The walk to the reservoir was an easy one—all lighted sidewalks and no creepy treks through the woods. Even from a distance, I spotted Kori doing cartwheels on the crumbling rock of the retaining wall. She was there every night. These days I was sneaking out to meet Kori more often than not.

As soon as I was in earshot, Kori called to me. “Hey, kitten!”

The force of her shout caused her to bobble, and my heart made a white-knuckle grab of my rib cage. But she just laughed. She was fine. She’s always fine.

“You’re going to kill yourself!”

“Only if I bomb the dismount.” She winked. Then she did a perfect pirouette. The balance beam was her favorite apparatus from her gymnast-wannabe days. They came before her cheerleader-wannabe days, which came before me.

“Just get down, please. Please!”

“Oh, relax,” she said, and then did a handspring off of the wall. “Come on, get up and try it. Just stand. It’s at least three times as wide as a beam. Easy.”

“Yeah, no thanks.”

“Wuss. So, how was the porn, latchkey girl?” Kori asked.

“Great. The child molester said to say hello. He’s grooming me; do I look well groomed?” I struck a sarcastic pose.

“I just love what he’s done with your hair.”

“He wants me to run away, cross state lines to meet him. He seems like such a winner. I think he’s the one. I really do.”

“Yeah, the only person in the world who totally gets you.” She pumped her fist over her crotch like guys do.

“You totally get me,” I reminded her.

“Then let’s run away, cross state lines.”

“Hmm … where should we go? Nebraska? Kansas? New Mexico? What other states border us?”

“I don’t know, I flunked Colorado history, remember?”

She reached into her backpack and tossed me a beer. Her older brother Kieren buys them with his fake ID. He’s not very good about hiding them or keeping count. He’s also easily distracted when I strike up stupid conversations with him while he’s trying to brush his teeth before bed. I don’t think it’s my wit and charm so much as the boxies and snug-fitting tank top with no bra. Kori claims my flirting with her brother is revolting and since we’re like sisters, it’s also kind of incestuous. I think it’s harmless, and besides, who can argue with the results?

Kori started rolling a joint.

“Can I get a hit?” I asked when she exhaled.

“No. You talk too funny.”

It took me a minute to realize she was talking about the first and only time I’d tried it. Kori let me, as a test, she said. Since then she hasn’t let me try it again. I guess I failed.

“My voice sounded weird?”