“Was Collin happy to see his mother?”
“He hasn’t actually seen her yet.” She frowned. “To behonest, I’m a bit worried. He wasn’t too happy to hear she’d come.”
“That must be difficult.”
She nodded. “I wish I’d had more warning. I could’ve prepared him better. And I don’t know what he’ll think of the boyfriend.”
“Is he the one who’s in the grunge band?”
“Yes, and you know how conservative Collin is. I don’t know how that will go.” Her eyes lit up. “George, would you do me a gigantic favor?”
George blinked. “What do you have in mind?”
“I told Collin we’d have a little celebration tomorrow night. You know, after graduation. It’s really just my way to get him to spend some time with his mother. I thought if I invited a few people, well, it might sort of soften things. Unfortunately, Collin doesn’t have many friends.” She placed a hand on his arm. “George, if you would come, I would be so grateful. And I know Collin would be pleased.”
“Well, I, uh ... I suppose I could come by.”
Her face brightened. “Thank you so much.”
The school orchestra began to play and the seniors started to file in, filling the chairs down on the gym floor. Before long the principal welcomed everyone, and a clergyman opened with a prayer.
As the service continued, George was aware of two things. He wasn’t suffering too badly from his usual claustrophobia, and it felt unexpectedly reassuring to have Willow next to him. He wondered if the two things were somehow connected. As a result, the service didn’t drag on as long as he recalled from the past.
“That was very nice,” Willow said at the conclusion.
“Yes.” He nodded, watching as the crowd began to fill the floor of the gymnasium. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I, uh, I feel the need to get outside in the fresh air.”
“So do I.” Willow stayed with him, navigating the crowd until they were finally exiting the stuffy room. “Oh, it feels much better out here.”
“You don’t like crowds?” George asked.
“Not so much.” She inhaled deeply. “It’s funny because I used to love being packed in like sardines for a concert or event. But the older I got, the less I liked it. This wasn’t so bad tonight, but it felt awfully warm in there.” She fanned herself with the program. “Although it’s lovely out here.” She smiled at George. “We’re supposed to have the same good weather all weekend. I’m so glad you agreed to come to our little soirée after graduation tomorrow night. I plan to have it out on the terrace.”
“Terrace?”
“Outside my apartment.” She grinned. “It’s actually the rooftop, but I’ve turned it into an outdoor space.” She tapped his lapel. “And it will be casual dress, so please wear something comfortable.”
He wanted to say that suits were comfortable ... to him.
“I plan to be barefoot.”
“Barefoot?” George grimaced. Did she expect him to do the same?
She laughed. “Don’t fret, George, I won’t make you shed your shoes. But warm nights like this just make me long to be barefoot.” She stretched her arms toward the sky. “Kind of like skinny-dipping—it’s so freeing.”
George felt alarmed. What sort of woman was this?
“Dear me, I’m afraid I’ve shocked you.” She smiled coyly.“But don’t you worry, we’ll all be properly clothed tomorrow night. I promise.” Willow waved to someone behind him. “There’s Collin now. And Marissa too.”
George stayed long enough to greet Collin and Marissa and then, excusing himself as if he had someplace he needed to be, he went on his way. But as he slowly walked home, he wished he’d lingered a bit longer. What was wrong with visiting with friends on a warm summer evening? Willow probably thought her talk of bare feet, skinny-dipping, and such had unhinged him. And maybe it had ... momentarily. But he’d recovered.
Well, he’d just have to make up for tonight’s lack of sociability at tomorrow night’s celebration. Perhaps he would even “dress casually,” whatever that meant. After all, he usually wore a short-sleeved shirt and khaki pants when he mowed the lawn or did chores. Perhaps something like that would work.
As he went into his house, he reminded himself that the party was to honor Collin’s graduation, which probably meant that George should bring him a gift. Although he had no idea what that would be. Anyway, that would have to wait until tomorrow afternoon since Friday was still a school day. Why they bothered to hold classes was a mystery to George. What with senior skip day and the school feeling more like a zoo than a place of learning, it wasn’t as if the students gained anything from the “last day of school.” But at least George could console himself—it truly would be the last day of school ... for him.
Willow didn’t know what to expect as she and Collin went upstairs to their apartments, but for some reason she hadn’t expected to smell smoke.
“Is there a fire?” Collin asked with concern.
