Page 45 of All of You

“Hey. Dinner.”

“Alright.”

“How was everyone’s day?” Mom asks. She asks this every single night at dinner.

Anderson launches into a diatribe about his day and every minute detail of it. I use the time to eat my burger and green beans.

“Lang? How bout you?” Dad asks.

“Well, it was day two. Nothing inspiring happened. But Delia looked horrible this morning in Dwyer’s class and then I think she left. She wasn’t at work either. Viv said she was sick.” I glance around the table. Mom won’t meet my eyes and worries the inside of her cheek.

“Sick already?” Anderson says. “I get sick in October.”

Dad snorts and nods his head. “Maybe you should check in on her and Jennifer?” He says to mom.

Mom draws in a long slow breath. “Mmhm, sure.”

***

For the next two days, Delia disappears by lunch and doesn’t show up for work. She looks like she hasn’t slept. Her bright eyes, dull and red-rimmed. She doesn’t speak to me or smile, or even notice anyone in the classroom. She comes in sits, takes notes, and leaves. The departed look in her eyes physically hurts me when I look at her.

Lyra confirms that after third period, she’s gone. I’m worried but also, don’t know if it’s cool that I’m worried so I keep my mouth shut and just pay attention to her when I do see her.

On Thursday evening, Mom pulls me aside after dinner. Dad and Anderson are in the backyard practicing pitching and catching. I set the stack of washed dishes on the countertop for her to dry.

“How’s Delia?” she asks.

I shrug. “Still not making it through the whole day and still not at work.”

Mom huffs out a defeated-sounding breath. I turn to face her. “Do you know something? Is she sick sick? Like is something wrong?”

Mom shakes her head and places a hand on my shoulder.

“No. She’s not sick.” A sad smile creeps in, pulling her lips tight. “Maybe heart sick. Would you be willing to go check in on her?”

I cock my head. “We’re not exactly friends, Mom.”

Mom wrings the dishtowel between her hands and nods. “She could use a friend.”

“Mom. That’s not how teenagers work. You know that right? Also, what is going on? What do you know?”

Mom stares out the window over the sink at Dad and Anderson a moment. “Jennifer left.”

I stand stunned. “What?”

“Her mom. Jennifer. Left. While you guys were at school Monday.”

“What?” I repeat. “Like… for good?”

Mom shrugs. “I honestly don’t know. But I’m sure Delia is pretty shocked and upset.”

“And angry,” I say.

Mom nods. “Sure. And she doesn’t know Heath really or anyone in this town. She needs a friend Lang.”

I nod.

Twenty Three