Chapter 14
"Oh my Lord," muttered Claudia, her hands flying to her chest.
"Oh shit!" shrieked Jacqui, her eyes widening in panic. "Oh, shit!"
I tried to curb my own panic, but this was a terrible situation. We were busted and that was the simple truth. I tried to think of a way out, but the only exit was downstairs, and I doubted we could make our way through the mad mass of people to the back door before the police came bursting through the front. Apparently Jacqui had her own opinion on this matter.
"I'm getting the fuck out of here," she cried, glancing nervously from side to side. She jumped off the bed, and flung open Abby's window.
"We can't go out that way," I screamed, attempting to grab her, but she pushed me away with a powerful shove. I fell backward with a thud.
She kicked in the screen with one deft movement and leapt gracefully onto the back porch roof. I had a feeling she had done this before. She gave us one last glance.
"Are you guys gonna stay here with the spilled coke, or are you gonna haul ass?" she called, not expecting an answer. She began to shimmy down the drainpipe.
Claudia and I looked at each other. We both scampered towards the window. I kicked off my heels quickly before crawling over the threshold. I had balance issues while I was sober, and I thought I would fare better in my bare feet. Jacqui was already on the ground and running into the woods behind the Stevenson's house before I even got to the drainpipe. I heard a car door open and slam in front of the house. Not having time to be scared, I imitated Jacqui's movements, awkwardly lowering myself down the gutter.
"Hurry up," hissed Claudia, who started to do the same before I was even halfway down.
As soon as my feet touched the porch, I let go, trying to balance on the ledge. Instead I fell straight into the rose bushes lining the porch.
"Ow," I moaned, trying to get up.
I saw the few students that were outside scrambling away from the house in all different directions. One of them was Dawn, who probably hadn't moved from the back porch all night. She slowed when she saw me.
"Come on," cried Claudia, pulling me up anxiously. "Do you want the police to find you here?"
That was enough motivation for me. I shot up and we both started running full tilt into the woods. I don't think I ever ran so fast in my life. I caught up to Dawn quickly, and even started to pass her.
"Where are you going?" she panted, as I made my way expertly through the trees. I had spent the last three summers playing with the Thomas-Brewers in these woods, and I knew them well.
"Just follow me," I wheezed, glancing back to make sure Claudia was still there. She was only a few paces behind, clutching her side.
I came to a blue painted fence, and immediately began to feel for the loose board, the one that Shannon always managed to nose her way through when no one was looking. After a couple of moments one of the boards swung freely into the Thomas-Brewer's backyard, creating an opening. I slipped through, and Dawn and Claudia followed. Having reached sanctuary and unsure of what to do next, I ducked into the toolshed.
I sat down on a picnic bench that had been stored away until next spring, trying to catch my breath. As I tried not to hyperventilate, an awful feeling churned in the pit of my stomach. There was no way I could get out of this. I was in deep trouble. Instead of slowing down, my heart rate quickened.
Even in the dark, I could tell Claudia was reaching the same state of near frenzy. Only Dawn seemed calm.
"My parents are going to kill me," whispered Claudia, rocking back and forth. "I've never been busted at a party before. Of course, most of the time I usually lie about where I'm going."
"Who do you think called the cops?" asked Dawn, twirling a piece of her hair. "Abby's house is pretty far back from the road, so it's not in plain sight of anyone passing by. I was outside most of the night and it actually wasn't too noisy, not where any of the neighbors could really hear anything, unless they were sitting in their yards listening for it. But I suspect most of them would come over to investigate before calling the police."
That last part was certainly true. Like most neighborhoods in Stoneybrook, this one was fairly close knit, and I would imagine the Kilbournes or Papadakis' or the Brewers would at least attempt to break up a party on their own before involving the authorities. Although this particular party seemed fairly out of control and I doubt anything short of the National Guard could break it up.
"Huh," responded Claudia, after thinking Dawn's statement over for a moment. "I don't know. I'm just glad I got out of there before the cops came. No matter how much trouble I get in, Abby's going to get it the worst of all of us."
I had forgotten about Abby in my panic.
"Do you think she's going to be okay?" I asked, shaking a little. I was starting to get cold, which was not surprising, considering it was mid October in Connecticut and I was wearing a sleeveless shirt. And I was in my stocking feet. Yet I'm sure I still would have been shaking a little even if it had been the middle of summer.
"I'm sure she'll be fine for a little while at least, until her mother gets home," said Dawn flatly, digging her heel into the dirt floor of the shed.
"How much trouble were you in when you got busted for dealing pot?" asked Claudia innocently.
