“You think so, Dad?” I smirked. “Mom just said I looked adorable.”
“He’s just worried because I was wearing a skirt shorter than that when we met.” My mom teased.
“Believe me, Dad. I won’t be meeting my future husband at this party. But just cover all bases do you have enough money in case I need bail?”
“If I don’t pay our electric bill.” Dad mumbled without changing his expression. “Why might you need bail?”
“Sandy is coming with me.” I pulled the refrigerator open and grabbed the gallon milk jug and took a swig.
“Sandy’s parents can handle her bail. You’ll just have to serve the time, honey. We love you but we love cable more.” Dad diligently made some notes in his checkbook before looking up and winking at me.
“Thanks, dad. I knew I could count on you.”
“So where is this party?” my mom grabbed a pen and paper and smiled while blinking innocently at me.
“Don’t you trust me?” I put my hands on my hips.
“Of course, I do.” mom rubbed my arm. “It’s the rest of the world I don’t trust.”
“Okay, give me this.” I quickly wrote Lucas’s name, address and phone number on her notebook and handed it back to her.
“Are you kidding?” Mom sighed. “You are not going to Sarkis Estates.”
"What? Yes, I am."
“Honey, the cheapest house in Sarkis Estates costs over three-quarters of a million dollars. That’s the house for the poor family in that neighborhood. Who do you know who lives there?” My mom was suspicious. “I don’t want you to end up like those true crime stories where the wonderful girl with the big heart get ambushed by a bunch of rich monkeys because they think they can get away with it.”
“Believe me, mom. Sandy and I are just stopping by and I promise to be home in about two hours. Three tops.”
“So, if you don’t call me to tell me you’re okay in three hours that’s the signal to go ahead and call the police?”
I looked at my father.
“What is she going to do when I go to New York?”
He shrugged, shaking his head with a smirk on his lips.
“Okay, I’m out of here. I’m going to pick up Sandy and I’ll call you to let you know everything is all right. Don’t worry. I’ll be home early.”
"Be careful and have fun." My mom called me as I left through the back door.
“Don’t call us if you get arrested!” My da
d yelled through the window.
“I won’t!”
"According to the Mapquest, you need to take a right up ahead and the Prine Estate is on that street somewhere," Sandy instructed as she looked up from her phone to the scenery out the car window.
"These houses could house many houses like mine." I gasped. To say they were mansions was an understatement. Huge, rolling brick structures with perfectly manicured lawns and cobblestone driveways were on each side of the street. "Look. Even their flowers all grow perfectly together. I'm a creeped out. Are you?"
"A little," Sandy muttered. She pointed to a well-lit house. "That's it."
“Of course, it’s white.” I sighed. “Jeez. Maybe this is a bad idea.”
“Oh, no way.” Sandy insisted. “We’re here now and I want to know what this place looks like on the inside. I’ll bet you twenty dollars there is a Monet hanging on a wall somewhere.”
“You’re on.” I couldn’t resist a sure thing. “If we separate, keep your phone close and make sure you make your own drinks.”