The homecoming game was a big deal our senior year, mostly due to Mimi’s status as the brightly colored mascot of the team. Most found the costume dorky and obnoxious, which I agreed with, but Mimi enjoyed it. So, she trotted onto the field sporting the comical tiger costume. We laughed as she did a backflip, Reese and I clapping and shouting encouragement with the rest of the crowd.
“Hey guys!” She ambled up to us shortly after the closing of the winning game, having already changed from her tiger garb. A loud honk erupted from the parking lot to our right and she rolled her eyes. “Sorry about dipping in our plans for Denny’s. My mom and dad are dragging me to dinner with my grandparents.”
Reese reached for her arm, the touch seeming more than casual to me. “It’s okay. You had some pret
