Page 66 of The Muse
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll tell it.”
“We met at Coachella,” Mom says. “It’s a music festival. And it was the spring before my senior year of high school. Then wetexted throughout the summer, and Bodhi just so happened to be new at the school in the fall. We had no idea.”
Dad keeps his head bowed, twirling pasta with his fork.
“That’s cool,” Flynn says, like it’s not that exciting.
And the way my parents tell itis notthat exciting because they leave out the best part.
“Oh shoot,” I say. “I think my mom forgot to mention that my dad wasn’t a student. He was her new guidance counselor.”
Flynn’s eyebrows jump up his forehead, jaw slack. Yeah, that’s the correct response to the real story.
“She was eighteen,” Dad says before swallowing his spaghetti.
“That didn’t matter,” I say. “It was still a scandal. But Grandpa Malone, whom I never got to meet, was sick. So Dad couldn’t lose his job. But they got caught, so Mom left. They broke up. It was tragic and beautiful and …” I sigh. “So epic.”
Mom rolls her eyes, but not without grinning.
“There are more juicy details like how they messed around in his office.”
“I don’t think Flynn or anyone needs those details while we’re eating, or ever for that matter,” Dad says.
“I’ll tell you later,” I whisper to Flynn, loud enough for my parents to hear me.
Flynn snorts, bringing his fist to his mouth.
I want what my parents have. I want itsomuch.
Chapter Seventeen
Flynn
Monday morning,I wake up in the back of the Chevelle, bathe in the dog wash, brush my teeth, dress, and trek to the front of the house to knock on the door by six.
“Good morning,” Rupert says, eyeing me with a funny look.
“What?” I say, stepping inside and kicking off my shoes.
“Nothing. I just said good morning.”
“What’s with the look?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“What look?” He closes the door.
“Never mind. Good morning.” I tuck my hands into my back pockets. “Is Mrs. Rawlings awake? Should I get her tea?”
“She’s awake. Pilates is in an hour. I’m not sure if she wants tea now or after Pilates.”
“Pilates?”
“It’s an exercise class.”
“I’ve heard of Pilates. Is this something new?”
“Yes.” He heads toward the kitchen. “She signed up for the class yesterday, but she used to take it before everything went to shit.”
What does that mean?
