“Just that I know pretty much every boy you’ve ever met would love to be with you,” she said. “Charlie included.”
“You’ve barely even met him.”
“I don’t need to know him to know it.”
I laughed and shook my head. “While I appreciate you hyping me up, you’re being ridiculous.”
“You’ll see,” Violet said. She waggled her eyebrows. “Actually, speaking of home?—”
“We weren’t?—”
“I’m hungry. Let’s go back to yours.”
“We probably won’t see Charlie, even if we’re there.” I wasn’t even lying by saying it. Matthew had never liked me being around his friends, but it had been even worse after the game of Seven Minutes in Heaven. For a while after that, he had made sure that Charlie and I were pretty much never in the same room. He’d relaxed a little lately, but he still didn’t like me being around. I guess I couldn’t really blame him because I wouldn’t want him hanging around me and my friends either, but I didn’t like the feeling of being forced to stay away. But it was useful to me today because I had no idea what Violet would say in front of Charlie if she saw him.
“Are you sure about that?” Violet asked. “Like really, really sure?”
“I…” Okay, maybe it was possible that he would come out and talk to us briefly, so I guess I couldn’t say that we wouldn’t see him at all, and I knew Violet would call me on that technicality. Luckily, a loud notification from my phone gave me an excuse not to answer.
Mom
Hey sweetie, we’re going to go for your graduation dinner tonight. Be ready at 6 xx
“What is it?” Violet asked.
“Just my mom. Apparently, we’re finally having my graduation dinner tonight.”
“Honestly, I’m surprised they managed to organize it this soon.”
My parents had strange work schedules, so it was hard for the whole family to go out together like this. But I was happy we had to wait a few days—so much happened on my actual graduation day that I appreciated spreading everything out a little bit more.
“Come on,” I said, turning back in the direction of my house. “I need to get ready.”
“I’m sure Charlie would love to help,” Violet teased.
“Shut up.”
“Oh, we are so proud of you,” Mom said for the thousandth time that night. She swished her wine around in her glass. “I just can’t believe my baby is all grown up.”
Matthew and I shared a glance. We both knew she would be like this at my graduation, but this was even more than I expected. I appreciated the sentiment, but she was getting a little more emotional than either of us wanted to deal with.
“Save some of your tears for when she leaves in the fall,” Matthew said. Mom made a choked sound and put a hand to her mouth as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. I kicked Matthew under the table. “Ow!”
“You’re not helping,” I hissed. I looked at Mom. “And don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be home all summer, remember?”
“Oh, summer will go by so fast!” Mom cried, waving a napkin around in the air. “And then you’ll be off to another city, and I’ll be left all alone!”
“You’ll still have me, hon,” Dad said, squeezing her hand.
“Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t think it won’t be the same.”
“Are you all right, Mrs. McKinnon?” My stomach dropped as I heard the voice. Why did Charlie have to be here, of all places, right now?
Mom turned to look over her shoulder to where Charlie was now standing. He pressed one hand to Mom’s shoulder and rubbed it a little in a comforting gesture.
“Oh, hello, Charlie,” Mom said. All her previous theatrics disappeared, like seeing Charlie cured her of all emotions. “What are you doing here?”
Charlie’s eyes flitted toward Matthew for a second before returning to Mom. “Didn’t Matthew tell you? I work here—my shift actually just ended a minute ago.”
