Page 55 of Remiss
“Underageis a big thing,” Harley said firmly.
“I keep forgetting I’m not thirteen yet.”
“You’re not even eleven.”
“That’s coming in a few weeks, though.” Axel sighed. “Damn, I’m getting so fucking old. But I won’t have an existence crisis while you’re having yours.”
Squinting, Harley considered Axel’s statement and searched for the right word. “You might mean existential.”
“Would you motherfuckerspleasestop correcting me? Do I got to explain context clues to you like I did Tabitha? Do you learn nothing in school?”
“I’m not trying to offend you. I’m trying to help you.”
“Don’t the word you said mean thinking about your existence and reflecting about stuffs?”
“Well yeah, but–”
“No buts. Unless I’m wrong-wrong,stopcorrecting me. It’s taking too much time. You and me are equals. Understand?”
Harley smiled. “I do.”
“Back to my playlist. I want you to playShots Fired, Anxiety, andSavage,the onewithBeyonce. Also playHaloandFormationby Queen Bey.Good Timeby Alan Jackson. But I especially want you to playBad BloodandShake It Offby Taylor Swift.”
“You have a very interesting playlist.”
“All songs I like, but they’re for you, except ThaPlug’s song. That’s mine.”
“You chose the others for me?”
“Will I be able to hear those motherfuckers, Harley?” Axel asked impatiently. “We can’t use the stereo system, so yeah, they’re for you to listen to and shake away all the bad stuffs. Yeah, you was a miserable cunt to CJ and Uncle Mort. Spoiled rather than abused,” he went on before Harley thought of a response. “But you’re nice again. All you have to do is own your miserable cuntness, apologize and mean it, and stop being sad. You spilled the milk. A lot of it. If you want to be with us again, we won’t tell you no. You just have to remember you can’t put the milk back in the bottle. Don’t spill no more. Even Reb might forgive you.”
“Axel!” Winnie screamed, barreling into the natatorium at breakneck speed and launching herself into Axel’s arms, almost knocking him off his feet. She kissed his cheek. “I missed you.”
Scowling, Axel snatched himself away. “I just left you a few minutes ago. You need more friends if you miss me that quick.”
“Be nice, Ax,” Mattie said, gliding into the room.
Like Winnie, she was dressed in a one-piece bathing suit. Unlike Winnie, she wore no swim cap.
“Hey, Harls,” Mattie greeted, smiling at her then nodding to her clothes. “Where’s your bathing suit?”
“I don’t feel like swimming.”
“Aww man. I was hoping you’d be my wingman since Rebel won’t set foot near a swimming pool.” Mattie glanced between Axel and Winnie. “No funny business. Understand?”
“I’ll watch from outside the pool,” Harley promised, worried about Rebel, although she understood. “First sign of trouble, I promise I’ll jump in.”
“Let’s go to the dive board, Winnie,” Axel declared.
“Absolutely not!” Mattie cried. “You two aren’t going in the deep end.”
“I know how to fucking swim, Mattie,” Axel said with indignation.
“Winnie isn’t a strong swimmer,” Mattie said.
“ThenWinnieshould’ve stayed with Reb,” Axel replied.
“But I missed you,” Winnie said. “And Reb won’t come to the pool, even though I got a bathing suit just like the one she bought. She just wants to stay in her room or go on walks. She’s boring.”
