She squeezed harder. "I did magic. I created spells. I begged for my sister's help. Nothing. I couldn't find you. And now you're back. My prayer must've worked. I finally had to go to God, though I hope the goddesses don't condemn me. I was at a loss, but it doesn't matter." She let go and then skipped in front of me as she beamed. Brown threw her arms in the air. "You're home! Welcome back."
"Davy?"
I looked back up and saw Pippa in her doorway. She tugged on her two braids in shock. "Are you—is that you?"
Pete turned to her, but she looked away.
I waved a helpless hand in the air. "Hey everyone. I'm back."
Kates stood in my doorway and lifted up the phone. "Can I order pizza? I'm starving."
Pippa looked taken aback. Brown frowned. "Who are you?"
Emily seethed, "Out! Get out! She was gone because of you, wasn't she? Of course, you would do something like this. I bet you wouldn't even let her call home. I bet you said that you did, that you took care of it all. And Davy, being the good friend she is, believed you. It's all your fault."
Everyone was taken aback, even me. Kates looked annoyed, but I caught the amusement in her eyes. When her lips curled up in a malicious smirk, I darted forward and stood between the two. "It's not her fault. Yes, I left because of her. Her mom died, Em. Be nice. And since Kathryn was like a mother to me, I didn't really think to call. I'm really sorry. The funeral took planning. Then her family and my family were there. When it was time to come back, I didn't want to come back. I didn't know how to deal." I lifted both my shoulders up in a helpless shrug. "I'm sorry. I really am."
"Good one on the guilt," Kates murmured under her breath.
"Shut up," I hissed through my teeth.
Emily frowned. "You were gone because of a death?"
Pippa remained quiet and then Brown exclaimed, "We didn't even think about that! We're so stupid. What else would make someone leave so quickly? I wouldn't call if my mum died. Well, I might call Davy now, but I wouldn't call anybody else. No one would care."
I watched my roommate and waited. Did she buy it? Kates was right, I'd added some guilt in the hopes that it would push Emily into accepting the story. I couldn't have her asking any questions. I kept an uneasy eye on her boyfriend. He didn't buy the story, but I hoped he wouldn't say anything. It wasn't his place. He didn't know me or my relationship with Emily.
"I'm sorry, Davy," Pippa spoke in a soft voice. "We didn't even think to call your home."
"We didn't have a number to call."
I heard the anguish in my roommate's voice and relaxed. I was a horrible friend. "Maybe we should go to a hotel? I don't want to be a bother. I know that you’re probably used to having a single room."
"No," Emily spoke up. "No, please. Stay. I'm sorry." She looked past me. "I'm sorry, Kates."
She sniffed as she opened a bag of chips. "It's no problem." Then she glared at Pete. "I don't want the wolf here. He makes me uncomfortable."
Emily sucked in her breath.
Pippa held a hand to her mouth. Brown opened her mouth and then closed it. Then she repeated the motion.
"I don't believe you—" He surged forward, but Emily caught his arm.
"Honey, stop. Please."
"You’re going to let her get away with that?” His hands were fisted at his side. "And I don't buy their story. It sounds fishy to me."
Brown closed her mouth with a snap.
"It doesn't matter." Emily moved close to him. "Even if it isn't true, my roommate's back. I need to be here for her. If Davy went somewhere, it was for a good reason. I know it was."
'She didn't trust me enough to tell me. I can't push her. I care about Davy. I want her to trust me. Please, Pete. Please go.'
'There's something that doesn't smell right about her.'
Emily drew upright. "You can go. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow for lunch."
The dismissal was swift and harsh, but effective. Pete went, but not without glaring at us. Even Pippa melted away.