“Fine,” I say. “What is it?”

“So I was just talking to Matthew, and he said his mom ate at Lemongrass last week. He said she saw you and Elizabeth there.”

“That was rude of her to not say hello.”

“Whatever. Matthew said his mom thought Elizabeth had a lot to drink that night, too.”

“Are you serious? Which one is Matthew’s mom again?”

“Super long hair, flower dress.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“She wasn’t shit-talking or anything. She just mentioned it, I guess, and I wouldn’t have repeated it except—”

“What? Spit it out.”

“This is really awkward. I don’t even know how to say it.”

“Say it.”

“All right. Fine. Fuck it. Fine.” He shakes his head. “I was just wondering if it’s okay for Elizabeth to be drinking like this.”

My stomach twists. “She’s not an alcoholic, Jonah. I don’t even think her sister is a real alcoholic, if you want to know the truth. Laurie just likes going to those meetings. Don’t put Elizabeth under a microscope because her sister is a fuckup.” I pretend to care about the contents of this shelf. “Not that it’s up for discussion, but if you care so much, she actually took an Ativan before dinner that night, unbeknownst to me, which was clearly a mistake but also none of Matthew’s mom’s business.” I slap his arm. “Let’s go back in and face these idiots.”

Jonah doesn’t follow. “Wait,” he says. “I’m not talking about that.”

I give up and ask, “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think she’s an alcoholic.” He closes his eyes, shakes his head. “This is so awkward.”

“Spit it out, Jonah.”

He breathes through his teeth. “Fucking fuck. Okay. Fine. Is Elizabeth pregnant?”

Stay cool. “Are you kidding?”

“What? No, I’m not kidding.”

“Elizabeth is not pregnant. Jesus Christ, Jonah.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. What made you think that?”

“You have to promise not to tell anyone. I’m serious, Dad.”

“Jonah, tell me now.”

“Promise.”

“Jonah,” I snap.

“Okay. So remember how I told the cops I hadn’t seen Nick the day before he—”

“Yes.”

“Well, I was so panicked I forgot that I’d talked to him the night before. By the time it clicked, I couldn’t backtrack or I’d look like a liar, so I stuck to my story. It’s not relevant anyway. It wouldn’t have made a difference if they’d known. The thing is, though, when we talked—the night before, you know—Nick told me he thought Elizabeth was—you know.”

“Pregnant.”

“Yeah.”

“Why did he think that?”

Jonah rolls his head. He wants to leave this conversation, garage, house. Escape this scene. Evacuate. But he’s stuck now, so, “He said, because you told him so.”