Ache Read Free

okay?”
    “What, you didn’t get enough hugs as a kid, is that it?”  She puts her little fists on her hips.
    I pause, wondering if she can see through me.  I search her eyes, but can’t tell what’s behind them.  I suddenly feel very small and childish.  I’ve never had anyone call me out quite like this.  I don’t even know why I’m still here, except I don’t want to leave for some reason I can’t explain.  But I can feel it deep inside just the same.
    “I’m talking about pretending the evil around them isn’t real, because if they let it in, if they acknowledge it, then they might have to do something about it.  Better not to get involved,” I say. 
    “I don’t even know what you’re talking about, what evil?” she asks.
    “Look, bad stuff happens everywhere, trust me, that I do know.  It just pisses me off a little more when it happens on this side of town, like your boyfriend.  Why didn’t your friends check on you?  See?  Better not to get involved,” I say, nodding back towards Kyle’s.  I’m getting pissed.
    “So, you’re the new arbiter of virtue?” she says angrily.
    “I saved your ass, didn’t I?” I say without thinking.
    Her eyes narrow again and I know I’ve hurt her, but she ignores the dig.  “If we all suck so much, then why are you here?” she asks accusingly.
    I feel like shit.  I can’t believe I pushed it this far, I have to learn to shut the fuck up.  “I’m sorry.”
    “You ’re just drunk,” she says dismissively, but her tone is still irritable.
    “No, wrong answer.  That’s th e second time in five minutes you’ve said that.   Drunk is never an excuse, never.  Hey, look at me.  I’m sorry, really.”
    She just nods.
    “That doesn’t look like forgiveness,” I encourage.
    “Do you think you made a mistake, just now, helping me?” she asks, her eyes are glassy.
    “I’d have let that dude pound on me all night if it meant you were safe.  I really am sorry.  My mouth gets ahead of my brain sometimes.”
    There’s something about Bethany, something I can’t quite put my finger on and even though I want to stick around all night, I’m thinking I’ve worn out my welcome here.
    I fucked this up too.
    “Hey, you may not have noticed it, but there was another fight a little while back out in the front yard, right there for God and everyone to see, and with the music and beer everywhere, I’m pretty sure the cops are going to be here fairly soon, so I have to split, you know; the hoodlum thing.  You going to be okay if I go?” I ask.
    I look into her eyes and even with our argument, I regret the question.  Welcome or not, no way is she okay.
    “Yeah,” she says, holding her chin up.  Her display of confidence is almost believable and her courage is touching.
    “You want me to help you up to the house or go get your friends?”
    “God no!”
    “Okay, is there someplace you want to go or we could go?” I ask.
    “I’m not in the partying mood anymore.”  She looks away, back toward Kyle’s.
    “How about I hang with you then, until you figure it out?  We can maybe just walk down a few houses and sit on the curb or something?”
    “Thanks.”  She’s slowly getting her composure back.  I can tell she’s been drinking too, but dealing with dick-face must have sobered her up pretty quick.
    “Pound on you all night, huh?” she asks through a grin.
    “Yeah, but hey, it only took him about a minute.  That leaves us more time to, you know, talk or whatever.  Am I forgiven?”
    “No,” she says, but smiles anyway.
    I put my arm around her and give her a sideways, non-threatening brotherly hug.  I hold her for a minute and she squeezes my arm and then pulls away.
    “For all your arrogance, you did save me.  I’ll give you that.  And you are arrogant,” she says, leveling a stare.  “It’s funny though, someone like you saving me from someone like that.”
    “What do you mean?” I ask.
    “Well, he’s, and