“Look who’s here,” my mom said, presenting Dani with both hands. It was just about seven thirty.
I must of looked as though I’d swallowed a live tree roach because Dani piped up quick. “I’m only allowed over for a little while. Just long enough to get my social studies homework from you.” As my mom couldn’t see her face, Dani also allowed herself a giant wink.
Oh God, nothing good could come of this.
The moment I shut the door to my room, she let out a little whoop. “You didn’t think I’d let you get away with not giving me get at least a peek at him. He’s still here, isn’t he?”
“Well—”
“I knew it. This has to be quick. That story about homework was complete bullshit, but homework’s like a magic word, you say it and you automatically get a little parental slack. My parents are actually playing bridge over at the McKinleys’. I got about an hour before my mom calls to check on me.”
That, at least, was a relief. But still.
“This ain’t the best of times, Dani. He’s not feeling too well.”
“I guess I’ll have to cheer him up then.” She zipped into the closet before I could move in front of her. The door to the attic croaked.
“Wait, Dani, if he doesn’t know you, he’s like to—”
Dani let out a shriek. I went in after her as fast as I could, thinking, Oh Christ, he’s gone and killed her. But by the time I ducked in, they were on either side of the attic, both looking scared half to the grave.
“I didn’t do nothing to her,” Logan said, pointing at Dani. “I thought she was the cops.”
“What in the hell’s wrong with him?” Dani’s lips tightened and the skin between her eyebrows wrinkled up.
I’d gotten so used to seeing Logan naked and grimy, it took me a moment to understand what she meant. Logan looked like something out of National Geographic.
“This is too much,” Dani said, backing away from him. “And the smell, ugh!”
“Who is this fat little girl?” Logan asked me. He clutched his red wise man ornament like a hatchet.
“Hold up a second, Dani,” I whispered.
“What,” Dani said, pushing me out of the doorway, “did you do to him?”
When I got back in my room, she had her hand on the door to the hall. Dani took quick, shallow breaths and squeezed herself with one arm.
“Let me explain,” I said. “It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t know what all you two have been doing back there, but … he ain’t what I expected.” Her eyes were red with tears. “At all.”
With that, she was out the door before I could say another word. If I’d of had even one more tear left, I would of cried it right then.