Chapter Twenty-Two

Bitter Truths

"Just great," Jo heard Lacey breathe before letting out a put-upon sigh. She looked up and down the hallway before adding, "Fine. Let's talk, but not here. Follow me."

The shorter girl nodded and silently followed Lacey to the nearest restroom. Lacey locked the door and quickly checked each stall to be sure that the room was empty before turning to face Jo with a stern look.

"I'm not going to apologize for what I said last night, but I'm sorry about the way it may have come across in front of the guys."

Jo nodded. "Actually, I'm glad you finally did. You were right."

"What?" Lacey's eyebrow rose.

"I mean about us. I don't talk to you unless it's about Danny. I didn't even realize it until you pointed it out last night. But you were wrong about me not risking anything trying to help Danny."

"It doesn't matter, Jo," Lacey shrugged and bit her lip as if she were preventing herself from speaking without discovering the perfect wording first. "We both just want to find the truth."

"It matters, Lacey. Everything matters. That's what's so hard about being around you sometimes. You never forget and you can't help but throw it in my face whenever it suits you. So can we just call a real truce?" Jo speeds up before Lacey can interject. "It doesn't have to be for forever, but just until we find out who really murdered Regina. I know you're risking a lot every time you talk to us, but don't you think that finding the real killer is more important that all of that?"

"Just that easy?" Lacey crossed her arms over her chest.

Jo nodded and began to respond, but Lacey turned away allowing her attention to be diverted by someone pounding against the door.

"Very funny, assholes," the voice yelled before giving the door a sound kick. "I hope you enjoy making people piss their pants!"

The silence that suddenly fell on them was brief, but it was abrupt and cumbersome. Lacey returned her attention to Jo, glancing between their reflections in the mirror, seeming to know everything Jo wanted to say but couldn't express.

"It would be nice if we could be friends again, Jo," she murmured.

With a nod, Jo responded, "I'll try to talk to you about something other than Danny once in a while. How's…" Jo paused unable to immediately think of something non-inflammatory to ask Lacey about. "Daffy? She still a lazy little thing?"

An unexpected laugh escaped Lacey.

"Yeah. She is. But she's my lazy little thing," she agreed with affection.

"So, what now? Do we hug?"

Another unexpected laugh left her lips and Lacey shook her head. "I don't think we're at that point yet. And I'm pretty sure that I'm still gonna treat you like a leper."

Jo opened her mouth to protest, but Lacey cut her off.

"I'm kidding, Jo. We need to work on you loosening up a little. I'm probably gonna regret it, but do you wanna come to Clara's birthday party this weekend? I'm sure she'd love to see you. And if you come, my mom will finally shut up about inviting you over more," Lacey added drily.

Jo wanted to shout out her acceptance of the invitation, but instead put her hands into the large pockets of her army surplus jacket and inhaled for a slow count of three before shrugging. "Yeah. That'd be cool. What time?"

And just like that, Jo knew they were back on track to being best friends again. It wouldn't be easy, but if this warm, cheery feeling was something that she could look forward to more often in the near future, it just might be worth the effort.

.~.

My dad is a liar. He's been lying to everyone his whole life. To his family. To me. How does a person live like that? How can someone hide who they are from everyone that loves them? Does that mean we love the lie? Does anyone even know the real him?

I wonder if he ever would have said anything if I hadn't forced the situation.

I still can't believe he's gay. My dad is gay.

"My dad is gay," I say for what seems to be the hundredth time and I still don't quite believe it as I struggle to keep the tears at bay. "My dad is gay," I whisper at Daffy as I sit on the floor next to my bed stroking her fur.

Mom is still yelling at him downstairs. He hasn't said much in response from what I can tell, but he must still be there if she's still this ear-splittingly angry.

I've been huddled on the floor of my bedroom ever since mechanically thanking Jo for coming over and avoiding her awkward attempts at apologizing. I still feel strange about having invited her, considering the consequences, but I can't bring myself to be upset with her. If not for her, my family would still be enveloped in my father's delusion. Jo could definitely work on her delivery of startling news, but I'm glad that I know the truth. I'm not sure if any of my other friends would have told me the truth had they been in the same situation, which makes me feel even more grateful that Jo. Now, I'm doubly glad I decided to make a go of mending our friendship.

