It was now spring and we had been dating for six months, the longest stretch we had been together.  We were inseparable even more than Kenna and Bryan.  Trent and I started doing things separate then them to give us more time alone.  Since my mom was gone almost every night I spent most of my time at the Bassos.  With Doug and Gabe gone Mr. and Mrs. Basso never minded having another body around.  They were my family even more than my own, except for Jack but he was living in Chicago with Doug and a couple other guys.

My mom and I drifted further apart.  She rarely was home and when she was a male companion was with her.  I would sneak out driving over to Trent’s on those nights. He would meet me in an old barn they had on their property when it was used for farming.  They mostly used it as a garage to fix cars up now but there was a loft with some hay bales.  We would put a blanket down and lay there together talking about our future.

Trent wanted to become a famous soccer player like Beckham and I dreamed of becoming a designer.  I didn’t want to be one that remodeling famous or rich houses but middle class.   I wanted to see their faces when I would change their living to something they never could imagine.  This made my obsession with HGTV and DIY channels.

We imagined Mackenna and Bryan living next to us and bringing our kids up together.  We would have it all love, kids and careers.  Unlike our parents we would get out of this town.

Those were the dreams we made in that barn.  While my life was in shambles with my mother sleeping with every man in the town Trent would keep looking forward on our future.  When a woman would give me a sideways stare because my mother slept with her husband Trent would squeeze my hand tighter or pull me closer.

Of course we did more than talk but other than heavy make out sessions and Trent’s roaming hands up my shirt we did nothing more.  We were worried about pregnancy and the chances it could change our future in a drastic way.  Not that it wasn’t hard, Trent had begged me more than a couple times to go on the pill but I didn’t want to go to the doctor by myself and I definitely wasn’t going to ask my mother.

Prom was next month and like the classic cliché I was going to surprise him.  Mackenna went with me to the doctor last month but it takes a month to kick in before it’s effective so I decided I would spring it on him prom night.

Mrs. Basso took me dress shopping since my mother is indisposed.  I have a credit card my dad gave me in case of emergencies.  She took me to Marge’s, the only dress shop in town.  The store is filled with girls and their mothers scrambling to find dresses.  I imagine every girl from five towns come to get their prom dresses here.

“Thank you for bringing me Mrs. Basso.”

“Oh sweetie, don’t thank me.  It’s my pleasure.  Having three boys never let me do these girly things.”  She puts her arm around me pulling me closer kissing me on the temple.  “Now let’s find you the perfect dress.”

“It’s so crowded, I hope there’s one here.”  I am skeptical on finding the right one.  Mackenna’s dad had taken her down to Chicago to get hers.

“Maddy, you would look beautiful in anything but I am certain your dress is here.”  She assures me.

“Well, let’s start I guess.”  I walk over to the first row spotting a lilac dress that comes up around the neck like a halter-top.  I have this feeling about it so I take it to the dressing room.

“Oh Maddy, you look gorgeous honey.”  Mrs. Basso flushes when I walk out of the dressing room.

The dress has a rhinestone edging that meets between my breasts where it is cinched together.  It flows out across my stomach all the way down to my ankles.  The dress suits my body shape and I instantly fall in love with it.

“I think this is it Mrs. Basso.”  I exclaim looking at myself in the mirror.  A couple girls are looking at me from the side most likely waiting for me to put it down but I am keeping it.

“Are you sure you don’t want to look around sweetie?”  She asks clearly disappointed our girls time is being cut short.

“I’m positive, this is it.”  I turn around towards her.

“When you know, you know.  Let’s get it and go get our nails done, my treat.”  She comes up grabbing both my hands and bringing them out to my sides.  “You look so beautiful Maddy and I am sure my son will pass out when he sees you.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”  We both smile.

Prom night came before I could blink.  I got ready at Mackenna’s so she could do my make-up and hair.  Her dress is tight and short while mine is flowing and long.  Trent loves my hair down so I want to keep it down even though Kenna wants me to put it up like her.  I don’t let her put too much make-up on me either. I want to look natural.  Tonight is the night I am losing my innocence so to speak and I don’t want to look like my mother.

Trent and Bryan come to pick us up with their parents in tow to take pictures.  We can hear all the parents chatting along with clanking bottles and glasses.  All the parents’ laughter fills the downstairs with the absence of mine.  A twinge of pain hits me but I push it away.

Mackenna and I make our way down the stairs and when we turn the corner into the family room, everyone quiets down.  My face instantly becomes pink and I bite my bottom lip in anticipation of what Trent is thinking.  Bryan walks right up to Mackenna hugging her nuzzling his head in the crock of her neck whispering something in her ear.  Whatever he says makes her giggle and she slaps him on his shoulder.

Trent stares at me from across the room, his mom and dad on either side of him.  His expression is unreadable.  I have never seen him like this so I start walking towards him but he quickly puts his hand up telling me to stay where I am.  He slowly walks over to me and when he reaches me I notice his hands are shaking.

“You look beautiful Madeline Jennings.”  He shakes his head back and forth.  “I can’t believe you are my girl.”  He takes out the corsage he bought me wrapping it around my wrist.  It has a purple ribbon running through the white roses.

When I grab his lapel to pin the boutonniere I can smell his cologne mixed his soap I have grown used to.  He smiles down at me when I pin it into place.

“Thanks for not pricking me.”  He jokes.

Mrs. Basso pushes and pulls us through all the pictures the parents want.  When the Bassos stand next to Trent and me, Mr. Basso is positioned next to me.  He is a quiet man who keeps to himself.  So it takes me by surprise when he speaks to me.  “I hope I am not overstepping my boundaries.  I have always thought of you as my daughter Maddy.  You look incredibly beautiful tonight.  You are a remarkable young lady.  Have fun tonight but not too much fun.”  He winks his right eye and I feel a tear drop fall from my left eye.

“Thank you Mr. Basso.”  I crush into him wrapping my arms around his neck.  He seems taken by surprise at first but then squeezes me tight.  Mrs. Basso peers over to us grinning wide.

Bryan’s dad is allowing him take his BMW so we pile in the silver sedan-waving goodbye to the parents in the lawn.  We have to drive forty minutes up to Milwaukee since the prom is being held at a swanky hotel.

The room is decorated in black, silver and white with hues of blue.  The theme is Hollywood film.  There are twinkling lights around every tree and pillar in the room.  It looks magical and being there with Trent means even more.  I couldn’t have imagined going with anyone else.

We stop to take our picture and ask if they would take one of all four of us as well and the cameraman happily obliges.  The boys make us do one funny one after the professional posed picture.  Kenna jumps on Bryan’s back with Bryan’s face turned towards hers and Trent picks me up holding my legs and arms kissing me on the lips.