Wren chuckles. “Some things never change.”
She’s right about that. Carla is going to be the life of the party at her own funeral.
“Carla has a point, Mom,” Sienna remarks. “She’s so fun and you’re so… not.”
“See, that’s why you’re my favorite goddaughter.” Carla blows her a kiss. “Love you.”
Sienna bursts out laughing. “I’m your only goddaughter.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Carla replies, smacking herself on the forehead. “I completely forgot.”
I swear these two have been ganging up on me ever since Sienna was an infant.
“I’m fun,” I grumble defensively. “Wren, back me up.”
“You’re totally fun,” she says, her eyes glued on the magazine in her hands. “When I want to have a wild time, you’re the first person I think about calling.”
Carla and my daughter scream in laughter.
“Your sarcasm isn’t necessary,” I retort, thrusting my cell phone in her direction. “Here, make yourself useful and take some pictures.”
Wren pushes away from Sienna’s worktable and grabs the phone.
“Backstabber,” I mutter under my breath.
I stand beside my baby and loop my arm around hers. The next ten minutes are spent with all of us posing for pictures and selfies until a long chiming ring interrupts us.
“That’s Julian,” Sienna says, her eyes widening in alarm. “We have to hurry. You know how intimidating they are.”
By “they,” she means her fathers and brothers. Luckily for Julian, only two of her brothers are here. The rest flew the nest and settled in other states, but they’re still going to see Sienna’s big reveal via video along with everyone else who couldn’t come in person.
“I’ll tell everyone to get their cameras ready,” Wren announces and leaves the room.
“You’re not planning on having sex tonight, are you?” I blurt out.
“Mom!” Sienna exclaims, rolling her eyes at me.
“I know that on prom night some boys expect certain privileges,” I say and then pause for a second to gather my thoughts. “I just don’t want you to feel pressured into having sex. Besides, staying a virgin is all the rage nowadays. Right, Carla?”
“Hell yeah,” she answers. “I’m still a virgin at sixty-seven years old. All you have to do is clap your hands in a circle five times afterwards and yell abracadabra! Then voilà, your hymen magically grows back.”
I shake my head. “Can you please be serious for once in your life?”
“I am being serious,” Carla states innocently, batting her eyelashes. “A friend of a friend told me about it and it really works.”
“Shut up, Carla,” I deadpan.
“Mom, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“I know, sweetheart. The decision to have sex is solely yours, but it’s my job as a parent to caution you.” I grasp her hand and squeeze reassuringly. “Sex is an important milestone and shouldn’t be rushed. Giving the wrong person access to your body can leave emotional scars. Just take your time. That’s all I’m asking.”
“All jokes aside, your mom is spot on,” Carla interjects, finally adulting with me. “Don’t give up the goods to just anybody.”
“I only want what’s best for you.”
“Okay.” Sienna nods and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.” I smile and more tears spill from my eyes. “Let’s go rescue Julian before he runs for the hills.”
