Page 70 of Pride and Protest

For all those reasons Liza had misgivings about showing Janae David’s social media post. Her sister had been improving, and maybe it was because of the joy David had brought to her life. But LeDeya pressed forward.

“Janae, do you know?” LeDeya haltingly showed Janae the photo of David enjoying himself in France.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Janae said softly. “I just spoke to him three days ago. He never mentioned.”

“What does ‘six week food baby’ mean?” Liza said.

“It’s a project. He told me he was going to get his sister to run it. A project in Versailles.” Janae’s voice softened. “I guess he decided... I... I don’t understand.”

“He just went to a whole other continent without telling you?” Liza huffed. “Why would he do that?”

“I’m sure it was urgent.”

“What do you mean it was urgent? This boyinternationallyghosted you.” LeDeya crossed her arms.

“You’re too good for them, Janae.” Liza and LeDeya were unified for once.

Janae pulled out her phone, searching for missing texts or calls. Her hands shook almost imperceptibly. Janae straightened her back and exhaled. Liza touched her shoulder. Her big sister was so used to disappointment, and so used to not getting what she needed from people.

“I think you should tell him. Tell him everything,” LeDeya advised.

“Deya, he’s gonna—”

“No, Janae, maybe you should trust that he’ll understand,” Liza said.

“No one has before.”

“Maybe not, but this is the happiest I’ve seen you. You owe it to yourself to give it a better try than this.”

“What do I do? He’s in Paris!”

“Phones no longer work?” LeDeya asked.

“I guess I’ll text his sister and get his schedule in New York,” Janae said.

Liza rolled her eyes. “Ugh, Jennifer is the worst. Just call him before you head to New York, Janae. You know you’re going to get every job you’re interviewing for.”

“His sister likes me. I’ll text her.”

“I don’t think Jennifer likes any of us that well,” Liza said.

“Yeah, her and Dorsey are so different from David. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rumors are true about them.”

“Wh-what rumors?” Liza stammered.

“That they’re together. You see them everywhere together.” Janae sounded exasperated.

“I don’t.”

“You had to notice during the snowstorm how she would flutter after Dorsey every time he swiveled his head.”

Liza remembered that night differently—burning looks, ripped shirts, waking up wrapped up in him.Was Jennifer even there?“I’m starting to think you weren’t as tipsy as you pretended to be that night. The memories you conjure up!” Liza laughed nervously and left the room.

Liza woke to a soft nudging of her foot and jumped to grab her baseball bat from under the bed.

“Liza! Liza, chill. It’s me, Chicho.”