“I’m a one-man shop, Eva. I can’t afford to take this case pro bono, and I won’t lie to you. It’ll be expensive. But I’ll save you money wherever I can. ”
Lexi felt sick at that. Her aunt already worked fifty hours a week to pay the ordinary bills. How was she going to pay for this, too?
“I have some savings,” Eva said. “My husband’s life insurance. ”
“No,” Lexi said. “That’s your retirement. ”
“Don’t argue with me, Alexa,” Eva said. “It’s my money; I’ll spend it my way. ”
Scot reached for a couple of business cards and handed them across the desk. “If the police or the prosecuting attorney’s office or another attorney contact you, say nothing and give them my number. Nothing. I can’t stress that enough. I will tell them that I’m representing you and find out what I can. If we’re lucky, they’ll decide not to charge you. If we’re not…” He shrugged.
Eva stood up. “Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. ”
“Call me Scot. Please. And don’t you worry, Lexi. We’ll keep you out of prison. ”
* * *
“Are you sure about going today?” Eva said.
Lexi stood at the window, staring outside. “How can I not go to my best friend’s funeral?”
“It won’t be easy. ”
“I killed her,” Lexi said quietly. “I don’t expect it to be easy. ” She didn’t think anything would ever be easy again. But she had to do this. She had to stand there, ashamed, and let her friends see what came from drinking and driving. And she had to see Zach one more time—and his parents—and tell them how sorry she was.
She went into the bathroom and sat on the beige fiberglass rim of the bathtub. She closed her eyes and felt Mia beside her. Do you want to come to my house after school? I’ll meet you at the flagpole … she just came right up to me, Madre, and asked if she could sit down … move over, Zach Attack, you’re hogging my best friend …
Lexi cried until there was nothing left inside of her. Then, drawing in a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and got to her feet.
Feeling hollow and shaky, she dressed in a pair of plain black pants, black flats, and a short-sleeved blue angora sweater that Mia had bought for her.
In the living room, she found Eva standing by the kitchen table, dressed all in black, looking worried. She was gulping coffee—it was what she did when she was nervous; that was one of the things Lexi knew about Eva now. Whenever Eva missed smoking, she drank black coffee until the craving passed. “This is a bad idea. What if there are reporters there?”
“I have to face them sooner or later. ”
Eva gave her one last worried look, started to say something, and changed her mind. Lips thinned by those unspoken words, she walked out of the double-wide and led the way to the old Ford Fairlane.
They drove onto the island in silence.
As they passed the high school, Lexi noticed the reader board. Now it read: Mia Farraday Memorial. Grace Church. 4:00 P. M. today / GRAD SATURDAY @ 1:00.
The parking lot in front of the church was full.
Lexi let out her breath.
Eva pulled into an empty spot and parked.
Lexi got out of the car. As she moved forward, her broken arm started to ache and nerves fluttered in the pit of her stomach.
“You can do it,” Eva said, taking hold of Lexi’s good arm.
Inside, the church was full of teenagers and parents and teachers. Up by the altar was a poster of Mia in her costume from Once upon a Mattress. In the beaded blue bodice, with stage makeup emphasizing her green eyes, she looked radiant and beautiful, a young woman with a bright future.
Lexi stumbled; Eva kept her going.
Lexi heard people whisper as she passed.
“… Lexi Baill … surprise…”