“Her mother can deal with Annie’s social life on weekends.”
“No second chances?” Kara included.
Mom shook her head. “It looks like I’m hoping she won’t agree to this. Annie has to decide if Lakewood is worth all the rules, or go to her Dad’s.”
Mom looked at everyone. “Anyone else?”
Scott focused on Kara. “Remember that talk we had about ‘us’? You don’t mind if I…” He waited for her nod, since things were said in private. “This is what Dad would say. If you decide to be a therapist, it’s a lot like being a doctor. It’s not enough to offer help. Annie has to be willing to accept it. I’m not sure she can.”
He paused, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I just don’t want you to ‘crash’ over something that’s not your fault.”
Kara took his advice to heart. He was clearly worried about the effect Annie living here would have on her.
Neil couldn’t stand it any longer and dug into the bag of bagels. He found the tub of cream cheese and generously helped himself before passing it around. Kara scraped what was left from the bottom. Everyone stared at the thick layer on Neil’s bagel.
Suzanne looked at him. “This is about those onions, right?”
“Maybe…” Neil answered, acting a little aloof.
“Will you quit whining about that?” Suzanne scolded. “So you found out why Onion volunteers are called Weepers. Get over it!”
“The onions weren’t the worst part.” Neil paused to get everyone’s attention. “It’s the way you knew what was going on, and didn’t say anything. Made me feel…stupid.”
“I think ‘stupid’ is not admitting you had enough,” Kara pointed out.
“Yeah,” Scott added. “No one forced you to keep chopping.”
“Ok I’ll drop it,” Neil resigned, holding his hands up in defeat.
Everyone applauded while Mom found more cream cheese in the fridge.
“It’s not like Weepers ever look at an onion,” Neil finalized. “I thought they were called that because it rhymes with sweeper.”
“He had to get the last word in,” Suzanne apologized, looking at Kara. “We don’t have to go to the mall, today. You and Mom have a lot to talk over.”
Kara swallowed the last bite. “No way!” She answered, picking up her cell. Everyone held their breath, listening.
“Hi An. Mom and I talked it over and decided you can live here Monday through Thursday. On Friday you take the bus home for the weekend. Think about it and call me tomorrow.”
Kara showed everyone the ‘call ended’ display. “Guess that’s our answer.”
“You could block her calls,” Scott suggested.
“I’m not going to,” Kara firmly stated.
Scott gave her a hug. “You aren’t EVER giving up, are you?”
Kara didn’t have to answer. The way his eyes sparkled back said he knew what it was. She gently kissed his lips, instead.
4 - DRESS-TINY
After the meeting, Scott gave Neil a ride to school for a debate. He stayed long enough for the football team to pick a new captain. Kara went upstairs to change and put her hair in a ponytail. On the way to the mall Mom had to ask. “Last year, I remember how excited you were when Scott asked you to the prom.”
“Oh, yeah…right in the middle of the mess with Colin. Scott was afraid he’d ask me, first.”
“My point is,” Mom continued, “I don’t remember you saying anything, this year.”
Kara glanced in the back seat. “How about it, Suzanne. Did Neil ask you to Prom?”
“Not exactly; he just wants to know what color my dress is,” she explained.
“Same with Scott,” Kara interrupted. “I’ve talked about it so much, he assumes we’re going.”
Mom dropped Kara and Suzanne at the mall. This was the first time Kara could use her own credit card. Mom told her to put both prom dresses on it. Suzanne’s dad already put plenty in her account to pay Mom back.
“I so need this shopping trip,” Kara reassured. “You guys basically said the same thing this morning. We need to put us, first. Mom deserves a life of her own, and I’m not talking about nurse friends.”
“Ya think?” Suzanne said in total agreement. “Speaking of Mom, she’s right…the boys haven’t really asked us to Prom.”
“I agree. We have to do something…”
They high-fived and quickly found the ‘Formal Wear’ in the first store.
“I’d like to check out other places before trying anything on,” Suzanne clarified.
“Fine with me,” Kara exclaimed, “unless we find ‘the one’.” Both nodded in understanding. Suzanne found a strapless pale yellow dress…or was it gold? They took it off the rack and held it under different lighting to check out the color.
The next store was where Kara got her dress last year. She warned Suzanne about Gown Saleslady, at the same time shaking off memories of shopping with Annie.
“Wow…prices are higher,” Suzanne whispered.
“Yeah, that’s why next year, I’m wearing last year’s dress,” Kara predicted. “I’m already planning to go by myself.”
Suzanne stopped looking through dresses and turned to Kara. “What about you and Scott?”
“He won’t have time for ‘Lakeworld’ after a year of med school.”
“If Neil and I go, you can sit with us.”
Kara stared at her. “Because you feel sorry for me? Seriously.”
Her straight face lasted until Suzanne thought she meant it. Both broke out in laughter until Gown Saleslady approached. She asked if she could help, but really wanted them find something, or leave.
They managed to muffle their giggles enough to look through the ‘gowns’, as Suzanne was careful to say. Without making eye contact, Kara signaled Suzanne over to the shoe display. They barely made it there before hysteria took over.
When Kara recovered she suggested the coffee shop for lunch. “We might as well,” Kara reasoned, “I’m ready to talk about Annie.”
They walked in far enough to see the chalk board menu, ordered and picked out a table.
“Do you think she’ll call tomorrow?” Suzanne gingerly asked.
“In
