“It’s seriously so nice to have a girl on my level here. I think even Que likes that you’ve come.” I tilt my head at her reference to him. “Whatever choice you make, I hope you keep that in mind. Just know it’s your choice to make,” she states. And with that statement, she kisses me on the cheek and walks away.
It was the first spark of real, genuine conversation Cher has had with me, and I couldn’t help but feel her words held a double meaning. Every word whispered to me this evening claws at me, like a subtle but urgent message from beyond this time.
I continue to watch Que. I can’t help it. He ismesmerizing. His movements are swift and cocky, like everything he does is a game he must win without a care. A mask.
He responds to my stare with a quick salute after he downs his drink. I smile at him. I don’t think it would hurt to get to know him better, not like it hurt with his old ex-friend.
After what Cher said, I can’t help but wonder what choice I am going to make. Should I stay and find out what more this place has to offer? Or do I go back to my comfortable and predictable shop life back in Detroit?
As I’m in my head, Lollie shows up, her hair a bit disheveled. My eyes widen in amusement as I notice the lipstick smeared from her bee-stung lips.
“OK, I was going to askwhereyou’ve been, but from the looks of you, I think I need to ask withwhomyou’vebeen.” I say and look up at her, barely containing the laugh that is working its way up my throat. She laughs too, but uncomfortably.
“That obvious, huh?” she whispers.
“Completely,” I respond exaggeratedly.
“And leave it to you to use proper English when you are drunk.” She smiles then and adds, “Let’s head home. Ashton is bringing the car around…at least I thought I saw him with the car keys heading outside.” Lollie says quickly, looking away from me as she does.
“That’s fine, but who is the mystery man?” I say, nudging her shoulder. She looks up, then down nervously, shaking her head in refusal.
“Honestly, I’d rather forget. Just a random who was getting way too handsy. So, like seriously, let’s get out of here before he comes back.” She says in a hushed voice.
We make our way outside; the warm air has faded with the sun. Just as Lollie mentioned, Ashton has the car pulled up and is waiting for us to hop in.
In the car, I realize I am actually a bit drunk and press my fingers between my eyes, trying my hardest not to get sick. Car rides andalcohol never mix well for me, and I try to distract myself from the ever-present spins by talking to Lollie.
“Remember when my mom would take us on random car trips out of the city? She’d just keep going until there were trees for miles,” I say. Lollie looks at me. Her smile speaks of her remembering. “She loved the woods,” I mumble out, realizing I’m slurring and possibly tearing up. But it feels good to talk about my mom. It’s something I don’t do enough.
“It was like she couldn’t breathe until we were near nature or a pond or any body of water for that matter.” Lollie reminisces with me, a sad smile tugging at her lips.
“And where there was water, there were willows. I loved how she would always make us take off our shoes and socks to dip our feet in. No matter what season,” I reminisce. I’m full-on crying now, silently. Lollie’s somber look beside me, telling me she is trying to hold herself together as well.
“There’s a willow on the property. Remind me to show you tomorrow,” I try to articulate through tears.
My heart sinks in the process, because I forgot they are taking off tomorrow. Then, I really start crying. And on cue, Lollie does, too.
“We didn’t get enough time together. I don’t want to leave you here,” Lollie says through tears. She is quiet for a bit and then adds, “And…I don’t trust those two. Cher seems off.” I see Ashton, who’s been quietly driving while letting us do our emotional dumping in the back seat. He gives her a look she returns in the driver mirror. He stays quiet.
“Look, Ash and I were talking, and we just think you should be careful. Those two seem weird. How well do you really know them? What if they are scammers? I could see that…” Lollie rambles.
“They are super nice. For real, Lol. Or at least Cher is. I promise.” I say, trying to sound reassuring. ButdoI really know them?
“It’s always the nice ones.” Lollie looksat me, just saying anything to get through to me, but I refuse to let her get to me this time.
My whole life, I’ve been letting my mother and these two talk me out of decisions using fear. Their way of keeping me safe and close, but I never realized until coming here that I haven’t really lived.
“Just watch out down here, Jade. I get a bad feeling.” Ashton’s voice is serious. And I may be too drunk to remember, but he continues, “Don’t get too tangled up with any of these characters in this town. I don’t trust them. Especially this Que guy.” He looks at me, like I should see what he does.
“You guys are too much. But I’ll gladly stay away from Que if it helps you all feel better.” I say as we pull into the drive, hitting slight bumps that toss me off balance. Then I add, “This place is actually really interesting. I feel you guys barely touched the surface. There is so much history. And,” and here comes the point when I should stop, but something compels me to continue, “the basement of this house is something else, you guys. There are these doors set into the walls…”
“How is there even a working basement here, Jade? Isn’t Louisiana well below sea level? Sounds dangerous,” Ashton chimes in, trying to invoke fear yet again, but I’m not done divulging these secrets that should stay just that.
“I found this ring too, and they seem to fit together. And get this. It’s a jade ring, like what are the chances?” I know I’m going off on a tangent, but this is the first time the thoughts in my head have gotten the best of me. Thank you, alcohol.
I look up at them, but they don’t seem as excited as I am. In fact, they look worried.
“Where’s this ring?” Ashton asks in a concerned, not at all amused tone. Lollie sits quietly in the back seat next to me, wringing her hands together, looking between me and Ashton. Honestly, these two are acting stranger than anyone else here—which is saying something.
