Drive Me Crazy (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two
Cassie

I
t’s Lana who wakes me up in the morning, instead of my alarm, since I don’t have my phone anymore. I have no interest in getting up, though. She fumbles around for probably fifteen minutes before I even turn over.

“You can have the shower first,” I say.

She pauses. “You sure?”

“I just want to lie here anyhow.” I don’t see the point in looking good when I can’t send out pictures anyway. If Kendra Mack isn’t watching, it doesn’t matter what I do.

All I care about now is getting
home
. Well, that and finding out what Kendra Mack has been texting to Cory, and why he’s being so weird.

When Lana gets out, she stands at the edge of my bed and pokes me.

“I’ve got another rule,” she says.

“What is that?”

“We’ve only got two more days to make this vacation truly unforgettable, and I say we really apply ourselves. The rule is, We Are Going to Make This the Best Trip Ever, No Matter What. Deal?”

I sit up and drag my feet over the edge of the bed. “I’m not sure how we’re going to do that, exactly.”

“Go in there, get yourself cleaned up, and let’s think about how to have some serious fun today, okay?” She grabs me by the shoulders. “Good. Times. I mean it.”

“Okay,” I grumble, dragging toward the bathroom. But I appreciate Lana’s straightforward determination. Last night, when she told me everything she’d said to Nono and Howie, it surprised me that she was so honest. For my sake. If the tables had been turned, I probably would’ve faked innocence to avoid any extra wrath that might spill over, but not Lana. It’s nice, too, to be with someone who tries to make a good time out of something less than great. My friends now are always trying to outcomplain each other. I guess I’d forgotten what it’s like hanging out with an upbeat person. And Lana’s right. I
can
try harder to make the best
out of this time. If not for my own sake, then for hers.

To my surprise, deciding to feel better
does
feel better, and as soon as I finish my shower I go straight for the little desk between our two beds. There’s a brochure I remember seeing.

“What do you think?” I hold it up for Lana.

It takes her a second to process the red-and-yellow lettering, but then she breaks into one of those adorable dimply grins.

“
River
rafting? Are you sure?” she says.

I smile as huge as I can. “You’re good at the pep talks, what can I say?”

When we meet Nono and Howie in the lobby, they both hug me like nothing ever happened. I’m so determined to follow Lana’s new rule that I even hug Howie back. I can tell Nono’s expecting me to still be mad at her, but she relaxes when Lana and I start squealing about rafting and shove the brochure at them.

“That’s not one I’d considered.” Nono laughs. “Howie, what do you think?”

He pretends to frown with uncertainty, opening the splashy brochure to examine the information on the inside.

“Well,” he drawls. “Sounds a heap better than the historical car museum, if you ask me.”

Lana and I high-five each other, and we all decide to go for the hotel’s continental breakfast, so we can get going and catch one of the first rafting tours.

“You two make quite a duo,” Nono says when we sit down. “I’m going to miss this energy when the trip’s over. I wish there wasn’t such a distance between our houses. It’d be nice if we could all be together like this more often.”

“Well, you never know what might happen,” Howie says, spreading a thin layer of butter on his bagel. “In fact, I know a place where such a wish could be made, and granted.”

Lana wiggles in her seat next to me. “This is a good story.”

“Let me guess,” I say, trying not to roll my eyes, “the End of the Road?”

Howie taps the side of his nose and smiles. “It’s very difficult to predict exactly when, but there’s a special night around the end of August there, when the entire peninsula is transformed by magic. Now, I see you not believing me, Miss Cassie, but it’s not just some old wives’ tale told by the ladies at the country store. I’ve experienced it myself—a night when fairies dance, mermaids sing, elves drum, tree sprites laugh, and wishes come true.”

“I don’t believe I’ve quite heard this version,” Nono says.

Howie’s eyes crinkle. “Well, I can’t share this story with just anyone.”

“Tell them what you have to do on that night,” Lana says. She’s practically vibrating, but Howie’s right, I don’t believe him. Nobody over the age of five believes in fairies. Certainly not in laughing trees.

“It is possible to harness all this swirling magic and make a special wish,” he goes on, “but your timing has to be impeccable. For a wish to come true, you must skip a stone exactly seven times across a smooth ocean shimmering with phosphorescence, and fireflies glinting above its surface. Skip the stone, catch one of these fireflies, release it, and look up to find your falling star. A wish made on that star, if you’ve done everything just so, always comes true.”

Nono leans back in her chair and crosses her arms. “That’s quite a pile of requirements.” I’m glad she sounds skeptical, too.

“No!” Lana blurts. “It’s true! Tell them.”

