"Tibby, where did you meet Laura and Chaney?" My mom questions, as we eat Chinese takeout on my mom's fine china. Laura and Chaney smile at my mom, but wait for me to speak.I hesitate, not sure what to tell her. I don't want her knowing I've been living in a shed and an abandoned building in the desert.
"We, uh…".I stutter. "We met at the Gas and Guz." I lie and give Laura and Chaney a look that says, don't say anything about my lie.
"Oh, hmm. Okay, well where have you been staying Tibby?"
"With us," Laura says.
"And where would that be?"
"Overtree Park," Chaney chimes in. "It's in the desert," She smiles at my mom.
"Why aren't you back in school, Tibby?" She smiles at Chaney, but frowns when she stares at me. I was hoping she would drop it and be pleased that I'm home, for now. "You're father and I are worried about you."
"You don't have to worry mom, I'm fine." Right as my mom is about to say something the doorbell rings.
"Tibby, could you get that? I'm expecting someone. I have some baked goods in the kitchen."
"Sure," I stand, eager to get away from this awkward dinner. I walk over to the door, without checking the peephole. It's a bad habit I've developed over the years. I start to say hi, though I immediately stop when I see who is standing before me. It's him. Evan Billings. He grins and pushes me aside to come in like he owns the place. My jaw drops. He actually strolled in here uninvited. WTF!
"Hi, Tibby. You look surprised to see me." He shows me his pearly whites and heads toward the living room.
My fists curl into balls at my sides as I follow him. Shit! Chaney's in there. I think to myself. All three of them were laughing when we entered the room and then, silence when Laura and Chaney see who my mom's visitor is. Chaney's eyes go wide and Laura maintains a poker face. "Hey, Evan! How's your mom doing?" My mom asks. She smiles warmly at him. His charming good looks don't go unnoticed by my mom. If she only knew this was Solia's killer, then she wouldn't be staring at him with a dreamy gaze. He turns toward my mom and says, she's fine, Patty, thank you.
"Tibby, have you met Evan? He takes care of his mom. They live down the street."
"No, we haven't met." I raise my eyebrows at him and decide to be rude, so he leaves. "Just take whatever it is that you came for and go." I say, bluntly. He raises his eyebrows back and challenges me to keep talking.
"Did you…."
My mom cuts me off, "Tibby! You should be ashamed of yourself! I invited him over here to get a couple of pies I baked for them" I grit my teeth and ignore Evans' eyes on me. I pass him and sit by Chaney. I can tell she's nervous. I squeeze her hand under the table, letting her know I'm here.
"It's alright Patty. I think if you don't mind I will stay and chat with Tibby. Maybe we can get to know each other." She nods her head and leads Evan ove to the table.
I stand and shake my head. "Mom, I really don't want him here. Evan take your pies and go!" He approaches me with arrogance and gets in my face.
"Do we have a problem Tibby?" He glares
"Um...Evan, why don't we go get those pies. We can catch up some other time." My mom puts her hand on his shoulder and escorts him to the kitchen, out of sight. My mom knows my temper gets the best of me. She has always prevented me from getting into fights. This fight with Rvan is not something I am willing to lose.
Laura, Chaney and I are all silent, listening to my mom and Evan talk. "Listen, I'm sorry about Tibby. She's been so strange ever since her sister went missing."
"Patty, it's no problem. I understand. Thank you for the pies."
I hear footsteps and watch Evan like a hawk when he enters the room to leave. He smirks and turns towards us. "Bye Tibby. Bye Laura. Bye Chaney." He glances at Chaney and winks. We all say nothing as he approaches the door to leave. "Oh and Tibby, see you soon."
I scream in frustration after he shuts the door. "What the hell was that about Tibby? Why were you so rude to that nice young man? When did you get like this?" Her eyes are watering as she sits down at the table.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I don't like him. He can't come here anymore. He is not to be trusted. Okay?" I plead, softly. My goal wasn't to upset my mom when I told him to leave. I walk over and put my hands over hers. "He's not the nice person you think he is."
"What do you mean?"
"That's exactly what I mean. He's a piece of shit!"
"Watch your mouth." she glares.
"Mom, I have something to tell you. Don't freak out."
"Okay…" She says, apprehensively.
"He killed Solia."
Her eyes go wide and her mouth drops open. Everyone is silent as my mom let's what I said sink in. She starts to sob and grips my arm, pulling me into the kitchen. "What the hell are you trying to pull? In front of our guests!" I grab her and hug her, allowing her to cry on my shoulder.
"Mom, I know you have hope that Solia is still alive, but she's not."
"How do you know?" Her blurry eyes fixate on my face.
"Because, I know. Evan Billings is the one who did it. You have to believe me."
"I've had my suspicions that she was murdered,Tibby; however, I don't think it's Evan. He wouldn't do that."
"Mom! She's gone and Evan was the one who killed her." I grab her firmly by the shoulders and tell her, "he did it. I am certain. Are you going to believe me or not?"
She sniffles and wipes the tears away. "Tibby, this is crazy, but I believe you. What are we going to do next?"