Page 73 of Go Back to December

“Dooley’s feed.” She holds up a white shopping bag. “Dropped my phone in the sink this morning. The only store that had the replacement was downtown.”

“You drove?” Baz bellows. “To this neighborhood?”

“I took the train. Jesus, you’re worse than Mamá.” She sits back, ruffled. “What’s your damage?”

She glances at Dooley and me, and her mouth turns up at the corners. “Am I crashing some sort of throuple situation?”

“What?” Baz thunders as Dooley tips his head back and howls.

“It’s an actual word,” Luiza says defensively. “Although some people prefer ménage.”

“Lulu, stop before you kill your brother.” Dooley wheezes.

“Open your mind, jackass.”

“Baby, it’s got nothing to do with his mindset. Baz is a middle child. He’s never been good at sharing.”

Luiza squeals, Baz curses, and I laugh so hard I’m in danger of wetting my pants.

I beg off to use the restroom while Dooley and Baz complain loudly about my timely exit. After I take care of the pressing demand, I check my reflection in the mirror. Curls escape from my bun. My face is flushed from laughing. I look more like myself than I have in weeks. Maybe months.

As I straighten my sweater dress, bracing myself for round two of Luiza v. Baz, my phone pings.

Lacy Shore

Where are you?

Oh hello. I’m fine thanks. And you?

I thought you were at Q with Baz and Dooley.

The reach on Dooley’s feed must be wider than the Associated Press newswire.

I’m powdering my nose.

They have that nice foamy hand soap.

Anything else I can share?

Get your ass out here. Hurry!

When I exit the restroom, Lacy’s waiting outside, pacing.

“Baz’s sister is here,” she says without trying to move her lips, so it comes out in this strange, lock-jawed garble.

“I’m aware, and it’s as cringe as it looks. She found out we were here the same way you did, I’m assuming. From Dooley’s post.”

“Yes, but she didn’t bring Alicia Leary with her.” Lacy swallows. “We did.”

At our table across the room, Lacy’s boyfriend Spencer gestures to the free chair, but Alicia sinks onto the arm of the couch next to Baz. She holds herself with the grace of a ballerina, hands folded in her lap, like she’s sitting for a portrait.

Lacy bounces on her toes. “We were planning to pick up Korean tacos down the street, then we saw Dooley’s post and thought we’d stop in for a beer first. We ran into Alicia getting off the train. I physically tripped over myself when she said she was going to Q. To meet Baz and Dooley.”

“Why didn’t you text me first?”

“Stupidity?” She rolls her eyes. “And I sure as shit didn’t think Luiza would be here.”

“I can’t get past the concept of Alicia social stalking Dooley.”