“It sounds far-fetched,” Howie agrees, “but the summer I was nineteen, there was a beautiful, tough snap of a girl I’d met at the town clambake just a couple of weeks before. I couldn’t do one thing right to get her attention, though. Every time I asked her to join me for a movie or an afternoon in the boat, she’d turn me down flat. She
was on my mind when my brothers and I went for an evening walk to the ocean. There was something different in the air—we all felt it—and Tad dared me to try for the seven skips of the legend. It took a few attempts, but I made it, and sure enough the water lit up, fireflies swirled from nowhere, and a star streaked across the sky right above us. I wasn’t sure I really believed in the magic, but I did think of Lilia, and how I wished to have one more chance with her.”

Lana keeps grinning as Howie tells us how the very next day, he and his mother ran into Lilia at the grocery store, and Lilia smiled at him in a way he’d never seen before. He’d caught sight of a poster for a band performance at the gazebo that weekend, and right there he asked if she’d be willing to join him.

“Is
that
how your first date with her happened?” Nono gasps, looking delighted.

Howie pops a bite of bagel in his mouth instead of answering, and carefully wipes his fingers. Lana’s about to burst, but in my opinion Howie’s laying it on a little thick.

“Seven weeks later, I asked that girl to be my bride,” he finally says, leaning over like he’s whispering to me in confidence. “She happened to say yes.”

“That’s not all, though,” Lana takes over. “Mom and Dad did the Magic Moment too. A few summers after they were married, and the whole family was up there together,
my parents went out to see if Grandpa Howe’s stories might be true.”

“I didn’t think Peter could manage the stone skipping, to be honest,” Howie tells us, “but nine months later, we had Lana.”

An outrageous blush flares across my face. I’m pretty sure Lana’s parents may have been doing something other than skipping stones out there. Lana’s so cute, though, I decide to never say a thing to ruin this story for her, even if it is silly.

“I tried again myself a few years ago,” Howie goes on, “when I went up to get things going on the sale of the house. That was right after we’d gotten the results from Lilia’s biopsy. But I guess my timing wasn’t right.”

The shine has gone from Howie’s eyes, and Nono squeezes his hand. “Remind me why you sold the End of the Road?” she says.

Howie explains that after Lilia’s cancer diagnosis, it was clear he’d need to be focused in Atlanta for a while. His brother Buck was gone by then, and Tad felt he couldn’t manage the property with all his international business travel. Tad’s daughter was firmly entrenched in New York, and Howie’s own children were far-flung across the country, raising families. Lilia and Howie wanted the house
to be lived in and appreciated, not sitting empty, so they decided to sell.

“Of course, at that time,” he goes on, “we thought there’d be plenty more wonderful vacations to come, but we had our sights set on more exotic places than the End of the Road.”

I’d never heard any of this about Howie’s first wife. Though I’m glad Nono and Howie found each other, it’s still sad to think about. The whole wishing thing might be ridiculous, but I can understand that it was a really special place for him.

“Well,
I’ve
always thought the End of the Road sounds exotic,” Nono says, rubbing the tablecloth on either side of her plate. “In fact, I want to see it.”

“I’ll take you out there one summer,” Howie says. “Maybe the new owners will even let us rent it.”

“No.” Nono’s voice has a firmness in it that starts a terrible feeling in my stomach. “I think we should go see it right now. Why, it’s almost the end of August as we speak. If we head out this morning, we’ll be there in a few days. Then we could
all
catch the Magic Moment, and I can’t possibly think of a more beautiful way to cap off this trip and begin our new life together. Not to mention get my wish about us all living closer. I bet at least one of you has
a big wish of your own to make, too. Come on, girls”—she pushes her chair back and stands up—“let’s call your parents and get our things.”

“Really?!”
Lana says, looking back and forth between Nono and Howie like they just told us we’re moving to the moon.

“But I can’t!” I cut in. Panic makes everything at the table look sharp. “I have something to do on Saturday. It can’t be rescheduled, and I absolutely can’t miss it.”

“Whatever could be so important?” Nono asks. She’s not questioning me in that way grown-ups do when you think something’s vital but they don’t. She genuinely wants to know. But I also know that Kendra Mack’s pool party isn’t going to be a good enough answer. Not even Cory Baxter is, because as much as Nono believes in love, she also thinks I’m too young for it. I search my brain for a lie good enough to keep Nono from dragging me across the country thanks to one of Howie’s dumb stories, but I know if there was anything truly serious on Saturday, like a funeral or a wedding, Mom and Dad would have already told her about it.

“It’s . . . my friend . . . she’s . . .”

“Yes?”

I want to say “in the hospital,” but I know that’s not anything to lie about, either. Besides, lying in front of
honest Lana feels weird. My heart sinks, and with it sinks my voice. “She’s having a really big party is all. Everyone’s going to be there, and if I miss it . . .”