Dawn glanced at me sideways, her eyes flashing with annoyance. I turned red and stared at the floor.
"A lot," she answered shortly, not hiding the displeasure in her voice.
I wasn't sure why she was so upset. She hadn't told me not to tell anyone, and I had to give some explanation for her sudden appearance in Stoneybrook. I didn't see why she cared, either. It wasn't as if she ever came to Connecticut enough for it to really matter.
"Should we call Kristy and see if we can crash here for the night?" asked Claudia, tentatively. She was shaking also.
"I don't know," I replied feebly, my teeth chattering.
"Well, I'm not staying here all night," replied Dawn, stepping out into the Thomas' yard. "I'm either going to find a ride home or have mom pick me up."
My stomach churned. The last thing I wanted to think about was facing my father. My face must have turned green, because Claudia gave me a quizzical look.
"Are you going to throw up?" she said, edging away from me a little on the bench.
"No," I sighed, standing up.
Dawn was right. I couldn't stay in the Brewer's tool shed for the rest of my life. I decided it was time to go home. I thought I could maybe somehow sneak back into the house and brush my teeth and change into something that didn't reek of alcohol before Dad or Sharon noticed I was back. I began to follow Dawn, when she suddenly stopped and ducked back into the tool shed.
"Someone's up" she said, pointing to Kristy's house.
Someone had turned on the kitchen light. I held my breath for a minute, hoping it was just someone getting a glass of water. My hopes were dashed when I heard the back door open and the jingle of the tags on Shannon's collar as she ran down the porch steps.
"Uh-oh" muttered Dawn, sitting back down on the bench.
I sat frozen next to her as Shannon started to bark furiously in our direction. As she neared, her barks quickly abated as she ran into the open tool shed and began covering me with sloppy kisses.
"Shhhh, Shannon," I whispered, trying to push her away. "Go into the yard."
Of course, she didn't listen, but spun in happy circles, and ran over to Dawn and Claudia, begging for pets.
"Stop it," hissed Claudia, also trying to push her away.
Claudia magically produced a Milky Way out of a pocket on her skirt that I hadn't even noticed.
"Here, go fetch," she started, winding up her arm, but Dawn quickly grabbed her hand.
"Claudia, don't!" she cried, snatching the candy bar out of her hand. "Dogs can't have chocolate. She could get really sick!"
Claudia rolled her eyes and tried to grab it back. Shannon jumped up eagerly, happy to play.
"I'm just trying to get her to leave us alone," said Claudia. "Do you want us to get caught?"
"I'd rather be grounded for an entire year then be responsible for killing an innocent dog," shot back Dawn, her voice rising ever so slightly.
Shannon howled in seeming agreement.
"Guys, keep it down," I said, my eyes darting nervously to the porch. I squinted and saw an unidentifiable figure standing in the dark.
I held my breath. Claudia and Dawn stopped squabbling and looked in the direction that I was so pointedly fixed. Luckily, whichever member of the Thomas-Brewer household had taken Shannon seemed to be focused on the noise coming from the direction of the Stevenson household. The faint noise of people yelling and the flashing red and blue lights through the trees seemed to be more interesting. I hoped it would cover up Shannon's discovery of our hiding spot.
"Shannon" yelled the person from the porch, whistling for her to return.
Elizabeth.
Shannon, of course, paid no attention, and circled around Dawn, Claudia and I, all of whom were standing as still as statues. Dawn and I exchanged glances. There was pretty much no way out now.
"Shannon, come up!" yelled Elizabeth, coming down the porch steps. "What are you doing?"
I could run, I thought. I could hide somewhere in the woods. Elizabeth wasn't going to chase after me in her silk nightgown. Claudia's body tensed up and a wild look came into her eyes. For a minute, I thought she was going to bolt. But then she sat down dejected on the bench and put her head in her hands.
Elizabeth nearly jumped out of her slippers when she saw us standing in the tool shed as she went to grab Shannon by the collar.
"Mary-Anne," she gasped, looking at me, then at Claudia to Dawn. "What are you doing here?"
"I," I started, but the words caught in my throat.
"Please don't tell me this has something to do with those police cars at the Stevenson house," Elizabeth asked incredulously. "What was going on at party?"
None of us said anything. Dawn anxiously pulled at her hair and looked at me for an answer. I couldn't even bear to meet Elizabeth in the eye. My stomach was doing flips.
"Mary Anne, where the hell are your shoes?" asked Elizabeth, gawking at my bare feet.
"I, um, lost them," I muttered sheepishly.
