After school, Joss waited for Carlos by the trophy case. Her mother was a member of the D.C. City Council and often had evening meetings. Joss usually made herself something for dinner, but tonight she wanted to hang out at Primo’s.
“Hey, hot thing!” Carlos said when he finally showed up. “Sorry, I had to talk to Mrs. Blackwell about that SAT course I might take. So how was the rest of your day?”
Joss got up from where she was sitting on the floor doing her homework.
“Okay, but I’m even more worried about Rainie,” Joss said.
They left through the side door on Bladensburg Road and walked toward H Street.
“What now?” Carlos asked.
“She’s just acting weird,” Joss said. “She said she’d meet us at lunch but didn’t show up. She said she thought we were supposed to meet in Mrs. McArdle’s room. But we had made it really clear that we were going to meet in the cafeteria so we could get some food.”
“So maybe she just has a lot on her mind,” Carlos said. “It’s not a big mistake, right?”
“But that’s not all,” Joss said. “She said she ate her lunch on the way to Mrs. McArdle’s room. But I know she didn’t. I don’t know how, but I’m certain she didn’t eat anything. And she didn’t eat breakfast with us either. She said she ate at home. But I can’t believe she brought her lunch. Last year, she always ate a school lunch. And I’d put money on her family not having much to eat at home.”
“Well, it does—” Carlos started.
“Oh,” Joss added, “she’s wearing sweats and two T-shirts. In this heat. It’s so wrong.”
“It does seem like a lot of little lies,” Carlos said thoughtfully. “What, exactly, do you think her problem is? You know her lots better than me, so I can’t see any change.”
“My best guess?” Joss said. “She’s got some sort of eating disorder. I don’t know if she’s making herself throw up, but she’s lost a ton of weight. And she’s deliberately not eating with us. I started thinking, have you ever seen her in the cafeteria this year? Because I haven’t. Put that with the lying, and it tells me that something serious is going on.”
“Is she better friends with Eva? Would Rainie say what was wrong if Eva asked?” Carlos asked.
Joss was quiet for a moment. “I don’t see that happening,” she said finally. “You know I love Eva—she’s been my best friend forever. But she’s not always real observant. Or sensitive. She’s great, don’t get me wrong. But she hasn’t even noticed a problem. And if she asked Rainie if she was okay, and Rainie said yes, I think Eva would believe her. She doesn’t look into things too deeply.”
“While you, on the other hand, are always suspecting that there’s more going on than meets the eye,” Carlos said kindly. “It’s one of the things I love about you. But sometimes …”
“I know, I see things that aren’t even there,” Joss said. “Like when you were about to move, and I thought you were breaking up with me. Although I was right that something was wrong. I was wrong about what it was.”
They walked into Primo’s. “So what are you going to do?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Joss said. “She needs to talk to someone. But she won’t talk to me. I need to figure out who she will open up to.”
“Hey! Joss. Carlos.” Ferg Ferguson was standing up in the farthest booth, waving them over. Primo’s was filled with its usual mixture of families, Gallaudet University students using sign language, young adults, and Cap Central students. Joss and Carlos sat down at a table with their friends.
“You want pizza?” Carlos asked.
“Not yet. Maybe just a Diet Coke,” Joss answered. She pulled out her cell phone to text Rainie to join them. She held it for a few minutes, waiting to see if Rainie responded. When she didn’t, Joss put the phone back in her purse.
Unconsciously, she shook her head in exasperation.
“Trouble?” Durand Butler asked as he sat down at the table.
“I don’t know,” Joss said. “I hope not. I was texting Rainie to see if she could join us. But she’s not answering.”
“You know she’s at work, right?” Durand said.
“Oh! No, actually, I didn’t know that,” Joss answered. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I just walked her over there,” Durand said.
“Really?” Joss said slowly with a smile. “Interesting.”
“Is it?” Durand asked, looking amused.
“How well do you know her?” Joss asked.
“I’ve known her since we were kids,” Durand said. “We’ve always been in classes together.”
“Does she seem different to you lately?” Joss asked.
“Oh yeah!” Durand grinned. “She sure does!”
“You’re hopeless,” Joss said, shaking her head. “I actually meant something more serious.”
“Like what?” Durand asked, the smile gone.
“Not sure yet. Just keep an eye on her, okay? I’ve been wondering if there’s something wrong.”
Durand was quiet for a moment. Then he grinned again. “Oh, I can keep an eye on her.”
“I hear that,” she said with a laugh. Just then, her cell phone signaled a text message.
“Can’t get away—Freezee craze.”
“She’s not coming,” Joss said.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what you’re worried about. But I’ll pay attention,” Durand said more seriously.
“Thanks,” Joss said. “She’s a good friend. And something’s not right.”
“I’m gonna get a soda. Anybody need anything?” Durand asked, getting up from the table.
Joss watched him leave. Hmm, Rainie and Durand. It makes sense in a lot of ways, she thought. And it wouldn’t hurt to have someone else watching over her.
“I know that look,” Carlos said softly. “You’re plotting something!”
“Rainie and Durand. What do you think?”
“Works for me,” Carlos said with a laugh.