Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
In spite of my resistance, I find myself having a hard time telling her no. I run a hand through my hair, letting out a sigh. “I don’t even have nice clothes,” I say. “What am I supposed to-”
“Just wear something light,” Jenny replies, waving a dismissive hand. “It’s hot out there.” There’s something evasive in her tone, but I don’t see the point in questioning it.
I purse my lips.
“Just for a little bit, right? And if it sucks, we leave?”
She nods, a placating smile already on her face.
“Promise.”
You’re going to regret this, I think to myself, but I can already feel the last of my resistance crumbling.
“Okay,” I say, shaking my head and giving a dry chuckle. “Fine. You win. I’ll go, but I swear, if it sucks then we have to leave immediately.”
“Of course!” my friend says innocently. But then her grin becomes devious again. “I promise it won’t be bad, Frankie. I think you’ll love it, in fact.”
I shoot a glance at Jenny because there’s something odd about her words, but I can’t put my finger on it. Brushing it out of my mind, we spend the rest of the afternoon at my house. Jenny helps me put on some makeup - she was always better at that kind of thing than I was - and assures me multiple times that the sundress I brought back from California will be perfect party attire. She seems fixated on my neckline, assessing it like it’s the key to my future, and at one point Mom stops in the doorway and gives us an inquisitive look.
“You girls all right in there?”
I nod.
“Yeah, Mom. Just getting ready for a party tonight.”
Gertrude raises her eyebrows, no doubt surprised to hear those words coming out of my mouth.
“Okay,” she says after a moment’s pause. “Have fun. Just don’t stay out too late. Remember, we’re going to dinner tomorrow with George and his son. Good first impressions, and all that.”
I nod, giving her a thin smile, and watch her disappear down the hallway. George is my mom’s fiancé. He’s a wealthy real estate developer who’s set to become Mom’s fourth husband. I have my doubts that it’s going to work out, given Gertrude’s track record. I still want to be there for her, though. She hasn’t had an easy go of it since dad left.
Jenny eyes me over her compact mirror. “You still haven’t met your stepdad yet?”
“Soon-to-be stepdad,” I correct her. “I haven’t met his son either.”
“Damn,” Jenny says, shaking her head. “That’s weird. They’re already engaged too?”
I shrug.
“It’s Gertrude’s life. She can do what she wants, and you know my mom. She works at light speed when it comes to men. I’m just glad I won’t be here to see it if this marriage falls apart like the rest of them.”
“That’s depressing,” remarks Jenny, snapping the compact closed. “I say we head out for our night of debauchery. I guarantee that by tomorrow morning, you’ll have forgotten all about your mom’s dating life.”
I chuckle and dismiss the idea, unaware of just how true it will turn out to be.
The drive through the suburbs takes less time than I’m expecting, but we’ve managed to avoid the majority of the rush hour traffic on our way to the neighborhood where the party is taking place. Inwardly I’m already starting to regret agreeing to come, and wonder whether it’s even possible to throw a fun house party in the suburbs, where the best one can hope for is beer that’s not too warm. But it’s too late to turn back now, especially with Jenny practically bouncing in her seat with excitement, and as we pull up to the curb and climb out of her van, I force myself to put on an enthusiastic face.
“It’s just up there, on the corner,” my friend enthuses, pointing to a large house at the end of the block. This isn’t just any house. This place is practically a manor. The red brick building is big, obviously expensive, and even as we approach down the sidewalk, I can hear the muffled sounds of music, voices, and laughter coming from inside. I notice that the window blinds are all drawn, with light barely escaping from the inside, and that strikes me as a little odd.
“Do you know anyone here?” I ask, feeling tentative as we walk up the steps to the door.
Jenny shakes her head.
“Not exactly. A friend of a friend is hosting. She said it was going to be wild.”
“Oh,” I say, a hint of apprehensiveness creeping into my voice. “That’s, uh… good. I’m sure it will be fun.”
If Jenny picks up on my nervousness, she doesn’t say anything. I was never one for parties back in high school. I went to a few, yeah, but they inevitably ended with me standing awkwardly in a corner, drinking root beer - or on rare occasions, actual beer - while I watched everyone else have a good time without me. As Jenny rings the doorbell, I can already tell that’s where I’ll end up in T-minus twenty minutes, and just hope she makes good on her promise to leave when things get boring.