“It was nothing. Gave me a chance to practice my ring toss.”
But it wasn’t nothing. They laugh at something Mom says about me and my obsession with stuffed toys. They completely ignore me as they launch into conversation.
When they start to talk of dinner plans, I inch away from them. They won’t notice me anyway. He’s so wrapped up in whatever she’s saying.
“Hey, Ari.”
I look back over my shoulder. Vice Principal Wheeler is smiling at me.
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you join your mom and me for dinner?”
Mom shakes her head, giving me the signal. She doesn’t want me intruding on their date.
“Dinner sounds good.”
I’ll pay for it when I get home, but for now, the only thing that eclipses the rage on Mom’s face is the invitation itself. He asked me to go with them, which none of Mom’s past lovers had ever done.
I hug the stuffie to my chest and smile widely at him.