We were among the first to leave Audrey’s party. As we started out, I saw Steve Marks poke Aaron playfully in the ribs and overheard him say, “Leaving early? I guess you got what you wanted tonight.” “Worry about yourself,” Aaron told him. It was actually Aaron more than I who was concerned with the time. “I’m not risking your getting grounded,” he told me, half joking. “I’d end up moaning like a dog in heat under your bedroom window.” I was glad Aaron had drunk very little vodka. I’d had more but stopped before I would get sick. Lila didn’t look too well when I saw her after Aaron and I had come out of Audrey’s bedroom. She was holding her stomach and lying in a corner with her eyes closed. That was all I’d need to do, and I wouldn’t just be grounded, I’d be incarcerated. I wasn’t exactly winning sympathy at home these days. “You’d better make sure no one goes home plastered,”
