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When he getsto Marigold, it’s after nine, and there’s still no word from Avery. If Avery hadn’t been telling him how much they’ve been needing rehearsal this week, Ryan mightbe a little more worried. Instead of driving to Avery’s house, he heads to Avery’s school. Since there aren’t that many cars left in the parking lot, Avery’s is easy to spot.
Ryan pulls in a few spaces over. He goes to text Avery to sayI’m here, but then he hesitates. What if Avery saw his earlier text and didn’t know what to do with it? What if now’s a bad time for Ryan to be here, after all? Ryan’s fears force him to leave some margin for this potential error. Odds are that Avery will look at his phone before he leaves the building. So if he tells Ryan it’s not a good idea, Ryan will be out of the parking lot before Avery can notice him there.
That’s the plan Ryan hopes he won’t have to use.
—
It’s nearly teno’clock when people start exiting the building, heading to their cars.
Ryan’s phone lights up.
I’m so sorry—I was in rehearsal, no phones allowed. Are you okay?
Ryan texts back,I am.
Were you serious about coming tonight? Is it too late?
It’s not too late,Ryan replies. Then he decides to risk it and types,I’m outside.
Oh! I’ll be in the parking lot in three minutes.
Great,Ryan types. But he’s still worried that it isn’t, in fact, great. An “Oh!” can be an expression of pleasure. But it can also be one of surprise.
—
Ryan himself goesOh!when he sees Avery leaving the school with someone who looks like his grandmother. Ryan assumes it must be a teacher helping out with the costumes. Then they get closer and he sees that, no, it’s just a kid dressed like an old lady.
Ryan steps out of his truck, and when they get to him, Avery says, “Ryan, you remember Pope—they were with me at the dance?”
“Of course,” Ryan says, even though the costume is making Pope very hard to place. “Nice to see you, Pope.”
“Ooh, likewise,” Pope says. “Don’t mind my current look. The dress isn’t quite fitting the way I want it to, so I’m going to ask my parent to take in some seams before tomorrow’s performance.”
“I have to drive Pope home,” Avery explains. “Want to follow behind, and then we can get to my house at the same time?”
“Sounds good.” Ryan can’t tell if Avery’s happy to see him, and wonders if there are things he isn’t saying because there’s an audience.
“I’m happy to ride with Ryan,” Pope volunteers. “Get to know him a little better.”
Avery quickly intervenes. “That’s all right, Mrs. Stranglehold. You can come with me.”
“A pity,” Pope sighs. But they go with Avery in the end.
—
It’s as Ryanfollows Avery’s taillights that the doubts really begin to chime. Not just worries about whether Avery wants him here. No, the underlying worry, too: What if no one wants him? What if, wherever he goes, he’ll always be an inconvenience?
—
When Avery dropsPope off, Ryan half expects them to waddle over in their old-lady clogs to tell him his timing is poor, his manners worse, his expectations atrocious. But instead, shoes off, they head straight for the front door. Not even a wave in Ryan’s direction. It’s like he isn’t there.
—
By the timethey get to Avery’s house, Ryan is ready to turn around. Text Avery later to say he understands how foolish he was being.
As it happens, Avery texts him first.
Don’t worry. My parents know you’re coming. It’s all good.
