The Twilight Swimmer Read Online Free

laughed a goodbye to Ms. Grace, hiding somewhere in the depths of her office, and turned to stride past Brandi. But when he saw her, he stopped in his tracks and looked down. “Seriously?” he asked with a snicker. “You?”
    “Me.”
    “So much for that pedestal you used to live on, huh?” He pulled the sucker out of his mouth to laugh more freely. It was blue. She smelled his raspberry breath as he leered at her, and was glad he took the smell with him when he strode out into the hall.
     
    In a school building full of institutional white walls and oppressive tube lighting, the counselor’s office was an oasis: floor lamps, a hard wood desk, a plush blue couch and art work from years of travel. All of these details were reflections of the counselor’s personality, but they were also carefully chosen to make students feel comfortable. Her office was meant to be a second home for students, an escape, a refuge. Brandi entered with a knock, and Ms. Grace waved her in with a toothy smile. Her brown hair was cut short, not quite pixie but close. She wore black frame glasses that she didn’t need, purely to help her look her age. Early thirties, Brandi guessed. No one knew for sure, and Ms. Grace wasn’t about to tell.
    “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, but it’s a pleasure,” said Ms. Grace. She reached for a bowl of chocolate candies at the edge of her desk and slid it toward Brandi, gesturing for her to help herself. Brandi shook her head ‘no’ and sat down on the blue couch. She sank into the ultra-soft cushion. Like sinking into water, thought Brandi. Like drowning slowly. Ms. Grace moved from the swivel chair behind her desk and took a seat next to Brandi, tucking one foot under her body and propping one elbow on the couch back. “You look well.”
    “I am well,” said Brandi. Ms. Grace always said you looked well, even if you didn’t. It was a trick, a way to judge how well you felt by your reaction to her casual assessment. If you flinched, if you hesitated, if you laughed nervously… the gig was up. “You look well, too.”
    “I’m exhausted, truth be told. Too much coffee, too much TiVo. But that’s our little secret.”
    Another trick, Brandi thought. She makes a ‘confession’ so I’ll feel more comfortable making a confession of my own.
    Ms. Grace leaned back toward the door to her office and gently pushed it closed. With another generous smile for Brandi, she tucked a throw pillow between her ribs and the couch and waited for Brandi to speak.
    Brandi didn’t speak.
    “I’d like to think you’ve come to my office for a social visit, but it’s the middle of first period. Who do you have for first period? Mrs. Havershore?”
    “Mr. Francisco.”
    Ms. Grace nodded, wrinkling her nose. “What’s got him riled this morning? Were you chewing your gum too loudly?”
    “I don’t chew gum.”
    Ms. Grace inched closer, now cradling the throw pillow in her lap. “Brandi, we’ve been through this before. If you don’t offer up information, if you make me ask and ask and ask, we might never figure out what’s going on with you, or how I can help. I’m not here just because they pay me to be here. I’m here because I care about my students. Because I care about you.” Ms. Grace sighed and lowered her eyes a moment. For effect? Brandi wasn’t sure. “Talk to me, Brandi. Tell me what happened.”
    “I didn’t study for my test.”
    “And you told Mr. Francisco you weren’t ready to take it?”
    “No. I just didn’t take it.”
    Ms. Grace’s eyes went wide. “Brandi Vine! What has gotten into you?” She shook her head, seemingly amazed, then drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I should not have raised my voice. I’m just… surprised. Every time we talk it seems you’ve gotten just a little farther from the girl you used to be. The Brandi I used to know wouldn’t show up for a test unless she was ready to teach the class. And now?”
    “I’m sorry,” said Brandi,