40. Should I Stay or Should I Go?
When Gigi gets back to First Light, the dog, Henrietta, growls at her, and Gigi sighs. “I know you hate me and you have every right.” She gets a glass of ice water and heads down the hall to Hibiscus Heaven. She changes out of her jersey dress and into a T-shirt and running shorts, and then she packs her bags.
She can’t believe what happened at dinner. That woman, Electra. I’m certain we’ve met somewhere.
Gigi has to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
She climbs into bed but she can’t sleep. She lies there for over an hour before she hears voices in the kitchen. Hollis and… Tatum, it sounds like.
They’re giggling. Gigi hears the suck of the refrigerator door, the crinkle of a bag of chips. Drunken late-night snacking and gossip that Gigi would ruin if she interrupted, though Hollis would be kind enough to pretend otherwise.
Eventually the voices grow fainter and Gigi nods off—but she’s awoken a little while later when she hears Brooke and Dru-Ann stumbling down the hall. It sounds like Dru-Ann is helping Brooke to bed.
“Here’s water and a couple of Advil. Trust me, you’re going to want them.”
“But you’re not mad at me. Not mad at me, right? I’m soooooo, so, so, so sorry.”
“No, I’m not mad. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow morning, you won’t remember any of this.”
Gigi hears Brooke’s bedroom door click shut and Dru-Ann sigh. Gigi reaches for her phone. There’s a text from her neighbor Tim. How is it going??? Does she know? Are you going to tell her? Give me tea!
Gigi types, Fine, no, I’m not sure—then deletes it. How dull.
She types, Well, I’m still here! And she hits Send, thinking, But who knows what tomorrow will bring.