“You’ll still be back for your family’s Labor Day gathering,” Nono reasons. “Plus, you’ll be with your friends every day once school starts. Who knows when you and Lana will see each other next? Or us, for that matter. Besides, I’d far rather rocket across the country with three people I love, to experience one of the most special events I’d ever heard of, than hang around at some party. Wouldn’t you?”

Nono’s not being mean about it. She honestly thinks that being stuck in the car for another week, maybe more, with her, Howie, and Lana to go stand in the dark, looking for shooting stars and making stupid wishes that will never come true, would be better than Kendra Mack’s party. Or the chance to finally talk to the boy I’ve been crushing on for months. She honestly believes that. So there’s no point—no point—in trying to explain.

“I guess so,” I say, unable to look at anyone else at the table. If I do, I’ll cry.

“Let’s get going, then.” Nono reaches a hand out to me. “I think your parents will be excited when they hear.”

“Can’t I call them on my own phone? And talk to my friend, to say why I can’t make it on Saturday?” She has to let me do at least that.

But Nono’s face says no. “Taking your phone away was punishment for lying to your grandfather and me, Cassie. I’m afraid that rule still holds. Those are the consequences of your behavior.”

“But I—”

“Grandma Tess,” Lana says at the same time, “it would only be two little texts. Can’t Cassie just—”

“No,” Nono says, firm. “End of discussion. Now let’s get this adventure started! I promise it will be an experience to remember.”

“The only thing I’m going to remember,” I say, misery crowding my head and chest, “is that I wish I’d never come on this trip!”

“Cassie,” Howie says, but I’m certainly not listening to
him
now. Instead I push myself out into the lobby, pounding on the elevator button. I can’t believe Nono is doing this to me. Not only am I going to miss the most important event of the whole summer, but I can’t even tell Kendra Mack why. And when Cory shows up, and I’m not there—

I run down the hall, desperate to get into our room. As soon as the door’s shut behind me, I slide into a crumpled pile on the floor, lean my head on my knees, and finally let out the tears.

Chapter Twenty-Three
Lana

I
feel truly terrible for Cassie, I do, but as soon as Nono said she wanted to catch the Magic Moment together, my heart lit up with the glow of a million fireflies and an ocean of phosphorescence. I’d love to see the place Grandpa Howe has told me so many stories about, and more than that, I know exactly what Grandma Tess meant when she said she bet at least one of us had a big wish to make. Catching the Magic Moment is the one thing I can do to save my mother. I can’t pass it up.

After Cassie leaves in such a fit, Grandpa Howe stands and squeezes Grandma Tess around the shoulders before leading us to the elevator. “This is going to be a far better adventure,” he says. “Cassie will come around.”

I nod and follow, though I’m not sure, in Cassie’s case, Grandpa Howe will be right.

I go to Grandma Tess and Grandpa Howe’s room so we can all talk to my parents at the same time. Grandma Tess dials first and tells Mom what our plan is.

“I’m so glad we have your blessing, Frankie,” she says to Mom. “Lana wants to say hi too.”

I take the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

When she says hi back, the worn-out sound of her voice makes my heart twist up. Now I’ll be away from her even longer. It’s to help make sure I don’t lose her entirely, but suddenly I think that it might not be easy.

Her tiredness seems even bigger than yesterday. Like she’s softer, blurrier. Maybe I should forget this plan and head straight home.

“Do you think I should go?” I ask her.

“Of course I think so, sweetie. Your father’s burning with jealousy, but we’re both excited for you. I think we can tough it out on our own for another week or two, even though we do miss you. I’m not up for much more than working and sleeping these days, anyhow. Having fun with your grandparents will be better than hanging around your weary old mom.”

My throat clenches. Having fun with my grandparents
will be better than watching my mother die, she means. Maybe that’s really how she’d prefer it—facing whatever this is without me there.

“How are you feeling right now?” I say.

“Oh,” she says, more breath than voice, “for the most part okay. Frustrated that these headaches want to be a constant thing. I’m going to see Dr. Owen tomorrow in case she has suggestions, but it isn’t anything to be worried about. I’m sure it’s stress, mainly, which is always temporary. Please don’t let it ruin your beautiful trip.”

There are so many things she could be not saying, it makes my own head start to ache. “You sure you don’t need me to come help?”

If she asked me to, I would. And then, I guess, at least Cassie would be happy.

“Oh no, honey. That’s sweet of you, but we’re really okay.”

“I’ll bring you back a rock from the beach,” I say, since I still can’t say all the other things.

“And spit in the ocean for me.” She laughs.

We say “I love you” and hang up, and I head back to my room to pack. Even though Mom’s glad we’re going to Maine, if she’s talking about actually going to the doctor now, I know it’s continuing to get worse. We need to get to the Magic Moment, and we need to do it fast.

