I mean, of course. These love notes look like letters written by a serial killer, but that doesn’t change the fact that Kayla put in a ridiculous amount of effort.
“Maybe this could be plan B?” I offer.
Kayla doesn’t look discouraged and pulls out a stack of paper hearts from her backpack’s other pocket. “I also made these to get your parents in the mood…,” she says, then her face lights up. “What if I stick these on the walls? Maybe that’ll remind Auntie Beth of Uncle Ton.”
Before Pa or I can chime in, Kayla’s already on the hunt for masking tape.
My attention gets diverted when Ma emerges from the kitchen. “Anyone like banana-cue?” She waves a deep-fried banana skewered on a stick. “Don’t be shy to ask for more!”
Other mothers might protect their daughters from hanging out with strange boys; my mother, on the other hand, bribes them with food.
Okay, time to rekindle my parents’ romance. I maneuvered this perfectly. When Dani told me the date for the soiree, I called Dr. Derrick’s office and inquired about his schedule. I made sure Dr. Derrick was unavailable tonight so Ma could pour undivided attention into reminiscing about Pa.
“Work your magic,” I whisper to Pa.
He looks at me, perplexed. “What magic?”
“It’s a soiree. Isn’t this where you and Ma first met?”
My hand sweeps across the room while a group of guys act out a sword fight with barbecue sticks.
“Should I tell your mom that my love for her is like my undying body?”
After hearing my parents’ high school love story from Auntie Baby, I was so excited to share my memories theory with Pa—that maybe helping Ma remember her love for Pa could be key to making him less “ghostly.” But Pa didn’t even give it a chance. He still keeps insisting that him no longer being translucent is no big deal.
Pa falls silent when I don’t laugh at his joke.
“So what do you want me to do? Flirt with your mom?”
I smile up at him. “You’ll really do it?”
“If it means a lot to you, Superstar. Of course I will.” He then hesitates when he spots Ma retreat to the kitchen. “How do I flirt with your mother when she can’t see me?”
Hmm. This is the part I didn’t think through.
“Try floating around her,” I suggest. “You said you guys have some sixth marriage sense, right? Maybe Ma will somehow feel your presence.”
After more persisting, Pa finally relents and drifts toward Ma, who’s rearranging the dishes on the snack table. He keeps going around Ma in circles, like he’s a bird circling his prey instead of a man courting his wife. Maybe my father would have better romantic chances at a zoo.
“Hey, cohost buddy.”
I jump when Seph appears behind me out of nowhere. “You still mad?” he asks.
“Nope.”
“At least you’re talking to me now. That’s progress.”
I almost give in when I see his nose scrunch again.
“Why are you even at a soiree?” I ask him. “Aren’t Saint Agnes moms already begging you to take their daughters to prom?”
“I’m here for emotional support while my friends mingle. A lot of guys in my class aren’t as pogi,” he says, and I groan.
“Some come to me for advice on flirting,” he adds, and I groan even louder.
I’m saved from hearing more about Seph’s “flirting” when Dani starts recruiting people for a Never Have I Ever game.
Seph nudges me. “Do you need any help talking to anyone here?”
