The Feel of Water

Thirty-One - Liars

"Tammy?"

I enter the kitchen as she cleans up. She turns and eyes me. "Dani? Why you home so early? I thought you were staying at Allison's last night?"

Tammy usually wakes up before Emilie and me to get to work. By the time we're in the kitchen eating breakfast, she's gone.

"I was," I say and come around the counter, "but I walked home. I didn't feel very good."

"I told you not to drink so much, didn't I? Just because her mother let you girls drink doesn't mean—"

"What was the driver's name?" I ask.

Tammy freezes. "Driver?"

"The person who hit mom and dad. What was their name?"

"Now what's making you ask this all of the sudden?" She questions, resuming her dishes.

"I just realized that you never told us."

She nods. "With good reason."

"Well, can I know now?"

"I-I don't know, Dani. Maybe next year."

"Next year?" I question, having no clue why she would suggest that. "Why next year?"

"You—you go to school with their kid. I just don't think it's a good idea. I'll tell you once you graduate, okay?"

My body goes numb. "Is it Sean's dad? Is it?"

"Sean's dad? Sean your boyfriend?"

I nod. She shakes her head and says, "No. Why on earth would you think that? Did something happen?"

"No. I was just worried for a minute," I murmur, realizing that all of this is even more confusing than it was last night.

Her dark eyes find mine. Her shoulders drop as she once again sets down a half-rinsed plate. "Her name was Jaqueline."

"Jaqueline? Jaqueline who?"

Tammy sighs. "Jaqueline Bridges."

"We haven't spoken since yesterday," Allison mutters, scrolling on her phone while laying across her bed. Becca rests her head on Allison stomach, listening to the weird squirming noises happening deep within her. "I didn't even wish him good luck with the game. He probably thinks I'm going, but I don't know if I want to anymore. I dont know—things have changed."

I sit against the headboard and hold my knees to my chin. Alisha is cozy in the beanbag chair, but her face is absent of everything but regret.

"Are you going to break up?" Becca asks.

Allison shrugs, clearly holding a grudge. "Maybe. Who knows."

"Would you break up with him? Or are you waiting to see if he's breaking up with you?"

"I swear to god if Nick breaks up with me—"

"I thought you two were happy together," Alisha mumbles.

Allison sits up, knocking Becca off of her. "We were, but he's changed. Things are different. It's like he's bored of me."

"Are you sure that's why things feel different?" I ask.

"I mean, I saw him looking at that girl. And he's gone all quiet too. It's like he doesn't even listen to me when we talk."

I suggest, "You should ask him if he's okay. I know Sean was stressed about football and the game and all that."

"Are we going to the game?" Becca asks.

"I don't know," Allison breathes. "Are you going, Dani? You know, for Sean?"