wouldn’t be appreciated. A prom issue, an event issue, Poppy could definitely help with that. With the strength of Zoey’s grief, Poppy had begun to worry it was something serious, like someone had forced themselves on her or she’d been party to some horrific crime.
“Why?” Poppy asked, still stroking her. “Why can’t you go to prom?”
“I don’t have a date.”
Inhaling, Poppy tempered her smile and pulled back, keeping her arms around Zoey, but making eye contact. “Sweetie, you don’t need a date to go to prom… Is there someone you want to go with?” Zoey averted her eyes. Poppy smiled, which the youngster noticed and was stung by offense. “No, I’m sorry, I just… Charley does the same thing when she’s reluctant to tell me something… There is someone, isn’t there?” Zoey nodded. “And he didn’t ask you?”
Still, Zoey wouldn’t look at her, so all she got was a shrug. “I can’t go.”
“Why? Because he didn’t ask you?”
“I was asked,” Zoey said, fresh tears budding in her eyes.
Poppy reached over to the nightstand to grab a couple of tissues. “So what’s the problem? I’ve seen your dress, it’s beautiful… I can talk to Turner, we can get you a limo, makeup artist… anything you want.”
“No,” Zoey said, grabbing for Poppy’s hands. “You can’t talk to Turner.”
“Why?” Poppy asked, confused. “I don’t understand.”
Zoey sighed. “Neither would he.”
They sat there for another couple of minutes. All of a sudden, something that Charley had said to her once came back to mind.
Tipping the youngster’s chin up, Poppy began to mop up her tears. “Can I tell you a secret?” Zoey nodded. “The first time I saw your brother, he was bent over his workbench doing something with his tools, I don’t know what…” Opening her mouth, she inhaled. “And I…” Poppy’s lips curled. “I was so impressed by his magnificent ass that I forgot how to speak.”
“Poppy!” Zoey screeched, giving her shoulder a light push. “Oh my God. That’s so gross!”
Not only did Zoey smile, but she laughed too and Poppy began to hope that she could be making progress.
“The point is, we notice what we notice,” Poppy said. “I didn’t know he was your brother, I didn’t know he was Charley’s brother. I just walked into the room and… oh boy.”
Zoey laughed. “I’m so going to tell him.”
Though she didn’t really mind Turner knowing that, Poppy squeezed Zoey’s hand. “No, because this is just us… I can tell you a secret and you can tell me…” Zoey’s smile fell. “Someone asked you to the prom.” More solemn, Zoey nodded. “And you want to go with them.” Again, Zoey nodded. “But you’re afraid what people will think… What your family will think.” Although Zoey didn’t respond, Poppy could read that she was right. “Zoey, honey…” She pulled the teen closer. “You have to live your life for you. Don’t ever live it for anyone else.”
“They’ll hate me.”
“No, they won’t,” Poppy said, giving Zoey’s hand a reassuring shake. “Honey, I have watched your family together, spent time with all of you, and there’s nothing but love here… You know what Turner told me once? He said people are what matters. People can’t be replaced. Your brother loves you, no matter who you love… He’d never want to see you hurt, even by him… Your mom feels exactly the same way. They love you, Zoey. You. And you can’t be replaced.”
Zoey’s attention drifted to the floor. “I keep wondering what Dad would think… Would he hate me?”
“I didn’t know your father, but I know his children and not one of them are capable of hating you. Do you think your mom would be married to a man who put restrictions on love? Your mom wants all of you to be happy. That’s all she wants for you. She told me exactly that.” Zoey still didn’t seem sure. “Like your mom, my grandmother lost her husband young. They loved each other so much that I still hear how much it hurts her not to be with him. She’d give anything to have him to love again. And I think your mom feels the same way about your dad.” Zoey’s eyes found hers. “How do you think they’d feel knowing you have the chance for love right in front of you and you’re ignoring it? Why? Because of what people might think? You love who you love, Zo.”
She seemed a little more relaxed, although wasn’t completely at ease. “What if Mom kicks me out?”
Poppy smiled. “She won’t…