Page 83 of Leaving the Station

Aya finds me and Oakley and we spin her around. She laughs as the beat aligns with the motion of the train. Clint and Virginia and a few other nondancers are sitting on the sidelines, clapping along in their seats.

Halfway through the song, a new party member comes upstairs.

“EDWARD!” Aya screams in that terrible, high-pitched way that only dolphins and small children can.

He dances his way over to us, then throws bags of snacks out to everyone, which earns him raucous cheers.

“Is this allowed?” I shout into his ear over the music.

“I have an extra stash,” he tells me. “For events like this.”

I’m once again convinced that Edward is a witch or psychic or just the best snack car operator of all time.

I’ll be writing to Amtrak after this trip to tell them that he deserves a raise and a million dollars and a train named after him.

After a few more Aya-approved songs, Nanami comes into the observation car. I had barely noticed that she wasn’t here. Mike walks over to her, but neither of them speak. They both look deeply uncomfortable.

“She needs to tell Aya,” Oakley whispers in my ear.

“Yeah, but not rightnow,” I say.

Oakley frowns at this. “Of course, right now. Whynotright now?”

It’s my turn to frown. “Because it’s Aya’s birthday party.”

“Exactly, and she deserves to know.”

“She deserves to havefun.” I keep my voice low so that Aya doesn’t hear. “Please, Oakley?” I take a deep breath, trying to quell the desperation rising in me. “Can you forget about this until tomorrow?”

She sighs, and I think I’ve won until she wanders over to Nanami and whispers in her ear.

I want to run over there and stop her, but when Nanami’s face twists in pain, I know she’s already done it.

“No,” Nanami says loudly enough that I can hear it.

“No what?” Aya asks, happily bounding up to her mom and Oakley.

I want to shield my eyes from whatever’s about to happen.

“No nothing, Aya,” Nanami says, at the same time that Oakley says, “Tell her.”

I walk over to them and reach for her. “Oakley,” I say, hoping it can act as a warning and a balm all in one.

She steps away from me.

Other partiers have begun to notice the change in atmosphere, and someone turns the upbeat music down.

“Not right now,” Nanami says to Oakley, her jaw clenched.

“Can’t it wait?” I whisper to Oakley.“Please?”

We’re both trying to reason with her, but from different sides.

“No,” she says, her voice shaking.

It’s hard for me to believe this is entirely about Aya, who’s looking up at us with wide eyes.

“What’s going on?” she asks. “Becausesomething’sup.” She directs that to her mom. “You’ve been acting weird.”