dicey. I remember sitting on that chaise lounge and watching with curiosity as Willow and her father wrestled in the surf. I reached for another cold drink and this time pulled out a chilled bottle of raspberry margarita. I remember drinking it while basking in the late afternoon sun.
My memory gets worse after that. Kids started to appear along the beach. I suspect someone slipped something in my drink during that get-together, but I can’t say for sure.
Bits and pieces return. Like dancing with Julian on the sand while Drake rapped over the loudspeakers. Kids playing volleyball. Others drinking and vaping. My head a whirring blur. Talking to that girl Bella. I remember that at one point I hadn’t seen Willow for quite some time. She had a habit of disappearing during these parties and then reappearing out of thin air.
I remember a gentle breeze blowing in off the ocean. Then lying with Julian on that chaise lounge. Him kissing me while tucking strands of hair behind my ear. Willow appearing out of nowhere, begging Julian to take off with her somewhere. Me angry but not saying anything as she pulled him by the hand and dragged him away. Julian looking back with an innocent smile on his face.
After that, my memory fails me. I close my eyes. I am trying to remember something else when my phone pings. Another message.
Katie, it’s me again. Willow. Please help. I’m in BIG trouble and need you now more than ever!!!!
But where should I go? What can I do? I want to help you, Willow. Just give me a clue as to your whereabouts.
No sooner had I received this message than I hear a loud crashing noise in the kitchen. I run in and see a brick lying on the floor, with a note attached to it. A car door slams outside. I run to the kitchen window and see a vehicle speeding out of our driveway. It’s so dark out that I can’t see anything else.
I pick up the brick, pull off the note attached to it, and read it.
Everyone in town knows you went to that rich bitch’s fund-raiser. Mind your own damn p’s and q’s, Isla. Stay out of this, or you’ll get hurt much worse the next time. Stop snooping around, or you’ll lose your grandfather’s shop.
I throw down the brick as if it’s hot charcoal and wonder what I’ve done. Have I caused this? Did my mother get run off the road because of me? I’ve caused enough damage with my actions, whatever they are. The least I can do is save Willow from the trouble she’s in. She just needs to tell me where to go.
I realize I have no way to get to her—until I hear the loud sound of my dad’s truck as it rumbles up the driveway and he parks next to the house. The keys! I realize now what I have to do: lift the keys out of his pocket and take off in his truck. I’ve always been the good girl, the one who never does anything wrong or gets into trouble. He’ll trust me. It’ll be too late before he realizes that I’ve taken off in his new pickup.
“What was that noise?” Raisin asks, running into the room, with Scout by his side.
I’m lost for words. Raisin’s gaze goes from me to the broken window to the brick sitting on the floor. There’s no hiding the note. He runs over and grabs it from me as I stand by. I have to avert my eyes from Scout’s withering gaze. Tears pool up in Raisin’s eyes as soon as he reads the note.
“This is your fault, Katie!” he shouts, pointing at me.
“I have to go, Raisin, before Gramma and Mom come home.”
“Where are you going? You don’t have a car.”
” I will soon. Dad just pulled up.”
“Why are you leaving?”
“I can’t tell you right now, but the place I’m going will help me remember what happened and possibly save Willow’s life.”
“You should never have hung out with that girl. I could tell she was a bad person the first time I met her.”
“She isn’t a bad person. She just never knew any other way.” Why did I just say that?
“Mom raised us right, Katie. What’s your excuse?”
I realize I have none.
My father staggers up the stairs, and I think about all the grief he’s given my mother. Wonderful role model, driving in that condition. The smell he gives off hits me right