90. Oh Man

“Oh, yeah, sure.”

That’s how I answer Poe Monday morning when she asks me if we’re still going to prom.

That should show how into it I am, how much I’ve thought about it.

I haven’t stopped thinking about the connection between Uncle Robert and Iris and my place in this.

How in the world can I think of prom when I’m thinking of bigger things? Like life and death and dead animals and gravestones and French guys with ironic last names and Triumph motorcycles I need to start riding.

How can my answer be anything other than Oh, yeah, sure?

But the problem isn’t what Poe says next. She only smiles and nods and walks away. She knew I was going to say yes anyway. She kissed me, and I didn’t run away to the nearby hills. She knew that there was something on the other side of that kiss, though I couldn’t really say what exactly, because I don’t know myself.

It’s a big adjustment from thinking someone hates you to realizing they’ve liked you all along. I’m not just seeing Poe in a different light. It’s a whole different room. No, make that a new house in a new town on a planet far, far away.

No, my problem comes when I get to art class.

Oh man.

Kelsey greets me, and I see how excited she is to see me and I instantly know I’m in trouble. Not now, of course. But once I’m found out. Once my predicament is known.

“How was your weekend?” she asks.

“Great.”

At least I have a motorcycle now. One that can take me far away from all of this. Once I learn how to drive the thing.