A week before Mrs. McGill's wedding, Jason the frat boy dumps Stacey. Neighbors witness her chasing his Toyota Tacoma in a yellow string bikini, screaming obscenities and hurtling an empty bottle of Snapple after his speeding truck. The neighbors are amused to discuss exactly what Stacey McGill was doing in that string bikini. They say it's no wonder the Johanssens don't let her baby-sit anymore. Dee Pike worries Stacey might be a bad influence on Mallory.
Stacey rebounds quickly.
She takes up with Sam Thomas, for the fifth time in two years. Stacey doesn't have a lot of options. She's moving in three weeks. Sam's available. Plus, he has a car.
Stacey assures Mallory, it's better to have someone than no one.
On a Tuesday night in early-July, Stacey arranges a double date. She promises Mallory it will be a night to remember.
It doesn't occur to Mallory to doubt Stacey's intentions. Stacey is a true friend, worrying about how to successfully sophisticate Mallory. The sooner Mallory grows up, the sooner Stacey will be happy, too. There is no cause for suspicion over Stacey's preoccupation with Mallory's virginity. As far as Mallory's concerned.
Sam doesn't drive them to Pizza Express. Or the Rosebud Cafe. Or the movie theater. He drives them straight to Miller's Point, overlooking the pond. When they park, Stacey turns around to smile at Mallory and Ben.
"Stacey, can I see you outside?" Mallory asks, opening the door and stepping out.
Stacey glares and stumbles after Mallory in her mother's black stilettos and a cerulean blue miniskirt. Mallory's dressed in tan peddlepushers and a lavender-colored button-up. Stacey snorts in disapproval.
"What's wrong with you?" Stacey demands, grabbing Mallory's arm and giving it a hard yank.
"This isn't a date," Mallory protests. "This isn't what you promised."
"This is exactly what I promised," snaps Stacey. "I'm helping you grow up. And you're acting like an ungrateful baby." Stacey unsnaps the top four buttons on Mallory's blouse and smiles, reassuringly. "You might as well get it over with. These are steps to growing up, Mal. Ethan and I did it when I was thirteen. Everyone's done it. Everyone's doing it."
Mallory says nothing, just stares over the edge of the cliff, down onto the shimmering water of Miller's Pond. It's like a glimmer in the darkness. Mallory wonders if she could dive over the cliff, straight into the cool, moonlit water, and swim away. She could run home, fast fast fast on her long, gangly legs. Maybe Stacey wouldn't follow. Maybe Stacey would leave her alone.
And in the morning, Mallory would wake completely altered on her own.
"Trust me, Mal. I won't steer you wrong,"
Stacey locks a tight grip around Mallory's thin wrist and pulls her toward the car. She smiles one last time. "Don't embarrass me. Or yourself."
Inside the car, Mallory moves close to Ben. He's staring at his hands with their broad, smooth fingers. Mallory knows their touch well. Mallory and Ben don't make eye contact. They hear a zipper pull and Stacey's fluffy blonde head disappears from view.
They stare at the back of Sam Thomas' head for what seems an eternity. Finally, Mallory flexes her fingers, suddenly stiff and cold. She undoes the button on Ben's jeans and tugs the zipper slowly down. Mallory lowers onto her stomach, flat as the cramped backseat will allow, and puts her head in Ben's lap.
Ben moans so loudly the car nearly shakes from the force as the sound reverberates off the windows and doors. Mallory doesn't feel grown up. Ben groans. Mallory gags.
And throws up.