I waved my hand in the air. “Tell Michael I said hey. And have fun. I’ll see you Monday.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I slipped out of the van and made my way for the front door. I went on inside, knowing it would be unlocked. Allison and I had stayed out far longer than I had anticipated. It was nearing dinner time, and I smelled something simmering on the stove. I closed the front door behind me and made my way for the stairs, ready to hang up my dress.
Until Mom’s voice piped up.
“Where have you been all day?”
I furrowed my brow. “Dress shopping with Allison, remember?”
She paused. “Dress shopping?”
“Yeah. I shouted it down to you this morning before you left for therapy. How did that go, by the way?”
“Prom dress shopping, or graduation dress shopping?”
“Graduation dress shopping. I already have a prom dress.”
She coughed. “Wait, you do?”
I nodded. “Mm-hmm. Cecilia gave it to me.”
“Who’s Cecilia?”
“Clint’s stepmom?”
“Since when have you been over at Clint’s? I thought you two were broken up?”
I shrugged. “Not anymore. We worked things out.”
I went to go up the steps, but Mom stood up.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait. Hold on.”
I held back a sigh. “I have an exam to study for, Mom.”
She walked over to the stairs. “Can I… see you in your prom dress?”
“Maybe later. I really have some studying to do.”
“And you didn’t want to go dress shopping with me?”
I paused. “No.”
I looked over at my mother and saw her eyes swell with hurt.
“I wanted to go shopping with you for that dress. Graduation’s been a long time coming. I thought you wanted to go with me?”
I licked my lips. “Mom, I just—don’t know how to have quality time with you anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
I shrugged. “Just, with everything that’s happened.”
“You mean with D.J.?”