"And embarrass Canton by showing up in something that doesn't match what the other women are wearing? I can't do that. I'll just have to go out at lunch."
"If you think he won't date you because you wore the wrong dress, then find someone else. You don't want someone like that."
"It's not just about Canton. I'm looking forward to getting all dressed up and looking nice. It's been so long." She finishes her water and puts the glass in the dishwasher. "How was your night?"
"Boring. I just did homework."
She comes over to me. "You didn't want to go back to the hospital and see Dean?"
I shrug. "He had his friends there. I'll see him tomorrow."
"Any word on his brother?"
"No. Nothing."
She frowns. "That's too bad. But I wouldn't worry, honey. I'm sure they'll find him." She gives me a hug. "I'm going to bed."
As she heads to her room, I follow behind. "Mom, wait."
"What is it?" she asks, turning back.
"Did you talk to Dad about his offer?"
"He left me a message on my phone but I haven't called him back."
"Are you going to?"
"Not until we've talked and made a decision."
"Well...have you? I mean, what do you think?"
She pauses, looking to the side before looking back at me. "Personally, I'd like to tell him yes. Being back there, even if it's just for a few months, would give me the opportunity to re-establish myself. By the time you graduate, perhaps I'll have found a way to stay there."
"How would you stay there? You can't afford it."
"I could if I were living with Canton," she says, her lips turning up.
She's been on one date with the guy and is already thinking of marrying him?
Being back in that world, surrounded by rich people, for just one night was enough for her to forget about her independence and happiness and go back to wanting a fake, unhappy life like she had with my dad.
"You'd really marry that guy?" I ask. "You just met him."
"Honey, I've known him for years. We're old friends."
"Dad was his friend. You weren't."
"He's a nice man, and he'd be good for me."
"Even if you didn't love him?"
She sets her hand on my shoulder. "When you're older, you'll understand that relationships aren't just about love. They're about shared goals. Meeting each others needs. A sense of security."
"You meanfinancialsecurity," I say, sounding annoyed.
"Brook, this is none of your concern. Why don't you get to bed?"
"So what are you going to tell Dad?"
