked inside and snatched my phone. Cam was still seated at the counter.
“Going already? Bye. Oh, and Cam, I’ll take it from here.” Then, the motherfucker winked at me.
I didn’t even answer him and made sure to slam the door on my way out. The fucking Bard family was insane and so were those connected to them. I should be grateful I escaped.
