HARVEY’S PARTY
TREASURE ISLAND HOES
DOROTHY AND FRIENDS
Gabriel has renamed the group chat so many times that it takes me a while to find it on my phone. When I scroll down in my messages, I see the current title is listed asLIAR AND BRIMSTONE. Which is both quite damning and, if I’m being honest, not really as on brand as the other group names.
Me:Guessing I’m the liar here?
Me:Is the designated liar at least permitted to say sorry to everyone? In person?
Gabriel:…
Gabriel:Sry, just came here from the BRIMSTONE ONLY chat. We will accept apologies on the condition that they are accompanied by copious gifts.
Sunny:(In caffeinated liquid form.)
Gabriel:Right, sorry! Copious gifts in caffeinated liquid form. And/or Chappell Roan concert tickets. Or quality jewelry. Or notebooks! Julia said notebooks.
I check the time. I have a few more hours until all the shops close down for the evening.
Me:Understood. Tomorrow morning okay? Or no because it’s the Lord’s day?
Gabriel:…
Gabriel:Tomorrow works. God will understand. (BIG Chappell Roan fan.)
Me:You know I’m not going to have Chappell Roan tickets, right?
Sunny:FOR THE LOVE OF CHAPPELL ROAN, JUST BRING US SOME FUCKING COFFEE, IVY.
I’m waiting for everyone by the school’s side door the next morning. Sunny turns the corner first. She slows down the moment she sees it’s just me standing there. I watch her go from a brisk stride to slumped over, shuffling the rest of the way across the street.
“Sorry no one else is here yet,” I say. I rotate the coffee tray so her drink is facing out. “You don’t have to talk to me while we wait.”
“I won’t,” Sunny says curtly. She takes a sip, looking away. She turns back and points at my backpack. “What did you bring?”
“Copious gifts, of course.”
Sunny rolls her eyes. I catch the slightest hint of a smile, but I don’t linger on it. Gabriel and Julia show up at the same time around the corner.
“Thank you,” Gabriel says as they each pluck their usual orders from the tray.
“Where’s yours?” Julia asks.
I shrug. “Gifts are for the Brimstone Only group chat today. But there’s more. Let’s go inside.”
Hands now free, I unlock the door and hold it open as Sunny, Julia, then Gabriel tromp down the stairs to the Bat Cave.
Sunny sinks into her seat, then takes an enormous gulp of coffee. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I assume you’re here to show us the treasure?”
Julia leans forward in her chair.
“No,” I say. “We didn’t— Cam and I didn’t find it. Our theory was wrong.”
“So, that’s it, then?” Gabriel asks. “You’re done?”
I picture Cam’s face at our dig spot. The way he looked as he walked away from the hill. Like all the light was taken right out of him. All the magic of the hunt was used up.
