Outside the muted traffic noises were a relief to Rae's ears and the autumn chill felt good on Rae's skin. She breathed deep, tasting the nip all the way down to her lungs.
"We better get back," Vi said. She started off at a fast pace and didn't say anything more. They walked back in silence but Rae didn't slip back into plotting her story again. She felt on edge. Vi only got quiet when she was really upset about something.
Back on her driveway, she watched Vi dig her keys out. "Well, see you around, Vi."
"It's still about Ryan, isn't it?"
Rae halted in mid-turn, her mind slammed to a bewildered stop.
"It's his birthday this weekend. You're not the only one who misses him you know."
Rae risked a look at her not wanting to make eye contact. Vi fidgeted with her car keys looking distinctly un-Vi-like.
"I can't… I mean, I don't-" Vi sighed in frustration before starting over, "Pretending that nothing's happened, that nothing's changed since last spring is killing me, Rae." Her voice had dropped so low that Rae almost stepped nearer. "And, considering the fact that you never leave your house anymore, I don't think you're doing so well either. I heard you're seeing a shrink."
Rae looked away. Iron clenched her stomach.
"I want to be friends again. You know, actually talk and hang out without this," Vi searched for the right word, "this façade." She paused and took a slow breath, "Rae, I'm sorry about what happened after the play."
Silence hung uncomfortably in the air but Vi didn't say anything more.
"You know," Rae said at last. "It is almost five and I have to help with dinner again tonight. And I have a geometry test tomorrow." She avoided Vi's gaze, "I'll see you around, k?" She didn't wait for an answer. She pushed the door to the garage open and shut it hard behind her. Outside, Vi's car rumbled to life and faded into the distance.
The iron weight in Rae's stomach didn't ease, it reached up and pulled on the corners of her eyes, drawing rivulets of salty liquid down Rae's face.
