Part 31 (2/2)

n.o.body's heart is going to get broken this time around, Lilly. We're all grown up now.

Ha. Not likely. But...I'm glad you're back, POG.

Apany called this morning and it looks like there's a problem with the option. Something to do with some lawyers. So I guess he won't be producing it after all. But don't worry, I'll be all right. I have another idea for a play, a really great one about a playwright who is in love with an actress, only she-well, it's complicated-I'd love to talk to you about it if you get a chance, you know how valuable I find your editorial input. Call me. J.P.

Really. You just have to laugh. Because what else can you do?

OMG, why won't this guy shut up? I'm totally getting a sunburn sitting out here. If I get freckles, I'm suing this stupid school. Wait a minute...Geek, where did you disappear to last night? You look like you had s.e.x! Don't try to deny it! OMG, the geek had s.e.x! HA HA HA! Isn't it FUN, geek?????

------------- Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m., Tavern on the Green, table twelve Everyone is making speeches and taking pictures and carrying on about how this is a day we'll never forget.

It's certainly a day Lana's never going to forget...that's because Mrs. Weinberger (at my urging, though I'll never tell Lana, of course) presented Lana with the thing her heart most desired as a graduation present: That's right, the Weinbergers tracked down Bubbles, Lana's pony that they gave away so many years ago, and gave it back to her. Bubbles was waiting for Lana in the Tavern on the Green parking lot when we all walked up here for our post-graduation reception.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone scream so joyously.

Or so loudly.

It's a day Kenneth's not going to forget, either. That's because his parents just handed him an envelope containing a letter from Columbia. He's been taken off the waiting list.

So, it looks like he and Lilly won't be separated by a state anymore. They'll only be separated by a dorm-if that. There was a lot of joyous hugging and screaming over by that table, too.

At first I was kind of afraid to go over to where the Moscovitzes were sitting, even though Michael was totally hanging out with my parents. But I was shy about how the Drs. Moscovitz were going to feel about me. It was true I'd already seen them at the reception at Columbia, but that seemed so long ago, and, I don't know, things seemed different now, on account of what had gone on last night (and this morning, too)!

But, of course, they didn't know about that. And Michael had been brave in coming over to my house (not to mention, hanging out with Dad and Grandmere now). So the least I could do was return the favor.

So I did.

And, of course, it turned out fine. The Drs. Moscovitz-not to mention Nana-were totally delighted to see me. Because I'd made their son happy. And so that made them happy.

What was scary was when J.P. came over to our table with his parents to say h.e.l.lo. Now THAT was awkward.

”Well, Prince Phillipe,” Mr. Reynolds-Abernathy said, all sadly, shaking my dad's hand. ”Looks like our kids won't be going to Hollywood together after all.”

But, of course, my dad had NO idea what he was talking about, because he'd never been let in on that plan (thank G.o.d) in the first place.

”Excuse me?” Dad said, looking totally confused.

”Hollywood?” Grandmere cried, looking appalled.

”Right,” I said quickly. ”But that was before I decided on Sarah Lawrence.”

Grandmere sucked in so much air, it was a wonder there was any left for the rest of us to breathe.

”Sarah Lawrence?” she cried, in joyous wonder.

”Sarah Lawrence?” Dad echoed. It was one of the schools he'd thrown out, way back in ninth grade, as one of his top choices for me. But in a million years, I'm pretty sure he never thought I'd actually take him up on it.

But, as it happens, like Michael said, Sarah Lawrence is one of the colleges that don't count SAT scores toward its entrance requirements. And it's got a strong writing program. And it's really close to New York City. Just in case I have to pop back into Manhattan to visit Fat Louie or Rocky.

Or smell my boyfriend's neck.

”That's a great choice, Mia,” Mom said, looking super happy. Of course, she's been looking super happy ever since she noticed the diamond ring on my left hand was gone, and I'd come home from the prom with Michael, and not J.P.

But I think she really is happy about Sarah Lawrence, too.

”Thanks,” I said.

But no one was happier than Grandmere.

”Sarah Lawrence,” Grandmere kept murmuring. ”I was to go to Sarah Lawrence. If I hadn't married Amelia's grandfather. We've got to start planning how we'll decorate her room. I think b.u.t.tercup yellow walls. I was to have b.u.t.tercup yellow walls...”

”Okay, then,” Michael said to me, eyeing Grandmere as she waxed on about b.u.t.tercup yellow walls. ”Wanna dance?”

”Do I ever,” I said, relieved to have an excuse to leave the table.

Which is how we ended up on the dance floor with my mom and Mr. G, dancing with Rocky and having a blast together, as usual; Lilly and Kenneth, doing some kind of new wave dance they seem to have invented themselves, even though the music was sort of slow; Tina and Boris, just holding each other, and gazing into each other's eyes, the height of romance, as one would expect, since it was Tina and...well, Boris; and...my dad and Ms. Martinez.

”No,” I said, coming to a standstill when I saw this. ”Just...no.”

”What?” Michael looked around. ”What's the matter?”

I should have expected it. I mean, they'd been dancing together at my birthday party, but I thought that had been a one-time thing.

It was at that point that my dad said something to Ms. Martinez and she slapped him across the face, then stalked off the dance floor.

I don't think anyone could have been more stunned than my dad...except maybe my mom, who started laughing.

”Dad!” I exclaimed, horrified. ”What did you say to her?”

My dad came over, rubbing the side of his face but looking more intrigued than actually hurt.

”Nothing,” he said. ”I didn't say anything to her. Well, nothing more than I usually say when I dance with a beautiful woman. It was a compliment, actually.”

”Dad,” I said. When would he ever learn? ”She isn't a lingerie model. She's my former English teacher.”

”She's intoxicating,” Dad said thoughtfully, gazing after her.

”Oh my G.o.d.” I groaned, and buried my face in Michael's neck. I could see clearly what was going on. It was all too obvious. Not again! ”Tell me this is not happening.”

”Oh, it's happening,” Michael said. ”He's following her, calling after her...Did you know her first name was Karen?”

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