r-really early, 9:30...”
“Would you believe I get morning wood?” I felt bad about last night when I fell asleep afterwards.
“Are you s-serious?”]
I never forgot how good and right it felt to pleasure her. That was November 13.
[It’s my birthday; January 21. Cote wants me to meet him in the parking lot after school. Why does sixth period have to be so long? The teacher is yakking about our midterms. When I get there someone covers my eyes.
“Conjetura que.”
“Is it Darth Vader?” I pretend not to know.
“Nope, better.”
“Ohmigod, Mandy Musgrave!” I scream jumping up and down.
“Keep your eyes closed.”
“This is the best birthday ever! I’m being kidnapped by Mandy Musgrave!” I hear a car door open and Cote helps me in.
“Open your eyes.”
I’m in a limo, there’s a TV and a bar and a present on the seat.
“Wow,”
“Happy birthday.” He leans in; kisses me softly, hand on my chin.
“Here, open your present.” He hands me a small rectangular box wrapped in silver paper. I open it. A piece of black stone in the shape of a butterfly, on a silver chain. Te amo, mi mariposita is embossed on the back.
“I love you too.” I kiss him hard as the limo starts to drive. When we pull apart he puts it on me.
“Where did you get this?” I feel the weight of the stone on my chest. The limo stops.
“It was my mom’s. I had it engraved.” A single tear.
“How long?” I take his hand.
“A year and six months. She uh she got pneumonia and they gave her something she was allergic to. Her... her throat seized and her lungs they they they they shut down...” A big choking sob. He turns away. I hug him tight.
“Shhh, don’t cry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Ay Mami, le falto.” He whispers.
When I get out of the limo, a block from my house, it’s snowing.]
About a week after Devyn’s birthday my dad won the election.
[“Cassidy, can you come down here?” Over the intercom. I was in my room on the balcony. When I get downstairs
“What?”
“My publicist wants you to appear with me at the acceptance banquet.” He’s in his giant armchair.
“Ok, when is it?”
“It’s next Saturday.” He folded his hands on his desk.
“What do I have to do?”
“Be polite. Have dinner and pose for a few photos. I want you to look nice, wear a dress.” We give each other a look.
“Cass this is important. Just do this one thing.”
“Gah, whatever. I get to pick the dress.” I stomped up to my room pretending to be more mad than I was. I didn’t feel like having another fight. I called Devyn.
“Do you have any dresses?” I’d asked her.
“It depends on what for. Nothing fancy.”
“Do you think you could go with me shopping for one?” My voice was high. At the mall Devyn and I held hands.
“Where are the dresses?” She laughed and started walking. We passed a Victoria’s Secret and my eyes lingered.
“On the way out.” She dragged me away. In the dress store we laughed and made fun of the ugliest ones.
“This es desesperado.” I lean on the wall.
“I can’t see you in any of these.” Devyn stood next to me.
“C’mon.” She pulled me into a dressing room. And backed me against the wall as we made out.
“Ow, hanger,” I turned around. There was a dress on the wall. It looked tight at the top and flowed from the waist where diagonal silver stripes wrapped around.
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