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“Technically, he hasn’t asked me out and even if he did, I wouldn’t say yes.” Heather rubbed the back of her neck to ease the tension.
Sonia shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, I promised so I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”
“Ask mom if she wants to ride with us.”
Her sister bit her bottom lip.
Heather raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Mom’s not coming.”
“What? She comes every year. Why not?”
Sonia folded her arms across her chest. “Our mother told me she has a date.”
“You’re kidding?”
“I’m not.”
Heather’s foot tapped on the floor. “Mom can’t be serious.”
“She said she’s going out so I can’t—”
“Who is this guy? Do we know him? Is he new in town? Where does he—”
Sonia raised her hands in a surrendered gesture. “I don’t know, Heather. She said she was going out. Mom’s a grown woman.”
“Do you know this guy?”
“She wouldn’t tell me anything.” Sonia reached for her sister’s hand. “Mom’s okay. She’s strong. She’s been through a lot, but she’s fine. Let her have some happiness. She deserves it. So do you.”
Heather gave her sister a gentle squeeze of her hand before releasing her grip. “Okay, I’ll back off.”
“I have to shower and change before my shift at work. You’re certain about the party?”
“I’ll be ready to go this weekend.”
Her sister hugged her before exiting through the door. Heather took a gulp of water from her bottle. The thought of her mother dating stayed on her mind. How could she after what she’d been through? Sonia was asleep when it happened, but Heather had heard the door slam that night. Rushing to her bedroom window, she watched her dad’s pickup truck pull out of the driveway.
She had asked her mom after rushing to the steps of their traditional home. “Where’s Dad?”
Her mother’s sienna eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m sorry, Baby. He’s gone.”
Heather had watched her mother’s spirit crumble in that moment. Then she rushed to her side for a hug, releasing the sobs trapped inside her.
“Heather? Are you okay?” A tenor voice asked.
She jerked her head to see Terrance staring at her. “Sorry I didn’t see you there.”
“Are you alright? You look worried.”
Heather forced a smile. “Why would I be worried? I’m fine.”
He folded his muscular arms across his chest.
“I’m fine, T. Thanks for the concern, but I’m okay.”
He licked his bow-shaped lips. “Any chance you’ll be at the Christmas party?”
