Behind Closed Doors

7: Striking a Deal

Kaimi gets sent home after breakfast, and Skyler knows why. Bea wants to try and convince Skyler to go to Aruba with her, but she doesn't want to go, for many reasons. Skyler is in her room, playing on the computer (the only thing capable of playing games she's allowed to own, not counting her phone,) waiting for the inevitable to come knocking on her door. But their mother doesn't even knock, she waltzes in.

"Good morning, sweet child," she says.

"Mom, you don't have to act all happy with me, I know why you're here." Bea ignores them and opens up her closet. She pulls out all the dresses that Skye had crammed in the very back and begins to browse through them.

"Oh look! This would be a darling dress to wear to the funeral," her mother holds up a dress that makes Skyler's eyes burn. Despite being black, it was way too girly. Sequins, lace, a V-cut. It all made Skye want to vomit.

"Absolutely not."

"Okay, how about this one?" Bea asks, holding up a more modest concert dress her teacher forced her to wear in the sixth grade.

"Seriously? That's not going to fit me," she says.

"Hmm, red then?" Bea asks, holding up the hideous dress that their mother had gotten them for Easter last year. Skyler grips her hands into fists.

"I'm not wearing any of them, Mom. I don't want to go. I don't like going to funerals and listening about death and God, it's depressing," Skyler admits. Bea sighs.

"I know, Skye, but I need you to be there for me, and for your grandparents. I know you didn't get to connect with them much, but he wants to see you one last time. He said so himself," Bea says.

"He did? Why?" they ask.

"He said you'd asked for something a long time ago, and he wants to give it to you. He's talking, but barely. So, if you two have some inside secret that I don't know about..."

"I don't remember, mom," Skyler groans.

"I'm sure you don't, you were very young. But it's very important to your grandfather, so please, will you come? What will it take to get you to come?"

Skyler's ears perk up at her willingness to negotiate.

"Well, first of all, I will need to take your laptop to use for school. I have an important project due that week, so I'll also need internet so I can skype with Kaimi so she can help me," Skye says.

"Alright, that's not too hard."

"I'm not done. I also do not want anyone talking to me about God or death. I don't want to listen to any of that.

Bea sighs. "I can try my best on that."

"And one more thing," Skyler says. "I will not be wearing a dress."

"Then what on Earth are you going to wear?" she asks.

"I want to wear a suit."

"A suit? Skyler, I don't think there's time for-"

"No suit, no deal. I hate all these dresses, throw them away."

"But I thought you loved this dress..." Bea says, holding the red dress to her chest.

"I don't like dresses, okay? Give it to Kaimi, I'm sure she'd love it."

Bea sighs, but nods. "Alright, I'll go talk to your father. I don't have time to buy you a new suit, but he might have one from his old proms you can wear." Skyler felt her neck crack a bit as she whipped her head around to look at her mother, her eyes serious.

"Steal it. You can't tell dad, got it?"

"But he's your father, Sky-"

"If you tell him, I will never forgive you," she says.