A Prom to Remember(17)


After all these years, she finally appreciated her parents making her wait to date Jamie, if only because it was less time they were official. Any way you cut it, three years was a long relationship, but it sounded better than five.

She knew she shouldn’t break up with him just because she wanted to all of a sudden. She wanted to at least consider her options a little longer. It could be a passing feeling.

In an attempt to keep her mind busy, Cora had also been trying to keep her body busy. Cold showers and long runs, trying to crochet, listening to audiobooks. Her schedule was overflowing already, thanks to all of her extracurricular activities, but it was like she needed even more hobbies and activities in her life to take up all this brain space.

And now, it all left her even more overwhelmed.

Which was how she ended up alone in her room Saturday night when she normally would have been out with her friends or Jamie. She couldn’t deal with even one more minute of socializing.

Her phone buzzed with another text.




He attached a selfie of himself frowning dramatically. She blinked at her phone.



He didn’t reply.

Rather than letting this semi-fight eat away at her, she downloaded a meditation app thinking that might be a good thing to try. So, instead of wallowing all night, she got right to it. She read the introduction and directions for the app. She really hoped she’d be able to clear her mind. The whole situation was starting to feel pretty desperate.

As she was about to start the app and the beginner’s guided meditation session, there was a knock on her bedroom door.

“Come in?” Cora called, a tone of confusion in her voice. She didn’t even know anyone else was home.

Her mom walked in. “Hey, sweetie. I didn’t expect you to be home.”

“Hey, Mom,” Cora said. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, just got back from the store. Are you hungry? Are you staying home tonight?”

“Yes and yes,” Cora said.

“What are you doing?”

“I might be trying to meditate,” Cora said, her cheeks warming at the confession even as she told herself it was nothing to be ashamed of.

Her mom raised her eyebrows and stifled a smile as she leaned on the doorjamb, obviously not wanting to laugh at Cora or make her feel bad for trying. “Are you okay?”

“I’m a little overwhelmed and kind of confused.”

“Confused about what?”

“Well, you know. Everything. Nothing. The usual?” Cora offered, hoping that was enough of an excuse.

“Sex. Drugs. Rock and roll?”

Cora laughed then and so did her mom. “Something like that.”

“Is it Jamie?’

“Jamie and Teagan and Josie and prom committee and college and yearbook and finals, and, well, everything.”

“Now I gotcha,” her mom said. “It’s a tough time. A lot is going on and a lot is changing.”

“Exactly,” Cora said. “And sometimes I want to be alone for a little while, you know? To meditate, I guess.”

“Well, I’ll leave you be,” her mom said.

“No!” Cora called after her, leaping off her bed.

Her mom paused.

“I mean, you don’t have to go. That’s just why I’m home tonight, because I never make time for myself. But, like, being home is part of myself, so you’re part of myself?”

“That’s actually fairly astute,” her mom said. “You know you can talk to me or Dad anytime you feel overwhelmed, right? Like, that’s not something you need to feel bad about.”

“Yes, Mom,” Cora said.

Her mom smiled broadly this time. “Well, I’m going to leave you to this. I know it’ll be good for you to concentrate.”

“Okay.”

“And I’ll go downstairs and make us something comforting for dinner. Dad should be home soon.”

Cora lit up. “Like mac and cheese with hot dogs?”

“And broccoli, if only to make me feel like I’m not the worst mother in the world.”

“Fair enough.”

Her mom kissed her on the forehead. “You’ve got this, Cora, I know you do. You’ll figure out what you need to figure out because you’re good and smart.”

Cora nodded.

“And if you don’t figure it out, you’re young and I love you anyway.”

Cora nodded again, more resolutely this time. Just as she was about to close her door, her mom stepped back toward her.

“And, you know, have you ever considered not doing so much? That wouldn’t be a big deal. Pick and choose what’s the most important to you. And give yourself a night off sometimes.”

“I know. I’m not good at that.”

“Well, I’m giving you permission as your mom.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

With that, Cora shut her bedroom door and turned off all the lights.

She did her best to meditate, but it was almost like she didn’t need it now that she’d talked to her mom.

That’s how much better she felt already.

And, as it turns out, mac and cheese with hot dogs (and a side of broccoli) is basically a balm for the soul and all that ails you.

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