One Tiny Secret

Chapter Four

So the lie is all set. I told my dad that after work today, I’m having a little late-night study session with Rory and Alex for a big test on Monday. I guess it’s not a total fib. We are going to be hanging out tonight, except it will be at a party, and we will most definitely not be studying. Unfortunately, I’m stuck at work for another three hours.

It’s been slow today in the café area at the In the Stacks bookstore where I work. The hours seem like they’re dragging by while I sit behind the barista counter. Usually I’m on the floor, interacting with the customers and restocking the shelves with the newest releases, but today I’m trapped here watching the clock. All because Monica decided to call in sick. I swear, if I see her at the party tonight, I’m going to be so pissed.

“Hey, slacker. What does someone have to do in order to get some service around here?” I hear a familiar voice ask.

Turning to look down the counter, I smile when I see Phoebe. My smile falters when her stepbrother, Parker, enters my mind.

“Hi, stranger. What’s up?” I ask, trying to act inconspicuous.

She laughs. “Not much. I was just on my way to the store down the street for a last-minute addition to my costume and thought I’d slip in to bug you.”

“Aww, you really do care,” I joke.

“Of course I do, silly.”

“So, can I get you anything? On the house, perhaps?” I ask with an eyebrow raised.

“Nah, I’m pretty well caffeinated already. I’ve had, like, two Red Bulls so far today. A coffee might just make my heart explode.”

I laugh. “Yeah, smart choice.”

“Oh, I completely forgot to tell you. Parker’s back in town. He transferred to Blackburn over the summer and is finishing out his last year there,” Phoebe says. I’m not sure what to say. I would’ve never thought she’d give me updates on Parker…ever.

Eventually, I respond with, “Really? That’s cool. I bet you guys are happy to have him back home. You must’ve missed him while he was in California.”

I break eye contact with her while I wipe down the counter with a damp cloth. The last thing I want is for her to see the look in my eyes right now. This must’ve been why Parker sent the friend request.

“He asked about you,” Phoebe says, and I start wiping down the counter even harder and more thoroughly. Could this conversation get any more awkward? “I told him that we made up. He was happy to hear that.”

“That’s great,” I reply. “Hey, not to change the subject, but I kind of have a lot of work to get done before I head out tonight. Mind if we continue this convo a little later?”

She looks around and clearly sees there aren’t any customers to tend to. “Right. Sure. We’ll talk later.”

“See you tonight,” I say as she begins to walk away.

“Definitely,” she responds, looking over her shoulder.

After watching her leave and hearing the chime of the front door open and close, I release the largest sigh I think I’ve ever let out.

“What the hell was that all about?” I ask under my breath. But I couldn’t answer my own question.



“Later, Joan,” I call out to my boss after my shift. I remove my apron, place it in my cubbyhole, and head toward the front of the store. I hear her say goodbye just as I exit out the door.

Running to my car, I jump in and start her up. I’m in a rush, anxious to beat my dad home. He’s supposed to be at the station until eight, so that only gives me about an hour and half to get dressed and out the door.

My eyes widen when I see his car in the driveway already. I hit the steering wheel in frustration and pull up to the curb next to the house.

“Well, there goes that plan,” I grumble.

While exiting the car, I see him coming through the front door.

“I was just about to lock up and give you a call,” he says when he sees me.

“Heading back into work, huh?” I comment while giving him a hug, hoping I don’t sound suspicious.

“Yeah, just had to come home because I forgot my Maglite. It’s the perfect tool for searching out secret parties,” he teases.

I laugh nervously. “Ah, I see. Good luck with that.”

“Hey, how was work today?” he asks, thankfully changing the subject.

“Slow and quiet.”

“That’s all? Slow and quiet?”

“Yeah, pretty much. We did have an abnormal amount of people looking for books on the occult and ritual sacrifices, though.”

“Really?”

“No.”

He chuckles. “All right, I’ve got to get back to work. Call me if you need anything, okay?” he says before placing a kiss on my forehead.

“Will do.”

“Oh, and have fun studying with Rory and Alex. You know, I’m so glad that you have good, stable friends who don’t party too much…even though Alex is in that silly band of hers,” my dad says as he opens his car door.

I laugh nervously again and reply with, “I’ll try.”

While watching him pull out of the driveway, I slowly begin to back up toward the front door, but keep my eyes glued to his cruiser. I know he’s going to roll down his window and wave goodbye to me. Like I said, he’s a creature of habit. The moment his vehicle disappears from sight, I bolt through the door and up the stairs to my room.

I dive into my closet and pull out the Little Red costume. After hanging it up on the hook affixed to the back of the bathroom door down the hall, I hurry back into my room to grab a red lacey bra and pair of panties from the dresser. I’m going to be sexy Little Red, after all.

The moment I hear the crackle of the walkie-talkie, I stop dead in my tracks and run over to pick it up.

I hear Janice’s voice come through. “Mint Chip, this is Marshmallow. Are you there?”

“I’m here, Janice. So, are you coming tonight?” I ask, making my way over to the window in order to see her across the way. The curtain is pulled back slightly, allowing me to see her face as she talks.

“It was easy to convince my mom, which is strange. She usually grills me about everything. She completely bought the whole library thing,” Janice replies. She speaks in a quiet voice and I assume her mom’s nearby.

“Oh—do you by any chance have a costume? It’s kind of a requirement for tonight.”

“That’s where we may have an issue. Mom hates Halloween, remember? So no costumes in the house,” she answers, sounding defeated.

“Hold on a sec,” I tell her, and set down the walkie. I hear her respond, “Okay” as I move over to the closet. I sift through the back of my wardrobe in an attempt to find a costume I wore two years ago. Janice is about my size, so anything could work.

“Yes,” I exclaim when I find the costume.

