The Friendship List(60)

“We haven’t talked about it,” Ellen said. She’d forgotten they had a night off. “We should do something.”

Keith grinned at her. “I promise not to make you starve.”

Two hours later Ellen and Lissa walked along State Street. The sidewalks were busy for a weekday afternoon. The temperature was in the midseventies, the sky was a perfect California blue.

“This is the life,” Ellen said with a sigh.

“Being on a bus with ten teenage guys?”

“I was thinking more of the not having to go to work and visiting new places.”

Lissa grinned. “Not the bus part.”

“No. How are you holding up? Are they starting to get on your nerves?”

Lissa shook her head. “I’m used to it. I was little when Dad was still in the NFL, so I don’t remember that. Just his coaching. Guys have always hung out at the house and stuff.” Her smile faded. “My mom didn’t like that students would show up without warning.”

“She’s still in Missoula, right?”

“Uh-huh. She remarried and has a couple of kids.”

“Do you see her much?”

Lissa stopped walking and stared at a window display. “Not really. I’ve visited a few times, but it never goes well. She’s busy with the family she has now.”

Ellen knew there was a lot of information in those three sentences. “Do you want to see her more?”

Lissa touched the glass. “No. She’s not interested in me.” She glanced at Ellen. “She rarely calls or texts. She used to but it got less. I think she picked my dad because she wanted to be married to a guy in the NFL. The fame and stuff. She had me to keep him.”

Ellen tried to hide her shock. “Sweetie, you can’t know that.”

“I can guess. I was really little, but I remember them fighting. She would tell him he had to try harder to become a star. He got mad because of course he was trying. When he started coaching, she wasn’t happy. It wasn’t what she wanted. I don’t think she wanted me, either.”

Ellen put her arm around Lissa, not sure what to say. I’m sure she loves you came to mind, but there was no way to know if that was true.

“She sounds like a really dumb person,” she said instead. “I think you’re amazing and I would love to have you as my daughter.”

“Thanks.”

“Your dad thinks the world of you. You know that, right? He loves you and is so proud of you.”

Lissa stepped away. “I know, but everything is different now.”

“In what way?

“With me growing up and all. It won’t be the way it was.”

“No, but you can still be close. Your dad isn’t going to turn his back on you, Lissa. Do you believe that?”

Lissa nodded, but didn’t look convinced. Ellen knew there was friction between father and daughter. While she wondered if the answer was buried in their conversation, she couldn’t figure out what it was.

Lissa pointed to the boutique. “Let’s go in there. We’ll both find cute dresses.”

“I have higher hopes for you than me. They don’t look like an old lady place.”

Lissa grinned. “You’re not that old. There will be something you’ll like.”

They went inside and looked around. Ellen saw cuteness everywhere. The dresses, the tops, the little flirty skirts. Then she glanced at the price tags and worried that she really would faint. These were not outlet store prices.

Lissa joined her. “You look funny.”

“Everything is so expensive.”

“Sometimes you have to pay retail.”

“That violates my upbringing.”

“Maybe it’s time to be a rebel.”

“Maybe I’d rather have a savings account.”

Still, the clothes were tempting. She wandered over to the sale rack and found several dresses that called to her. She picked three and went back to the dressing room. Lissa went into the one next door and they took turns modeling their outfits.

Lissa came out in a plain white sheath dress. The color contrasted with her tanned skin and dark hair, and showed off her perfect body without revealing anything.

“Wow,” Ellen said. “Just wow. You look incredible. I’m torn. The girl side of me says to go for it. The parent side of me says your dad will lock you in your room.”

Lissa laughed. “I know. It’s a total win.” She pointed to Ellen’s dress. “You look amazing, too. That’s the best one of the three.”

The dress was lined black lace and sleeveless. The deep V dipped lower than she was comfortable with, but still worked with her bra. The fit and flare style flattered, although she was a little nervous about the skirt ending several inches above her knee.

“I don’t know,” she said, glancing at herself in the mirror. “There’s a lot of cleavage.”

“Duh. That’s the point.” Lissa’s expression turned impish. “Make sure you wear a thong so if you twirl, everyone gets a show.”

“Lissa!”

The teen giggled.

“A thong. As if.” She didn’t own any thongs. Just her regular bikini panties.

A saleswoman stopped by and smiled. “You both look fabulous.” She held out a black push-up bra. “I took a chance and guessed you’re a thirty-four C.”