I'm still questioning her ability to keep this a secret. Before she left I made her promise not to tell anyone. I really hope she can keep this one better than the one about Mr. Desai's apartment.

"My dad is gay," I whisper again.

Daffy's wordless pants aren't providing the support I need right now. I want to talk to someone that can talk back. At first I wanted the solidarity of sisterhood to lament the state of current affairs, but Clara still doesn't know. Once Dad broke the news, Mom gave Clara permission to spend the night at Amber's after the party wrapped up, so her birthday wouldn't be ruined. She deserves one more night of the illusion.

I want to talk to Danny. I want him to be here telling me that everything will be okay and that I'm not an idiot for not seeing the truth sooner. But I can't make myself call him. I can't let him know how stupid we've all been for years and that I never even suspected the truth about my father. No one can know. I've never wanted Dad to go back to Seattle so badly.

I sigh and continue petting Daffy. I pick up my phone and scroll through until I find Jo's number. I'm about to press send when Daffy stands and rushes to the window. I stand and wipe my eyes dry after hearing a light tap against the glass.

There is a second series of taps before I get close enough to the window to see Danny's smiling face on the other side. I can't prevent the grin from growing on my face.

"Hiya, Lace," he greets me with a quick kiss once he's inside my bedroom. "What's wrong?" Of course, he's noticed my puffy red eyes.

"Now isn't a good time, Danny."

On the heels of my words, there is another loud yell from downstairs.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" He asks. I nod and swallow thickly to prevent the tears from falling. I'm tired of tears and refuse to let anymore fall. I am a strong, confident, independent young woman and I will get through this.

"My dad is gay," I state and, for the first time, it doesn't hurt. "He and my mom are fighting about it." So much for keeping the secret.

Danny hugs me and rubs my back like he did last night when I cried all over him. In truth, I feel more like laughing than crying. "He lied. He lied to all of us. He's been lying to me my whole life. I don't even know who he is anymore. It was all lie."

"He's still your dad, Lace." We've moved to sit side by side on my bed and he palms my cheeks so he can look directly into my eyes as he says, "He still loves you. He couldn't lie about that. There's no way."

I laugh halfheartedly and Daffy jumps onto the bed next to us bullying her way between us. "I know he loves me, but can you just pretend to understand and be on my side for a little while? Just listen and don't speak, okay?"

He kisses my forehead and nods. "Whatever you need."

.~.

It was dumb luck that led Tyler Lewis to be stopped at the stop sign within view of Lacey Porter's house at the exact moment that Danny Desai jogged across the front yard to the side of the Porter dwelling. Tyler was returning home after paying a couple of guys to casually mention in a public setting that they'd hooked up with Lacey while she was dating Archie Yates. That would teach her to start a rumor about him forcing himself on her and then having her boyfriend attack him due to the false accusation.

Tyler smirked as he watched the school outcast enter Lacey Porter's bedroom window after the stunning sophomore opened it for him. It had been obvious that she was hiding something the other day in the hallway and Tyler couldn't have been giddier to practically stumble across it when he least expected. He was even happier to discover Lacey's dark secret was as scandalous as it was.

This year was turning out to be his most interesting yet. First there was his failed documentary covering the return of Danny Desai which might not be as over as he thought. Then there was the unfruitful plotting with his sister to regain her popularity and subsequently Lacey Porter's renewed friendship. And now there was this delicious twist of events.

The Queen Bee of Green Grove was getting late night visits from the psycho that killed her best friend. That deserved an entire segment of his soon to be revived documentary. A slew of questions flooded his mind.

How long had it been going on? Did Regina discover Lacey's secret before she died? Did her life end because Danny was afraid of it getting out? Were Lacey and he in on the murder together? Did anyone else know about this mysterious relationship?

Tyler had more questions than answers and he was determined to root them out so he could use this newfound information to benefit him as much as possible. As a side effect, she'd get what was coming to her. He just had to be patient and wait for the perfect moment to expose her for the hypocrite that she was.