I found Audrey outside near a vending machine, still wearing her school uniform.
When she saw me, she stood so quickly her drink spilled.
“Mom? Why are you here?”
“To pick you up.”
“So now you’re checking whether I’m really staying out?”
She looked past me.
“Did you talk to Ms. Alvarez?”
“Yes.”
Her face hardened.
“So now you’re checking whether I’m really staying out?”
“What are you talking about?”
I showed her my receipts, messages, and the enrollment confirmation.
“You don’t want me dancing here anymore!”
“No, Audrey. I never said that.”
“Stop lying!”
I showed her my receipts, messages, and the enrollment confirmation.
“Why would I keep paying if I wanted you to quit?”
She stared at the screen.
“He said you and Dad agreed I wasn’t ready.”
“Derek said you didn’t want me finding out right away.”
