“The band was really cool,” I said, edging for the stairs before she could delve too far.
“Did you go with Lacey and Colton?”
“No, Colton had to work,” I said, trying to sidestep the question.
“Really? I can’t picture Tom letting him work when he already has so much on his plate.”
“From what I gathered, it was pretty much his dad’s idea,” I said, sinking onto the arm of the plush leather couch.
“Hmmm, wonder what’s going on there?”
I shrugged my shoulders, trying to act blasé.
“You know something?” she demanded, seeing through my ploy.
“Um, yeah, but I promised Colton I wouldn’t tell anyone,” I said, fiddling with my Pandora bracelet.
“Fair enough,” she said, not pushing further. “By the way, what’s the deal with you and Lacey?” she asked, switching gears.
I weighed my words carefully before answering so I wouldn’t upset he
r. “I guess I finally saw what dad was always harping on.”
She nodded her head, comprehending what I meant. “What about your other friends? Are they treating you differently on the squad?”
“I kind of quit cheerleading,” I said, not looking up.
“What?” she asked. By the look on her face, I couldn't tell if she was mad or not.
“I had to. It’s not like you were pulling your weight around here. Someone had to be here for Megan,” I said harshly.
That was below the belt, I could tell. It wasn’t my intention to hurt her. I just didn’t want to have to defend my actions.
“You’re right,” she said with glistening eyes. “Somehow in this whole mess, I’ve lost you both,” she said as a tear escaped and trailed down her cheek.
“Mom, you haven’t lost us,” I said, getting up from my perch on the arm of the couch so I could sit next to her.
“Yes, I have. Megan's still practically catatonic, and you’ve given up everything you loved so you could fill my shoes,” she said, choking on a half-sob. “I hope that man and his family suffer as much as we’ve suffered,” she said, sounding more vindictive than I had ever heard her. My heart dropped like it was filled with lead. I doubt she would consider my date with Maddon much of a hardship for him.
“Mom, I don’t know why Megan still won’t talk, but she’s not catatonic. She just doesn’t want to talk right now, and I didn’t give up everything I loved. You and Megan top that list. I just sorted out my priorities, like dad always wanted,” I said, trying not to dwell on the impact her words just had on me.
“I love you, honey," she said, dragging me in for a tight hug. "I’m sorry it’s been so rough the last few months,” she said, pulling back slightly.
"We're fine Mom," I nodded, although I was freaking out over the corner I had painted myself into.
“We’re going to make it,” she said, pulling me in for one last squeeze.
A few hours ago I would have believed her, but her outburst about Maddon and his father made me doubt that anything would work out.“Yeah, we’re going to make it,” I said, hiding my doubts as I pulled out of her embrace. “I better hit the sack since I have classes tomorrow—and detention,” I said, grimacing at the thought of enduring confinement without Maddon.
She stood up with me, folding the light teal blanket she had been using, before draping it over the back of the sofa. “How is your detention going anyway?” she asked, switching off the lamp.
“Ugh, don’t ask.”
“Consequences for our actions can be a challenge at times,” she said, giving me her classic motherly look. “Next time, you’ll weigh the consequences before you cuss-out a teacher or pull a fire alarm.”
“Well, I regret the fire alarm,” I said, taking the steps two at a time.
“Kassandra!” she said, trying to sound stern behind me.