The car ride home was somber as we listened to music. I’d been quiet since Elvira gave me her two cents. As much as I was screwing with Train’s head, he was also playing with mine.
His words rang in my head.Stop football, and I won’t tell people about your mom.Not that he had any leverage over that threat anymore.
“I upset you, didn’t I?” Elvira asked.
Gripping the steering wheel as though I were trying to crush it, I wheeled into our development. “Why do you think that?”
“Because your knuckles are bright white.” Elvira started to laugh, like uncontrollable laughter. She patted her wet eyes. “Relax, Montana. I’m not out to get you. I’m only being a true friend.”
Maybe that was my problem. I never really had a true friend. The moment anyone got close, I pushed them away.
After several turns, I pulled up in front of Elvira’s house. “True friends don’t mock.”
“I’m sorry for laughing.” Her pink lips curled downward. “But I’m not sorry for speaking the truth. I’ll see you in school.” Then she got out of the car, leaving me dumbfounded.
I navigated the streets until I was parked in my driveway, staring at my white knuckles. At every school I’d attended, I had been able to blend in, even with my spunky attitude. But at Palmetto High, not so much.You can’t blend in if you make a fool out of yourself on the football field.Whatever.I couldn’t fault Elvira for speaking her mind. I did the same. We were alike. She had moxie, like me. She’d been the one to ram the door into my head—by accident, of course. She’d been the one to tell me outright that she had to pee. Kids didn’t tell strangers that much personal information, like I had done with Train when I told him about my jumanji.
As I got out of the car, I lost all thought when I came face-to-face with Lucy Everly and my mom. I should’ve questioned what Train’s mom was doing at my house. His dad had every reason to visit us to examine our air conditioner, but Lucy? Instead, I said, “You’re walking.” I quickly covered my mouth then lowered my hand. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
She beamed from ear to ear. “That’s okay. I get that reaction a lot.”
My mom appeared confused.
“I didn’t tell you, Georgia. I sometimes use a wheelchair. My rheumatoid arthritis can get the best of me.” Lucy set her sights on me. “I’m also surprised you didn’t ask why I was in a wheelchair when you were at the house the other day.”
“It’s none of my business,” I said as I spied a proud smile on Mom.
“All the more reason you and Train would be a good fit for the debutante ball.”
I reared back. “Come again?” Nina had said something about the debutante ball and going with Train.
She glided up and took one of my hands. “Your mom will explain everything.”
My mom had better do more than explain. I hope she told Lucy I didn’t do balls or whatever she’d said.
“It was nice chatting, Georgia. We’ll talk soon.” Then she walked to her Mercedes as though she were modeling her cute leather sandals and crisp outfit, which included a sleeveless white blouse and a knee-length skirt.
My mom waved at her. Once Lucy was gone, my mom sat on the top step then patted the spot beside her. “This may sound weird.” She twisted her hair up on her head then secured it with a band she had on her wrist. “I’ve met Train. I’ve met Mr. Everly, who came by with his AC man this morning, and now Lucy. I think the universe is trying to tell us something about the Everly family.”
I cozied up next to her. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve given my hand in marriage to Train?” I asked jokingly.
Our neighbor, an older gentleman across the street, was washing his truck.
“Well—”
I chomped on a nail. “Mom, what did you do?”
“Lucy sits on the debutante committee. One of the moms had to back out, and she asked me to help. She thought since I was new to the area, that maybe I would like to get to know some parents. She also wants Train to go to the ball, but she knows he’s not interested, although she believes that you might be able to persuade him.”
I laughed as hard as Elvira had been laughing at me. “The boy hates me.”
“According to Lucy, he’s quite taken with you. I do have to agree. I saw how he was looking at you when he was here.”
Tears streamed down my face from giggling. “Why does she want him to go to a dance?”
She shrugged. “Train’s parents are divorced, and according to her, he’s been in a bad place, even more so since he broke up with his girlfriend. So she thinks a fresh and pretty face will brighten his spirits.”
If Nina has her way, then Train would have a date to the ball. “I don’t understand how I will be able to convince Train Everly to go to a shindig.”
