Page 40 of Spiteful Lies
Here we go. Has he really changed? Or is he going to say to her what he said to me back in September? I am Pierce Vanderbilt of Rhode Island. Yes, my family donated the STEM research building. He extends his hand and holds Mom’s firmly. “Pierce,” he replies, “Astrid and I are in rhetoric class together. Have you seen the classrooms?”
Bryce walks up to Pierce and answers, “I was just about to show them.” He holds his hand out toward Mom. “Ms. Bowen, I’ve looked forward to meeting you.”
“How kind you both are.” Mom blinks but recovers quickly from his striking smile. “Please call me Evelyn, Bryce.”
Bryce smiles, giving Pierce a dirty look as the rivalry starts up again, but it’s doubtful they’ll end up thrashing each other in the parking lot again. But before we can take a step, someone calls my name. I look over my shoulder, and Wyatt is hurrying up the path toward us.
Wyatt doesn’t pretend to be polite, and nothing is off-limits as he leans in for a quick kiss on the lips. I can barely look into Mom’s puzzle face. She glances at Bryce and then Pierce, but when there’s no reaction, she looks at me again.
“This is Wyatt, Mom.”
He extends his hand and shakes it warmly. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Bowen. You’re as beautiful as your daughter.”
And Wyatt wins the day. Mom beams at him as if he’s just given her the golden apple. Did I just hear her giggle? I guess we both have a thing for deep brown eyes. Wyatt steps forward, offers Mom his arm, and they walk off toward the classrooms. For a moment, Pierce scowls but takes my hand in his as we follow behind them.
“Well, I guess you’re stuck with me.” Charlotte sounds hurt, but the smile remains solidly on her face.
Bryce takes Charlotte’s hand. “I consider myself lucky, Charlotte. You know I love hanging out with you.”
Mom smiles when she hears Bryce’s words, and speaking to Wyatt, she says, “It’s lucky that Astrid found her sister again.”
A look passes between Charlotte and Bryce as we head toward the building. Pierce squeezes my hand, and I squeeze his back. I’m so happy now that I don’t care if I act like a dork. The thing I dreaded didn’t happen, and as the sun shines on my uplifted face, I wish for Mom to remain clean and sober forever. It’s a daily thing, but maybe we’ll both be truly lucky this time. Nothing can spoil this day, and why I keep saying shit like that is beyond me. No sooner than the thought leaves my brain, Dr. Rawlins sweeps out of the first red brick building and comes down the path, heading straight for us.
The dread rushes back into my gut as I try to untangle my hand from Pierce’s, but he won’t let go. I glare at him and try to yank free, but he shakes his head imperceptibly. Does he want Rawlins to meet my mother? Why? So she can trash her with her sharp tongue? Why did I trust him? He’ll always be a bully.
“My name is Dr. Rawlins. And you must be Astrid’s mother? It’s so nice to meet you.” Dr. Rawlins shakes my mother’s hand while she’s practically sneering down her straight nose. Mom looks lovely, but she’s not as well-heeled as Rawlins in her designer double-breasted navy coat with brass buttons.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Rawlins,” Mom smiles brightly. “And thank you for hosting this weekend. I’ve been eager to see the school.”
Rawlins looks at Mom as if she’s a strange bird that was trained to speak perfect English. “You’re welcome. Here at Stonehaven we are always eager to have parents participate in their children’s education. Astrid has had some hurdles to face, but she is proving to be a winner.”
“Pun intended, I suppose,” Mom replies. They laugh lightly, and then Mom continues, “Astrid is a winner. She doesn’t need to prove it. She continues to excel where lesser people would turn tail and race all the way home. I thank you, Dr. Rawlins, for all that you do. My most precious possession is in your care.”
A stunned Rawlins inclines her head slightly and walks away. We continue into the building and when the door closes behind us, Pierce lets out a wild laugh. “I knew she could do it,” he says proudly, as if Mom were his mom, “Finally, someone has schooled the big gun in humility.”
Chapter 28
Astrid
The day ends without bloodshed and litigation as Mom and I stand outside the stone gate, waiting for her ride. We stand apart from the other parents. I want a chance to talk and not be overheard, though people keep looking over at us.
“Well, Mom. Did you enjoy your visit?” I ask, relieved it’s over.
She glares at me, making me feel like I’m five again and I’ve done something heinously wrong. “Astrid, which boy are you dating?”
I shift my stance then glance down the street, hoping her Uber will materialize instantly. “Hard question to answer, and I don’t know if I can explain it.”
“Try to explain it the best you can,” she replies coolly, “You should be able to express yourself clearly. After all, you’re a student at the best school in the area.”
I had forgotten how sassy and demanding Mom can be when she’s sober. I hesitate, not knowing how I’m going to explain it without sounding silly. “I’m sort of dating all of them, and they know about it, but I have to make up my mind. Probably soon, I have to pick one, and I’m having a hard time doing it. But they don’t seem to mind that I’m seeing the other ones.”
Mom screws up her face as if she smells a disgusting fart. “So, you’re dating three boys?”
I correct her. “Four. I’m also dating the boy that painted me.”
Mom sighs. “You’re using birth control, I hope.”
Despite Howland’s plea, I still am. “Yes, I’m on the pill, and sometimes I use a condom.” My face burns red, and the heat makes me wince. “It’s not like that. I really care about them, but I don’t know what to do. I don’t know who I’m going to end up with.”