Page 50 of The Curve
The iPad sounds. It’s Atticus, wanting to FaceTime.
I don’t want to answer, but if I don’t he’ll keep calling. Forget the FaceTime. I don’t want him to see my lip trembling or the tears burning my eyes, so I answer on my cell.
“Hello.”
“Your voice. What happened?”
“I really don’t feel like talking much right now, but I’ll give you the highlights. The party wasn’t really for Mallory. It was Jeffrey’s girlfriend’s birthday party. But that wasn’t the worst of things. Mallory was bullied by Jeffrey on Facebook during the party. It was cruel, Atticus. She’s in her room and wants to be alone. I’m afraid. Really afraid.”
“Fucking asshole! I’m gonna call his father right now…”
“No. Let me handle this. I don’t know what I’m going to do. She doesn’t want to start school next month. And I’m afraid there’s more to come.”
“Tell me.”
“She wants to leave Memphis.”
He’s quiet for a few beats. “That’s not the answer.”
“I know that. But sometimes a parent doesn’t have a choice. I’m too upset to talk about it tonight.”
“Just don’t commit to anything for the next few days. Let me get home and talk everything over. Promise?” he says.
“Before I make any promises, I need you to tell me about one of the pictures I saw in Jeffrey’s albums. It’s of you and that Tanya girl. Your hands are on her bare breasts.”
“Jeffrey had that picture?”
“Yes. And there in the background is the sign for the Atlanta Sheraton.”
“That’s where it was taken.” He says it so calmly, with no hesitation.
“Taken yesterday?” I say.
“What? No. That’s from last year. Did you really think I’d do that to you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything right now.”
I start crying, with relief and frustration, and with the fear I may not be able to fix things easily.
“No! God I wish I was there. Babe, please. You need to believe I’d never hurt you. And I wouldn’t disrespect you. But you’re gonna need to toughen up. I know that sounds harsh, but there’s all kinds of pictures out there. Once they’re posted, they’re there forever. I never was a well-behaved guy Charlotte. Till you.”
