That causes me to pause in mid-fold of a T-shirt. “What’s that mean?”
“It means you already have enough going on between swim and school and this project.”
“I thought you wanted me to date.”
“Yes, but you should be with someone who is less … complicated.”
My spine straightens. “Does ‘complicated’ mean brain tumor?”
“Yes, no, I mean … I don’t understand … there are so many other girls in your group who would be better suited for you. Girls who are more like … you. This girl is just so…”
“Different,” I finish for Mom. “Yeah, she is, and I like it. So you know, I think it’d be wise if we drop this topic of conversation.”
“I’m concerned about this. I think she’s a bad influence.”
I cock an eyebrow but keep any comment to myself as I return to folding laundry.
“Since you’ve been spending time with her you’ve been so moody.” When she enters my room, she’s unbalanced on her feet.
“That’s not because of Veronica.”
“You’ve been letting down your friends and not hanging out with them as much and yelling at me, and you’ve been missing practices.”
“I won every race I had at last Saturday’s meet, so don’t worry about practices.”
“That’s not the point,” Mom pushes. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t be friends with her. I’m proud that you are, that you are good enough of a boy to take on someone like her for a project when no one else would, but dating her seems—”
“I set a date to see Dad.” I cut her off, changing the subject to another one that sucks because if she keeps up on her problems with Veronica, we might have a screaming match so loud that Veronica might hear and that’s the last thing I’d want.
“He won’t stop texting me,” I continue, “as he thinks my doing this is me wanting some sort of relationship with him. And you should know, because he seems intent to stick around for this one, his girlfriend’s pregnant.”
Mom’s posture crumples as if I’d hit her. “How far along is she?”
“Dad said she’s due before Christmas.” I pick up my jeans and fold them in half.
Her entire body flinches and her cheeks go red. “How long have you known?”
“Since the beginning of summer.”
“Were you going to tell me? In fact, when were you going to tell me he had a girlfriend?”
I pause mid-fold. I seriously hate my life. “He’s always dating someone.”
“And you never told me?”
“What do you want me to say here, Mom?”
“You should have told me.”
Irritation leaks into my veins. “Why? The only thing it was going to do was upset you.”
“You think I can’t handle it?” Mom shouts.
“No, I don’t!” I shout back. “I also didn’t tell you because I didn’t feel like listening to you and your friends chatting it up every Friday night like my feelings about it don’t matter!”
“Sawyer?” Lucy’s groggy voice stops us cold. She rubs her eyes then shuffles into the room.
“Did you have a bad dream?” I ask.
“No. I’m thirsty.”
So am I, for a jump. My cells itch with the need, but I breathe out and instead take my sister’s hand. Without looking at Mom, I thank God for Lucy’s interruption and walk her into the kitchen. I take out my phone, look up Knox’s number, and as soon as Lucy’s back in bed, I’ll call him. He said any day, at any time. I sure as hell hope he means it.
VERONICA
Interview number two: Dr. Kelly Wolfe, professor of history at Transylvania University, with personal interest and knowledge in Kentucky history, local folklore and ghost stories.
I write down all Dr. Wolfe just said about EVPs, then look up to find Sylvia doing the same. She glances up, catches me staring and offers an I’m-trying-here smile before returning her attention to Dr. Wolfe.
“Miguel and I are new to the project,” Sylvia says in a cheerful voice. Not one that’s fake, but real, and I like her for that. “So forgive us if we don’t quite understand all the ghost terminology like Sawyer and Veronica.”
Sylvia is a beautiful girl, stunning really. She’s smart, studious, so far has a flare for details and she’s nervous around me. I’m not nervous around her, and I think that freaks her out more. If I were in her shoes, I’d probably be uncomfortable, too. She’s been forced to join another group, to work on my chosen topic, and the last conversation we had, she told her friends that I eat Girl Scouts.