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“How did you deal with that day?”
“I remembered how the police look for weak links when trying to trip up criminals. So, to protect my dad, I reminded myself to seem calm. Also, you shouldn’t answer their questions. Don’t think being honest makes you seem innocent. It just shows you’re stupid or arrogant. Always take questions with a lawyer at your side. Never give up information willingly. Don’t make the police’s job easier.”
“But Ike didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Not with you, but their club doesn’t have clean hands. You should still practice your ‘take no questions’ demeanor for any future issues.”
“My parents believe lying is acceptable if it’s in the aid of the church. They won’t hesitate to lie to the police.”
Hearing me panicking, Roxie replies with, “Deep breath.”
“I don’t want to hide my feelings. That’s what we did in the church.”
“Okay, but you can’t just barf them all over the place at the cops.”
“Tuesday barfs her feelings everywhere, all the time, with everyone.”
Roxie shrugs. “Tuesday is lucky. She’s the kind of person who can go traipsing through the woods in flip-flops and not end up on her ass. Some people have a lucky glow that shields them from trouble. I donotpossess that glow, and maybe you don’t, either.”
Falling silent, I think about Roxie’s words for a few minutes before asking, “Do you think Edith gets so annoyed with Tuesday because she’s jealous of the lucky glow?”
“Probably. Imagine if your best friend farted sparkles while you’re just a normal person spewing a combination of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, and ammonia.”
“I don’t understand half of what you said.”
“It’s science.”
“We didn’t have that in my homeschool. I learned to sew long skirts, but I don’t think that’s part of science.”
“Well, now you can learn anything you want. Being smart is cool. Don’t let Tuesday’s ditz act fool you. She’s secretly smart, just super lazy.”
“I like Tuesday.”
Roxie grins. “So do I, but that’s because her lucky glow wraps around me and makes life better. I don’t compare myself to her or try to be like her. I just enjoy the glow.”
Nodding, I admit, “I worry I have the opposite of a lucky glow. What if my unlucky glow ruins Ike’s life?”
“No, he’s happier now. I rarely saw him smile or say anything before you came along. I thought he might be messed up in the head. But then, Dad explained Ike was the strong, silent type.”
“He is strong and silent,” I say and sigh. “I wonder where he is now?”
“He has a family to protect him,” she says and nudges me with her knee. “They’ll protect you, too.”
Though I try to act cool like Roxie suggests, Ike suddenly feels out of reach. Our relationship is still so new. I can imagine ending up back in my parents’ house, wearing those heavy clothes, hiding my new haircut under a veil, and falling into all the old habits I hated.
For the next fifteen minutes, Roxie and I listen to music. I talk myself down from several panic attacks. Roxie helps with one, too.
Eventually, the shack’s door opens to reveal a frowning Journey.
“How old are you?” she asks once her gaze finds me.
“Twenty-four.”
“Your parents are saying you’re fourteen.”
“No way is she younger than me,” Roxie replies.
“She is small,” Justice says, appearing from behind Journey. “Is that just a tiny-bone thing or did your son marry himself a teen bride?”
