It was probably a lousy time to bring up the party, but the words seemed to come flying out of my mouth of their own accord.

“Please don’t ground me, mom! I have a party tomorrow night! I have to be there!”

“Oh, no, you don’t. Erica, what’s gotten into you? It’s not like you to lie to me like this. And I thought you didn’t like parties?”

You’re right, mom, I didn’t used to like parties. Until Brenden invited me to one, that is.

I hung my head, defeated. “A boy I like invited me to the party,” I mumbled.

“Is that whom with you were with at the park tonight, young lady?”

I shrugged.

“Answer me, Erica.”

I looked up. My mother’s face was a blank page. I couldn’t read it.

I sighed. “Yes, mom. His name is Brenden Hawke.”

“Oh, they go to our church, don’t they? His mother’s in the choir.”

“I guess.”

“Why didn’t you bring him by the house so I could meet him, Erica? I just don’t understand why you had to lie.”

“Sorry, mom. But can I please go to the party?”

“Hmm, I’ll need to think about it.”