I pick up the walkie-talkie. “What’s your opinion on the Bride of Frankenstein?” I ask, examining the skimpy white gauzy dress and tall black and white wig that’s been preserved in a plastic bag.

“Indifferent, why?”

“Well, I think I have the perfect costume for you tonight,” I reply with a smirk. “All right, leave your house in about thirty minutes for the library. I’ll pick you up on the way. Sound like a plan?”

“Sounds good. See you soon,” she replies, and I hear the eagerness in her voice.

I head back to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I want to be gone soon in case my dad decides to pay me a surprise check-in visit.

Fully dressed in my Little Red costume, I lock up the house and hurry out to my car. I opt for my red Converse sneakers instead of my glossy red pumps, because I know with my luck, I’d probably bust my ass running across the gravel path in the front yard if I wore the heels.

After throwing my picnic basket, containing the sexy Bride of Frankenstein costume into the back seat, I start the car and pull away from the curb. Passing by Janice’s house, I slow down. I see her mom, Hattie, tending to the hedgerow that separates our houses. Her focus hones in on me and a glare appears on her face. I dodge it and switch my attention to the road ahead as I speed up.

“Wow, she must really hate me,” I murmur.

After driving a few blocks, I see Janice walking down the sidewalk toward the library. I honk my horn and she stops, turning around to face the car. She raises her hand and brushes the long, wind-blown strands of her light brown hair behind her ear. A huge smile shows on her face as she waves at me.

“Hop in,” I call out of the open passenger window.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this. This is so crazy. My mom will destroy me if she finds out,” Janice states while settling into the car.

“It’s not too late to change your mind if you don’t feel up to it,” I comment, throwing the car into park in case she has a change of heart.

“No, it’s cool. Just pre-party jitters, I guess. Did you bring the costume?”

“Yep. It’s in the basket back there,” I reply, pointing to the back seat.

Janice grabs the basket and opens it in her lap. Pulling the garment out, she says, “Wow. This is hardly what I’d consider clothing.”

I laugh. “Yeah, it’s a little skimpy, but I figured you could make a statement with it. You know, show those jerks who gave you a hard time that you’re not messing around. And if you get cold, I’ve got a jacket in there you can borrow.”

She sends me a look that I’m pretty sure is one of uncertainty. She starts to bite her lower lip like she’s mulling over the decision to wear the costume. “You sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course it is. I don’t even think people will recognize you tonight,” I reply with a grin.

“All right, you’ve convinced me. Let’s do this,” she says. “I only see one little issue though.”

“What’s that?”

“Where am I going to get changed? And isn’t there make-up involved in this getup?”

“Leave that to me. Don’t worry your little head about it,” I answer, putting the car into drive and pulling back onto the road.

Our next destination is the costume store. Rory’s working there until nine, and I’m sure he’ll let us use a dressing room to get Janice ready.

When we enter the store, the shrill scream from the doormat makes me jump. I hear Janice’s stifled laugh behind me, and turn to see her trying to hide her grin with her hand.

“A little jumpy, are we?” Rory asks, leaping over the front counter to greet us.

“That stupid little mat scared the hell out of me,” I laugh.

“I noticed,” he replies. “Uh, who’s the dame?”

“Oh, this is Janice, my next-door neighbor. She’s joining us for the party tonight. That’s actually why we’re here. I need a quick favor.” I drag Janice to stand beside me instead of hiding shyly behind.

“Oh, really? And what might that be?” he asks with an eyebrow raised.

“Could we borrow one of the dressing rooms to get her in costume?”

“I don’t know…what’s in it for me?” he asks with a grin.

“Come on, Rory.”

He laughs. “All right. I can’t bear to see you beg.”

He grabs the key from behind the counter and leads us to the dressing room area. “Make it quick, okay? I don’t want the boss giving me a hard time about this.”

“Got it,” I reply, guiding Janice into one of the stalls. “You’re so awesome, Rory, seriously.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You’re welcome. Now hurry up.”

After closing Janice in the dressing room, I notice I still have the basket in my hand. “You’re probably going to need this,” I say handing the basket over the top of the door.

“Thanks.”

A few minutes go by. After I hear sounds of struggling coming from within the stall, Janice emerges in full costume. She looks fantastic. I position her in front of the full-length mirror so she can see herself.

“You look awesome,” I squeal, smiling ear to ear. I notice that Janice also has a smile as she scans her reflection.

“Wow,” is all she can get out.

“I’ll say,” I laugh. “Now’s it’s time for the makeup.”

Pulling her back into the stall, I remove the makeup kit from the basket and have her sit down on the long white bench running the length of the dressing room wall. As I begin the application process, I delve into a reflective mood. Janice and I haven’t talked for what seems like forever, but here we are, acting like we did all those years ago. Like nothing’s changed. I’ve missed this. I see by the look on her face that she’s caught me reminiscing.

“This reminds me of when we used to have dress-up sleepovers,” she says.

“Yeah, those were some great times, huh?” I grab the black lip gloss. “I know I said it earlier, but I’m really sorry for being such a bad friend. I should’ve stood up for you, but I didn’t. I’ve regretted it so much over the years. You have no idea.”

“Don’t worry about it. That’s all in the past, right?” she responds.

“I just feel that if I would’ve done something…anything, you wouldn’t be in the position you’re in now.”

“Kids are cruel. You had no way of controlling them. Don’t beat yourself up over this. Besides, my mom’s the real issue here.” Janice places her hand on my shoulder and sends me a look of endearment. “I’m glad you asked me to hang out tonight. It’s been way overdue.”

“I agree. We’re going to have so much fun tonight. I can feel it.”

She laughs. “I hope so.”

“Finished,” I say, putting the lip gloss back into my makeup kit.

“Your time’s up, ladies,” Rory calls into the dressing room.