Free Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro Page A

“Yeah, anyway, she wants you and Rascal to make up so he doesn't get suspended before the homecoming game.”
    I held my breath.
    “Tell Kylie Shoenbacher,” Jared said, his hands clenched around the steering wheel, “that she can kiss my ass.”
    Alison poked her head through the opening of the two seats, and together we burst out laughing.
    “I can't wait,” I said.
    •
    Mexican seasonings woke up my senses when I cruised through the front door.
    Uh-oh. Mom's enchiladas were to die for. But since Dad had left, she'd only labored over complicated dishes when she was upset.
    I plopped the flyers upside down on the coffee table and followed the aroma. “Smells good,” I said, instead of hello.
    She looked up from a saucepan. “Hi, honey. Where were you?”
    “At the mall with Alison.”
    “Buy anything?”
    I shook my head and saw relief flash in her eyes. Slipping into a kitchen chair, I asked about the open house.
    “A few Looky Lous. That's all.” A huge sigh seemed to rise from deep within her. In a scratchy voice, she continued, “But remember the couple from Nevada? Whose whole office was transferring out here?”
    Worry balled in my stomach. I knew she hated being a realtor, but I hated the fact that she was failing so miserably at it.
    “Yeah?”
    “They bought through another realtor.” She stirred the enchilada sauce furiously. “I was counting on their commission. And all the future sales from their coworkers, too. I thought things were turning around for me.” She blew some loose hairs off her face and then let out a laugh, sad and hollow.
    “Mom,” I said, feeling a well of emotion in my throat. I had to tell her. It was time. “You can forget about the mortgage for right now. I—I went to the bank and paid the total due.”
    She turned. “You did … what? When?”
    “Yesterday. During lunch. Jared drove me.”
    “Where'd you get the money?”
    “The money from Grandma,” I said, suddenly focused on the linoleum floor. “I knew you were strapped. And I still had a bunch left over.”
    “I didn't think you had that much. I mean, she only left you …” She stared off into space, then back at me. “That was wonderful of you … really wonderful. I hate that you spent your own money to keep a roof over our heads. But that was wonderful.”
    “Don't worry about it.”
    She suddenly lunged at me and gave me a noisy kiss on my forehead. “You are the most unselfish, loving daughter in the world! And I swear to you—on your grandmother's grave—that I will pay back every penny of that. With interest.”
    I forced a smile, but I could feel its edges trembling. “I don't want the money back, Mom. Forget it.”
    “Forget it?” She let out another laugh. One filled with relief. Joy.
    That struck my conscience like a devil with a pitchfork.
    “Forget it?” she repeated. “Not only will I remember this kindness as long as I live, Nicolette, I may eventake an ad out in the newspaper to tell everyone the incredible thing you did for me!”
    I faked another smile. She'd better be exaggerating. Or else I had to hope that the newspaper wasn't available as far north as my dad's place.
    I left Mom in her giddy glory, snatched the flyers, and headed to my room. After closing the door, I slid the stack under a Lakers sweatshirt in my closet. No way I wanted her seeing them now.
    I'd paid her bills with money from the man she hated. I'd lied to her face and pretended the money was the very same I'd selfishly pissed away ages ago. And all in the name of helping.
    Helping
myself
was more like it.
    I flopped down on my bed and was trying to concentrate on the little rocks in the cottage-cheese ceiling when the phone rang.
    Alison started talking as soon as I picked up. “Okay, so Jared said something pretty interesting after we dropped you off,” she started in immediately. “He doesn't think Kylie really cares about the homecoming game as much as the homecoming
dance
.”
    I sat up. Go,