Tangled Up in Daydreams by Rebecca Bloom Page B

entire female race.”
    â€œI wish she looked like Cousin Itt.” Wiping off her face again.
    â€œI used to think Elena was hot, but soon I realized she had no soul. Every time I see her, it’s like she morphs into Medusa circa Clash of the Titans . You, on the other hand, are like Aphrodite reincarnate.”
    â€œThanks.” Leaning over and giving Jay a kiss on the cheek. “Great fucking birthday!”
    â€œIt was. Don’t let him ruin it.”
    â€œToo late.” Getting teary again.
    â€œStop. I command you!”
    â€œCommand me?”
    â€œYes, I’m giving you specific important orders to not dwell on what your lame-ass stupid boyfriend has just done until tomorrow.”
    â€œIt is tomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow, tomorrow. We are going to call the rest of our friends, go to my house, drink more, get super stoned, and celebrate the perfectness of you until the sun comes up!”
    â€œFine. I always do as I am told.”
    â€œCan I get that on tape?”
    â€œJust drive.” Turning up the radio.
    Molly and Jay rallied a small group and hung out dancing and singing karaoke off Jay’s machine until dawn. Molly was numbed by liquor and weed and soundly fell asleep in Jay’s bed. What truly was celebrated was the perfectness of Molly’s best friend. Jay had an uncanny ability to boost Molly’s immune system and get her through the night.
    The morning after though was a whole other enchilada. Molly woke up at about noon with a throbbing headache and stomach cramps racking her torso. Half twisted in Jay’s blue duvet, she struggled to untangle without rousing her friend. Molly gingerly inched out of bed, came to a standing position, took two steps to the bathroom tripped on a random stiletto, knocked over a glass of water, screamed, fell back into the bed, and landed on Jay.
    â€œFuck!” Jay exclaimed.
    â€œSorry,” Molly replied, rubbing her foot and readjusting her tush so it wasn’t directly on top of her friend.
    â€œYour ass in my face is not what I usually like to wake up to.”
    â€œI know, sorry again.” Wiping the sleep from her eyes. “I tried to be quiet.”
    â€œSomething you are never good at.” Rolling over. “What time is it?”
    â€œTwelvish. I’m going to get in the shower. Where are the extra towels?”
    â€œHall closet. Wake me again when you are all done.”
    â€œI’m going to borrow clothes.”
    â€œWhatever.”
    Molly made her second attempt for the bathroom and this time she was successful. She rummaged around in the drawers, searching for Advil and a rubber band for her hair. She flipped on the hot water and slipped off her underwear and tank top. Under the spray, she took a deep breath and replayed the scattered images she could recollect from last night. There was a party full of friendly faces, a boyfriend who showed up wrapped around the girl she hated most in the world, a close-up of some sketchy toilet, her horrible rendition of “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” karaoke style, and a best friend who did her best to make everything all right. Molly took another deep breath and let the water massage the back of her neck.
    This was the first time Liam had really disappointed her. As simple as that. An event that could only have brought them closer had turned into a sour little pill of reality. Molly felt a bit woozy. How could he have managed to fuck this one up? It was so easy. Show up for your girlfriend’s birthday party, mingle with her friends, and make her feel like a million trillion dollars. A no-brainer. Molly wondered what the excuses would be, what line of defense he would take. Molly knew she would forgive him, her resolve would turn to mush the minute he showed up, but in the pit of her stomach she had this nagging sensation that this wouldn’t be the last time.
    Molly dried off and threw on her dirty underwear, a pair of