Started With a Lie

Chapter Twenty-Two

            He jumps from the couch. “Always am.” I didn’t even notice how quickly he got dressed. He’s wearing casual clothes. I’m surprised because I thought all businessmen – like Lee – always looked formal unless they were sleeping. Obviously not from his jeans and his brown coat and his boxers earlier.

            Lee doesn’t speak again as Mark and I leave.

            It’s freezing outside. It’s only 8 a.m. and it feels like the weather in Antarctica. For Pete’s sake, it’s almost May yet it feels like the beginning of winter. I remember how Candy and I joined the Spring Dance committee a couple weeks ago.

            Holy shit. Candy.

            How could I forget about her? Immediately, my hands reach for my phone, which is deep in my jacket pocket. How could I forget my best friend who’s stuck with me through thick and thin? My phone is off and I turn it on. There are about twenty-two missed calls and ten voicemails.

            I walk to the car but call Candy as I get in the driver’s seat. Mark looks over, a worried look on his voice but I nod to say it’s okay. He nods back. I listen to the ringing as I click my seat belt in.

            “Mark, hold on a minute, okay?” I ask him.

            “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m free all day.”

            Candy answers on the last ring. She usually answers on the middle ring. And then I remember it’s really early in the morning and she’s not the chirpiest person in the morning. When I hear her voice, first thing I say is, “I’m so sorry for waking you up, Candace.”

            “Ivory?” Her grumpiness is gone from her tone. “Ivory? Is that you?” She still sounds sleepy so she clears her voice. “Oh my God, are you okay? I’ve been worried sick since you left school abruptly after that overhead announcement? I thought you were in big trouble!”

            I let her get it all out before I say anything. “Candy, I’m so sorry. I should’ve called you as soon as possible as soon as I heard the news.”

            “What happened?”

            I took a deep breath, collecting myself. I will not cry on the phone with Mark next to me, and Lee who I swear is peeking at us through the window. “My mother,” I say, “…got into a car accident.”

            Candy gasps. “Oh my god. Is she okay?”

            My eyes tickle, a warning that tears are coming. I blink them back and try to make the lump in my throat disappear. “Unfortunately, no. She’s in a coma and I haven’t seen her since she got in the accident. I wasn’t allowed to. I’m seeing her today. Doctors don’t know what’s wrong with her yet.”

            “I can’t believe I wasn’t there for you,” she says.

            “What?” I say. “Candy! No, it’s my fault. You’re my best friend and you should’ve been the first person to know. Honestly, you should be the one mad.”

            “Me? No way. And yes, I am your best friend, which is exactly why I should’ve been there. I’m so sorry, Ivory. Forgive me. I had no idea what was going on. I thought you were getting in trouble for punching Peter.”

            “That’s what I thought, too.” I wipe my eyes, sad for my mother but thankful that I have Candy as support. “Thank you so much for the support, Candy. I really need best friend support right now.”