I don’t think we ever learned how to help Vive cope after the accident. Looking back on that time in our lives I realize now we’d been thrown into the crime with her.
“Usually I try to only think good thoughts. Not bad.” Taddy said. “Don’t you have any nice things you think about from when you were little?”
That was a tough one. “Hmmm, guess not. Ask me how many butterscotch spots the calico cat who’d kept me company during my childhood had and I couldn’t tell ya.”
“Sweetie was your kitty’s name. And she had one dab on her belly and one on each of her front paws. Or were they on her hind legs?” Taddy smiled at me. We’d known one another since we were babies. We were born only a few months apart.
“Why can’t my memory hold on to the good moments more vividly than the bad ones?” I asked.
“Because in our life, we’ve had few if any happy times to keep with us,” Vive muttered.
The irony of it all felt maddening. Here we were the most photographed teenagers on the east coast, had more money than we knew what to do with, attended all the right schools, and we were…miserable.
“Let’s make turning eighteen special.” Taddy glared at me suddenly, probably realizing we were not going to Paris. “Sorry…”
“Killing Sanderloo was an accident that’ll haunt all of us for the rest of our lives. I loved him. I loved my baby. And there isn’t a minute that goes by that I don’t think about them both. That’s why I can’t do another trial. Don’t you two get it? I’ll go out of my mind.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Taddy said.
“One day I hope we can forgive ourselves over the accident but right now, even to breathe, I just need to forget for a while. Please help me forget,” Vive said in a shake voice.
“And what happened today wasn’t intentional either.” Taddy went over to Vive and massaged her back. “That’s why you’re going to post bail for Lex. We’re in this together. Dick and your father must help Lex too.”
“I already told you, I can’t be locked up again.” Tormented by her emotions, her shoulders caved inward and Vive wept.
“If we stick together, we won’t be put away, not again.” Taddy kissed the top of Vive’s hand then held her. “Our new life back in this city won’t be like before. We’re all almost on our own.”
“Vive, we have to do as Taddy says.” My heartbeats quickened, hoping she wouldn’t divide us.
“Turning on Lex is out of the question. What exactly were you thinking?” Taddy pressed Vive for more information.
“I wasn’t thinking. You’re right. I’m sorry. But it’s too late. I’ve already told Dad and the lawyer not to continue defending Lex.”
“What does that mean exactly?” Taddy asked. Her tall frame overshadowed Vive as she let go of their embrace and straightened her posture.
“There’s a chance they might not pay Lex’s bail.” Closing her eyes, Vive’s fingers pressed her temples dramatically.
“Is it the money?” Taddy questioned.
She still didn’t understand. I did though.
“Cost isn’t a factor. Mr. Shapiro suggested that you and I tell the judge we knew about the arson all along. But didn’t know Birdie would be home at the time of the fire.” Vive admitted.
Crap. My body stiffened in shock. That wasn’t what I figured Vive would say.
Staring blankly with her mouth hung open, Taddy asked, “And why would we turn on our best friend?”
“We’d get a…deal.” Her brows drew together in a conflicted expression.
“Shit.” I gritted my teeth. It was as if I was observing a person I didn’t even know. Where had my very best friend Vive gone? This wasn’t like her.
“What did you say?” Taddy’s red nails dug into Vive’s arms.
Vive struggled with uncertainty. “The District Attorney’s office told Mr. Shapiro they’d get Lex’s attempted murder charge to stick if we agreed to some knowledge about the fire, beforehand. And in exchange we’d ahhh…be dismissed.”
Taddy’s right hand came up as if she’d strike Vive. She didn’t. Instead she caressed Vive’s cheek with pity. Her desperation seemed palpable. In a terse voice, she clarified, “You’re sayin’ if we testify against Lex—setting her up for attempted murder—our arson charges will be dropped?”
Dazed, Vive nodded.
Blood pumped in my ears. I sensed every follicle on my scalp tingle. For a second I thought, I had gained superhuman powers. I didn’t. No, instead I realized I hadn’t gained a thing. Rather I lost my two best friends. Icy despair froze at my heart.
Sweet Motor Cop Jesus
Whack! Taddy slapped Vive.
Under normal circumstances, Vive probably would’ve smashed Taddy’s pretty face into the wall. But stupid she was not. After all we’d been through together and all the times we’d stood by her, she knew better.
“Stop.” Vive blocked Taddy’s second strike.
“What the frick—” Ready to throw a punch, Taddy pulled back.
“No, Taddy!” I grabbed her arm. Her skin felt sticky.
Heaving, we waited for Vive to catch her breath. She tried to speak.
“Go on. Whaddya got to say for yourself?” Taddy said.
“I told Daddy, the lawyer, and the DA, no.”
“Good. Thank you, Vive.” I felt so relieved.
“I said we won’t give false testimony.” Vive pushed her ashy blonde hair back from her sweaty face. My underarms were moist too. All these emotions flying around us caused me to sweat. Plus the air conditioning had shut off some time ago.
“Did you tell Dick that you and Taddy wanted to be tried separately?” I asked.
“Yes.” Shame darkened her eyes.
“Jesus Christ, Vive,” Taddy shouted.
“I told Mr. Shapiro…you and I will tell the truth. We had no idea any explosion was planned.”
“Because it wasn’t.” Suddenly I realized the importance of assembling my own defense team. “If Dad can’t help us in time, Blake might.” Blake was my number two call. After I was only able to get a hold of Dad’s manager, I’d called Blake as back-up. I’d begged him to go to the hospital, talk to Mom. “Maybe he could convince Birdie to tell the authorities she’d started the fire and not me. Then we’d be cleared of all charges.”