I switched to FaceTime, pointing the camera so that both Gertrude and I were in view. “Can you see us, Kell?”
“Yep, go ahead.”
“Right, ready, Gertie?”
She rolled over and put her head down between her paws.
I closed my eyes and tapped her head once, gently, with my finger. Nothing.
“Well?” Kellan asked.
“Nada. I am going to try again for a bit longer.”
“Go for it.”
I put my finger back on her head, deciding to keep it there until something happened. Within a few seconds, the wave of images started, sending me into a panic. I withdrew my hand and rubbed my fingers, trying to regain control of my thoughts.
“Shrimp?”
“They just come so fast, Kell. I can’t make out what’s happening at all. It’s like a bunch of photographs all falling at the same time right in front of me. I can’t focus.
“What’s this all about anyway? Why is this dog even here? David said she was visiting, but this somehow seems aimed at me… like he knew this was going to happen.” I pursed my lips at Kellan.
“Yeah. As you know, Gertrude spent last year with you and seems responsible for the change in you. I guess she came back to help you remember what happened last year.”
I nodded. That did make sense. I wished her doggy brain would slow down. Those flashes could be images of my life in the past year, but what if there was more to it? “Did you guys consider the possibility that I would revert back to that Arizona? Is that what you want?” Fury rose within me at the very thought. Was I not good enough? Did they all like the other Arizona better? That must be it. I turned off FaceTime before Kellan could open his mouth. Screw him. And everyone else.
“Shoo! Off you go! Vanish!” I waved my arms at Gertrude, trying to get her off my bed. I didn’t care about everyone else. I was
me
; take it or leave it.
My phone rang—Kellan. I ignored it, powering it off and throwing it under my bed. Hearing a car arrive, I jumped off the bed and stomped down the stairs to have it out with Mom. She wasn’t alone. David, Harry, and the boy I had met in London were there. Perfect. I was furious enough to let them all have it. I put my hands on my hips and glared at them.
“Arizona, I thought you’d be asleep by—” Mom started.
“What the heck is going on with this darned dog?” I fumed, pointing at Gertrude, who had followed me down the stairs and now stood beside me.
“I don’t really understand either, Arizona,” Mom said. “Inez talked to me about it just moments before you were reunited with Gertrude. I wasn’t the least bit happy about this reunion. What if you had reverted back?”
“Exactly. What then? Why did you let her?”
“Inez pointed out that by leaving, Gertrude had taken that aspect of you with her, and if a reversion reoccurred, it would be solved by Gertrude leaving again. She said that she hoped a short visit might help you fill in the blanks from last year. I wasn’t buying into her confidence that this would be a positive thing, but Gertrude was sprung on you before I could assess the situation. I am sorry, Arizona. Anyhow, there’s been no significant consequence to meeting her, has there? I mean, in addition to the vague flashes you described. Have they happened again?”
“No,” I lied. “I just think this is all really insane. It’s like you all want the other Arizona back.” I stepped away, clenching my fists.
Mom came over and put her arm around me. “I can assure you that’s not the case. David—” She turned to him. “It’s not that I am not pleased to see her, I am, but why did you bring Gertrude back now?”
“She promised Arizona, remember?” he said quietly.
“Huh?” I asked.
“Before Gertrude left, she promised to come and visit you soon.”
“And did you for a second think about how it would affect me now?” Maybe he was fed up with my feelings for him. Apparently, the other Arizona had pushed him away, right into some other girl’s