The Price of Falling

Chapter 4

"I can't believe I'm going to miss your prom!" my mom moaned as she pulled her jean jacket on over her scrubs. She had another double shift at the hospital, her third in two weeks. She was working herself to the bone to make ends meet and save money for me to go to college. I wished she would just let me get a job so that I could help out.

"I know mom. But we'll take tons of pictures. I promise," I told her as I kissed her cheek. She smiled at me from the kitchen island as she picked up her coffee mug to put in the sink. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she wiped it away, thinking I hadn't seen it.

"Well," she said matter-of-factly. "I best get going. You're going to Molly's house to get ready, and then you will text me throughout the night to let me know you're okay?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, mother. I will check up on you all night long." She rolled her eyes at me and then wrapped me in a hug. She kissed my forehead and then turned to walk out the door.

"I love you, my baby. Have fun! And don't forget to call when you're home!"

"Love you, too," I replied. As soon I heard her car door close, I sent a text to Molly telling her I was on my way to her house.

I ran up the stairs to pack my bag with all the necessities. Flat iron, check. Bobby pins, check. The smallest makeup bag known to man, check. A change of clothes for the after-prom party Molly was forcing me to go to, check. Pajamas just in case I stayed at Molly's house, check. Prom dress, check. Phone charger, check.

Once all that was finished, I made sure all the doors were locked, rinsed my mom's coffee cup and put it in the dishwasher, and made the short journey to Molly's parent's house.

As soon as I pulled into the driveway, Molly was running out of her door to drag me into the house.

She practically screamed in my ear, "Oh my god, it's PROM DAY!"

***

As Molly was putting on her prom dress, I was putting the finishing touches on my hair. I had decided to do a half-up style with braids. I was just hoping my unruly, platinum blonde mop would cooperate. I could fix everything almost perfectly, except for the baby hairs that framed my face.

"Zip me," Molly said coming up behind me. "Your hair looks gorgeous. Now stop fussing with it," she added. I stood up to zip her short, black, tulle dress. It had tasteful rhinestones across the bust, if such a thing can be tasteful. It looked good on her. She looked at me expectantly and asked, "Where's your dress?"

"In my bag," I responded.

"What?!" She screamed at me. "You can't put your dress in a duffle bag, Ruthie! It'll be all wrinkled now!"

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics, and walked over to my bag to pull out my neatly folded dress. It was a light powder blue, chiffon, tea-length gown. Molly hated the color and groaned when I picked that one out of the seven she had made me try on. She had said it was too plain. It was very simple. A strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and the fabric crinkled at the bust. It was a little too low cut for my liking, but it was the most modest out of all the ones I had tried.

"See, no wrinkles," I lied, and held the dress up for her inspection. Then I unzipped the back and stepped into it, turning around so that she could return the favor and zip me up.

Molly stepped back and rubbed her hands together, admiring her handiwork. "You look so pretty! What shoes are you wearing with it?" I pulled a pair of sparkly silver Tom's out of my bag and wiggled them in front of her. "Are you serious right now? You won't even attempt heels for prom?"