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"He said hed be here at seven oclock. Were going to the club for dinner. "
In the kitchen, Angie made two cups of tea, then carried them into the living room. "The club, huh? Pretty hoity-toity. "
Lauren giggled. She looked impossibly young just then, perched as she was on the very edge of the sofa. Obviously she was afraid to wrinkle her gown. She sipped her tea with extreme care, holding the cup with two hands.
Angie felt a surge of emotion; she was afraid of what the world could do to a girl like this, one who seemed sometimes to be too alone.
"Youre looking at me weird. Am I holding the cup wrong?" Lauren asked.
"No. " Angie quickly took another photograph. As she lowered the camera back to her lap, she met Laurens starry-eyed gaze. How could a mother not want to experience this moment? "I guess youve gone to lots of school dances," she said. That was probably the answer.
"Yeah. Most of them. " Lauren didnt seem to really be listening, though. Her voice sounded distracted. Finally, she set down her teacup and said, "Can I ask you something?"
"Generally thats a question one should say no to. Often hell no. "
"Really. Can I?"
"Fire away. " Angie leaned back into the sofas denim pillows.
"Why did you do all this for me tonight?"
"I like you, Lauren. Thats all. I wanted to help. "
"I think its because you feel sorry for me. "
Angie sighed. She knew she couldnt deflect the question. Lauren wanted a real answer. "That was part of it, maybe. Mostly, though . . . I know how it feels not to get what you want. "
"You?"
Angie swallowed hard. A part of her wished she hadnt opened this particular door--and yet it had felt so natural to speak. Though now that shed begun, she didnt know quite how to move forward. "I dont have children," she said.
"Why not?"
Angie actually appreciated the directness of the question. Women her own age tended to recognize the land mine in this conversation and walk gingerly around it. "The doctors dont know, exactly. Ive been pregnant three times but . . . " She thought of Sophia and closed her eyes for a second, then went on. "No luck. "
"So you liked helping me get ready?" There was a wistfulness in Laurens voice that matched Angies own emotions.
"I did," she answered softly. She was about to say something else when the doorbell rang.
"Its David," Lauren said, popping to her feet, running for the door.
"Stop!" Angie called out.
"What?"
"A lady is called when the date arrives. Go upstairs. Ill answer the door. "
"Really?" Laurens voice was barely above a whisper.
"Go. "
As soon as Lauren was upstairs, Angie went to the front door and opened it.
David stood on the small porch. In a flawlessly cut black tuxedo with a white shirt and silver tie, he was every teenage girls dream.
"You must be David. Ive seen you drive up to the restaurant. Im Angie Malone. "
He shook her hand so hard she swore she felt the bones clamp together. "David Ryerson Haynes," he said, smiling nervously, looking past her.
