Chapter 3: The Prom
1182 Words
Chapter 3: The Prom
Chapter 3
The Prom
Jada Hackett walked down the long hall, her head hung low. It was the beginning of May, and no one had asked her to the prom. If it didn’t happen soon, it wouldn’t happen at all.
Alexa was cramming books into her locker when Jada approached.
“Well?” Alexa asked.
Jada sighed. “Nobody. Not even Kenny, though I’m kinda glad he didn’t ask. I might have been tempted to say yes.”
“You just broke up with him last month. Regretting it already?”
“Not hardly. Kenny was nice but he…just didn’t have it.”
“And you know you won’t have that problem with Jason.”
They both giggled, finished putting their books away, then headed toward English Lit class. Halfway through Great Expectations, Jada realized she was dreaming of Jason Rules instead of Pip. She sat up straight, cleared her thoughts, and got back to reading. Two hours later, on her way to the bus, she felt a tap on her shoulder. When she turned, she almost gasped.
“Jason! You scared me.”
“Enough to go to the prom with me?”
Jada couldn’t believe she was hearing this, but she played it cool, soooo cool. “What, nobody else would have you?”
He leaned in real close, his breath warming her cheeks. It sent goose bumps up her arms.
“You know that’s wrong.” Jason brushed his fingers against her neck, tucked her hair behind her ear. Kissed her. “So what’s it gonna be? I can’t be making my boys wait on me.”
She c****d her head, as if she hadn’t said yes a million times in her heart already. “I guess we’ll make a good couple.”
“You got that right, girl. We’ll couple for sure.”
A horn beeped. He flipped them the finger. “Gotta go. We’ll catch up and figure things out.”
Jada waited until he was out of sight then held her hands in front of her face and screeched. Then she giggled and laughed, running for the bus. Alexa was already there.
“Girl, was that Jason Rules I saw you talking to?”
Jada jumped up and down, screeching again. “Jason Rules—he rules.”
“Jason Rules has got the tools.”
Alexa and Jada laughed more, hugged each other as they got on the bus, and almost danced their way to a pair of empty seats.
Kenny approached Jada, hands in his pockets, head hung low. “You going to the dance?”
“Jason asked me,” Jada said, her head halfway to the clouds.
“Jason Rules?” Kenny shook his head. “You could do better.”
“Like you?”
“Yeah, like me, but by the time you figure that out, you’ll be messed up. Forget I asked.”
“I already did.”
Alexa put her hand on Jada’s arm. “Don’t worry about it. He can’t ruin this day.”
“You’re right about that. Nothing can ruin this day.”
Half an hour later, after riding the bus to Alexa’s house, Jada caught a ride home with a friend. The houses in her neighborhood were three-bedroom ranch homes built in the fifties or sixties. Most didn’t have a garage. She waved to old Joe out sprinkling his lawn, and to Mr. Cobb tending his gardens, but mostly she thought about how to tell her mom that she wouldn’t be going to the prom with Kenny. Her mom liked him.
Jada got out near the end of the street, walked up the short driveway and into the house. The door opened into the living room, which shared space with the eating area.
Her mother was folding clothes from a basket on the table. “How was your day?”
Jada tried containing herself but didn’t do so well. “I got asked to prom!”
Her mother continued folding a towel but glanced in Jada’s direction. “Kenny?”
“Another boy asked me first. I couldn’t say no, not this late; besides, he’s adorable.”
Her mother kept folding towels.
“Mom, you don’t understand. It’s Jason Rules, the most popular guy in school. And he asked me. Aren’t you happy?”
Her mother finished the last towel, and then set the laundry basket down and hugged her. “Of course I’m happy, but…”
“But what?” Jada pulled back, staring, afraid of what would come next.
“What will you wear?”
“We’ll have to get something.”
Her mother’s face grew rigid, almost stern. “You know the situation. Nothing’s changed.”
“Don’t we have any money?”
“Where do you think we’d get money? Did you bring any in this week? Your father’s work is down by half.” She grabbed a dishtowel and tossed it to Jada. “You dry. I’ll wash.”
Jada dried a few dishes, setting them on the counter. “What about Mars? Is he still going to jiu-jitsu?” She tried taking the anger from her voice.
Her mother’s glare made Jada feel ashamed. “His classes have been paid for since the beginning of the year. And we don’t get refunds for canceling.” She washed the pan they’d cooked asparagus in and handed it to Jada. “Believe me, if we could get a refund, we would.”
“How come I get shafted? You knew the prom was coming up.”
Her mother turned off the water, set down the washcloth, and stared at her. Glared was more like it. Again. “Yes, I knew the prom was coming up, but I did not know that your father’s boss would cut his hours in half, or that he wouldn’t be able to find more work.” She looked ready to cry, but held it back. “And I did not know that every damn thing we need to live would go up in price. If I had known, maybe I would have found time to save money for your precious prom.”
Jada cringed and looked away. She ran the towel across the bottom of the pan and wiped the inside. “I’m so sick of seeing dog hairs. I can’t wait till Scooter goes.”
Her mother turned on her with fire in her eyes. “I know you don’t mean that. Tell me it was one of those stupid, stupid things that come out of a young girl’s mouth.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you.” When her mother didn’t say anything, Jada repeated it. “I really am sorry. And I really do love you.”
Her mother stared at her for a moment then nodded. “All right. And about that prom, don’t give up yet. We may find a way. I can still sew a mean dress.”
“It’s okay. I don’t need to go.”
“What, and let poor what’s-his-name take a lesser girl to the prom?” They both laughed. Her mom wrung out the dishcloth and wiped the table. “He’d never forgive me.”
“You’re the best, Mom. And by the way, his name’s Jason.”
“You mean I’m the best mom if I figure out how to get you a dress?”
“Either way, but that would make you the bomb.”
She laughed. “I don’t know if I want to be the ‘bomb,’ but thanks.”
“Did you go to prom with Dad?”
Another laugh. “No. I went with Roger Mattens. At the time, I was certain I was going to marry him.”
“But?”
“But I met your father.” She sat in a chair and stared at a wall filled with pictures of pigs—a baker, a chef, a butler. More pig ornaments dotted the shelf hanging on the side wall. “I met him at prom. All night I pestered Roger to dance. And all night I watched your father tear up that dance floor.” She sighed. “He must have noticed me watching him. At the first chance, he asked me to join him. I looked over at Roger. He shrugged, so I went with your father.” She laughed. “We danced the rest of the night together. He took me home afterward.”
“I bet you stopped for a little something, huh?”
“Jada!”
“Don’t act so innocent. I can count. I was born seven months after you were married.”
Her mother tried to hide her blushing face. “Shame on you, Jada.”
Jada rubbed her fingers together in a taboo signal. “Shame on you, Mama.”
They laughed together like two girlfriends then hugged.
“I’ll find some way,” her mother said. “You’ll have your prom.”
- Writer
