“She was asked to the Styleses’ house for dinner tonight,” he said, sounding proud that he knew before she did. “They’re sending a car for her.”
“Really? Well, I guess I don’t have to ask how your date was, then,” she said. She even sounded a little jealous that Papa knew more than she did.
“I had a good time, Mama.”
She stood there, smiling at me. “Merveilleux, Emmie. I’m so happy for you.”
She glanced at Papa. I think he knew as well as I did that Mama was always afraid that I wouldn’t have a happy time as a teenager or when I was a young woman off on my own. For a moment, at least, it was truly as if the clouds had parted on our ceilings, and we could feel the rays of hope and happiness again.
I practically lunged at my phone when it rang later on in the morning. I couldn’t wait to tell Evan that I could come to his house, but it wasn’t Evan.
“So, how was your date?” Chastity asked as soon as I said hello.
“Oh. Very nice. The movie was very interesting. You should try to see it.”
“Why would I want to see a French movie by myself?” she countered. “Unless you would go again.”
“Oh, I would,” I said.
“Oh. Well, are you coming over tonight?”
I sucked in my breath. She wasn’t going to like this. “No, I can’t. I was invited to Evan’s house for dinner.”
“What? His parents invited you?”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be nice to say no, right?”
She was silent.
“I mean, my parents approved, and you know my father.”
“Right,” she said. “Maybe you could come over on Sunday, then. Tell your father we’re studying again. We could still see your sister, I bet. And you can tell me all about your fancy dinner.”
“I didn’t say it was going to be fancy.”
“Sure.”
“Actually, Evan took me to a very simple, inexpensive place last night. He’s not stuck-up.”
“Whoop-de-do. Are you going to come on Sunday or not?”
“I’ll call you in the morning,” I said.
“Right. Call me,” she said sharply, and hung up without saying good-bye.
I felt sorry for her again, but I was determined not to let that spoil my happiness.
Twenty minutes later, Evan called.
“That’s great,” he said when I told him my father had said yes. “I guess it was smart bringing you home a little early, huh?”
“Absolument. Très intelligent.”
“Hey, I have a great idea. I’ll have the car pick you up an hour earlier, so you and I can practice a short French dialogue to impress my parents, okay?”
“Je consens.”
“Um . . . I . . . consent?”