The Other Side

Chapter 4

Sitting on the floor of her closet, Audrey looked up at her mom with a defeated expression in her eyes. "It's useless. Call your friend and cancel the date. I have nothing to wear."

Amused by her daughter's dramatics, Mrs. Thomas stepped around her and began sifting through Audrey's clothes herself.

"Dear, maybe you just need a fresh eye to take a look at things. Now how about this dress? I don't believe you worn it in a while." She turned and held up a long sleeved navy blue drop-waisted dress with a white collar and matching cuffs. "With one of your headbands and the right shoes, I believe this would be simply darling don't you?"

Audrey wrinkles her nose, "That looks like something I'd wear to church on Sunday morning."

Mrs. Thomas gave her daughter a pointed look, "And what is so bad about looking like the good Christian girl I know you to be?"

"Mother, it's a date. Not a church social. I don't want his first thought to be 'I bet her chicken casserole is neighborhood famous.'

With a snort, Mrs. Thomas hung the blue dress back in the closet, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather teach the drama class rather than be the counselor?" She teased as she rifled through the rest of Audrey's clothes.

Ignoring her mother, Audrey closed her eyes and tried to envision how the night's date would go. First there would be the awkward parent introduction before they left, complete with whole &have her back by 9:30& gag. Then would come the car ride and deciding where to go, with neither of them saying where they would really prefer to eat. Next would be the hard part. Making it through dinner without any uncomfortable gaps in the conversation. It would be inevitable, unless of course her and ...... well Audrey realized she didn't even know his name!

"Mother, did you happen to mention the name of this fellow?, "Audrey inquired.

"Actually, I did not," Mrs. Thomas replied, her voice a bit muffled as she still was going through Audrey's closet. "His name is Paul."

"Paul?! As in Paul Holden?!", Audrey exclaimed.

"The very same,"Mrs. Thomas said as she swiveled around, holding up another dress for Audrey's approval. "What do you think of this one? I believe the shade of green will really bring out your eyes."

Scrambling to her feet, Audrey yanked the dress from her mother's hand and shoved back on the rack. "How can you say that so casually? More to the point, how could you leave out such an important detail? You know I can't go on a date with Paul!"

Frowning, Mrs. Thomas folded her arms, "Now young lady, I know you consider yourself a grown woman now but I am still your mother and I will not tolerate you talking to me in such a way. "

Thoroughly chastened, Audrey meekly nodded. "I apologize Mother. I just wasn't expecting to be going on a date with Paul. That's all."

Still frowning, Mrs. Thomas raised her brow in question, "And just what is so repulsive about this Paul fellow?"

Audrey wanted to sigh in frustration but knew her mother would not appreciate it in the slightest. "Well he was only Darry's mortal enemy in high school. Paul went out of his way to cause trouble for Darry."

"Dear, high school was a long time ago. Things are different around here now. People's minds are more open and accepting."

Audrey gave her mother a look of disbelief, "Accepting is not the word I would use."

Mrs. Thomas just waved her hand, "You have only been home a week. Give the townspeople a chance. Besides, what is between Paul and Daryl is between Paul and Daryl. You are under no obligation to dislike the same people Daryl dislikes."