Chapter 8
I'll try the indirect approach first, I thought. It presented itself when AJ asked me to play video games. While participating with her, I asked her some subtle questions—trying to fish out information. This turned out to be a useless endeavor. She refused to reveal anything while acting as if she had no idea what I was talking about. I did not feel comfortable directly pressing her about it and I was now becoming annoyed and frustrated. After dinner, AJ and I were in the family room watching television when Shannon came in, sat down, and then told AJ to get dressed because we'd be leaving shortly. AJ ran upstairs, leaving the two of us alone.
"You can change too, if you want," she suggested. "It's an informal get-together."
"No. I think I'll skip this party," I replied while thinking the last thing I want to do is go to Mitty's house.
"Well, you have to come with us."
"Why?"
"Because it's an invitation for all the seniors and that includes you, too."
"I'm going to pass on this invite," I defiantly remarked.
This response took her back.
"My mother—"
"Your mother has put you in charge of AJ. I can take care of myself."
Her expression immediately changed. I could see she was not used to being challenged like this.
"You have to come because it's too—"
"Too what? Too dangerous to stay here all by myself? Is that what you're trying to tell me?"
Now she was flustered and against my better judgment, I decided to unload the big question.
"What or whom do you need rescuing from?"
Her eyes grew large and her mouth dropped open in surprise. But she quickly recovered and remarked, "Excuse me?"
I repeated the question.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" she snapped. She quickly got up out of the chair to leave the room and I got up, too. In an instant, I was in front of her and blocking her path.
"You do so know what I'm talking about," I challenged. "Why are you pretending that you don't? Who is harassing your family and why do you wish your father was dead?"
Her expression now turned to one of shock and then hurt. Next, she slapped me across the face so hard it felt like she had thrown acid on it! Now I was the one who was stunned! With her eyes becoming red and moist she sidestepped around me and in a distraught tone of voice challenged, "Who do you think you are coming into our home and prying into affairs that are none of your business? How dare you violate my privacy by sticking your nose into something so personal!"
AJ had come downstairs and Shannon hurried on past her. She looked at Shannon and then at me and asked, "What's wrong?"
In a troubled sounding voice, Shannon commanded, "Let's go, AJ!"
"But what about Lance?" AJ asked while looking now both puzzled and concerned.
"He's not coming," Shannon angrily replied as she exited out the door into the garage.
"Yes I am," I defiantly remarked while following out after them.