“You think it’s still there? This article is like, really old,” I say.
“Well, yes, but that’s where I’d start at least,” she explains.
“You don’t think the cops took it back?”
“Maybe, but I’d start at LACMA – The LAPD probably let them keep it on loan – unless its country of origin requested its return.”
“Country of origin?”
“Well, it doesn’t look American or Native American to me, maybe Celtic.”
“So, maybe it’s what, in like Ireland or something?”
“Maybe, but start at LACMA.”
“Okay. Fine. What’s LACMA?” I ask. Liz rolls her eyes dramatically.
“It’s the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,” she says.
“You don’t have to be a bitch about it,” I mutter and after a long pause add, “So then what’s the best plan for breaking into the museum?”
“I think you’re over-thinking it, Lola – you have superpowers – why don’t you just buy a ticket and take it during business hours.”
“You think?” I ask skeptically.
“The correct answer is usually the most obvious one.”
“Hmph. That sounds too easy.”
“I guess we’ll see,” she says, shrugging her shoulders and taking a sip of her soda.
“You wouldn’t be trying to get me caught, would you?”
“No. I figure that just means more people caught in your crossfire. Not to mention, what happens to me then?”
“Good point,” I say, “I’ll go first thing in the morning.” There’s a long silence as Liz stares at old tacos and chews on her lip. “I hooked the TV up to a generator…you wanna watch a movie?” I ask.
“Depends on what you have, I guess,” she says, looking back at me, resigned, but I like to imagine slightly less miserable than before.
°
Strangely, Liesel is not wild about my newfound friendship with Bryce. And Ben, even less so.
“Just be careful,” Liesel says cautiously, avoiding my eyes. I look at her, genuinely confused. I know she wants only the best for me, so I don’t doubt her concern, but I can’t understand it.
“What?” I ask looking from Liesel to Ben and back again. They’re both avoiding my eyes. “What?” I say again. “What am I missing?” I sit down at the kitchen table with them, careful not to break their tiny furniture, which fits them perfectly but makes me look like I’m playing in a doll’s house.
“It’s just-” Ben starts but Liesel hisses at him.
“Ben. Shut up. You can’t say anything. It’s private. It’s not our place,” Liesel says, looking back at her hands.
“But Liesel,” he says and talks about me like I’m not there. “She could get hurt. We have an obligation, I think.”
Liesel gnaws on her lip, clearly stressed. I’m dying of curiosity, but I don’t want to put Liesel in a bad position.
“It’s okay. I don’t need to know. Whatever it is, it’s okay. I can take care of myself,” I say looking at them both. Ben tries to talk again and Liesel cuts him a withering look and he raises his hands in defeat. Liesel looks at me.
“I…we can’t tell you. But promise me you’ll ask her how we met, okay?” I lay my hand on hers.
“I promise,” I say and push Ben lightly on the shoulder as I get up. “Stop worrying. You’re both freaking me out,” I say. I go to my bedroom to get a jacket and hear them whispering loudly at one another in the kitchen. They never argue, so this must be serious.
When Bryce shows, the tension only ratchets up more. Liesel comes to give Bryce a hug, but Ben keeps a polite distance. I put on my jacket and we head out, worried glances from both Ben and Liesel following us down the stairs and into the street.
“They seemed extra tense,” Bryce says casually.
“Yeah, I think they’re not crazy about us hanging out...you have any idea why?” I say, trying to keep things honest and open, upfront but not confrontational.
“Oh, yeah, probably because Ben thinks I’m nuts. I was in the mental institute with Liesel. And I didn’t get released, I escaped,” she says all casually, as if she just happened to mention that today was Tuesday.
“Oh,” I say, stunned. “So, are they like looking for you or something?” Bryce shrugs her shoulders as if she couldn’t care less.
“I don’t know. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.”
“Sometimes?”
“Mmm? Oh, yeah, I’ve been back in a few times. They don’t like it so much when you escape.” she says. “Liesel tried to help me when she got out – it got a bit more complicated when Liesel and I dated, for about two seconds. I adore her but it wasn’t serious – Ben didn’t approve, then or now. He insisted I move out. He wasn’t wrong; they could get in trouble for having me there.”