The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,30
as well. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you?” she asks. “We didn’t get a chance to talk much yesterday with you and Davis taking Mama Frothingham back to the home so early.”
“No, I don’t mind,” I answer. What else could I possibly say? The woman has already sat down next to me and is arranging cutlery on the coffee table like she’s serving a state dinner.
“Mrs. Frothingham …” I start to say.
“I thought we decided that you’d call me Lee.”
“Okay, Lee. To be honest, I’m a little bit embarrassed right now.”
“Why in the world?”
“I don’t usually have people over to my place. You see, I lived here with my mom. I’m only staying until I have a down payment on a house.”
“And?” she prompts.
“And, I guess this isn’t how I want you to see me.” I gesture around, spokes-modeling my shabby furniture.
“Psh,” she exhales while waving her hand in front of her. “I don’t care where you live. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a lovely girl who’s helping take care of one of my cherished family members. You can do no wrong in my book, honey.” She hands me a cloth napkin that she must have brought from home and asks, “What movie are you watching?”
“The Breakfast Club. It just started.”
And that’s how Davis’s mom and I wind up spending a very pleasant two hours together. She recites every single one of Molly Ringwald’s lines by heart and even sings along to the soundtrack. My mother would have positively loved this woman.
Before she leaves, Lee says, “I’m gonna have to bring Gracie with me the next time we do this. Either that or y’all can come to my place.
“That would be nice,” I tell her sincerely. “I usually watch John Hughes movies with my friend Sammy. She was a friend of my mom’s.”
“Well, you just bring her with,” Lee says. “I’ll check my book and give you a call so we can make a plan. What do you say to Sixteen Candles next?”
I say yes. I mean, how can I possibly pass up an offer like that?
Chapter Sixteen
March 7, 2008
Dear Molly,
Davis talked to me at our lockers after English class today. He asked what grade I got on my book report. While most people might think that’s no big deal, I know you’ll totally get that it is. Remember the first time Blane talked to you in Pretty in Pink? It was a moment of cinematic genius.
In one week, Davis has called me on the phone and initiated conversation outside of class. I’m starting to wonder if maybe he and Jessica are going to break up. How great would that be? And right before prom, too!
I crawl into bed after saying goodbye to Lee and am just closing my eyes when my phone rings. It’s Davis again. “Hey,” I answer.
“Hey, yourself,” he says. “How did it go? Did my mom leave right away?”
“She stayed for two hours. She brought me supper.”
“I’m so sorry. She really is a good person, but she’s just pushy as the day is long. It’s the main reason I don’t tell her everything going on in my life.”
I suddenly feel protective of Lee and wonder how in the world Davis can feel smothered by her love. I would give my right arm to have someone care about me that much. “We watched a movie together,” I tell him. “We had fun.”
He seems momentarily at a loss for words, so I add, “I think your mom is great.”
“Really?” he sounds shocked. “I mean, good. That’s good. I’m glad you’re not mad or anything.”
“I talked to my supervisor at work today.” I let the statement linger between us before adding, “She says she never gave you my address.”
“I Googled it,” he confesses. “It sounded kind of stalkerish and creepy to tell you that up front.”
“It sounded stalkerish and creepy that you asked my boss,” I reply.
“Huh. I thought it was way cooler than telling you I was cyber-stalking you.”
I laugh out loud before asking, “Why are you calling now?”
“I just wanted to make sure you survived Hurricane Lee. I’m glad you had a nice time.”
“I did, thanks. Your mom’s beef Wellington is out of this world.”
“She brought you leftovers?” he asks, surprised. Then he informs me, “I called her this morning to see if I could pick some up after work, and she told me there weren’t any.”
“I guess she likes me more than she likes you,” I tease.
“Now, that’s just mean. Seriously though,