“Some. Why?”
“I was?—”
Liv interrupts. “They probably pay more than they did with you and less than they did with Ollie.”
Mom and Dad had three other children to deal with when I was here. Their attention was rightfully divided. Liv wasn’t far behind. And then there was Ollie. I stifle a laugh. “Poor Ollie. The burden of being the golden son.”
“Yeah, he survived—so far. We all did.”
That’s a broad statement.
Survival as in we’re breathing—yes.
Survival as in we came out unscathed—not so much.
I’m only speaking from personal experience.
“Okay, here’s the thing,” I blurt out, “I was driving around this afternoon and ended up at Brooks Park.”
“Why?”
I take a sip of my wine. “Being back here is making me nostalgic, I guess. Anyway, Julie and a group of girls were there. They were watching some boys horse around playing a pickup game of football. Maybe they were just trying to show off their chests. I’m not sure.”
“Probably showing off,” Liv says.
“Anyway, Julie came over with her friends and talked to me. First, she asked if all seven could say they were staying with me tonight.”
Liv scoffs. “Yeah, Mom said you’re staying out at Stark Lake.”
Our mother is a master communicator.
“I said no to Julie and to Mom when she invited me to stay with them.”
When I pause, Liv replies, “Then what did Julie say?”
“She invited me out to the McKenna farm for abonfire, said there’d be brew, Skittles, and blow as if that was enticing.”
I wait as we sit for a bit in silence. Finally, Liv asks, “Did you know that Julie turned down Michigan State?”
“I didn’t.”
“She was all excited when she was accepted. Before Christmas it was all she could talk about. Now she plans to go to KVCC and stay at home for another year at least.”
“What changed her mind?”
“I really don’t know.” Liv’s voice seems more serious. “She was dating Austin Kolldike. They’d been together for a while. I can’t remember when it started. They broke up and I think she’s a bit lost. Now there’s this thing with Coach Gilbert.”
Yeah, he is dead.
I don’t say that.
Liv continues, “The whole town is touchy. It’s a bummer for the seniors to end their year this way.”
I recall Serena’s stare. “Didn’t work out so well for Craig either.”
Liv laughs. “True.”
“Is Julie thinner than before?”
