The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,23
stairs two at a time, retrieve my phone from the dressing table and send Lori a message. In less than a minute my cell phone rings. It’s her.
“Hi. Can you believe Mom wants him to come to tea before the movies?”
“Why don’t you say no, if you’re not happy about it.”
“I can’t because my uncle is coming around, and we haven’t seen him for ages because he lives so far away. And Mom won’t let me go out if I don’t agree to Guy coming.” How sad does that make me sound? I can’t believe I’m even having this conversation. Old-Suzy would have just said ‘sorry Mom, I’ve made plans.’
And, more to the point, old-Suzy would’ve texted Maddie for advice of this nature. What sort of friend does that make me? In less than a couple of months Maddie’s been relegated to friend-when-it-suits-me. God, that makes me feel awful.
Thing is, she doesn’t know Guy like Lori does. Which is why Lori is the best person to ask. So I’m not really dumping Maddie. And I’ll definitely give her a ring as soon as Lori and I have sorted this mess out. If only to tell her about the committee. I just know she’ll barely be able to contain herself when she hears.
“But surely you can just have tea and then go straight out. Why does Guy have to be there? Or is she always like this about boyfriends.”
“No, she’s not. But things are different now. You know, with Rosie and stuff.” Stuff being the operative word and something not for sharing.
“Yeah. Well, looks like you have no choice then.”
“I reckon you’re right. But what shall I say?” I pause for moment. “Hey, maybe you can ask him for me.” I say it as a joke, but part of me wishes she would agree to do it.
“What, seriously?” I can’t see her face, but I can imagine the expression of disbelief on it.
“Nah. Only joking. But you can tell me what to say. As you know him so well.”
“I’m not sure.” She’s silent for a few seconds. “I know,” she continues. “Why don’t you say haven’t seen your uncle in a while, since the funeral—”
“I can’t say that. Guy doesn’t know about Rosie.”
“Um—actually he does.”
“How? I didn’t mention anything to him. The only person I’ve told is you—” I stop speaking. Oh no. Lori told Guy. I don’t believe it. After I specifically asked her to keep it quiet. “You told him didn’t you?” My voice comes out harsher than I intend. Though if you ask me she deserves it.
“I’m so sorry Suzy. It was an accident. I was going to ring and tell you but I felt so awful. It just sort of slipped out after school today when he gave me a ride home. But he knows you don’t want the others to know. And he’ll keep it secret, I promise.”
Yeah like she promised not to say anything. Well if this doesn’t prove that Maddie is the only person I can trust I don’t know what does.
“Whatever.”
“Please say you forgive me.”
“I forgive you.” That couldn’t come across as more belligerent if I tried. Maybe I’m being mean. These things happen. I’ve done it myself. What about when I accidentally dropped Maddie in it when she said she was at my house and she’d gone to that concert across town with some guy her parents said she couldn’t see. “Sorry. Of course I forgive you. But please don’t say anything to anyone else. It’s just that I don’t want to go through everyone staring and talking about me again. I had enough of that when it all happened.”
“You have my word.” She breathes an extremely loud sigh of relief down the phone.
I’m still cross, but it’s not going to change Guy knowing. Just as long as he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“So back to Guy. What shall I say?”
“Like I said before, say it’s been ages since you’ve seen your uncle. Failing that, just say that your Mom wants to meet him. That’s perfectly acceptable.” For around here maybe.
“Anyway, you better phone him now. Give him some warning.”
“I suppose. Wish me luck. I’ll phone you right back once I’ve done it.”
Chapter Nine
“Guy, anymore?” Mom asks, her hand poised threateningly over the homemade lemon meringue pie, which is my absolute favorite dessert and I’m hoping there will be some left for breakfast—don’t mock it ’til you try it.
Dessert aside, I have to say this has been the most excruciating tea