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“I can come tonight, but it doesn’t really solve my problem.”
“What’s your problem?”
“I’ve sort of told a white lie, and I was trying to make it mostly true.”
“How on earth did you get yourself in this sort of a pickle? Who did you lie to?”
“If
I tell you, Mom, you can’t tell anyone. Not even Steven.”
“I won’t tell Steven.” At her declaration, he opened his eyes wide. “What happened?”
“I’m going to meet my art teacher for coffee Thursday night, so I canceled pizza with Spencer. And I told him I was having dinner with you so I wouldn’t hurt his feelings.”
“Honey, I can’t give you any advice on telling lies. They always backfire on me. My recommendation is not to do it.”
“But it’s too late. I’ve already told it.”
“Why would you lie to have coffee with this art teacher? Why didn’t you meet at another time instead of canceling your date with Spencer?”
“It wasn’t going to be a date with Spencer. I planned to buy my own pizza.”
“Still, you made plans with him first.”
“I know, and I feel bad. But not too bad, since Becca told me today they’d had a relationship. He evidently lied to me about her.”
“I don’t think I’d trust everything Becca says if I were you. I’d trust Spencer over Becca any day. And you haven’t told me about this art teacher yet.”
“He’s... He was really impressed with my work. And he said we should have coffee and talk. He gives private lessons. And… Well, he’s really good-looking.”
“Better looking than Spencer?”
“No, just different. Older. More sophisticated. More mature. I don’t know. Maybe I need someone older who wouldn’t do immature things, like lying about a relationship with another girl.”
“Sweetie, I can tell you from experience age doesn’t equal maturity. And it seems odd you’re criticizing him for a possible lie, when you’ve told one yourself. But you’re a smart girl—I trust your judgment. On the other hand, let me give you one little guideline.”
“What is it? I really don’t want a lecture, you know.”
“If you find yourself changing or doing things you wouldn’t normally do to please a guy, take a step back and analyze the situation. Ask yourself this… Is he helping you grow and be a better person, or are you changing in a bad way?”
“I can’t blame Asher for my decision to tell a lie. I did that on my own.”
“I trust you, Sweetie. I’m honored you talked to me instead of Charlie. I assume you haven’t told her about this.”
“No. I don’t think she’d understand.”
“You don’t think she’d understand? Or you don’t think she’d agree?”
“Same difference.” Emily’s voice was pouty. “Mom, he’s got an English accent.”
“Ah! Now I understand. We Best girls have a weakness for men with accents, I think.” Steven’s eyebrows knit dangerously, but she waved him off with a grin. “Be careful, Sweetie. I know you’ll do the right thing. Are you coming up for dinner?”
“Do you promise we won’t talk about this?”
“Hmmm? Talk about what? I don’t even remember what we were discussing.”
Emily chuckled. “Okay, I’ll come.”
