A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 15-The Bet

Over the past few days, I had noticed my dad pulling away. I thought maybe he was stressed at work or something to that degree. It seemed like things were becoming like it was before, withdrawn.

Now, after hearing my dad speaking with a woman, it scared me.

Was my dad dating someone…someone named Angela? Is that why he is hesitating in telling me?

I have no idea why, but I felt betrayed. Like a semi-truck rammed me in my stomach.

“Jay, are you okay,” Annie came around the hood of the car to the passenger side.

I could not breathe. It felt like a giant elephant was sitting on my chest. I sat back down.

“Jay, are you ok?”

“Yeah, just give me a minute,” I hoarsely whispered. She handed me a bottle of water. I took a sip. “Thank you.” I smiled weakly.

“No problem. What’s up?” She was concerned.

“My dad, I think he’s dating someone.” I took a deep breathe and another sip of water. She knew that my mom had died when I was young.

“Wow, that’s rough,” she frowned, and leaned against the car. It was silent for a minute until Annie interrupted. “SHOOT!”

“What happened?!” I stood up quickly.

“It’s Brian. He’s coming this way.” She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the car, and slams the door.

We jog across the parking lot, and enter JcPenny’s department store. Once we were in the lingerie department, we stopped to breathe.

“Why…are…we…running,” I asked between breaths.

“Brian.”

I took one last breath. “What about Brian?”

“Well,  you see…Ikindaowehimmoneyandhaven’tpaidhim,” she rushes together.

“So you’re avoiding him.”

“Heck, yeah. Well, let’s start looking for sexy dresses for Greg’s party since we’re here,” she grins.

I chuckle. This girl is so crazy!

*********************

“I think the teal one looks better,” I commented on Annie’s bazillionth outfit. She spun, facing the mirror.

“I agree. This dress makes my butt look small.” We both crack up laughing.

She soon came out holding the teal mid-thigh dress that twists in certain areas revealing a black lace corset underneath.

“You’re turn sweetheart.”

 I had grabbed a few dresses while she was squeezing into one. I walked out wearing an olive green mid-thigh dress that had green tulle sticking out underneath the hem.

“You look like an olive that’s all fungusy,” she giggled.

“Wow, thanks Annie for your brutal honesty!” I chuckled.

I tried on a few more, until we settled on a shiny, white mid-thigh dress .

“All you need now is some silver platform heels, and you will look sexy. So sexy, all the guys at the party would wish they had taken you as a date…well right after me.”

I playfully push her shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Hey don’t mess with me.” She got into a defense stance. “I have a black belt.” She pretended to karate chop my head.