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It dawned on me that I didn’t know what she’d been up to all day. Classes were finished, and the gym she used was close to the house. There would be no need to get on the freeway.
“Where were you all day?” I asked as she sat up.
“Just let me grab a Monster or something to perk up, and I’ll be ready to leave,” she said instead of answering my question. This routine was getting so familiar.
“Shep?” I paused until she turned back to look at me from the doorway of our room. “Why do you keep doing that? I asked you where you were.”
“Yes, Mom. I heard what you asked me,” she said impatiently. “Do you want me to drive you or not? Let’s go.”
Maybe because I’d been spending so much time inside my head, or maybe it was a side effect of the pain medication, or maybe she was just being a bitch and it hurt my feelings. Whatever the cause, tears filled my eyes as I stared at my twin. The growing crevasse between us widening every time she blew me off.
Shepperd rushed toward me, face twisted in frustration. Through gritted teeth, she said in a quiet hiss, “I got a job. Okay? But it’s in the fucking Valley, and the drive sucks.”
Was that the truth? I had no way to tell these days with her, but why make something like that up? Why avoid telling me in the first place?
“Oh, okay.” I sniffled. “Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry I made you mad, Shep. I just don’t like this feeling between us all the time. I feel like I’m losing you, and it scares me.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Maye. I get that you’re lovesick, and everything else is going on”—she motioned to my arm—“but you’re not losing me. I’m right here. I’m just dealing with a lot right now.” With that admission, she turned and walked out.
I quickly followed because I didn’t want her to drive off without me.
Once we were in the car, I gave her directions to Professor Chaplin’s house. It wasn’t a far drive, and we could avoid the freeway to get there. We barely spoke on the way, and the tension amped up my already frazzled nerves.
Shifting in the passenger seat, I admitted, “I’m so nervous.”
“Do you think he’s with someone else?” my twin asked, finally looking at me while we sat at a traffic light.
“Maybe. There is this other teacher,” I began, thinking of Ms. Donnio. “Her office is next to his, and she’s always coming on to him. It’s embarrassing and awkward to witness, honestly.”
“You think they’re hooking up?”
“I didn’t before, but if nothing else, these past few days have been a reminder of how little I know about the guy. But shit, Shepperd, I’m not joking, the chemistry we have is so good. I’ve never been so intrigued by a man.”
“I think they get more interesting the older they are. They have more life story behind them, you know?”
“Hmm, maybe. I mean…that makes sense,” I said and pointed through the windshield. “That’s it up ahead. Where that red car is.”
There was a red sedan in Andrew’s driveway. It definitely wasn’t his car. I knew that for a fact. His car was black and sportier than that thing. My stomach was in knots as my sister pulled into the driveway alongside the other vehicle.
“So what’s the plan?” she asked, taking way more delight in our mission than I was.
“I’m not sure. I guess I’ll just go ring the bell. My God…” I whimpered that last part. “What if he’s rude or mean? What if he’s in there with someone?”
She shrugged like it was just another day. “Well, then you know he’s a douchebag, and you move on.” It really was that simple in her mind.
“I’ll feel like such an idiot. Such a child.” I cradled my face in my palms, which I’m sure looked ridiculous with the big blue cast.
Why I let my mother talk me into the blue fiberglass, I’d never know. As if the thing wasn’t huge and obvious on its own, it was bright blue like a cop car beacon to boot.
“You’ll feel better knowing,” she encouraged. “I’ll wait here with the engine running so we can bolt if we have to.”
I swung my gaze her way so fast, my neck audibly cracked. “Wait…what? You’re not coming with me?” I thought for sure she’d come to the door with me. I had counted on it, actually.
“No, you go. It’ll be better. He won’t feel so cornered if he’s in there. Go.” She urged me out of the car with a wave of her hand. “Get it over with. You’re just sitting there getting yourself psyched up about it.”
She wasn’t wrong. But then again, she knew me better than anyone else ever had or probably ever would. I gave myself a fortifying nod, reminding myself of what the past few days had been like when I thought he was ghosting me.
At the front door, I raised my fist to knock. Then I saw the doorbell and debated which to use to announce my presence. It ended up not being necessary, because while I stood there having an internal argument, the front door swung open. To my surprise, an elderly woman stood in the entrance. She looked as surprised as I was but still managed a kind smile.
