EVE
WHEN I TURN around this time, Art is very close to me. So close that I can make out red spiderwebs in the whites of his eyes. So close that I can detect a hint of whiskey on his breath. It hits me now that what happened to him has destroyed him in more ways than one.
“Eve.” His voice sounds slightly choked. “I need to tell you something.” “Art,” I murmur. I’m not sure I want to know what he has to say.
“Listen,” he says, “you need to be careful around Addie Severson.”
My mouth feels dry as I look into his bloodshot eyes. “Art, do you need a ride home?”
“No, that’s not what I’m trying to say!” His jaw clenches in frustration. “Look, I kept my mouth shut for her sake, but that girl is not well. There’s…there’s stuff you don’t know.”
“Art…”
“You need to hear this, Eve.” A muscle twitches under his right eye. I’ve never seen him quite like this, although if he’s been drinking, that does sort of explain it. “You’re like me, and you try to help students who need it. But you have to be very careful around her. She’s… Addie is a troubled girl.”
“I will,” I say in a small voice.
Art finally lets go of my arm, and his whole body seems to deflate. He drops his eyes, and his shoulders sag. I reach out and put my own hand on his shoulder.
“Let me give you a ride home, okay?” I say. I’m sure he came with his car, but I don’t think he’s in any position to be driving right now.
“Okay,” he says in a small, defeated voice.
I abandon my quest for the perfect avocado, and I lead Art back to the parking lot. I drive him to his house, where thankfully his wife is home. I explain the situation to her, trying not to use the word “drunk” although it’s hard. The worst part is that Marsha doesn’t seem to be the slightest bit surprised. It’s obvious that since the whole mess went down with Addie Severson, their lives have taken a downhill turn.
Addie is a troubled girl.
I have no doubt that Art must harbor a serious grudge against Addie. But at the same time, nobody is going to accuse me of having an affair with her. She’s in my class, so I’m going to teach her like I do every other student. Nothing more.
