“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“That’s fine. But if you do, I can listen.”
He takes a deep breath, and I think maybe he’s going to open up for a second. Why do I care so much? “Why did you pick fishing?”
“What?”
“Fishing. Why did you decide to lie about fishing and not something you know about?”
I have to laugh a little. “I don’t know. I guess I never wanted to think about my father being the dad who sits around burping up beer and watching baseball. And I don’t like football. Too violent.”
“Makes sense.” He sounds tired now, but at least he’s not so angry anymore. “Listen. You really should go. I need to get back home.”
“You’re leaving, too?”
“As soon as you do, since you’re in the way.” He nods toward the end of the bridge, where I came from.
“Okay. Thanks for talking with me.” I get up slowly, carefully. For a second, it looks like he’s going to help me, but then he stops himself. “See you around.”
“Yeah. See you.” He nods. I nod back. Something is different about him now. I think whatever he was feeling passed.
I’m at the end of the bridge before he calls out.
The wind blows my hair in front of my face as I turn around. I brush it away. “What did you say?”
“What’s your name?”
“Morgan!” I wave goodbye before turning toward the hotel again. I’ve already been out here too long. With my luck, this is the one time my sister will decide to wake up before I expect her to. But even if Mom is pissed by the time I get back, it’ll be worth it if I helped that guy. I wish I had thought to get his name.
My heart’s pounding by the time I finish trotting back to the hotel and taking the elevator up to our floor. I haven’t been gone all that long, but time got away from me. I hope Mom didn’t take it out on Lucy if anything happened.
As it turns out, something has.
When I open the door, I discover a whirlwind.
“Good, you’re back!” My mother, who less than an hour ago staggered in here probably still drunk, is now racing around. Lucy watches from a corner of the sofa, eyes wide.
“What’s going on?”
“He just called.” She’s going through the shoes in one of her suitcases and doesn’t bother explaining who she’s talking about. Too busy tossing things around. We can’t fit all the bags in the bedroom, so some of them are out here. “Where are my nude slingbacks?”
“What’s-his-face? Is he taking you to breakfast?”
“Better than breakfast.” She finds her shoes and stands, sliding one on, then the other. Anybody who didn’t know her might think she actually possesses class and sophistication. She looks great in a form-fitting cream dress, and the shoes make her already long legs look endless.
“Lunch, too?” I wink at Lucy, who giggles.
Mom clasps her hands in front of her chest. “He’s going to call the store to have them open early, so I can shop alone. This is a dream come true. I’m afraid I’m still in bed, sleeping.”
Meanwhile, I haven’t gotten new clothes for school, but she’s going on a shopping spree. “That’s nice. Have fun.” If anything, it’ll be better if she’s not around.
“You don’t understand.” She’s glowing, I realize, and tears are welling in her eyes. “He called because he didn’t want to wait anymore. We had such an incredible weekend that he wanted to wait until he’s back in town on Friday and make a big thing out of it, but… he’s so impulsive.” Her chin trembles.
“Make a big thing out of what?”
“Girls.” She looks from me to my sister and back again. “He’s taking me out to buy an engagement ring. We’re getting married.”
3
My heart’s hammering so hard, I’m afraid I’m going to be sick. That would be a great way to introduce myself to my classmates. Throwing up all over myself, or maybe on one of them. I have dreaded this moment all summer. Walking into my new school, not knowing anyone.
But this is worse, somehow, because I didn’t imagine it this way. I didn’t imagine going to this school.
North Woods Prep is where the rich kids go. I would imagine myself going to Harvard one day before imagining going here. This world is totally out of reach for me.
No, not anymore. At least, not according to my mom, who insisted her fiancé pull strings to get me a last-minute registration. “And he did it because he wants you to have all the best things. Finally, we’re all going to have exactly what we deserve. This is only the beginning. Just wait until you see everything he’s put in place for when we move in with him.”
Right. I hope she’s not getting her hopes up too high. This is further than she’s ever gotten with any of her guys—he gave her an enormous ring, so big I’m surprised she can lift her hand—but plans can change. She’d better hope he’s okay with a quick wedding, so she can hook him before he sees who she really is.