Sign Here(19)

“Well, that’s horribly boring,” Cal said, spinning to the music and falling back on the couch.

“What do you want, Squeaks?”

“I want a lot of things,” she answered. “And I think if we work together, we can make a pretty little life for ourselves here.”

“There is no ‘working together’ with people like you,” I said. “You don’t know what loyalty is.”

Cal gave me a smile, but it caught on something first. I could see it in her eyes.

“We can call it a temporary alliance.”

“Look, if we’re fucking with Trey, I’m in. If it’s anything bigger, thanks but no, thanks. I’m not trying to make waves.”

I couldn’t say any more without telling her why, and I could feel the beer in my veins, eager for friends. I couldn’t risk it. I went to the minifridge and picked up the six-pack.

“Goodbye, Calamity,” I said, tipping a nonexistent hat. “Thank you for the hospitality.”

“What? You’re not going to drink them with me?”

“See you at work,” I said as I walked to the door.

“Listen,” she said, and it might’ve been just the beer, but I swear she sounded disappointed. “I know you don’t trust me, and you shouldn’t. But you helped me out in a tight spot, and that’s not something I’ll forget. So if you do come up with a bigger plan for your life”—she looked at me as if every thought I’d ever had were written on my forehead, as if keeping secrets from her were the most pathetic thing she’d ever seen—“and you need my help, I’m here. No questions asked. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my plan, of course.”

“What if it does?” I asked, reaching for the doorknob.

“Well, then I’d have to kill you,” she said.

This time, I was the one to put my hands up. “Too late,” I said.





MICKEY





“GET UNDER THERE WITH her, Mick!” Silas yelled, digital camera in hand. Mickey ducked under the WELCOME TO NEW HAMPSHIRE sign and gave a lopsided smile.

“Oh, come on, you can do better than that!”

“Let’s jump on the count of three!” Ruth said, grabbing Mickey’s hand and pulling her down to a crouch. On three, Mickey jumped and flailed, limbs everywhere, with Ruth’s hand tightly in hers.

“Just like gazelles,” Silas said.

“One more!” Ruth pleaded. “This time, let’s be sexy.” Ruth extended her arm and, a tiger with a pout, scratched at Silas as he held the camera back to his eye. Mickey froze, looking from her dad to Ruth, unsure if she should act like she’d never heard the word “sexy” in her life or if she should jump right in and copy her friend. And if she went with the second, she had no idea how to make her eyes look dangerous like that. Like those of a predator with soft fur.

“Come on, Mick!” Ruth cajoled, elbowing her. “Work that fine ass!” She slapped Mickey on the butt. Mickey rolled her eyes, frustrated by her father’s stupid grin behind the camera. She cocked her hip and butted Ruth back.

“Yeah, just like that!” Ruth pushed Mickey forward so her hands landed on her knees, and swiveled her own body as if climbing onto Mickey, one hand on her waist and the other in the air, claws outstretched. The light caught the chipped red tips of her fingers, glistening like blood.



* * *



—

“HOW CAN WE GET these, Mr. Harrison?” Ruth asked when they were back in the car. “I want to post them! You’re such a good photographer.”

“I did minor in photography in college,” Silas said.

“Jesus, Dad.”

“Seriously, Mr. Harrison. These are so much better than the ones we take ourselves! You should think about doing it again. You know, professionally. I bet you’d be really good at it.”

Mickey cringed, burning with embarrassment that her brother now knew she took selfies. He had his headphones on, but she couldn’t hear the usual beat coming from them, high and fast like the heart of a small animal.

“Thank you, Ruth. You are quickly becoming my favorite child,” Silas said, pointing into the rearview mirror to Mickey and wagging his finger.

The roads got thinner as the woods got thicker. The trees were long and lean and clustered so closely, Mickey thought of brush bristles. Their green was shared among them, a blur of growth and shadow. Mickey rolled down the window and pulled the pine scent into her. Ruth leaned over her lap.

“God, it smells like a real-life air freshener,” she said, her eyes closed.

Silas laughed. “Fresh air will do that!”

“Just wait till you see the lake,” Mickey said. “There are these little islands we can take the canoe out to; they are so cool.”

“Is the water really cold?” Ruth asked.

“Not if you just jump right in,” Silas answered.

“Do you like swimming, Ruth?” Lily asked. She had rolled down her window too. The air was working its magic on all of them.

“I love it, Mrs. Harrison. I was a lifeguard at the Y for a few summers, but I’ve never been in a lake. I can’t wait!”

“Maybe we’ll even get Mom in the water this year,” Mickey said, laughing. Ruth leaned forward from the middle seat.