Chapter 43

The throb in his hip is almost comforting to Simon as he lies in bed and stares up at the light fixture that he has always hated. The brainchild of his eccentric designer, the thing cost tens of thousands of dollars and reminds Simon of a gaudy, mismatched collection of Christmas baubles. He wonders why he hasn’t replaced it. Maybe because he doesn’t deserve anything better.

Mom was right about me, Simon thinks for the umpteenth time. She never respected him, not once in her entire life. Even after he found worldwide fame with the breakout success of his debut album. Even after he bought his mother her dream home on the Malibu waterfront, one of the last lucid things she ever said to him as she lay dying of lung cancer in that house was: Life would’ve been better without you.

She never even stipulated her life. Simply life in general. And it was probably true.

The familiar ding of a new group text pulls Simon from his miserable thoughts. He pats the bed beside him until he finds the phone. Raising it to his face, he glances at a text.

Liisa:I’m out.

While Simon is still trying to figure out what Liisa means, another text pops up below the first.

Liisa:If you’re smart, the rest of you will quit, too. She’s toxic.

Baljit:Who’s toxic?

Liisa:Holly Danvers. She’s been manipulating us while she snows us with psychedelics. She’s no therapist! We’re only pawns in her scheme to get richer and more famous. She’s willing to sacrifice all of us for her success.

Simon is confused. Liisa didn’t express any such bitterness on their call earlier today. Why does she sound so different now? Did something happen between Liisa and Dr. Danvers since he spoke to her?

Salvador:WTF, LIISA? HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING?

Liisa:Not my poison. I’m done. Our tribe is done. I’m going away.

Reese:What happened with Dr. Danvers, Liisa? And where are you planning to go?

Simon stares at the screen for several seconds, but Liisa doesn’t respond. Another text pops up.

Baljit:When did you turn into such a drama queen, Liisa?

Still no reply.

Salvador:LIISA???

The others in the chat go quiet again, but there’s still no response from her.

Reese:She must be offline.

A new group text pops up on the screen. It only includes the other four tribe members, not Liisa.

Salvador:WTF happened between Liisa and Dr. Danvers??

Baljit:Professional jealousy?

Reese:There’s got to be more to it.

Simon:I called Liisa earlier. She didn’t mention anything about quitting the tribe or blaming Dr. D.

Baljit:Jesus, Simon! Every time you speak to someone in private…

Simon:What?

Baljit:Elaine, JJ, and now Liisa… Do me a favor and don’t ever speak to me outside of a session, OK?

I am toxic, Simon thinks, realizing his mother would have loved Baljit.

Salvador:Ease up there, Maleficent!!

Baljit:What? He’s a big boy. And Liisa will be fine. You’re probably right. She must’ve had a few drinks.

Reese:Liisa doesn’t drink. Try to keep up.

Baljit:I forgot we had an expert online.

Salvador:JESUS!!

Reese:Did Liisa say what had upset her, Simon?

Simon:No. But she asked me about the day JJ died.

Reese:What about it?

Simon:Whether JJ had mentioned anyone else in the tribe aside from Elaine.

Salvador:WHY? Weird!

Baljit:Did she, Simon?

Simon:No.

Reese:Hold on. Let me see if I can reach Liisa on the phone.

The conversation pauses again while everyone waits.

Reese:Straight to voicemail.

Salvador:Liisa is right! The tribe is DONE!

Baljit:Easy there, Lindsay Lohan. Enough catastrophizing. Why don’t we see where we’re at in the morning?

Reese:Does anyone know where Liisa lives?

Salvador:Newport. A few blocks from JJ’s place.

Baljit:And you know this how?

Salvador:Because I once drove her home when her car was in for service. And unlike you, Ballsack, I care.

Salvador:*Baljit. Damn autocorrect.

Salvador:

Simon laughs for the first time in days.

Reese:Maybe one of us should drop by to check up on Liisa in the morning?