Everything You Are(24)

Jean leans forward, her voice warming, her body loosening. “But the owner was amazing. She saddled up this gentle old nag and actually let the kid ride. You should have seen her face. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s now got an open invite to come down and help out after school.”

“Awesome, well done, that’s fantastic!”

Jean’s cheeks flush red under all of the attention, and she retreats back into herself, but not quite so far this time.

Oscar writes a 20 beside her name.

Phee bestows a glowing smile on her.

“The points are just for fun,” she explains to Braden. “We add them up at the end of the month and take the person with the highest score out for dinner or something.” She turns to Katie. “And you, my dear?”

“Spirited this old dude out of the nursing home and took him to the tattoo parlor. We did it like a jailbreak—didn’t tell anybody we were leaving. That was his idea, so don’t look at me like that. And, before you say anything, so was the tattoo. Brin gave him a small one for free. I also scored him a cigarette. Hey, it was his adventure. Who am I to object?”

The circle is quiet, tension in the air for the first time since Braden’s arrival.

“Were any laws broken?” Oscar asks.

“No! My God, what do you take me for? Rules, yes. I didn’t sign him out of the fucking old-people jail. We begged the smoke off somebody, and besides, I’m eighteen. I can buy cigarettes if I want to!” Katie’s face darkens, her body stiff with rebellion and outrage.

Braden’s heart clenches. Her anger reminds him too much of Allie.

“Easy, Rocky,” Phee says. “We’ve got to keep each other honest. Nobody means offense.”

Len breaks the tension with laughter. “If ever I’m stuck in one of those places, I’ll be counting on you to come and rescue me. Bless you, Katie, you are a breath of fresh air.”

Katie softens. Her hands loosen, her jaw eases, a hint of a smile comes back onto her face. “He asked for a hooker. I didn’t get him one. But I thought about it.”

Everybody laughs now. Oscar writes another 20 on the board.

“What about you, Len?” Katie asks. “You always do fun stuff.”

“This was a planning week, but I think I have the details worked out.” He grins like the Cheshire cat, leaning back in his chair, playing the crowd.

“What?” Oscar finally demands.

“Skydiving.”

“You sure this is altruistic?” Dennis has been quiet until now, observing the others. There’s a tightness around his eyes, an uneasiness that rings a warning bell for Braden.

“Got me!” Len isn’t fazed in the slightest. “Yes, it’s a thing I’ve always wanted to do. But I’m taking this guy I know. He’s a man in a hard place. Used to travel all over the globe but is currently stuck taking care both of his father, who has dementia, and his sister, who has cancer. He’s feeling trapped and depressed and needs a rush of endorphins.”

“Fair enough,” Dennis says. “Can I come with you?”

“Only if you bring somebody.”

“I have a candidate in mind. I’ll look into it.”

“What did you do, Dennis?” Jean asks. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”

Braden knows the look Dennis wears; he’s seen it before, has worn it on his own face. He holds his breath, dreading what’s coming next. Silence grows and stretches, punctuated by the bubbling of fish tanks, the chirp and flutter of birds, one long, melodic warble.

“Mine was a solo adventure,” Dennis says, finally. “Down the forbidden aisle of the Safeway. Explored the merchandise. Bought a bottle. Took it home and drank the whole thing.”

Braden is not the only one who has been holding his breath. A collective sigh runs around the circle, dissolving the illusion he’s allowed himself to entertain. This is nothing but a card table in the back room of a pet store surrounded by a group of crazy people. For a few minutes, he’d forgotten all about the drink waiting for him in a bar just down the block, but now it calls with a whole new intensity.

He very nearly shoves back his chair, gets up, and walks away. He’s been party to enough interventions in his life. He doesn’t think he can handle one today. Katie’s face holds him. She looks as if all of the lights have gone out in the middle of a party. Once again, she reminds him of Allie. There’s nothing he can do to help her, but at the very least he can stay.

Phee’s expressive features show only compassion. No pity, no disappointment. She leans forward slightly in her chair and asks the question. “And when the bottle was done?”

Dennis sighs. “Threw it in the trash. Considered putting a gun to my head, but didn’t. Sobered up. That was Tuesday. So far, I’ve stayed sober, but the shit is talking to me.”

“What’s your decision?”

“I’m still in, if you’ll have me.”

“You know the penalty.” Oscar’s voice is dire. Everybody in the group looks grim, dialed in like a cat on a mouse.

Dennis swallows, the muscles in his throat contracting visibly. “God help me, yes. I’m at your mercy.”

“Step outside, please. Wait by the door. And don’t even think about running off, we know where to find you.”