Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(94)

Perfect.

It’s what Lacy called me when she explained why she would never      fit into Groveton.

Perfect.

It’s what Beth spat at me when she refused the trust fall.

Perfect.

It’s the word Gwen just used when discussing how she wants the      two of us to walk onto the football field together for homecoming.

Perfect.

Looking out on our back patio, I see nothing but boring      perfection. The grass trimmed perfectly to three inches. The shrubs perfectly      edged in the shape of round balls. The pots of fall chrysanthemums lining the      edging of the patio perfectly placed one foot apart. Perfect people who grew up      in this town and perfectly filled their parents’ shoes.

At the other end of the table, my mother inclines her head      toward Gwen. I take the nonverbal cue and turn my attention to my “dinner      partner.” Gwen gives me a smile that’s one more perfect thing in the backyard.      “Wouldn’t that be awesome, Ryan?”

No, walking onto the field with her on my arm at homecoming      wouldn’t be awesome. I want to share that moment with Beth. “I’m not sure we get      to decide who we walk with.”

Gwen ignores my comment. “Could you pour me some more      water?”

I reach for the pitcher in front of me and do as she asks. This      is my obligation to my parents. My job is to fill Gwen’s drink when it’s empty,      remove her dishes when she’s done, and to entertain her. Déjà vu sets in and my      head swims with a sinking revelation. This same exact moment is how Gwen and I      started dating.

Gwen’s mother sips her wine. Her face is tighter than it was      last fall. “We need to make a decision regarding Allison Risk and the event      committee at church.”

Mom fidgets with her pearl necklace. She hates uncomfortable      decisions. “Allison is a sweet young woman.”

“Are you in favor of her joining, Miriam?” Gwen’s mother      asks.

Uncharacteristically, my mother pours wine into her empty water      glass. “I don’t know. The Risks were dreadful people. Do you remember Scott’s      parents? The man was a mean drunk and the woman wasn’t much better.”

“But Scott’s not his parents,” I say and everyone at the table      glances at me. My mother shoots me a warning glare, but my father puts a hand on      my mother’s arm to back her off. Mom removes her arm from under his touch. I      continue, “He became the best baseball player the Yankees have seen in twenty      years. Why should his wife be punished for his parents’ mistakes?”

Dad’s eyes narrow on the last sentence. His own private warning      to me that I may have gone too far.

“I have to be honest,” says Gwen’s mother. “I am fond of      Allison, but it’s the niece I’m concerned with.”

“How so?” asks my mother as I stiffen. “Have you heard anything      about her?”

“I’ve heard she smokes, was disrespectful to a teacher, and      swears. All traits we cannot condone, and putting Allison on the committee will      reflect upon our church. Which is so sad, since Allison is a dear and the niece      is...” Gwen’s mother flitters her fingers in the air. “Savage. It’s obvious that      the girl didn’t go with Scott like we hoped after the incident with her      father.”

My mind awakens. The people at this table know what happened to      Beth. I’m torn in two. Part of me wants to defend Beth. The other half wants to      know what happened to her as a child. If I speak now, I’ll lose my opportunity      to learn the truth.

“Liza,” Gwen’s father interjects, “I won’t stand for that child      to be gossiped about.”

Red in the cheeks, Mrs. Gardner forces a smile on her face.      “I’m not gossiping and she’s hardly a child anymore. The event committee is an      offshoot of a bigger issue. I’m concerned with the girl’s influence. I’m scared      everyone will be so wrapped up in who her uncle is that they won’t see the      threat in front of them. Do you want your daughter swearing and smoking and      talking back to teachers?”

“I hardly think that’s going to happen,” Mr. Gardner      replies.

“Why not?” she argues. “The senior class already nominated Beth      for homecoming court and Ryan is dating her.”