Page 54 of As a Last Resort
ME:It’s not like that
IVY:ok
ME:It’s not.
He’s my friend’s older brother
IVY:that matters in high school for some people age is just a number
ME:That’s what old people say when they want to seem young.
IVY:also true
ME:Any word from Glenn or Robby?
IVY:nothing
ME:Maybe they’re conspiring on all the ways to fire me without legal retribution.
IVY:maybe
or maybe they’re getting matching tattoos on their lower backs
Me:Maybe.
18
AUSTIN
SAM:Any chance you’re dying to show off your knight in shining armor capabilities again?
ME:Another bubble incident?
SAM:Something like that.Don’t wear nice shoes.
ME:?
SAM:Need help with mom if you’re okay with it.
ME:Of course.Whatever you need.
SAM:Are you sure?I don’t want to interrupt your night.
ME:Sam.
SAM:OK.I’ll pick you up in five.
Won’t take long.
Promise.
She pulled into my gravel drive ten minutes after midnight.I climbed into her rental car and she was silent as she backed out.She wore an oversized sweatshirt that made her look like she was thirteen again.Her gaze bounced around the road and the surrounding street, and she hadn’t looked at me yet.Her knee jerked from side to side.
“So.”She laughed awkwardly and wiped her hand on her jeans a few times.“How’s your head?”
“Feeling much better, thanks to you.”She was still nervous, biting her lip and looking anywhere but at me.“So, want to fill me in or is this a surprise?”
“Apparently the Zoom call was thehey-welcome-back-to-realityopening scene.You said earlier I could call you for anything, right?”
