With recognition.
“So what’s your condition?” I asked.
Mom smiled through her tears.
“Don’t walk downstairs and go to prom with Noah because a six-year-old girl made a promise.”
She took both my hands.
“Go because eighteen-year-old Christina still chooses him.”
For several seconds, I simply stared at her.
Then I laughed softly.
“Mom.”
“What?”
“That was already why I was going.”
Her face crumpled.
“I know that now.”
Part 4 — The First Dance
When we came downstairs, Noah looked at us suspiciously.
“You were gone a long time.”
“I know,” I said.
He looked at Mom.
“Did Chrissy get in trouble?”
Mom laughed.
“No.”
Then, to my complete surprise, she walked directly toward him.
“Noah, can I have the first dance?”
His eyes widened.
“Mrs. Jane.”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t prom.”
I burst out laughing.
Mom ignored him.
She turned on music from her phone and held out her hands.
Noah sighed dramatically but accepted.
For the next thirty seconds, he attempted to lead while Mom repeatedly stepped in the wrong direction.
