Page 34 of Changing Tides

Celebration of Life Memorial to be Held for Lost Teen (10/1/00)

Two Car Crash Kills Teen Girl and Injures Two Others (9/16/00)

Driver of Fatal Crash Killing Teen Girl and Injuring Two Others is Sentenced (3/20/01)

I gasp, unsure where to click first.Poor Liam. I put my head in my hand and click on one of the tragic headlines. It’s from the major newspaper in the area calledThe Press of Atlantic City.As I read, the sting of tears pricks my eyes.

September 16, 2000

Lower Township -In an unexpected and horrific turn of events, a fatal car accident in Lower Township claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and left two others injured. The accident occurred at the four-way intersection of Lincoln and Birch streets yesterday evening when a Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by thirty-year-old Joseph Griffin, allegedly ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed. The victim of the accident has been identified as Cara Cote, a 17-year-old senior at Lower Cape May Regional High School. Cara was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The loss of Cara has left friends, family, and community members grieving.

Two other individuals involved in the accident sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Liam Harper, 18, was driving and Melanie Glick, 17, was a rear passenger in the vehicle struck by Griffin's truck.

I sniffle and bat away a stray tear. I feel nauseous. Liam’s prickly exterior makes so much sense to me now. He suffered a major loss, and he was driving.He probably blames himself.My heart aches for him. I keep reading.

According to witnesses, Griffin's truck failed to stop at the four-way stop, leading to the crash.

“It wasn’t his fault,” I whisper to myself, using the back of my hand to wipe my cheeks.

The force of the impact was so severe that the Jaws of Life were required to extract the deceased. Police have noted that charges against Joseph Griffin are pending as investigations into the accident continue.

I exit the article, click on the next one fromThe Cape May Chroniclefor the 20th anniversary, and scan it quickly. Friends and family talk about what a light Cara was. According to the article, she had a bright future as a soccer player and wanted to be a nurse. Her friends remember her as being very funny and always there when you needed someone. She was Melanie’s best friend and Liam’s girlfriend.

Melanie’s face comes to my mind as I connect the dots. Maybe this is why I got such a possessive vibe from her the night she went out with Liam. I also probably should stop thinking about Liam entirely considering he literally just took Melanie out on Friday.

The article is really nice, but I have to skim the sentiments from Cara’s parents and siblings because it’s more emotional than I can handle right now. I look for mention of Liam, but I don’t find anything until I get to the bottom where a footnote shocks me to my core:

Classmate Liam Harper, who was driving at the time of the accident, could not be reached for comment.

The articles leave me feeling somber. I cannot imagine being eighteen and having my world rocked like that. I want to run next door and throw my arms around him but clearlythatwould be weird. Unfortunately, now I can’t escape the feeling that I somehow invaded his privacy. There would be no other way for me to have found out about the accident and Liam’s involvement without Googling. I’m sure Ellie would never share that kind of information about him. The realization has me feeling gross and insensitive and I wish I could unlearn everything I just read. I guess the only thing I can do now is give Liam some grace.

I pick up my phone initially planning to text Claire and tell her what I’ve learned but instead, I type in Liam’s name.

Me: Hi… I’m sorry I couldn’t find my voice this morning. I didn’t expect to see you there.

It takes him a few minutes,but his reply is short and to the point, leaving me feeling worse than before.

Liam: It’s okay. We all have off mornings.

Me: Will we see you for dinner?

Liam: Not tonight, unfortunately. You good for Lucy tomorrow, though?

Me: Yes, definitely. Oh, and I heard you made Dr. Stevens’ tables. I love them.

Liam:

I decide notto say anything back. I don’t know him well, but maybe he isn’t a big texter. Either way, this text exchange didn’t go exactly as I had hoped. It’s probably just as well. I don’t need to be thinking about Liam as anything more than a temporary employer. I shut my laptop, toss my phone aside, and head downstairs. Maybe some Lucy snuggles will help lift this weight that has settled in my chest.

* * *

The next morning,I decide to put aside whatever preconceived notions I had about Liam Harper and do my best to be neighborly. I really enjoy my time with Lucy, and it’s important for me to stay on good terms with Liam.

Ellie has said that Liam comes early because construction starts at 7 a.m. I set my alarm for six and take my time with my appearance. There is something about putting on makeup and nice clothes that boosts my self-esteem. Since mine has been in the toilet lately, I resolve to make an effort to look good each day. I take my time and use my good body cream, and I choose jeans and a tank top for this spring day. I scrunch my hair into its natural waves and apply a little lip balm before jogging down the steps. Just as I reach the last step, the front door opens.

“Good morning!” Liam roars before he notices me standing there. When he sees me, he startles. “Oh. You’re right there.”

I smile. “I’m right here. Ready for Lucy.” I reach out to take her from his arms. “She looks like she’s feeling so much better.” Liam has tried to give her a Pebbles Flintstone hairstyle but she’s still wearing her pajamas with remnants of banana stuck to them.

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