I do, though, buy my mom a present like I always do. And like what has become tradition, I’ll send it to her without saying who it’s from.
And she’ll do the same.
For a second, I wonder if the FBI has told her the truth about her two husbands. Was she aware that her first husband was dead when she married my stepfather?
My phone rings. I remove it from my purse and answer it.
“Chloe,” Principal Woodnut says. “Have you spoken with Tabitha Windhouse yet, to get her approval for the costumes?”
“I left a message, but she never got back to me.” I have no idea why I need Tabitha’s approval. I’ve already told Principal Woodnut I paid for the material myself.
“Can you try her again? I just want to ensure there are no hitches when it comes to the concert.”
In other words, she doesn’t want me to give Tabitha a reason to be a pain in the butt when it comes to other school events.
“I’ll call her again now.”
“Thank you, Chloe.”
I end the call and speed-dial Tabitha’s number. It goes to voice mail again. God, I really hope she’s not avoiding my calls on purpose.
I leave her the same message as before and ask her to call me as soon as possible.
“Trouble with Tabitha again?” Kiera asks.
I tell her about the issue.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if one of her kids has an activity tonight,” Kiera says, “and Tabitha had to drive them to it.”
“Good point. I’ll try her again later.”
Once we’ve finished buying presents, we head to a store that has fancy dresses.
“Wow, these are gorgeous,” I say as we search through the racks of ball gowns in rich jewel colors. “Your fairy godmother couldn’t do much better.”
Kiera pulls out a burgundy ball gown. The top is made from velvet and has a sweetheart neckline held up with spaghetti straps. The floor-length skirt is layers upon layers of gauze fabric with a slight shimmer to it.
“It’s gorgeous. Try it on.”
“Isn’t it a little too much?”
“For a ball? No, I’d say it’s perfect. You’ll look like a princess.”
She returns it to the rack. “Maybe I don’t want to be a princess.”
“Everyone wants to be a princess, to feel special for just one day. And you more than anyone deserves that. Besides, what does it hurt to try it on?”
She removes it again. “Okay, I’ll do it. Are you trying one on, too?”
“I’ll pass. I’m not the one attending a ball.” I’m not even doing anything for New Year’s Eve, other than watching the countdown on TV and watching a movie.
I won’t even get to kiss anyone at midnight.
So basically, my typical New Year’s Eve celebration.
Kiera disappears into the dressing room. I glance at my phone, checking to see if anyone has texted me, even though I know no one has.
“Merry Christmas,” a deep voice says behind me. “Ho ho ho.” The crisp ringing of a bell cuts through the air.
