Chapter 5: Prom Night

On prom night, Ella arrived at our house holding a small bouquet.

Her hands were trembling.

Then Jeremiah came down the stairs in his rented tuxedo.

For one second, I saw his father in him.

The sharp jaw.

The straight shoulders.

The quiet confidence.

“You look beautiful,” I told Ella.

“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” she whispered.

She would not meet my eyes.

Then Jeremiah looked at her.

A small smile crossed his face.

Not surprise.

Not happiness.

Satisfaction.

I noticed it, but I pushed the thought away.

I lined them up near the rosebushes and took picture after picture.

At one point, Jeremiah leaned close to Ella’s ear and whispered something.

She flinched.

I told myself it was nerves.

“Smile, honey,” I said.

She tried.

Her mouth smiled.

Her eyes did not. Continue Reading ⬇️