A couple of cars in front have their left their headlights on, while their cranked-up stereos have a duel going on between hip hop and some techno beat. Clumps of kids stand in the front yard and along the side of the house. All of them cling to beer bottles or super-sized red SOLO cups in their hands.The backyard is a party oasis, with a deck, pool, chickee hut, bar, and flat-screen TV hung on the wall. Lots of furniture and flowers. Sasha’s mean-girl minions cluster around her on the deck. She looks my way, says something, and the girls all laugh.Emily says, “This could get ugly.”I glare at her and Nigel. “It already is.” Eugene moves in and places his hand on the small of my back. I’m not sure if it’s to calm me or to steer me away from Sasha.A huge green plastic trashcan on wheels is filled with ice and beer. Nigel grabs a two cans, one for Em and one for himself. Em takes one teeny sip and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. I know she hates the taste of beer.
