On a night like tonight

 

"Couldn't you just apologize?" Brick had asked days ago, but Harley gave him her fierce look and  questioned, "Why should I?"

"I don't like this about you," Brick told her. "You shouldn't have hurt Cade even if..if he hurt your feelings."

She didn't have much to say to him after that, but of course, he did. "You'll just keep hurting people. You'll be angry about everything. What kind of life is that?"

Harley knew he wasn't talking about her. It had to be about his mother. Just had to be. After all, that boy had been raised by women. Finally, she gave in and said she'd think about it. After all, she knew how he'd play this out. She'd lose him too. 

They were best friends. She didn't know she could be friends like this with anyone. Oh, she'd tried to hang out with the art crowd. Evidently, she wasn't artsy enough. It seemed they had their own code or she felt they were all on something and they weren't going to dare share with the likes of her. 

Friendships were hard. Relationships were even harder. So yeah, she was capable of being in a stomp on occasion. It wasn't like anyone at home really noticed. Her mom and dad had their own troubles. It was amazing they'd survived the pandemic. They didn't even like eating dinner together. They might as well have spent it in isolation. 

Dad had the basement all to himself. Her mom was always in her office which was actually the guestroom. She so wanted Brick to think her life was normal. And now all she had was a four-year-old to confide in, who was much more impressed with her watercolor techniques and doing her nails than Harley's stories about boys. All Gina had said in the end was, "You have to let it go. That's what Elsa would do."

So here she was with Brick's friends. They weren't really her friends. God, no way was she apologizing in front of all these people. Of course, they mingled, played volleyball for fun, and ate and she knew she had to do it before the clean-up was done because everyone was going to the pool. But it didn't happen then.

Of course, by the time they got in the pool, Harley could see who was the fairest of all, herself and Cade. At that point, she just wanted to stay underwater. She watched the others. They were used to seeing each other in swimsuits. 

And the girl Cade was with. The girl that Brick knew. She was like imaging a real Disney Princess. Harley thought that princess might steal Brick away because they talked so much. He kept introducing her around. She was a senior in high school and from New York City.

Harley hung on to the shallow side. She knew she looked like a wreck. Her mascara wasn't waterproofed. Thank god, it was getting dark but the lights of the pool illuminated a fascinating party atmosphere. She thought this might be a good time to disappear. 

Her throat was parched. And she was full of emotion mixed with the chlorine. Yes, something was the matter. She could sense it. As if this was really about to happen.

"Are you OK?" It was Cade. Of course, she didn't look all right. How could she? She tried to breathe. It was as if it was against her will. Why were the mind and body like this? She started to shiver.

"I'm supposed to say I'm sorry. So sorry," she spit out before she forgot. Yes, her body was shaking.

"Well..OK." He treaded water so easily. She was certain he could swim with sharks. She hung on with both thin arms along the cement ledge. She didn't really want to look at him, but there was nowhere to go. "You don't look so good."

"I get that all the time," she sputtered.

"No, you're more pale than usual." He told her, her teeth were chattering.

She nodded as he came closer. Harley finally said. "I might have COVID."