Tim's mother is too young to die, but she dies anyway--in a video that goes viral. Tim scrambles to hold his life together, but the person who keeps him on his feet turns out to be his half-sister, a fiesty girl who has no idea they're related, but...
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"What did you tell Heather?" Billy asks as I climb into the Grand Am.
It's 9 now, which makes Billy fidget in the front seat, like we're running late to a job interview instead of a party. The sun still looms in the sky, tentative on the horizon. Mostly, it just shines in our eyes as Billy drives southwest to Sari's house.
"I told her I was going to be with you all night." I shrug. "It's basically the same as saying a responsible adult chaperone will be watching over me at all times."
Plus, it's the truth. Heather didn't ask for any more details as soon as she knew Billy was involved. Why would she? She has his number and knows he answers his phone.
"Sometimes it does feel like I'm babysitting you guys." He actually waits three seconds at stop signs and he drives the speed limit all the way to Sari's house, only proving my point.
Sari lies on her lawn, waiting for us with her sunglasses on, staring up at the sky.
"Wearing your hockey jersey again, Tim?"
She pulls herself up from the ground and hops in. My best guess is her dad isn't home or she wouldn't have gotten out of the house alive. Her top shifts with her and reveals the belly button ring. Her jeans are short, cuffed, and dark, leaving the line of her legs long and uninterrupted.
"This is the nicest thing I own, thank you," I say, "and I don't care that Iginla doesn't play for the Flames anymore."
Even though her smile spreads wide across her face, she rolls her eyes. They catch all the evening light, the green flecks in them bright tonight.
"So, what do we have tonight?"
"Everything from Tim's liquor cabinet." Billy glances over at me quickly, looking for some kind of warning sign. I'm fine. I'll be fine. It's just a party.
"Hey Sari, where did you tell your parents you'd be tonight?" I ask innocently.
"With Billy," she replies, pushing her sunglasses over her forehead and into her hair.
"Seriously! I'm your free pass out anywhere?" Billy protests, but I hardly think he's surprised. Every sentient being in Murphy trusts him.
"Where do your parents think we're going?" Sari asks, leaning in between the driver and passenger seats.