"Oh, Mary Anne," she sighed, covering her chest with her arms. I suppose this was done to look stern, but it may have been to cover up her body. Her nightgown was rather revealing and it was the middle of the night in October. All I could say was that Kristy had not inherited her mother's, um, endowments.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Brewer," spoke up Dawn, finally. "Things got a little out of hand."
"I'll say so," she scoffed, shivering a little. "You girls reek of booze. Come on, up to the house. I'm calling your parents."
I was sure I was going to crumble right there and then. Dawn gave me a look that was equally glum and sympathetic. The two of us started to follow Elizabeth and Shannon up to the house. Claudia was still seated on the bench, shaking like someone standing in the rain. Her face scrunched up and she started to cry again.
"Please, Elizabeth, please don't tell my parents," she begged, sobbing.
"I promise this won't happen again. I'm sorry for breaking into your backyard. But please don't call them!"
Elizabeth's expression softened. She sighed and placed a comforting arm around Claudia.
"Come on, let's just go up to the house," she said softly, pulling Claudia up. "Let's get you some water."
I felt like a death-row inmate walking to the execution block. I had heard people use the expression "rock bottom" before, but had never wondered what it felt like to be there. I was sure I had reached a personal rock bottom that night.
Inside the kitchen, we found a rather bewildered Watson, who took one look at us and immediately began to make a pot of coffee. Elizabeth poured us each a glass of water and commanded us to each sit down.
"First off, how are you girls feeling?" she asked, eyeing us each separately.
"Okay," we each mumbled in turn, even though it was clear that all of us were far from it.
Claudia was sitting bent over in a kitchen chair, hiccupping and snot running from her nose freely. I also for the first time noticed how bloodshot Dawn's eyes were in the florescent light. As for me, I was barefoot, smelled worse than a frat house and could barely sit up straight. We were a sorry bunch.
Elizabeth sat down at the kitchen table and folded her hands. I could practically feel the lecture coming on. Luckily Watson had lent her his bathrobe, so I didn't have to stare at Elizabeth in an almost see-through negligee throughout the whole thing.
"Even though I'm very disappointed in all you girls, I understand how it is," she started, trying her best to sound empathetic. "I know how it is to be young, to want to go out and party. But you could have put yourself in a lot of danger tonight."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone lurking in the doorway, listening to the entire conversation.
"And don't think you're off the hook, young lady," called Elizabeth to the unforeseen individual, which confirmed my suspicions that the person was in fact Kristy. "You went to that party too and didn't say anything to me or Watson about what was going on over there."
"And what am I supposed to do, snitch?" she remarked nastily, coming into the room. "I didn't do anything wrong."
"Come here and tell me that," said Elizabeth, eyeing her closely.
Kristy hesitated. I had seen her down at least one beer – I was sure that she hadn't really thought about concealing her alcohol breath after she had stormed away from Abby's party.
"Pull up a chair," ordered Elizabeth.
Kristy looked like she was about to explode as she flounced into an empty seat, her arms crossed.
"Watson, maybe you better go over to the Stevenson's and check on the situation," said Elizabeth, still staring down Kristy.
"That's probably a good idea," he said, moving hurriedly out of the kitchen.
He seemed rather happy not to be dealing with the four drunken teenaged girls in his kitchen. Kristy was still dressed rather risqué and it seemed to make him rather uncomfortable. Although I'm sure the disaster zone that used to be Abby's house wouldn't make him feel any less squeamish. I wondered what poor Abby was doing at the moment. I only hoped she wasn't trying to beat up any policemen.
"Do you know how much trouble Mrs. Stevenson could be in right now?" asked Elizabeth, glancing each of us over. "It's not exactly legal to have 40 underage minors drinking and partying on your property."
I didn't mention that it was actually closer to about 150 kids.
"Plus, if any one got hurt or sick, God forbid, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. I know this was Abby's party, but I'm sure you all knew about the plans and was well aware there was going to be alcohol."
Not exactly. I never dreamed of getting caught, even though I'm not sure how I ever thought we could have gotten away with throwing such a huge party.
"And did you stop to think about the dangers of alcohol poisoning? About what it does to your body and mind? About how some of those kids are probably just starting to drive, and if they drive anything like my daughter, getting behind the wheel with a few drinks in their system is a tragedy waiting to happen?"
As much as I enjoyed Elizabeth's shot at Kristy, I just wanted her to shut up. I didn't want to be lectured. I was going to hear enough of it later.
"Really girls, what were you thinking?"
None of us said anything for a moment, until Claudia spoke up, "I guess we weren't."
