Free You Know Me Better Than That (A Short Story) by Jennifer Blackman

YOU KNOW ME BETTER THAN THAT
    Hi Erin,
    I’ve attached the transcript of my interview with Miranda Davis for the Luke Wilson segment. Like I mentioned before, the conversation didn’t go quite as planned, but I would love to be able to use some it for the show. Fingers crossed! As always, I really appreciate your help.
    Thanks again,
    Jessie
    Jessica Beckler
    Production Assistant, Scuttlebutt
    89.5 KUT Radio 1
    Lavandou, Texas
    Jessie: Ms. Davis?
    Miranda: Please, come in. Just hunting for a word, one squirrelly son of a bitch. Pardon the language.
    Jessie: Ms. Davis?
    Miranda: Yes, you’re in the right place. Shut the door behind you. I’ll just be a moment.
    Fortuitous , fallacy , phallic . Where’s that piece of paper . . . ?
    Sit. Please. Just toss the books aside.
    [Silence.]
    You’ll have to excuse me, as it’s only the start of the semester, but who are you?
    Jessie: I’m Jessie Beckler. We spoke earlier this week.
    Miranda: You’re in Poetic Forms, then? A question over the haiku? They’re a puzzle, that’s all. Puzzle it out. Flibbertigibbet: there’s you’re first line. You’re welcome. Are you considering dropping the class, then?
    Jessie: No, I’m not dropping. What I mean is, I’m not a student here. Or anywhere anymore. I’m actually . . . I’m a reporter . . . actually, a production assistant, for the local radio show Scuttlebutt . I just came to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Luke Wilson, and the accident at the swimming pool.
    [Silence.]
    We spoke earlier this week?
    Miranda: So you said.
    Jessie: Is now a bad time?
    Miranda: Well, I have a dentist appointment that I need to leave for in half an hour. Our appointment was at eleven, Jessica. You’re fifteen minutes late.
    Jessie: I’m so sorry about that. I stopped for scones and—do you take cream in your coffee?
    Miranda: I’m teasing you, Jessica. It’s fine. You were late. “Life is a theater set in which there are but few practicable entrances,” as someone important once said.
    Jessie: Well, so Scuttlebutt —have you listened to the show before? It’s pretty new, a local Lavandou program telling local Lavandou stories. There are podcasts too. You can download them.
    Miranda: Yes, the tagline is familiar.
    Jessie: So, it’s not like we’re Wikipedia, but any unique details you remember about Luke Wilson growing up would really add to the story. Are you still in touch?
    Miranda: Scuttlebutt flatters me. That you would come to me for unique details when it was my younger sister, Lisbeth, who’s widely considered the Luke Wilson expert in this town. His first love, his first lay. That’s your segment’s title, right there: “First Love, First Lay.” Why now, if I may ask? And why me? Why me when there is a Lisbeth somewhere out there?
    Jessie: But you’re the one who saved Luke Wilson’s life at the pool. At least that’s what everyone says.
    Miranda: “Everyone Says.” Another good title.
    Jessie: I’m here to help you set the record straight.
    Miranda: Have you heard the one about the threesome? So unimaginative! That’s why Lisbeth and I don’t speak anymore, apparently. Of course, the truth is much more insidious. Do you know what that word means, Jessica?
    Jessie: I graduated from college, I’m a reporter . . . I mean, a production assistant . . . so I know what insidious means. As for why I want to talk to you: my little sister took one of your intro classes last semester, and she said you talked about Luke Wilson, that you’re a good storyteller. And I wanted a good story for my first interview. That is why I am here. Plus, celebrity sells.
    Miranda: High praise. I’ll take it, and what’s more, I will thank you for thinking of me. I’m happy to set the record straight, for Lisbeth’s sake. She’s got a reputation to uphold, as a society woman, married to that wannabe congressman. Please don’t quote me on that. My word choice is unforgivable. I am quite surprised you