The second Solomon mentioned Clark coming over, Lisa knew she’d earned his complete trust. It wasn’t a far leap, of course, seeing as she’d practically become a member of his family. And what could’ve been an obligatory friendship with a disturbed boy had, in actuality, become one of the healthiest relationships in her life with one of the more levelheaded people she’d ever met. And, lest you forget, it was going to make all of her dreams come true.
It was finally time for Solomon to meet Clark and realize that no matter how well you hide, the world finds you and gives you reasons to come out of the shadows. Lisa had already saved him from complete solitude, so now it was time to give him another friend on the outside. She knew as soon as Clark walked in with that big sincere smile and those sea-green eyes that Solomon, gay or not, would be enamored. Clark was one of those guys whose club you want to be in. And it was something you could tell just by seeing him—a familiarity and kindness that made strangers approach him all the time to ask for directions or to see if he was someone they knew. It was a specific kind of effortless charm that Lisa couldn’t quite understand, but had certainly fallen victim to. And she was banking on similar results with Solomon.
When she left Solomon’s house later that night, she went straight to Clark’s and the second he opened the door, she looked him in the eyes and said, “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” he asked blandly, letting her in and taking a seat on the couch.
“Solomon. You. Me.”
“Oh. I didn’t think that was ever going to happen.” He looked straight ahead at the TV.
“Look, I know I’ve been gone a lot lately.”
“A lot?” he said, turning her way. “If I didn’t see you at school I wouldn’t even remember what you look like.”
“Like you’d ever forget that,” she joked.
“Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m allowed to be frustrated, Lisa.”
“I know. But, this will fix everything.”
“You think so?” he said sarcastically. “I can’t wait to be the third wheel with you and the kid you’re scamming.”
“Watch it,” she said, shooting him a look that made him flinch.
“Seriously, though. Am I supposed to pretend you’re not using him? Do I have to lie, too?”
“I’m not lying,” she said. “I am his friend. That part’s real. It didn’t have to be, but it is. And he never has to find out anyway. We’re the only ones who know about that essay.”
“Shit. Tell me why I’d want to do this again?”
“Because he needs you,” she said. “And I need you. I know it feels wrong, I do. I’m not naive. But I think it’s the only way. Plus, it’s too late to undo what I’ve done . . . which is nothing short of damn impressive in terms of experimental psychological treatments.”
“Jesus, Lisa. Talk like a human.”
“Clark, you’re going to meet him and you’re going to know why I can’t give up. You’ll see what I see. We have to help him out of there. The world needs him.”
“Fine,” he said. “But if he’s weird, I’m not going back. I don’t care if it ruins your experimental psychological treatment or not.”
Since Lisa was afraid Clark would change his mind again, she planned to take him over to Solomon’s the very next day. It would work perfectly since Jason and Valerie were having one of their date nights. Lisa figured the fewer people the better, just in case Solomon, or Clark for that matter, was feeling particularly anxious.
When they were standing at his front door the next afternoon, Lisa looked over at Clark and just by raising one eyebrow, asked if he was ready.
“I feel like I should have a gift or something,” he said.
“You’re not taking him to prom. Just relax.”
When the door opened, Solomon stood silently on the other side. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, something Lisa had never seen on him, a button-down shirt, and, much to Lisa’s surprise, shoes.
“New shoes?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said, looking down at them. “Mom had to guess my shoe size. They’re a little big.”
“Why do you need them?” Clark asked. “I mean, sorry . . . just . . . I don’t think I’d ever wear them if I . . .”
“Sol, meet Clark Robbins. Master of the foot-in-mouth.”
“Hi,” Solomon said.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Solomon.”
Clark extended a hand and Lisa watched as they shook, him standing outside, Solomon standing inside, the divide between their worlds never clearer to her. And, like it was just another day, Solomon stepped aside and closed the door after they’d entered.
“You guys want something to drink?” he asked. “A snack maybe? Mom said to ask as soon as you got here.”
“No thanks,” Lisa said. “And don’t offer Clark food. He eats like a pre-hibernation bear.”
“I do,” he said. “It’s disgusting.”
“No food then,” Solomon said. “Should we sit or something?”
Lisa led the way to the living room and took a seat on the sofa. She crossed her legs and looked up with a face that said, You should be sitting down, too, you morons. So, Solomon took the chair by the fireplace and Clark sat next to Lisa, throwing his arm over the back of the sofa.
“This is weird, yeah?” Solomon asked, looking at the floor.
“You know what’s weird?” Clark said. “Stonehenge.”