Page 28 of A Sublime Casualt
“What’s going on?” His eyes grow serious as he holds me by the shoulders. “Are you safe? Are you escaping something? Are you in danger?” His concern is completely valid. Clearly, I’m breaking protocol tonight.
I shake my head. “I got tickets because I knew you would be here. My boyfriend is with me.” I touch my hands to my lips with the admission. I had to tell them in the event they see us. “He’s a cop.” I shake my head, implying his blissful ignorance. “Everything’s fine, I promise. I just needed to steal a moment and see you.” I cup the side of Peavey’s face. “You’re both so grown up.” I pull my sister in and kiss her tender pale cheek, tasting the salt in her tears.
“How is everything?” Devyn’s voice shakes, and she still sounds twelve. I welcome that small window of innocence. “You must be nearby if you were able to come. You don’t know how good that makes me feel. I was afraid you ditched the state and that we’d never see one another again.”
“I could never be that far away from you.” I press a kiss over her forehead just as a warm buzz vibrates in my pocket. I pluck my phone out and make a face at them. “He gave it to me. But it’s still the fibro board for you, my sweets.”
I glance down at the text, confused before I ever read it.
Certain are those who know their way.
And on they go to find it.
Not all are lost.
Yesterday it all seemed so simple.
Olden days often are.
Undercover in plain sight.
Fighting for freedom that will never come.
In my misery time stands still.
Not all homes are as they seem, down where the horses feed.
Determined to mend this broken heart.
Meandering through where the rainbows live.
Enduring winter’s wrath with fire in my belly.
“What the hell?” I whisper.
“What’s this?” Devyn leans in and reads it over my shoulder.
I’m about to text Theo back whenI note it’s a number I don’t recognize. Oh my God. My blood runs cold.
“It’s a friend,” I lie. “She likes to send these ridiculous riddles.”
Peavey takes the phone from me. He’s so handsome and sure, his demeanor unflinching. “You sure about that? There’s no other message from her.” He inspects it silently for a minute. “I solved it for you, though.” He hands the phone back to me, his eyes serious with a touch of anger as though he pegged me for lying.
“What does it mean?” I try to sound light, not at all frightened. I’m shaking down to my bones, down to my soul.
“Duh!” Devyn jumps as she points to the screen. “It’s an acrostic poem. She’s pretty clever.”
“Acrostic.” I glance down at the first letter of each word.
“Can—you—find—me,” Devyn beats me to it. “No offense, but you’ve got creepy friends.”
“No offense taken. You are totally right.” My phone buzzes again, and this time it is indeed Theo.Everything okay?
I text right back.Be out in a sec!Smiley emoji, hug emoji, pink double hearts. I’m getting quite good at this.
“Looks like time’s up.” I can hardly stand to look into their eyes. Our agony is louder than the music. We hold onto each other one more time, our bodies quivering with silent tears. Peavey kisses me on the top of the head, and Devyn buries her nose in my neck once again. And just like that, our little holy huddle disbands. They stand just outside the dark hall to the right of the stage like they promised so we can keep an eye on one another from across the room until the night comes crashing to an end. And we do. On our way out, they wait by the concession stand, and I make up some lame excuse about needing to see if they’re giving away flyers. I wait until Theo crests the turnstile and then promise I’ll be right back. Peavey and Devyn yank me into an alcove, and we hold one another tight one last time. My brother’s fingers press in hard over my back, so very hard I’m sure I’ll feel this in my sleep, and I pray I do. Devyn takes off her necklace, a gold chain with a plastic rose, and stuffs it into my pocket. Tears slick her face, her nose running over the curve of her lips like a child.
“He might notice you didn’t come in with it, but wear it tomorrow. Guys don’t care where it came from.”