Page 99 of The Cheerleader

His grin twitches and gets serious. He lowers his head so that his mouth is close to my ear. He must know what that does to me because I shudder automatically.

“You know I slept with Liz.”

I don’t say anything, but I back away. “We’ll both be there along with a mob of other people. It should be fun.” I clear my throat and change the subject. “I’ll be celebrating because I switched to education. I made the decision to become a teacher.”

“You’re an excellent teacher.” He looks genuinely proud of me.

His pride warms me, and I smile. Then I realize how easy I am, though that’s only true when it comes to him. It doesn’t affect me like this when any other guy, like Dane or Vinnie or Alex from the soccer team, shows an interest or flatters me.

“Good move. It’s always best to go with your strengths.” No other guy would make me feel so elated that I float like a balloon, high and free and giddy.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze. “See you later for a special celebration—without the mob of other people.”

He walks away without letting me rebut him, not that it would do any good.

I see my mom and aunt hovering at the bottom of the stands and tell Liz and the others I’ll see them later. I trot over to my mother and aunt and give them each a big hug, almost surprised at how happy I am to see them.

They insist on taking me to a quick dinner at Kathy Johns, a restaurant at Four Corners just off campus. Even though it’s a casual, inexpensive restaurant, I can’t help thinking it’s money they shouldn’t be spending.

“Are you sure?” I say as we walk inside.

“Of course. You have to eat, and I don’t know what you normally do on the weekend, but if things are anything like they used to be, you’re a poor college student who shouldn’t look a free meal gift horse in the mouth.”

I relax and realize I need to enjoy this time with my family instead of wasting it on worrying.

When we sit, as I’m looking at the menu, salivating over the choice between a burger and fried chicken, Mom puts her menu down.

“So how’s Liz doing?”

Shit. Back to tiptoeing around, trying to preserve Liz’s privacy without lying to my mother.

“She’s doing so well. I don’t know how she manages everything she does. She’s a fantastic leader as captain of the cheerleaders and is doing great in her classes.” I’m not sure about this last claim since she hasn’t talked about her grades since mid-terms. “She’s an accounting major.”

“Do you go to parties with her?” Mom asks carefully.

“Sometimes. We all go out. It’s fun.”

Aunt Mabel says, “Parties are a big part of the college experience, and you make sure you enjoy them. You were always too serious, Susie.” She pats my hand, and I’m grateful for her encouragement.

“Sounds like you spend a lot of time with Liz,” Mom says apropos of nothing.

I inhale and tell her the truth. “We’re roommates, so yes, we spend almost all our time together except in class.”

Mom inhales deeply, and Aunt Mabel pats my hand again. “It’s wonderful to have a good friend to spend time with. I remember Liz as a real spitfire.”

“How’s her family?” Mom asks.

I lift my chin. “She doesn’t talk about her family much.” I take a breath because it’s not right to talk about what Liz told me about her dad, but this is Mom, and I’m tired of lying. Flashing an uneasy glance at my aunt, I say, “Her dad is bedridden.”

Mom visibly relaxes but doesn’t make any comment.

Aunt Mabel says, “Oh dear. How do they get on? Are they on welfare?”

“I… don’t know. Her mom works, I think.”

“Her mother’s family has money,” Mom says, and Aunt Mabel nods her head as if that’s the answer.

Maybe it is, but I always got the impression that her mother was excommunicated from her family—except for her one sister, Liz’s aunt.