Page 190 of Bitter’s Sweet

I keep scrubbing the brush.

Lark notices. “You gonna look at that?”

“No.”

“Healthy.”

“Thank you.”

“It could also be Publishers Clearing House.”

“Is that still a thing?”

“No idea. I’m young and beautiful.”

Junie throws a paper towel at her.

My phone buzzes a third time.

Three.

Nobody texts three times unless somebody is bleeding, angry, or selling extended car warranties.

My stomach tightens.

Mercy is on her way to get my things. Mama is still upstairs.

And Bitter...

No.

Mercy would call.

Bitter would probably show up in a doorway and ruin my nervous system personally.

I dry my hands and look at the screen.

Unknown number.

Cold crawls over my skin.

Not again.

I stare at it.

The first message is only two words.

Saw that.

Every sound in the school seems to move farther away.

I do not touch the phone.

A second message appears.

He picked the club.

My stomach drops.