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bench.
    We said things like:
    “Did you bring your fishing rod?”
    “What kind of bait should be used?”
    “The best kind.”
    The car ride had to go perfect.
    We had to behave just long enough that my parents would forget what was possible when the four of us were left briefly unattended.
    That’s when Jenny was going to have an accident.
    Accidents happened all the time.
    That’s why we weren’t supposed to play in the pond back home.
    We could’ve made it happen there. But this seemed right. Mom and Dad might not know why it happened, but one smile and Jenny would know exactly why she had an accident. She’d remember it was here that she pushed me too far. It was here that I swore I’d kill her.
    “Are you okay?” Kristen asked me.
    “Fine. Wait, are you okay?” I asked.
    Jenny’s movement wasn’t helping Kristen. She looked pale. She kept a hand on her stomach, and her lips pursed. She shouldn’t have sat in the back with me.
    But if she’d rode in the middle, then we just might not make it back to the river. I hoped she’d use her agony when the time came. This was all Jenny’s fault.
    Our lives would be so much better without her. She ruined everything. Even Rebecca. I didn’t like Rebecca, but she’d have to be nice to us once Jenny was gone.
    “I’ll feel much better on the ride home,” Kristen said.
    It was hard to stop myself from smiling. So I smiled as big as I could. Jenny and my parents couldn’t see it.
    “Maybe you can save that for later,” I said, and then pretended to throw up. We could pour it on Jenny’s head. Or would’ve had we not had a better plan already.
    Kristen laughed.
    In the front seat, mom remarked, “Now this is nice.”
    I had butterflies in my stomach though. I couldn’t wait to get to the camp, and get to tomorrow when the accident would be possible. I stared out the window and imagined my vengeance. I practiced what I’d say.
    It was just an accident.
    We were playing and then… (Cue sobs)
    I loved her so much.
    Is… is… she dead?
    Ice cream would make me feel better, actually. But only if it is Moose Tracks.
    It would be better with Jenny here. Boo Hoo.
    I love you Mom and Dad. You’re the best.
     
    Kristen threw up.
    It smelled awful.
    “I’m okay,” Kristen said. “I’m okay, okay.”
    “Is everything alright back there?” mom asked.
    “We’re fine,” Kristen said. “I’m fine.”
    “Smells awful. Did you poop?” Jenny asked.
    “We’re okay,” I said.
    “It smells so bad,” Rebecca said.
    “Oh come on, Kristen! Yuck! She threw up, Mom!”
    “Shut up, Jenny!”
    No. No. No. Play nice. We had to play nice. They couldn’t suspect any hard feelings. We were best of friends. We were all on the same team. We were perfect siblings.
    “I threw up,” Kristen admitted. “I don’t feel so well.”
    “Oh, Christ,” dad said. “I’m going to pull over. I don’t want to smell that the whole way.”
    “Where are you going to pull over? The next exit is in nine miles.”
    “Do you have cleaning supplies?”
    “Well, yes,” mom said.
    “Then we can pull over right now.” He didn’t do it smoothly. He didn’t even consider how it would make Kristen feel. Or that I’d put my hand right in her vomit.
    Gee, thanks, dad.
    Dad got right out of the station wagon. The highway was louder than it had seemed, then he slammed his door and the car rocked more.
    “You’re going to need fresh air,” mom said.
    “It’s because she only eats the marshmallows in her cereal,” Jenny said. “Look, it’s all the different colors! I see the shamrock. It’s a whole shamrock!”
    “Gross.”
    “Shut up!” Kristen said.
    I dug my nails into her shoulder. She read my mind.
    “Mom, I’m going to be sick again.”
    Dad swung the back door open. “Out!”
    He tugged Kristen out of the seat.
    She jogged to escape from face planting in the gravel. She made it into the grass and buckled over so all we could see was the middle of her