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Hm, that’s strange. It doesn’t seem like anything urgent, seeing as she put a smiley face in the message. I look down at the running shorts and sweaty t-shirt I’ve been cleaning in all day and decide to change. But only because I feel gross, and not because my mom asked me to.

Throwing on a cool cotton dress and sandals, I walk to the bathroom and freshen up my deodorant and pull my hair back into a neat ponytail. Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror, I shrug and say to myself, “This is as good as it’s going to get.”

Thirty minutes after reading Mom’s text, I’m pulling into my parent’s driveway. I have no clue what she wants to discuss, but I haven’t seen them much lately anyway, besides dropping Samantha off. Although we have our disagreements, I do love them and enjoy hanging out with them. Especially now that we have some space from each other.

Walking inside the house, I greet my mother in the entryway. She peruses my plain grey, jersey-cotton dress and frowns.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” She brings her hand to her chest like she’s having chest pain.

I thought it was cute and casual, but apparently I was mistaken. “What’s wrong with this? It’s a dress. It’s cute.”

Dad must hear our conversation because he walks into the entry way with Samantha on his heels. “Oh sweetie, you look great!”

“You can’t be serious, Ted.” Mom looks at him with her mouth slightly open in offense.

Dad looks befuddled, clearly not realizing what he did wrong.

Hmm. Okay, this is already getting weird. “So, what did you guys want to discuss?”

“Well, we actually arranged a special surprise for you this evening. Since we’ll have Samantha, anyway.” The oven timer dings from the kitchen and she turns abruptly and walks toward the kitchen.

I look at my dad and throw my hands up. The universal sign for what the heck is going on?

He opens his mouth to speak, but Samantha interrupts him.

“Mommy! We made cookies!”

“That’s great, sweetie! Let’s go see if they’re done.”

I take her hand and we walk into the kitchen, where my mom is removing the cookie trays from the oven. Dad strides over to her side, and they share a strange look. Mom’s eyes are wide and Dad’s are narrowed in a glare.

“So, what are these surprise plans you made for me without knowing if I was even free this evening?” I ask, feeling confused… and also a little terrified.

Mom laughs and removes her oven mitts. “Oh Sophie, you’ve been such a homebody lately we assumed you’d probably be free.”

I put my hands on my hips. “That didn’t answer my question.”

Dad clears his throat. He doesn’t seem as confident with whatever scheme they’ve planned as my mother is. “Well, you see… I made a new acquaintance at the country club. Someone new in town who needs a Wichita native to show them around a bit. I thought you could go to dinner with them and, you know, make a new friend.”

I look between my parents, who are looking guiltier by the second. “Okay. What’s her name?”

My father looks at his feet. “Um… his name is Bradley.”

My nostrils flare of their own accord, so that invisible, angry steam can blow through.

“You arranged a blind date for me without my consent?”

“Don’t be silly. It doesn’t have to be a date. Just two young, attractive, single people enjoying all that our lovely city has to offer,” Mom says with a flourish of her hand.

“Yeah, Mom. That’s called a date.” I roll my eyes. “A blind date.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I can assure you Bradley is a very handsome and incredibly successful man. So nothing to be worried about.”

I shake my head from side to side. This is a whole new level of control-freak—even for my mom.

“I’m not even sure I’m ready to date, Mom! I’m not going.”

“It was all your mother’s idea,” Dad blurts.