Column: Amid the victory cheers, Bass knows she has her work cut out for her. She has to earn everyone’s trust. She can’t afford to be found out at this point, and the more she lets everyone know about the affair she’s having, the more she’ll come down on her friends’ heads. But this isn’t the time to worry about that. CHAPTER 5
The day passed slowly, and it was nearly the end of the week before I heard anything from her. I was nervous, like I was in a movie, waiting for the end of the film. But they just kept on going, and, at the end of the movie, I was in my seat, and everyone was cheering and applauding. It all felt so real.
I turned to my mother. “Mom, you know, I’m really sorry I missed the wedding. I had other things on my mind.”
I was lying.
Her face grew serious. “Bass,” she said, “I know I didn’t say anything when you came home from school. I was busy, and I didn’t know how to talk to you about it. But I hope you understand that it doesn’t matter now.”
“I do,” I told her.
“I’m glad you understand. As long as you understand.”
“Mom, I’m really sorry,” I said.
“I know. But I think the biggest issue now is for us to find a new school for the kids.”
It was then that I had a thought. “Mom, what if I could get to know your friends again, and I could come home with them from time to time?”
“That’s a good idea, Bass. I hope you get to know my friends some more, too.”
I thought about that. “I’ll give it some thought. I’ll talk to them and let them know.
It may be a little complicated, but I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s a very good idea, Bass.”
The truth was, I liked my new life. The new friends I made. The new friends I made who were different from my family. The new friends whom I could have never before thought of as my own.