Since She Went Away(81)

Reena’s bright red lips pursed. She shook her head, so disgusted by all of it. Jenna knew Reena loved every minute, every controversial, overblown minute of the spectacle.

“We’ve now learned why Jenna Barton was late that night. This is an exclusive, people, one you need to pay attention to. One that involves a lie Jenna Barton told, and a crime committed by a minor.”

Jenna looked over and locked eyes with Jared. He paled, his lips parting but no words coming out.

“What is she talking about?” Jenna asked, not expecting an answer.

“She couldn’t,” Jared said.

They turned back to the TV.

“As it happens, Jenna was late to meet Celia that night—and this information comes from a reliable source. A rock-solid source. Believe me, I never bring anything on the air unless it’s rock solid.” She pointed a manicured nail at the screen. “You can count on that.”

“What a fake-ass bitch,” Jenna said.

“It turns out Jenna’s son was involved in an underage drinking incident. He’s fifteen. That’s why Jenna was late that fateful night. That’s why she didn’t meet her best friend. That’s why Celia Walters was taken off the streets by a maniac. And yet Jenna Barton lied about it—”

Jenna threw the remote as hard as she could. It missed the TV—fortunately—but shattered against the wall.

“Mom?”

“Turn it off,” she said, her voice barely under control. “Just turn it off so I don’t have to see that witch’s face ever again.”





CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN


Jared’s fingers scrambled around the edges of the TV until he found the power switch. He pressed it, and Reena’s face disappeared. He looked down at the floor. The remote was in a few pieces, the batteries scattered.

He couldn’t remember ever seeing his mom throw anything in anger.

He turned to face her.

“Did you tell anybody else?” she asked, her voice level and strong. Every word fell like a brick.

“I told you. I mentioned it in the park to those guys and—”

“Ursula,” she said, finishing the thought. “What about Mike?”

“He wouldn’t say anything. Never.”

His mom pulled her phone out.

“Mom? What are you doing? I mean, this is all over the TV. She just called me a criminal. You too, I guess. Are we going to get in trouble for this?”

She looked up from the phone. “No. Not at all. You have nothing to worry about. I promise.”

Her firmness made him feel better. A little.

He guessed there were worse things than being outed for holding alcohol. Maybe it would make other kids at school think he was a wild partier, even if it wasn’t true.

“Who are you calling?” he asked.

But she didn’t answer. He saw the veins standing out in her neck, the whiteness of the knuckles that held the phone.

Ursula.

His mom’s voice went up a little bit on the phone. He heard her say, “Ian.”

He’d expected that. First Ursula pushed Jared to go on TV. Jared could remember, like probing a healing bruise with his index finger, the touch of Ursula’s hand against his knee.

And then she went to the media—to Reena—with the story about his mom’s lie. The lie that covered up for Jared.

Why?

Jared wandered back to his room, giving his mom privacy. It was Friday night, and he had no plans. That wasn’t unusual, since he didn’t always have plans. And even when he did, they consisted of going to Syd’s or Mike’s, or having one or both of them come over to his house.

He wished Natalie could be there. He wished they could go out and do something.

His mom came by his room. Her cheeks were red, and she carried her phone in her hand. “Are you okay if I step out for a minute?”

“Sure.”

“Really, Jared. You’ll be here alone. Maybe I shouldn’t go.”

“What’s going to happen to me?” he asked. “Will I get a ticket for underage drinking?”

She smirked and raised her eyebrows, as if to say, We all know what can happen to people. We know it all too well.

“Are you worried about this Domino guy too?” Jared asked.

“That’s part of it.”

“I’ll lock the door,” he said. “I promise.”

“Do you want me to call Grandma? She can come over and sit with you. Or Sally?”

“Grandma? She’s going to call and chew you out now that she knows I had booze in the house. And I’m not a child. Remember?”

“I’m going to call Detective Poole. She’ll send a patrol car by just to be safe. Okay?”

Jared sighed. “Okay. Hey, Mom? Are you okay?”

His mom let out a sound of throaty frustration. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I’m just pissed. Very, very pissed.”

“We’re going to need a new remote.”

She laughed a little. “I guess I’m not always a good example, am I?”

“I kind of thought it was cool. Just like when you cursed on TV that day.”

“I’m teaching you a lot of good lessons.” She started to go, then stopped. “Hey, aren’t you wondering where I’m going?”