Read Online Nothing Bad Is Going to Happen by Kathleen Hale - Free Book Online Page A

Bzz
    I scan the floor for my phone and see a note taped to one of the coffee table legs.
    HELLO MY PEBBLE.
    I GO GROCERY. ALSO TALK FEELINGS TO DOM.
    SOUP IS ON!
    ROSA
    I taught her the phrase soup’s on a few weeks ago, and I think she loves it because she uses it even when she isn’t cooking—like when we’re waiting in the drive-through line at McDonald’s, or when she’s about to enter a room. Or when the Packers are winning.
    I toss the note on the table, pick up my phone, and survey the weapons spread out on the floor. When I told Rosa about the shadowy figure at Davey’s house, she not only believed me but said that we should arm ourselves. She locked all the doors and brought out a whole bag of knives and stuff that I didn’t know she had. Then she taught me how to build some basic booby traps, including trip wires.
    Somehow, instead of feeling more freaked out by all the shiny blades, I actually felt safe—finally—to the point where I didn’t even need to sleep in the same bed withRosa, which was a huge relief, mostly because she snores like a bear.
    Anyway, it turns out I feel most at ease when I’m in an environment where my heightened anxiety feels appropriate. Like in a room full of loaded weapons. I should mention that to Dr. Ferguson tonight, at our impromptu session. I wonder if it’s a thing.
    My phone starts buzzing again in my hand. I don’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
    â€œHey, girrrrl,” Libby says. “How in the glory heck was last night?”
    â€œOh.” I stupidly didn’t put her in my phone because of my no-new-friends policy. If I had, I definitely would have ignored this call.
    â€œDid you like it or did you love it? Do you need me to bring over an ice pack for your hoo hah? I’ve only texted you a billion times.”
    â€œThings didn’t go as planned,” I mumble. Across the room, Mom’s negligee is draped over a chair.
    â€œWhat happened?” Libby asks, lowering her voice. “Was his you-know-what too big?”
    â€œWhat? No—”
    â€œOh Gah!” she shouts. “It wasn’t too small, was it?”
    I slap my forehead and take a deep breath. “Libby, are you sitting down?”
    â€œI’m on the treadmill,” she says.
    â€œYou’re not even breathing hard.”
    â€œI’m an athlete,” she huffs. “I have, like, terrific stamina.”
    â€œDavey’s in a coma,” I say, just to get it out. “When I showed up at his house last night he was unconscious and there were pills everywhere and Staake says that he drank forty-eight beers, but he didn’t, also there was an intruder in the house and I think Ralph was involved because he left me a weird voice mail but no one believes me—”
    There’s a crashing sound in the background.
    â€œLibby?”
    â€œI fell off the treadmill,” she calls, sounding faraway. “One sec, I gotta find my phone. Oh my Gah!” she exclaims, her voice loud again. “Are you okay?”
    â€œAre you okay? You just flew off a treadmill.”
    â€œWhatever, my body’s built for speed. Did the police come?”
    â€œJust Staake.”
    â€œEw. Did he check the house?”
    â€œYes. He didn’t see anyone.” I tell her about the voice mail from Ralph.
    â€œBut the PO box was empty yesterday,” she says.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œThis is really weird.”
    Rosa and Libby. That’s two people who believe me now. “Also, thanks for not immediately assuming he tried to kill himself. That’s what everyone else is saying, but it isn’t true.”
    Libby’s quiet. “Duh,” she says finally.
    â€œI was thinking maybe I should go to the hospital? I could call them but I feel like I’d be more likely to get the full scoop in person. I just want to know how he’s doing.”
    â€œDouble duh.”
    â€œI