Page 65 of The Apple Tree

She grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Tell me everything.”

I hopped onto her bed and gave her every tiny detail.

“So have you talked to him today? Is he getting condoms? Are you having it tonight? What about Josh?”

I shook my head and giggled at her vomiting endless questions without taking a breath. But I couldn’t blame her because I told the whole story in one breath without pauses for punctuation. “I don’t know. I had to work, so I haven’t talked to him. What am I supposed to do? It’s Saturday night. Do I call him? Just go over there uninvited?”

“Eve! He had his hands on your bare butt! He slid the crotch of your underwear out of the way so he could see your private parts, and he nearly made you orgasm. YES! You go over there tonight and finish the job.”

I gnawed the heck out of my lip for a few seconds. “What if he didn’t get condoms? Do you really think he took Josh with him to get them today?”

Erin hopped off the bed and dug through her purse, pulling out a condom. “Take it.” She handed it to me.

I stared at it.

“Take it.” She shook it in front of me.

I slid it into my pocket.

“Why do you look so nervous?” she asked, sitting beside me to resume painting her nails.

“Because last night we were in the moment. You know how after a football game, especially a big win, everyone is excited and celebrating and …”

“Horny.”

I giggled. “Yes. Tonight will feel different. Like, what if I go to his house, and he’s like, ‘Hey. What’s up? Why’d you come over?’” I bled insecurity in the safety of my best friend’s company.

“Stop. He’s not going to say that. He’ll be like, ‘Josh! Time for bed. NOW!’” Erin said in her deepest man's voice.

I snorted.

“Whatever you do, youhaveto call me as soon as it’s over and tell me everything.”

“Good idea. I’ll ask to use his phone while he discards the condom.” I rolled my eyes.

Erin capped the nail polish and shook it before switching feet. “You know what I mean. I just don’t want you doing it tonight and telling me about it at church tomorrow when I’ll have to control my reaction. Besides, I know Hazel Johnson always has her hearing aids in and turned up to hear the sermon and every word anyone says.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because she’s always scowling at us.”

“Huh. I hadn’t noticed.”

“Go have sex and call me.” She jerked her head toward her bedroom door.

I stood, feeling like the condom in my pocket was a gun that everyone could see. “It might not happen.”

“Or it might. But if you don’t go, we’ll never know.”

“Okay. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck. Andcallme!”

“Are all your friends busy tonight?”Mom asked, passing me the creamed peas. “It’s rare to have you or Gabby join us for dinner on a Saturday night.”

I shrugged. Gabby was with Ben, and it was weird being home tonight. “I didn’t feel like McDonald’s tonight, but I’m meeting everyone at the bowling alley after I’m done eating.”

“Kyle called,” Dad said.

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