Free Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green

Ken I’d finish it today.”
    “I think it’s so cool you’re artists’ assistants,” Emily says. “But when are you actually going to be artists?”
    “Oh, man.” The bearded guy laughs, shaking his head. “We already are. I have a ton of stuff I work on at home, but working with Ken is the most unbelievable experience. That’s what I meant about Burning Man. I’d never get to meet the people I did, or have the experience I had if I weren’t there as Ken’s assistant. It doesn’t mean I’m not already an artist, though. If you have a creative soul”—he touches his heart with a nod and a serious expression—“it doesn’t matter what you do, that will always come out.”
    Emily nods sagely. “Yeah. I get that,” she says. “I’m supposed to be going to college in a year, but I don’t know. I’m thinking I might learn more at the University of Life.” She laughs.
    “Oh, yeah, baby.” Bearded Guy laughs. “I hear you. So what are you doing this year?”
    Emily shrugs. “I’m supposed to be traveling and working, but I haven’t really done much about it.”
    “You should come hang with us,” Bearded Guy says. “Starting with Burning Man.”
    “You’re really trying to convince me to come?” Emily says, her doubtfulness giving away her youth.
    “Well, yeah. You’re cool. It would be fun to have you.”
    “Cool?” Emily gives him a long, slow look. “I thought I was hot…”
    Andi, watching from outside, catches her breath. This is an Emily she hasn’t seen before, an Emily who is fully cognizant of her sexuality, who knows exactly how to use it.
    “Well, that goes without saying,” the bearded guy says slowly, and as Andi watches, he leans forward and kisses Emily.
    Andi jumps back as if burnt, hesitates for a moment, then walks quickly back to the party.
    *   *   *
    “Where’ve you been?” Ethan says, extending an arm to draw her close.
    “I went for a walk. I found Emily.”
    His face grows serious. “How is she?”
    “She’s…” No, she won’t tell him. “She’s great. She’s found some people her own age, and she seems to be having fun.”
    “Really?” Ethan’s face lights up. “Where is she? I’ll go check in on her.”
    “No. Don’t. She didn’t see me. She’s doing her thing, and she’s fine. Let’s just enjoy the party.”
    Ethan nods. “Sounds like a plan.”

Nine
    Andi puts down her book and listens hard. Next to her, Ethan is sound asleep, his breath escaping in a stream of air with an occasional snore.
    They didn’t get home from the wedding until almost one in the morning, but Andi can’t sleep without reading at least a few pages. Ethan has always been asleep within seconds of his head touching the pillow, but without a book to quiet her mind and still her racing thoughts, Andi would be awake for hours.
    She picks up the book again, then hears noise. Slipping out of bed, she pads quietly to the door, opening it to hear the unmistakable sounds of retching.
    Emily.
    They had not seen Emily all evening, and when she had finally appeared, after Andi had called her name in the general vicinity of the barn, she had been disheveled and, Andi was certain, drunk.
    “You okay?” Ethan had asked, concerned, after Emily had lain down on the backseat of the car.
    “Just really tired,” she mumbled, closing her eyes.
    “She’s drunk,” Andi mouthed to Ethan, who gave her a look of disdain.
    “Do you always have to be so negative?” he mouthed.
    Andi just shrugged and spent the entire car ride home looking out the window. She imagines that Ethan must have roused Emily and gotten her to bed, while Andi walked straight into the house and upstairs, shutting the bathroom door to brush her teeth and get ready for bed. Alone.
    Now, though, Emily is sick. Andi walks down the hallway, sniffing the faintest smell of pot, growing stronger as she approaches Emily’s room. The bathroom door is open, and Emily is squatting, with her arms draped around