I hold up both hands. “It’s really not that big a deal. Rachel and I are going to look around after school tomorrow.” Mom looks deflated and turns back to the enchiladas. “Seriously, Mom. It isn’t Junior-Senior or anything.” The minute the words leave my mouth, I realize I’ve made a mistake.
Mom’s hand goes to her neck, clutching imaginary pearls. “Do you think he’ll ask you to prom?”
Dad shakes his head. “Sue, let the poor girl deal with one dance at a time.” He takes a handful of chips and heads back to the living room with his beer, an eyebrow raised in my direction. “If that Cody boy gets outta hand, just kick him in the head like you did the first time.”
Dad gets all the way through the Nightly News with Brian Williams and half of the local news at six before the timer goes off on the oven. Mom is setting the no-guilt enchiladas on the table and telling Dad to turn off the TV and come eat when I hear the words “several arrests at Coral Sands High School,” and now all four of us are staring at the screen.
A blond woman with a microphone is standing in front of the school—our school—giving the studio anchors in Des Moines a preview of the story she’ll do on the ten o’clock news. Her name floats beneath her chin: Sloane Keating. Her hair falls in golden waves that frame her face. Her makeup is perfect, and her navy jacket clings in all the right places, but she doesn’t look so much older than I am.
The county sheriff’s department has confirmed that four young men were taken into custody, though no names have been released as of yet. Apparently, two of the high school students are minors, and two are eighteen. The charges stem from a party that was held Saturday night at the home of a star Coral Sands basketball player, and include sexual assault, rape, and distribution of child pornography. I’ll have a full report at ten . . .
Dad clicks off the television, and we all stare at the dark screen in silence for a moment before Mom quietly says, “Let’s eat.”
The enchiladas are delicious, but there is guilt in the air, and I can hardly swallow. Why do I feel like I did something wrong? Dad is silent as Mom peppers me with questions.
Is that the party you were at?
John Doone’s party?
Ben was there with you?
Did you see anything?
Did you hear anything?
Were his parents home?
Will keeps piping up with rumors his friend Tyler has heard. “Everybody knows Stacey filed the charges.”
“Stacey?” Mom turns to me. “Do you know her?”
I nod, miserable. “You do, too.”
“You don’t mean . . .” Mom puts her fork down. “Stacey Stallard?”
“Isn’t it crazy?” Will is close to whiplash from all of the rubbernecking. “Nothing like this ever happens around here. I mean, we’re on the news and—”
“That’s enough.” Dad wipes his mouth and tosses his napkin onto his plate. I jump at the sharp sound of his voice. “This is nothing to gawk at, Will.”
“I’m not gawk—” He falls silent as Dad fixes him with the what-did-I-just-say? look. Our father can communicate a great deal without speaking, so when he raises his voice it usually means we should pay attention.
Dad turns his gaze to me. “Were people drinking at this party?”
“Yes, sir.” I can feel my cheeks go hot.
“Were you drinking at this party?”
My heart pounds, but I know better than to lie. I’m bad at it. I nod. His stare bores right through me.
“Ben drove me home. Early.” I blurt it out. “He wouldn’t let me drive my truck.”
Dad nods slowly. “That was a wise choice, young lady. If I ever catch wind that you got behind the wheel after drinking, you’ll be walking to college and paying for it yourself.”
I stare at my plate for what feels like an eternity.
“Kate?” Finally, Dad says my name and I look up at him. There is no anger behind his eyes. “You keep your head down, understand? You do not want to get caught up in this mess. People’s lives will be ruined whether there’s an ounce of truth to this or not. Steer clear. As far as this family is concerned, you don’t even know where that Doone boy lives.”
After another moment of silence, Mom asks who wants ice cream for dessert.
Tonight, for the first time in the history of the Westons, there are no takers.
UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
HarperCollins Publishers
..................................................................
thirteen
FOUR ARRESTED IN CORAL SANDS RAPE INVESTIGATION
By Sloane Keating
Published: March 18