Pam’s eyes widened. “And we’re upset about this, right?”
“Fuck, Pam. Of course we are. Delaney’s upset. They’ve gotten so close…”
Pam raised her eyebrows, in that Are you okay with that? sort of way I found annoying.
That’s the bad thing about best friends: they always know the things you think but cannot say. And Pam knew my secrets better than anyone.
“I’m sure she’ll be okay, but Laney was so upset. I just hope they’re all okay. What are you doing here, anyway? Not that I’m not glad to see you…”
Pam and I worked together, but Fridays were usually her day off.
“I came to pick you up, silly. Did you really think I’d let you spend your birthday alone?” Pam patted the empty passenger’s seat with a sly grin.
My birthday.
I’d nearly forgotten about it since this morning, not that birthdays were a big deal for me anymore. The fact that Delaney hadn’t wished me happy birthday all day had hurt a little, but maybe she had been going to, until Samantha’s accident?
When Delaney was little, she’d loved birthdays – the cake and the candles, the singing and the presents. Hell, even when it wasn’t one of our birthdays, she’d hold pretend birthday parties with her dolls and stuffed animals. One year, I’d even bought her a big plastic cake to play with at Christmas…
“You’re so sweet, but I can’t go anywhere. I need to stick around in case Laney needs me. She might want me to come to the hospital…”
“Ivy,” Pam said, sternly, “it’s Michael’s day to take care of her, and I’m sure she’ll call you if she needs you. She’s a big girl now, and we won’t go far. Just down to the pub for dinner and drinks. Jerry’s meeting us there, too.”
“I’m still in my damn work clothes,” I grunted, pointing at my faded green polo shirt.
Pam gave me a look.
I know that look.
She wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Okay, fine. At least let me go change real quick. But is it okay if I follow you down there instead of riding?” Pam was a heavy drinker at times – never a drunk – but she often drank a few too many when she went out. And lately, she went out a lot more than I did.
We hadn’t gone “out” together in a long time, and I just felt safer driving myself.
“Just in case Laney calls while we’re out. I want to be able to go and get her if I need to,” I explained.
“Fine,” Pam groaned, waving for me to hurry up and get ready.
Dinner and drinks with Pam and Jerry, my two best friends – my only friends, really – sounded pretty good, actually.
Hell, you only turn forty once, right?
“I’ll wait out here,” Pam croaked, lighting a cigarette and blowing a big cloud of smoke in my direction. By the time I had my front door open, her music was blasting again.
The living room was dark, and I nearly tripped over the vacuum I’d left out earlier.
It took me a few minutes to pick out something to wear. Finally, I settled on a black pencil skirt and a silky red and black top that was getting tight around my waistline but still hugged my breasts just right. Then I combed my hair and brushed my teeth, strutting back outside. I forced myself to smile with all my teeth – mostly for Pam’s benefit, but also in the hopes it would lift my own sour mood.
Pam was smoking another cigarette, looking down at the pink iPhone in her lap.
“Look okay?” I did a goofy spin in the driveway. Suddenly, the idea of being with Jerry and Pam instead of at home worrying by myself did sound kind of fun.
“You’re gorgeous, Ivy. Don’t look a day over thirty!” she teased.
“Oh, bullshit. But thanks. I’ll be right behind you, but first, let me text Laney. I want to see how she’s doing, see if she has any updates on Sam.”
“Sam. When did you start calling her that?” Pam snorted.
I waved dismissively and took my phone out of my purse.
I was a little disappointed to see that Delaney hadn’t messaged me with any news yet, but it had only been a half hour since I’d dropped her off.
I typed:
How is Sam doing? Call me if you need me and I’ll be right there.
As soon as I clicked send, I heard a tiny ding coming from the passenger’s side floorboard.
I was surprised to see Delaney’s phone, a black Android with a bedazzled case lying face down on the floor.
She must have dropped it when she got out earlier…
Delaney guarded her phone like a precious jewel. Not uncommon for any teen, I guess.
I could remember tucking my pager away, hiding it between my mattress and box spring, but I’m not exactly sure who I was hiding it from since my parents were already dead by then…
I stared at the phone, sparkling in the hazy moonlight outside my window.
It wouldn’t take Delaney long before she realized she’d left her phone behind, if she hadn’t already.
Pam honked beside me and I yelped.
“Alright. Let’s go,” I groaned, shifting the van into gear.
My hands were clammy on the steering wheel as I squeezed between a truck and a Volvo in the back row of Midge’s Bar and Grill. It was “our” spot – Pam, Jerry, and me – on those rare days when we were granted an extended lunch break. They had excellent salads and pasta bowls for lunch, but I’d never been here this late at night.
The parking lot was crowded with cars and the screeching sound of an electric guitar floated from the open deck that was normally closed in the daytime. Couples and groups were wandering through the parking lot, making their way inside.
I gave Delaney’s phone on the floor one last, longing glance, then I took out my own phone and messaged Michael.
Delaney left her phone in the van. I thought she might be looking
