The Line Between(2)

After a quick shower, I slipped into a black tank top and cotton shorts before heading downstairs to the kitchen. Lucy had just sliced some bread, and took a bowl of her chicken soup out of the microwave.

“Just in time,” she said with a smile. “Sit your butt down, and eat something. You’re too skinny.”

With a chuckle I pulled out a bar chair and sat down. “Still bossy, I see.”

Lucy swatted me with a dishtowel and then took a seat next to me. “I haven’t changed,” she said. “But I can see you have.”

I took a mouthful of soup, diverting my gaze, and groaned. It was delicious.

“We all have to grow up, Luce. I just had to take a different road to get there.”

She fiddled with the dishtowel, wringing it between her aged fingers before looking back at me. The look in her eyes spoke volumes, more than any real words could say. We both knew why I’d changed, and why I’d been forced to grow up faster than most people my age. I was only eighteen, but it felt like I was twice that age.

“I’m sure if your father knew you were coming he would have been here,” said Lucy. I rolled my eyes, and took a bite of bread before replying. “We both know that’s not true. He could barely tolerate being in the same room with me as a child, and I doubt he feels any different now. Where has he taken the wicked stepmonster anyway?”

Lucy pursed her lips, knowing that she couldn’t deny a single word I’d just spoken. She knew better than anyone what my dear ol’ daddy was like when I was younger.

“They’re in Spain. They’re coming back in three weeks, after your father has tended to some business in Dallas.”

I looked at the remainder of my food, and pushed it away, my appetite suddenly gone. Thinking about my father and his trophy wife had that effect on me.

“That was delicious,” I said, squeezing Lucy’s hand. “I’ve missed your food.”

She peered into my bowl, and tsk’ed. “You hardly ate anything. No wonder you’re just skin and bone.”

“I’m not that skinny,” I retorted. “I’ve just lost some weight.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes but said nothing more as she cleaned up. What more could she say? I was in fact thinner after my year in Georgia, but I didn’t worry. Grief affected people in a variety of ways, and with me, it had robbed me of my desire to eat. And sleep.

“You want some ice-cream?” Asked Lucy.

“Depends. Do you still keep my favorite?”

She scoffed. “Of course. Peanut Butter and Fudge.”

“Then yes. We’ll eat that while you swoon over Patrick Swayze.”

I giggled, and made my way to the living room. Lucy joined me on the sofa, and we started chatting about what I’d been up to over the last few months. We skirted around the harder topics, and I was grateful for that. There were some things I wasn’t ready to talk about yet. With anyone.





CHAPTER TWO

Kennedy

LUCY WENT TO bed as soon as the movie was over, and left me with the promise of freshly baked cookies, and pie for my dorm room. It was a small gesture of kindness that reminded me of the few good memories I had in this house. I climbed into bed, and started reading on my Kindle when my phone beeped. I swiped the screen and saw it was a text from my friend, Jade. We’d been friends in high school, and she was the only person I kept in contact with after I left.

Going to a party. Will see you tomorrow, roomie ;)

I smiled, typing my response.

Have fun and be safe. Call me if you need me. X

I placed my phone back on my nightstand, and dove back into my book. I read for hours, and it was well after one in the morning when my phone rang. Jade’s face popped up on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Kenneddyyyyy,” she chimed over the noise in the background. I could tell that she was drunk. Or maybe way past drunk.

“Jade, are you okay?”

She mumbled something, presumably to someone standing next to her, and then her loud laughter came through the phone. I pulled it away from my ear, hoping to prevent any permanent damage to my eardrum.

“Well…uh…” Jade stuttered, “I was hoping you could come get me? I came with Reid, but I don’t want to stay here. I’ve had a little too much to drink.”

Ya think?

“Where are you?”

She grew quiet, and I had to check to see if the call had been disconnected.

Nope, still connected.

“Jade, where are you?” I asked again.

“Shit,” she muttered. “I-I’m at Dane’s house.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Are you fucking kidding me right now?

I’d have rather fetched her at whatever ungodly hour than worry about her driving home drunk, or getting in the car with someone in the same state. But knowing where she was, I considered telling her to stay there for the night.