20
I end up at Wren and Jenna’s after walking most of the day.
Though I’ve tried to untangle the truth of what happened that day in front of Liam’s apartment, I’m still reeling over the
fact that Liam tried to find me.
None of it adds up. I try to focus on what Jenna is saying about some drama that happened at summer school today, but my brain
is still back at the water, back with Liam. Liam tried to find me. Liam flew to Chicago. Liam said I was his whole future.
Sensing my disinterest, Wren kisses the back of Jenna’s neck and scoops up Gremlin, hooking his spindly body in the crook
of her arm. “Let’s talk about your show, Harper.”
I roll my eyes and sip my glass of wine. “We’ll see.”
“No, don’t do that. You’re doing this show. There’s no ‘we’ll see’ about it. Ben believes in you. We believe in you. Your
kids believe in you. Think how proud they would be to see their teacher doing what they want to do someday. It’s time to believe
in yourself too.”
At the mere mention of my kids, I close my eyes and sigh. I think of the talent in that art room, how so many of my kids wouldn’t think twice about the opportunity for a solo show. That makes me remember when I met Keisha in Brooklyn, how openly hungry she was to state her goals and rise to the top. What’s stopping me now? I’m off for the summer. Technically, I could pursue art, but with Ben’s diagnosis, I am deflecting, stalling, second-guessing, just like always.
“And,” she adds before I can interject, “there’s never a perfect time to follow your dreams. It’s like having a kid. Sometimes
you just have to run into the fire and see what shakes out.” Wren folds in beside Jenna, all sharp angles to Jenna’s soft
curves.
“Okay, Wren. I think she’s got it. Next subject.” Jenna grabs Gremlin from Wren and possessively cuddles him. “How’s Liam?”
I stare into my wine, not knowing how much to say. Explaining anything beyond the basics about Liam is complicated, but these
are two of my closest friends, and I know I can trust them. Loosely I explain what just transpired between us and that, per
usual, I ran away.
Jenna bites her lip, glances at Wren, then back to me. “You realize tonight is the full moon, right? You have to do the ritual,
Harper.”
“You do,” Wren confirms. “We can even do it here, if you want.”
“Enough with the ritual!” I yell. “That’s not going to fix any of my problems. Figuring out what to do now, in my real life, is.”
“Okay,” Jenna says, scooting forward to pat my knee. “What does Ben say about all this?”
I hesitate. There’s no easy way to say I’ve basically lied to Ben, that I brushed off my relationship with Liam because I
don’t want to dredge up the past when he needs to stay focused. I’m realizing, however, that it’s more for my sake, not Ben’s.
“He doesn’t know.”
“Harper, you have to tell him.”
“Definitely don’t tell him.”
They both speak at the same time, and my brain scrambles even more to decipher their advice. Now it’s Wren’s turn to place a hand on Jenna’s knee. “Harper, do not tell him. That will just give him more to worry about.”
Jenna moves Wren’s hand. “You have to tell him.” She blinks widely at me. “This was his plan in the first place, Harper! He
basically manifested this into existence by delivering Liam to your door, and you’re not going to tell him that the universe
answered him back? How is that fair?”
“I have a headache.” I rub my temples. Pickles hops onto my legs before Gremlin knocks her away and plops into my lap instead.
“Look, do what you want to do,” Jenna says. “But just remember whose journey this is.”
“Hers!” Wren shouts. “It’s hers.”
“And Ben’s,” Jenna adds. “He deserves to know what’s happening.”
“Why give him more anxiety when he’s got enough to worry about?”
“Who says it will give him anxiety? It might give him hope!”
The two of them bicker while I listen to Gremlin’s soft purrs. I came here to get clarity, and now I’m more confused than
before.
Wren’s phone dings and she reaches for it, still disgruntled. Then she breaks into a satisfied grin. “Well, well, well. Look
who it is.” She flashes me the text. It’s from Liam.
“How does he have your number?”
“Ben gave it to him,” she says dismissively. “He needs to interview us. Tonight.” She stabs a finger my way, then taps out
a furious text. “Oh my God, you’re coming. We’re having a cookout. We want to see you two together, and then we can decide
what to tell Ben. Deal?”
Jenna rolls her eyes. I shift in my chair. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. Considering I literally ran away from him at the first sign of talking about the past.”
“All the more reason you should let us assess. I want to get a sense of his aura,” Wren says, wiggling her fingers in the
air. “See if he’s right for you.”
“Ben is who’s right for her!” Jenna sighs and hoists herself from the couch. “Ben is the only man in her life. Ben is who
matters right now, not some dude from the past.”
“Well, obviously I don’t mean right for her right now,” Wren clarifies. “I’m talking about the future.”
“I need a nap.” I lower Gremlin to the ground and stand. “Just let me know what time tonight.” I give each of them a hug,
and Wren walks me to the door.
“Look,” she says, steering me outside so Jenna can’t hear. “You know I love Ben. Everybody loves Ben. He’s one of my dearest
friends. But like I said the other day, Liam being here isn’t a coincidence, Harper, and we both know it. Ben knows it, and
he doesn’t even understand the full extent of your connection with Liam. But you owe it to yourself to figure out why he’s
here and what this means.”
“I know.” I actually don’t know, but I understand it’s the only thing I can say right now to get her to drop it.
“Okay, see you tonight.” She kisses my cheek and leaves me standing on the stoop more confused than before.