Free Invisible by Jeanne Bannon Page B

little extra dough.” She winks.
    Excitement is starting to build and I let myself believe it’s possible. “I think I’d rather have a capital letter A, you know how they do letters in fancy script? The A would stand for ‘author’.”
    “ That sounds like a fine idea.” She leans closer and whispers, “So, do ya wanna?”
    A part of me wants to say yes, but I think about my date tonight. Getting a tattoo just might get me grounded.
    “ It’s a great idea, but let’s do it the next time we’re here.”
    Gran digs into her purse and pulls out her wallet. She holds a clenched fist out over my hand. “Take this and next time you’re here, do it.”
    She stuffs a wad of rolled up bills into my palm.
    “ There’s a little extra in case you need to bribe ’em,” she says with a giggle.
    “ I can’t take your money, Gran…”
    “ Why the hell not? Who else am I gonna give it to? It makes me happy so see you happy. Go ahead, take it. Make an old lady happy.”
    Seeing how much it means to her to do this for me, I take the money. “Thanks. I promise I’ll do it.”
    Gran scoffs down the rest of her lunch in record time, even before I finish my tea.
    “ We’d better get back. I’ve got to get ready for my Cha Cha Cha class and you’ve got a date.”

Chapter Sixteen
     
    I eat my beef stir-fry with enthusiasm. I’m actually enjoying my dinner tonight because it’s a nice change from the chicken stir-fry Mom makes at least three times a week.
    “ Thanks, Mom,” I say, rising.
    “ Not so fast,” Dad commands from his post at the head of the table. “You and Eva have to help your mother with the dishes.”
    Eva sighs.
    My lips twist into a snarl and I want to say to Dad, “Why don’t you ever have to help Mom with the dishes?” but instead I move at top speed, clearing, scraping and rinsing, finally piling all the dishes into the dishwasher. Eva and Mom watch wide-eyed and no doubt delighted by the one-woman show.
    “ Okay? Can I go now?”
    Dad nods and I make my escape only to freeze when I hear Eva speak.
    “ Lola has a date,” she announces loud enough for me to hear from the hallway. I try to creep away on tiptoes to the safety of my room.
    “ Lola!” Dad calls. “Get back here!”
    Shit, shit, shit.
    I slink back into the kitchen, cringing.
    Despite his funky appearance, Dad’s old fashioned. He points to my chair. “Sit down.”
    I sit.
    “ Is it true?” he asks. “You have a date?”
    “ With a boy?” Mom adds.
    My gaze drops to the floor and I steel myself for their reaction. “Yes,” I whisper.
    Then the unthinkable happens. They laugh, but in a good way. Dad’s hands come together in a big clap and Mom’s bouncing with joy. I look up, unbelieving.
    Eva sits sour-faced and disappointed.
    “ Finally,” Dad says, smiling.
    “ So, what’s his name?” Mom asks. “How old is he?” Her voice drips with gratitude and relief.
    “ He’s a senior like me. His name’s Jon.”
    “ Is he Italian?” Dad asks with genuine excitement on his face.
    “ No, Dad, he’s not Italian,” I say flatly. For some reason, Dad’s got it in his head that if you’re not Italian, then you’re just not as good. Don’t know why he married a woman of Irish descent.
    Dad’s shoulders deflate. “Oh well, not everyone can be Italian.”
    “ Where’s he taking you?” Mom is on her feet and standing behind me, fluffing my hair. “Can I help you get ready?”
    “ Ah, no thanks. I’ve got it covered.” I try to look grateful. “And we’re meeting at the movie theater.”
    “ Well then, get going, don’t keep the boy waiting,” Dad says and I’m gone before another thought can hit their heads.
    The fact Dad doesn’t seem to mind that Jon’s not coming to the front door to pick me up like boys did in the old days, shocks me, but I guess he’s just relieved I have a date, and that I’m not a lesbian.
    I shower and shampoo my mop of dark curls. The way I wear my hair’s never