When I let myself into our room, Cassie’s sitting on her bed, clicking through channels with the TV remote instead of packing.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“No, I’m not okay, but thank you for asking.” Her voice is cold again, though at least this time I know why, and that the why isn’t me.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I say.

She stares at the screen, channels flipping by so fast I can’t tell what the shows are. I don’t know what to do, exactly.

“I think Grandma Tess and Grandpa Howe are pretty keen on leaving soon.”

“You all have a good time.” She’s still not looking at me. “I’m not going.”

“Cassie, you can’t stay here by yourself.”

“I’m not staying here,” she says. “I’m going to take the bus back. It’s not that far, and I have money. I can get someone at the desk downstairs to help me.”

Her chin is up and her voice is stiff, but both of us know no one will allow this to happen. Not even Grandpa Howe.

Before I can tell her so, there’s a knock at our door.

“Cassie, I have your mother on the phone,” Grandma Tess says from outside. “She’d like to speak with you, please.”

Cassie rolls her eyes and unfolds herself, leaving the TV on some cooking show. She opens the door and glares at Grandma Tess, holding out her hand for the phone.

“I’m not going,” Cassie says to her mom right away.

I head to the bedside table to collect my things. I think Grandma Tess should let Cassie talk to her mom in private, but she doesn’t budge. I wonder if I should go into the bathroom and shut the door, so at least Cassie doesn’t have to have this conversation in front of Grandma Tess
and
me.

There isn’t much for us to overhear, though, because Cassie’s mom is doing most of the talking. Cassie’s end of the conversation sounds like: “No,” and “Saturday,” and “Yes,” and “Kendra Mack.” Then she listens for a while.

“Mom, I told you about it at, like, the beginning of the summer. I told you about it before I left
.
”

More listening. Cassie’s mom obviously has a lot to say about this.

“But you let Tom go to his friends’ almost every night.” Cassie’s voice climbs to a pitch that means she’s fighting crying. “This is just one party.”

There’s another pause. I check my duffel, but only my pajamas need rerolling.

“No,” she says, and then, “Yes, but—”

I do finally go into the bathroom, to get my toothbrush,
but mainly because I hate hearing how badly Cassie doesn’t want to do this. The walls must be thin, or else Cassie’s really loud, though, because I can’t help hearing her groan, “How can they even drive that far? Besides, I have to start thinking about school.” She waits, says, “No,” a couple of times again, and finally, “Fine.”

Grandma Tess says something to her that I can’t make out. Cassie murmurs back, the door shuts, and there’s the terrible sound of Cassie’s sobs as she collapses on the bed again.

Though I’m not sure exactly what to do, I go sit next to her. Trying to rub her back like my mom does seems like it could be a good idea, or a bad one.

“It’s so unfair,” she says wetly. “Mom says she’ll try to find Mrs. Mack’s information in the PTA directory, since not showing up without sending word would be rude, but moms talking to other moms is what happens in
third grade
. It’s worse than not telling Kendra Mack at all. At least then I could make up something really dramatic. And . . . just,
ugh
. . .” She cries harder.

“Cassie,” I try, “I know it’s terrible. I know it is. But maybe we can make it slightly less terrible. If you’re on really, really good behavior, I bet Grandma Tess will give you your phone back as soon as tomorrow. Then you can still call everyone to explain, and I’m sure they’ll understand.
They’ll probably be more worried than mad.”

“You don’t know.” She sits up to look at me. Her face is wet and messy, and strands of her straight black hair are sticking to her cheeks. I grab a bunch of tissues from the bathroom and hand them to her. She presses her face into the whole wad and cries some more.

“You have to help me keep this from happening,” she says as soon as she can talk. “You have to, Lana. I can’t not show up at this party. It’ll be like death.”

Cassie has no idea that if we don’t go to Maine, it really
will
be like death, but I can’t tell her that. She’s upset right now, and I don’t want to try and make this about me.

Still, every minute we sit here is a minute of lost fireflies. I have to get Cassie to stop crying and start packing. Once we get to the End of the Road, Cassie can wish for everything to be fine with her friends, and none of her worries will matter. So even though I’m breaking a rule that’s so important between friends you don’t even have to
say
it, I reach out, grip her shoulder, and lie.

“Cassie, I promise I will help you. But we need time to think up a truly good plan, and Grandma Tess is ready to go
now
. I think the best thing to do is put on a brave face, get in the car, and get on our way. We’ll have plenty of time to plot from the backseat.”

Her brows come together, and I think she’ll start crying
again. “Okay,” she says, like it’s the most difficult thing she’s ever been asked to do.

It’s hard not to roll my eyes at the drama, but at least she’s agreeing.

I get up from the bed and hold my hands out to her. She takes them, I pull, and we’re one step closer to Maine.