Page 17 of The Two of Us

I strain my ear toward their mumbling, and I can almost make out—my phone rings. The chorus to “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa blares out at full volume. The phone fumbles in my hand and I catch it before it cracks on the hardwood.

“Hello?” I hiss.

“Why are we whispering?” she whispers.

My heart thrums at the sound of Tally’s voice even though I’m glad to hear from her. I’ve been slacking in the friend department. I texted her a few times with updates about my dad, but this is the first time we’ve spoken on the phone.

I keep my voice low. “Why are you calling me?”

“I can’t begin to explain to you how special that question makes me feel.”

I flinch. “Shit. I’m sorry. I meant, why are you calling me so late?”

I peek out the window. Ambrose and his girlfriend or wife or whoever she is are still talking. The sight of her in his arms makes me feel ugly things and I force my eyes to seek solace in the dark room.

She talks between the sound of chips crunching. I bet she’s hiding from Jeremy. “I knew you’d be awake. You’re like a hamster. And besides, Jeremy’s getting on my nerves—wait. Why are you whispering and why do you sound so out of breath? Are you in the middle of sex or something?”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“You saucy little minx! Pass him the phone. I want to say hi.”

“You’re out of your mind. I’m not having sex. I’m trying to be quiet because I don’t want to wake my dad.”

Lie.

Her voice softens. “Oh, damn. Of course. I’m sorry, Mar.”

I feel terrible for fibbing, but if she thinks I’m with a guy, this call will never end.

“I just wanted to check in on you, but I’ll let you go. Swear you’ll call me tomorrow so we can have a legitimate conversation instead of texting like two middle schoolers trying to play it cool?”

I smile even though she can’t see me. “I swear.”

I end the call and push the silent button back in place. I shut the window and tug on the heavy curtain, permitting myself one last glance. The woman no longer stands in the driveway and the automatic light has turned off, but I can see Ambrose’s large frame angled toward my house. And he’s staring right at me.

***

The questions that riddle my mind the next morning all center around Ambrose King. Shocking. Why is he still living in that house? Where are his parents? Who’s that woman and am I going to have to watch them live happily ever after every day that I’m here? As much as I try to convince myself I want nothing to do with the past, Ambrose remains at the forefront of my mind. The time I have left with my dad is limited and I shouldn’t be wasting it consumed by thoughts of him.

Have some self-control, Mara.

After faxing over the form to Helen, I welcome the distraction of the open road by driving aimlessly around town. When I find myself in front of a run-down Nadine’s Nursery, I’m surprised to see it’s still open for business. As I pull in, the sound of gravel crunching under the wheels of my dad’s car makes me anxious. The last thing I need is a flat, so I park far from the entrance, not willing to test my luck.

The outdoor nursery is eerie and quiet, with overgrown ivy splayed across every wall. I grab two succulents from a nearby cart, hoping the greenery will add a bit more life to my dad’s barren room. I’ll continue visiting him, but a person can only stare at all-white everything for so long. If I wanted to spend time in a hospital, I’d go to Seaview.

An employee pops out from the shadows and I jump, causing the mini cactus in my hand to prick my fingers.

“Hi there! My name’s Grace,” she chirps. Her name tag says Shannon. “Can I help you find anything?”

“Mara,” I say, shaking her outstretched hand. “And I was just looking for a few low-maintenance plants. I don’t really—”

“Mara as in Mara Makinen?” Her face falls.

I could lie but the town is too small. The truth would be out by tomorrow.

“Yes.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says, squeezing my hand again.

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