In Harmony

“Give it back.” I reached for it but Dad held it high.

“First, you tell us where you’ve been. With Isaac Pearce?”

“He’s bad news,” Justin said.

I turned my glare on him. “Shut up.”

He held up his hands. “I’ve lived here longer than you have, Willow. I’m just trying to watch out for you. I was worried sick.”

“I wasn’t with Isaac,” I said. “I told you, I walked home. It’s two miles and I was barefoot. You do the math.”

“Why would you walk?” Mom asked. “Looking like that? You’re a disgrace.”

“Regina,” Dad said.

“It’s true. She looks like a streetwalker.” The way my mother’s mouth slurred around that word, I guessed she was working on her second bottle of wine. “What will the neighbors think?”

“Give me my phone,” I said to Dad. “I need to tell Angie I’m okay.”

“I drove them home,” Justin said. “They were worried too.”

“I’m sure they were,” Dad said and handed me my phone.

I walked away from them and sank into an easy chair, quickly scrolling through my texts. I knew every single one of them had been read by my father. Maybe Justin too.

“She’s been different since last summer,” I heard Dad say. “Hard to manage.”

My hands shook as I kept scrolling for any texts with Isaac’s name. I found the S.O.S. to Angie I’d sent about hanging out with Isaac on Saturday and quickly deleted the entire convo.

He didn’t see it, or I’d be dead right now.

“Nothing to apologize for,” Justin was saying to Dad. Their voices lowered. I heard Isaac once or twice from Justin’s mouth and I wanted to scream.

Here is the noble Laertes and Polonius, discussing what to do with their poor, frail Ophelia. Deciding what’s best for her as she’s been incapable since last summer.

My mother was the audience, drinking her wine.

I shot a text to Angie.

I’m okay. I’m home. I’ll call you later. Promise.

The reply was instant. Oh thank God. Where did you go? I wanted to text you but I knew Justin had your phone. A pause. Is this you? Tell me something only Willow would know.

I smiled through tears. Angie McKenzie is the best friend anyone could ever hope for.

That’s common knowledge. Try again.

My fingers flew. At the mall, you told me that I was more of a Rapunzel than a Belle.

And I was right. Call me when they let you out of your tower.

I will. Love you.

Love you too.

“Justin’s leaving,” Dad said loudly. “Given what a disaster this night has turned out to be, could you please walk your guest to the door and say good night? Thank him for his consideration?”

I got to my feet and obediently walked with Justin to the front door. Dad stayed at the edge of the foyer, arms crossed, watching like a coach who doubted his star athlete had it in her anymore.