Jordyn: Can you believe all that gunk Cora’s been wearing on her face? Her eyelashes look like tarantulas!

Violet: Yeah, it’s a little much

Jordyn: More than a little. She looks ridiculous. I bet she’s doing it because of Gabe

Violet: Probably

Jordyn: Gabe thinks she’s gross

Violet: They used to talk a lot

Jordyn: Gabe talks to everyone. Someone should really talk to Violet about her eyelashes. I can’t wait until we’re done with this stupid project and we don’t have to pretend to like her anymore

Jordyn: Srsly? You don’t still like her, do you?

Violet: She’s all right

Jordyn: Come on! She stole your phone! And you have to admit she’s so annoying. Can you spend the night on Friday? Gemma and Kaley are coming over, too. Gabe and Russ might come over and watch a movie with us. Just don’t say anything to Cora. She’ll probably start crying if she finds out she’s not invited

Text Message Exchange Between Jordyn Petit And Violet Crow

Text Message Exchange
Between Jordyn Petit and Violet Crow

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Jordyn: Did the police talk to you? You didn’t say anything, did you?

Jordyn: Do you know how Cora is doing? My grandpa is making me go see her. I’m scared to face her

Jordyn: Why don’t you answer me?

Jordyn: I mean it, Violet. Don’t say anything about us bringing the knife. We’ll get in trouble

Thomas Petit Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Thomas Petit

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

As Thomas drives them to the hospital he fills the silence with innocuous questions and commentary. He tries to imagine the kinds of questions that Tess would ask.

He asks Jordyn about how she did on her last math test and about whether or not she decided to go out for the softball team later this spring. He asks if the art teacher ever had that baby and if it was true that the Fletcher boy had been suspended for supergluing quarters to the floor in the cafeteria.

Fine, no, yes and yes, Jordyn answers, her voice flat, expressionless.

After about five miles, Thomas runs out of questions and Jordyn leans forward and fiddles with the radio, trying to find a station that isn’t distorted with static or dedicated to saving souls. She finally settles on a country-western station even though Thomas knows Jordyn normally wouldn’t be caught dead listening to, as she calls it, that twangy crap. Jordyn’s tears have dried and though her eyes are red and her skin blotchy she seems to be pulling it together.