Brian frequently took over situations without me fully understanding why. As though he’d felt a surge of insecurity and needed to re-establish his control. He did it with everyone, even Mom and Dad. But he pulled his power card with me more than anyone. I was the younger sister, weaker and less inclined to retaliate. In my mind, I tried to fight back. I’d name-call or tattle or even shove him, at times. But these were useless weapons against Brian’s arsenal.
Brian always won, so eventually I just let him. Didn’t even ask him why he said the things he said or did the things he did. He did them because he was Brian and because he could. I was probably the only teenager in Wilsonville who wanted school to start back. I’d had enough of long, summer days with Brian. He always behaved worse when he had too much time on his hands.
The night before school started, Mom prepared spaghetti. It wasn’t a fabulous dinner, but they seldom were, unless guests were present. It was only the four of us, with Pixie nipping at my feet from under the table.
We usually weren’t allowed to watch television during dinner, but Dad had made a request to watch the news. I was half-listening, half-fantasizing about my first day back, when I heard something familiar.
“Turn that up,” I said.
Mom put down her fork and attempted to reason with me. “Honey, don’t focus on the television—”
“Please, turn it up,” I said. “I think I heard something important.”
Dad grabbed the remote by his side and increased the volume. We all turned to better hear the program.
“… Wilsonville resident Jeremy Gus was arrested for the solicitation of a minor and possession and distribution of child pornography,” the reporter said. Jeremy’s portrait filled the screen.
“Is that the boy from the neighborhood?” Mom asked, now wholly invested in the program.
“From our neighborhood?” Dad asked, confused.
“Yeah. I think he lives with the Hendersons a few doors down,” she said. “I’ve seen him jogging around the neighborhood.”
“That’s him,” I said. My stomach twisted. He was the first person I’d known to ever be arrested for a crime.
“Do you know him, sweetie?” Mom asked, her tone sharp.
“Not really,” I said. “I talked to him once at the pool.”
“What did you talk about?” Dad asked, his voice calm, but I could tell he was afraid of what I might say.
“He… he said he was a photographer,” I stammered, feeling an instant urge to cry. “He asked to take our pictures.”
Mom leaned back and placed both palms against her temples. “Oh my God! Oh, honey. Oh, no.”
Dad reached his hand across the table and held mine. “Honey, tell us exactly what happened. Did he take your picture?”
“No,” I said. “I mean, he almost did. But Brian stopped him.”
Brian sat between Mom and me. He didn’t say anything, raised his fork and put a lump of twirled noodles in his mouth.
“Oh, thank God,” Mom said, leaning over and shaking Brian’s shoulder. “I can’t believe this. A predator living down the street. Preying on our children.”
“You said our pictures,” Dad continued, ignoring Mom. “Was someone else there?”
“Amber,” I said. “He took some pictures of her modeling by the pool.”
Without saying another word, Mom left the table. She grabbed the portable phone off the wall charger and started dialing.
I didn’t want to cause trouble for anyone, especially a friend. “Mom, don’t—”
“I’m a mother. I have to let Karen know about this.” She disappeared into the hallway, filled with pride over her call to action.
“I’m afraid I agree with her,” Dad said. “Her mother needs to know.”
“Nothing happened,” I said.
“But something terrible could have. We’ll talk about this later.” Dad sounded like he was choking. He stood and carried his plate into the kitchen. He didn’t look at either one of us, too busy processing everything he’d heard. Before he left the kitchen, he said to Brian, “Good looking out.”
Tears filled my eyes. I blinked, and one fell onto my forearm. I looked at Brian and his almost finished plate. It was the first time I realized how dangerous the world could be. Somehow, Brian already knew. He could tell there was something off about Jeremy Gus. That Jeremy’s friendly demeanor was masking a darker intent. Brian sensed a similar predator and did us a favor in scaring him off.
“How’d you know?” I asked, wondering why in all the time Amber and I had spent staring at our neighbor we’d never seen the monster he was.
“I told you,” Brian said. He smirked. “The guy’s a fucking freak.”
Fifteen
Now
I pick up pizza on my way home, having decided I’m in no mood to cook. Maybe on Saturday, once I’ve had the opportunity to sleep in and clear my thoughts, I’ll feel better.
The pizza is cold when Danny arrives, and I’m already full after eating three slices. I’m sitting on the sofa, nestled under a blanket. I want to fool Danny into thinking there’s nothing wrong with me. One of the best and worst things about Danny is he’s perceptive. He’s seen me go through enough emotional stages that a simple shrug of the shoulders and avoided eye contact won’t keep him quiet. Besides, he’s sensed my mood has been off for the past week, and he’s been kind enough to let it slide. Tonight, he offers no such grace.
“Are you sure there isn’t something on your mind?” he asks, sitting beside me on the sofa holding a plate of reheated pizza. Instead of taking a bite, which I’m sure his stomach is grumbling to do, he looks at me. Wanting a response.
“There’s been stuff going on at school,” I answer, reluctantly. I sit up straighter, gearing up for a discussion.
“What stuff?” he asks, taking a bite of pizza. He seems pleased I’m not brushing him off.
“Remember when I chaperoned Spring Fling last week?” I ask. “After the dance, one of our students was attacked.”
“Oh my gosh,” he says,
