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“Kris is in crisis,” I reply.
My mom says sweetly while she yawns, “When isn’t she?” Even she’s bored by this documentary on bees.
“She got a bad haircut and doesn’t want to go to prom now.” Oh, shit. I brought up the P-word by accident. Well, I’m in it now. I breathe in and my entire body fills with steel. I got this. I’m verging on excited to stand up for myself. I’m starting to live for this adrenaline rush. Perhaps I’m a thrill junkie.
My father pauses the TV and crosses his legs, then turns to me. He’s got that Grand Inquisitor look.
I cross my arms. “What? What are you angling for, Daddy?” My phone vibrates.
DANNY: Are you there?
He clears his throat. I put up a finger. “Seriously, hold on, Dad. Let me tell her I’ll call her later.” Oh, God. This is too close.
LIZZIE: I LOVE YOU. I do so much. You’re perfect, and I love you. I’ll call. I promise. I have to go. My dad is on my ass and is about to ask about prom.
DANNY: Be bold. Love you too.
I turn towards my father. “What’s up?”
“Apparently, you had something at the dry cleaners.” He picks lint off of his sweater and then scowls at me. My mother shrinks for a moment.
I sit up straight and channel Danny. I’ll let his confidence fill me until I find my own.
“It’s my prom dress.” My mother’s eyebrows go up. I think they both thought I’d deny it. No more hiding I have my own life.
She turns to my dad. “We were going to surprise you once it was altered but the day got away from us. It’s a lovely dress. It was a little too low cut, so we added a piece of lace to the bust.” He frowns.
“Dad, it’s prom. It’s not like I’m going to be graded.”
“It’s hard for me to swallow you went behind my back. It’s an archaic ritual I thought was beneath you. I expected more from you.” I hate him. Because he gets to give the thumbs-up or down.
“I’m excited to go,” I say, lifting my chin.
“Are you going with Kris?” Technically, yes, we are.
“Yes, and spending the night after.” I fidget with my shirt.
“I’m calling her parents.” Go ahead, her parents don’t care if we’re out all night.
Mom’s tone shifts. “Seriously? The girl’s never given you one reason to doubt her. We’re lucky she’s this wonderful. She’s been sleeping at Kris’s house once a week since third grade. The girls will be separated next year. Let her have this.” My mother holds my chin and smiles at me.
My father snaps, “She’s only this way because I knew what she needed. And I’m not so sure another night with that girl is a good idea. Her moral code is questionable.”
I blurt out as if I’m a dog let off the chain, “She’s my best friend in the entire world for my whole life. Do not say that about her.”
He looks stunned that I raised my voice. I’m a bit stunned, as well. Too late to go back. It might not be the best time to tell him I have a date and we’ll be having lots of sex, then I’m moving across the country to live with him. Should I bring that up now? Nah. Maybe not.
My mother says, “It’s decided already. She’s going to this rite of passage. Kris, her date, and Lizzie and hers. I think it’s fine.”
“And who asked you to think?” He steps in front of my mother and she shrinks and sits at his words. I hate that.
She says, “Stop it, Eli.”
I erupt, “DAD!”
His voice is even keel and controlling. “I need to know everything going on in my house. You know this is not how this works. I don’t want you to jeopardize all we’ve worked to achieve.” He turns to my mom. “Who do you think is good enough for our daughter? I assure you, whatever piece of trash the two of you bring in my house won’t be your intellectual equal.”
I present him in his best light, which isn’t hard. “A good Catholic boy I met on the Paris trip named Danny Danson. He’s a star athlete and has a full scholarship to Boston College next year.”
