The Secrets of Lake Road

Dee Dee slapped her again, sending her to the floor. The pain radiated across her cheek and temple. Spots floated in front of her eyes. She thought she might black out.

“That was for Johnny,” Dee Dee said.

“Please stop,” Patricia said, and reached for Dee Dee.

“Yes,” Jo managed to say. “Please stop.” She didn’t think she could take another blow, although she was sure she had another one coming. She inched her away across the floor and put her back against the bottom cabinet for support. If she stood up, she might pass out.

“It wasn’t Jo’s fault,” Patricia said, her eyes steady on Dee Dee. “I saw her dive off the pier.”

“Yeah, after she pushed my brother into the lake,” Dee Dee said.

“Yes,” Patricia said. “That’s true.” She put her hand on Dee Dee’s shoulder. “But Billy climbed onto the pier after she left. He was with Kevin. I thought they were messing around, playing rough like boys do. It was Kevin who pushed Billy into the water.”





CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Caroline stayed tucked in the arms of the willow tree, the swooping branches draped around her, protecting her from the outside world. She wasn’t sure how long she stayed hidden under Willow, but long enough for her butt to ache and her legs to fall asleep. She stretched them out, careful to hold onto the branch above her, and she shook her feet until they tingled. Once the sensation traveled to her thighs and she could feel her legs again, she climbed down to the ground. She brushed the dirt from her hands onto her shorts and tightened her ponytail, which was sticking out from underneath her baseball cap.

Outside the ring of drooping branches, she heard the sound of footsteps. The door to the screened-in porch creaked open and slammed closed. Her father’s deep voice came from inside calling, “Hello? Is anyone home?” She wondered if he had heard their family secret was out and she was to blame. She bet he would be mad with her like everyone else was. She wasn’t ready to face him or anyone in her stupid lying family.

She darted from her protective cocoon and ran up the dirt road toward the ballpark. She wasn’t even halfway there, not really sure where she was going, but she was breathing hard and wishing she had grabbed her bike. She slowed her pace when her lungs burned, only stopping when she reached the Meadowlark, Megan’s cabin, and found herself knocking on the door.

“It’s open!” Mrs. Roberts called from somewhere inside.

Mr. Roberts was in the family room reading a book next to an oscillating fan. Mrs. Roberts emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “We haven’t seen you around much, Caroline. I hope you and Megan didn’t have a fight.”

“No, ma’am,” she said. “Nothing like that.”

“Well, I’m glad. Megan’s in her bedroom. Go on back.”

Caroline crept down the narrow hall and peeked inside Megan’s room. Megan was sitting on the bed, surrounded by magazines, nail polish, and makeup. Her head was down. Her blond hair fell into her face and her scalp was pink from the sun.

“Hey,” Caroline said, and slipped inside, quietly closing the door behind her.

“Where’ve you been?” Megan grabbed Caroline’s hands. She pulled her onto the bed on top of the magazines and nail polish and plastic lipstick tubes. “I’ve got news,” she said.

Caroline nodded. Her lips trembled and her nose started to run. She didn’t want to cry and look like a baby. But she wanted to tell someone what she had done. She needed to talk to someone who wasn’t in her family.

“Jeff kissed me,” Megan said. “A proper kiss.”

Caroline nodded again and wiped underneath her nose.

Megan blabbed about Jeff’s tongue in her mouth. “He tasted kind of funny,” she said. “Like spit.” She shrugged. “I thought he would’ve at least brushed his teeth or used mouthwash if he knew he was going to kiss me, but whatever. What do you think? Don’t you think he should’ve been more prepared? I mean, I made sure my breath was fresh. What?” She gave Caroline the once-over, as though she was seeing her for the first time. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you keep a secret?” Caroline asked, and looked at the bedroom door to make sure it was closed all the way.

“Of course. Tell me,” Megan said.

“Well, to start,” she said. “I got my period.”

Megan nudged her and smiled. “That’s great. Oh my God, are you crying? You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s normal.” She crinkled her nose. “But you know, now you can officially get pregnant.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “That’s never going to happen.” She wasn’t like her mother. She’d never end up a pregnant teen. “You have to swear not to tell anyone I got it. Promise me.”

“Who would I tell?”

“Promise.”