"No kidding," scolded Elizabeth, although that answer seemed to satisfy her, because she said, "Now you girls go upstairs to Kristy's room. I'm going to call each of your parents. I'm sure they will be over shortly."
"Can't they wait down here?" asked Kristy. "They stink."
"Kristy, enough!" cried Elizabeth, standing up so fast she pushed her chair back. "You're in enough trouble, missy, now don't push it!"
With that, Kristy stormed up the stairs, with the rest of us following behind. Once inside her room, Kristy immediately sat down on her bed.
"Please only sit on the carpet," she said snottily. "I'll steam clean it in the morning."
"Fine," I retorted, haughtily. "Believe me, I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here."
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
"This turned out to be a great night," she continued, "I'll probably be grounded until next spring, all thanks to your wonderful party idea."
"Oh shove it, Kristy," cried Claudia. "What is wrong with you? We're all in trouble and no one forced you to that party. In fact…"
She stopped short and stared at the floor.
"What?" said Kristy, crossing her arms. "You can say it. I know you didn't want me there. I'm just the biggest bitch at SHS who never likes to do anything fun. Well you know what, Claudia Kishi, I'd rather be a stuck-up bitch than a loser and user like you, who will probably never amount to anything in her whole life."
"Stop it," said Dawn, in a voice that was both calm and eerie. "There's no point in ripping out each other's throats now. We're all FUCKED. Royally fucked."
"She's right," I added. "So Kristy, you better…"
"Yup, get on my case," she cried, standing up. "I know you three are all buddy-buddy…"
"Please," huffed Dawn. "I'm only here because I'm forced to be. I never wanted to come to Connecticut. I'm probably in the most trouble out of anyone."
"I wouldn't say that," interrupted Claudia.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter, Kristy," I interjected, standing up as well. "I know you called the cops. This mess is all your fault."
"I didn't call the cops," snapped Kristy loudly. She added a little more quietly: "I wouldn't do that."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" I cried. "All of sudden you leave and the next thing you know the cops arrive? I don't think that is much of a coincidence!"
"I wouldn't have done that," hissed Kristy. "Anyone could have the called the cops. It wasn't exactly a quiet and subtle affair at Abby's. I'm sure people the next street over could have heard the noise."
"Why exactly would you have not called the cops?" asked Dawn.
"I can't believe you're all ganging up on me," cried Kristy, throwing her arms up in the air.
"We're not ganging up on you," sighed Dawn. "I'm just asking you a question."
"I wouldn't do it, because well," floundered Kristy, who starting playing with her fingernail. "I guess…because as much as it made me happy to see you get in trouble, I didn't actually want you guys to get in trouble. Especially Abby. She's the only friend I still have. I think. I don't even know."
I felt a slight twinge of guilt. But only a slight twinge. Kristy hadn't exactly made it easy to be her friend over the past few weeks.
"Well, from what I've heard, you haven't exactly made it easy for anyone to be your friend," said Claudia, reiterating my thoughts exactly. "Friendship is a two-way street."
"She's right," I chimed in. "You've been acting selfish. Like the day you wouldn't turn around for my paper. Or the day you wouldn't listen to me on the phone, even though I called you. Or when you refused to pick me up from school…"
"Alright!" shouted Kristy. I sure hoped no in the Watson-Brewer household needed a good night's sleep. "So I've been a crappy friend. I've been under a lot of stress. I'm sorry. Is that what you want to hear? Soorrry!"
It was obvious from her tone that she wasn't sorry at all. And it hit me at that moment that Kristy didn't really care much about our friendship, despite her tears earlier and her fake apology. It was evident that I and my closest friend, whom I had grown up with and known for 16 years, had irrevocably drifted apart.
And that deep down, it really didn't bother me all that much.
I didn't say anything. I had bigger worries. At any moment, my father and Sharon would pull up. The four of us sat in silence, until we heard the first car pull up in front of the house. We heard Mr. Kishi's voice in the foyer and Claudia immediately stiffened.
"Oh my Lord," she said. For a minute I thought she was going to crawl under Kristy's bed and hide. But she stood up and walked towards the door.
"Well, good-bye," she called solemnly, waving to us. "See you next year. Unless I get shipped to a convent in the South Seas, or something."
"It won't be that bad," I said, forcing a smile. "You'll be okay."
Claudia gave me a smile that was as forced as my own, before leaving the room and shutting the door.
After a couple of minutes we heard the car drive away. It was shortly followed by a car pulling up to the house.
Dawn and I looked at each other. I swallowed hard. It was time to face the music.