just one of those things

Olivia hadn't found a prom dress. She'd never had to think about such things before. It didn't help that she'd gone shopping with her mother.

As it was the price of a new dress stressed her out. She wasn't sure she was worthy of such an item that she might only wear twice as it was.

"I should have found something during conferences when they had the rentals out." Of course, she didn't like any of those dresses. It would have been for a good cause. She supposed, but still, she found nothing to her liking.

"Well, you have to find something." Her mother told her as they entered the grocery store. It just occurred to her this was the place where Eric worked. She thought she might unravel completely. Her mother hadn't met Eric and well, it felt like a horrible time to do it.

"I'll make something." She seemed certain she could.

"I told you it would be fine to buy you something ready made." Her mother reminded her.

"I know." She kept staring at Eric who looked busy. Perhaps he wouldn't see her and her mother. Yet she didn't want to be afraid. She needed to get it over with. She just didn't know how.

So they looked at produce. Her mother got them a salad. She bought a sandwich. It wasn't often they went out to do things together. It was nice, but she wasn't sure if her Mom would even want to meet who was taking her to not just to her prom but his prom too.

"There he is." Olivia didn't want to point but she had too.

"Who?"

"Eric." She cleared her throat. "We're just friends."

"Really?" Her mother was studying from afar. "Just how friendly is he?"

"Mom." Olivia made a face. "He's a good friend. We talk. A lot."

"All right. What else should I know about him?" She looked at her as if she needed some facts.

"I think he likes me, but sometimes, he's more of a big brother than anything else." Olivia sighed.

"I like that." Her mother smiled.

"Yes, I knew you would, and I'm being completely honest about that." Olivia remained even lipped.

"Then maybe he should come to dinner." Her mother then said.

Olivia hated the thought of that. If she got out all her baby books and everything else about her past, Olivia thought she might have a seizure. She felt on edge suddenly. After all, she was a rather private person. Her mother knew nothing about her stories.