Page 21 of Dead to Me

“No, mine was black.”

China froze. Malcolm looked between us. I started to smile slowly.

“China’s was blue.”

Malcolm frowned.

“I could’ve sworn…”

“You’re thinking of me.”

The room went quiet. China laughed nervously.

“Y’all are twins. It’s easy to mix things up.”

Sierra lifted her glass.

Everyone laughed except me. I looked at Malcolm, then at China. A chill ran down my neck. Malcolm had known us since college. He dated me for almost four years, and China was always around. He should have remembered which car was mine and which was hers. Maybe the mix-up meant something more.

Sierra moved on.

“What tattoo does China have that nobody can see unless she’s naked?”

China threw a pillow at her.

“Sierra!”

The room screamed with laughter. Sierra ducked.

“Answer!”

Malcolm grinned.

“Left Hip,” I answered quickly.

I looked over at China. There was a small butterfly on her left hip. I remembered being there when she got it. We were nineteen then.

I stared at her. China noticed me staring.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“I was trying to remember when you got that tattoo.”

“Nineteen.”

I nodded. She gave me a small smile.

About half an hour later, the room was louder than before. Malcolm was gone. I noticed right away. China was gone too. I checked the bathroom door, then the empty balcony. As I headed to the hallway, Sierra looked up.

“Where you going?”

“Bathroom.”

“It’s one right there.”