Chapter 64

Once in the backyard, Cheryl begins to hastily scan all the ongoing activity. She finally focuses upon Corrine and Nadine standing by a table full of food. Cheryl approaches them at a quickened pace; and it's apparent that she's highly upset. She glares at Corrine. "What's going on here? A party?! You're having a party while your sister's…" Seeing how her mother's unjustly lashing into Corrine; Nadine quickly jumps in to come to her sister's defense. "It's prom, Mom." Cheryl immediately displays a quizzical look as she turns to Nadine. "Prom?" Nadine explains, "Yeah…Adele's throwing me a prom here since I couldn't go to the one at school. Isn't it great?" Corrine turns to Missy, commenting, "It's way better than our Junior Prom; huh?" Missy agrees, "That's for sure." Now appearing a bit confounded, Cheryl asks Nadine, "Adele? You're telling me Adele's responsible for all this?" Nadine begins to look worried, as she feels that she may have just thrown her best friend to the lions. She hesitantly answers… "Yeah…why? What's…" Cheryl cuts her off. "Where is she?" At that moment, Adele happens to walk up. "Hello, Mrs. Martin. What do…" Adele's cut off by Cheryl. "Adele; I'd like to have a little talk with you about this prom you've decided to throw for my daughter. Let's go inside a minute." "Mom…" Cheryl sharply raises her hand out to Nadine. "Ahh." Cheryl heads for the backdoor, stops, then turns to look back at Adele; who's taken on one of her former subservient stances while looking down to the ground. She beckons her… "Well; come on, Adele." Adele begins to slowly follow Cheryl to the house; keeping a lagging distance behind. Once in the kitchen, Cheryl leans against the sink and waits. Shortly, Adele meekly enters and slowly closes the door. She rigidly stands for a moment facing the door, and then slowly turns in Cheryl's direction; keeping her head lowered, looking to the floor. There's a brief moment of silence between them before Cheryl begins… "Adele…you were very young when your mother died; right?" "Yes, mam. I was three months old, Mrs. Martin." "So, then you never experienced a real mother-daughter relationship; have you?" Adele softly replies, "No, mam." "I suppose then you wouldn't be able to fully understand just how it is I feel when it comes to my daughter." She timidly attempts to apologize. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Martin; I…" "No…Adele…let me finish." Adele looks back down to the floor; softly biting down on her lower lip. Cheryl continues… "I'm going to tell you something now…speaking to you as a mother who loves her daughter more than just about anything else in the world." Adele braces herself for what she feels is going to be a severe reprimanding from Cheryl by lowering her head even further while burrowing her chin into her neck; looking like a puppy being scolded. But contrary to Adele's fear, Cheryl's look softens; and her eyes begin to tear a little. She gently cups her hand under Adele's chin and slowly raises her head to face her. "Adele…your mother would be so proud of you, honey." Adele suddenly looks both stunned and relieved as a small smile appears. "Really?" Cheryl nods. "Really." "Then…you think the prom's okay?" Cheryl tenderly places her hands upon Adele's cheeks. "It's wonderful, Adele. It's the best prom ever." At the very moment Cheryl takes her hands off her cheeks, Adele beams as a smile stretches across her face. "Thank you." Then she excitedly informs Cheryl, "But wait…you haven't seen the best part yet. Come on." She takes Cheryl's hand and rushes out the door. Cheryl sits at a table with Nadine, Sarah, Trish and Janice; while Adele looks for Mr. Trudeaux. When she finds him, she whispers in his ear. He nods, walks over to the stereo, turns off the music and picks up the microphone; meanwhile, Adele joins Nadine and the others. He announces… "Ahem…may I have your attention, please." He waits for silence before continuing, "First off; I hope everyone is enjoying themselves here tonight at the Wilson-Martin Junior Prom. I know I myself am having a splendid time. And now…keeping in line with traditional prom protocol…it is time to announce the Prom Queen and King. And I have been bestowed by Ms. Wilson the honor of doing so." Mr. Trudeaux begins to gradually work his way over to their table as he continues to emcee. "Now admittedly, all you ladies here this evening are truly lovely…and most deserving of this prestigious title. But alas, only one may be crowned as Prom Queen. And that one this evening…" he reaches the table and walks up behind Nadine, "Ms. Nadine Martin." Nadine appears stunned as everyone in attendance vibrantly applauds. Mr. Trudeaux asks, "Ms. Martin; would you like to say a few words?" Nadine slowly rises; seemingly overwhelmed. And now, for the first time this evening, Nadine's become self-conscious about her appearance. She's starting to feel embarrassed of her shoddy, in comparison to the others, attire. All the other girls are dressed in beautiful, fancy gowns while she's wearing an old, faded terrycloth bathrobe over a pair of just-as-old pajamas; her favorite pair of bunny slippers…which are also displaying years of wear and tear; with their sagging bunny ears and one missing eye on the right one…and a blue with white polka dots kerchief draped over her bald head. Not to mention thinking of how horridly sick looking she must appear to her friends. Nadine looks to Mr. Trudeaux with a sad, bewildered expression etched upon her countenance and softly mutters, "But…I don't understand." "Don't understand what, Ms. Martin?" "Why…why me?" "Why you what?" "Why did you pick me to be Prom Queen, Mr. Trudeaux?" He smiles, then informs her, "Well, Ms. Martin; I alone am not responsible for you being deemed Prom Queen. You see…being the democratic society that we are, a vote was conducted. Though you certainly would have been my choice…you have also received the votes of all your fellow classmates here this evening. You have unanimously won the title." Just as Nadine starts wiping away the tears beginning to slowly trickle down her cheeks, she hears someone call out, "Wait…I think she'll need this." Victoria, a fellow student from Mrs. Newman's English class, dressed in a lovely evening gown with a sash reading "Prom Court" draped over her shoulder and faux tiara on her head, walks over to Nadine and Adele; while carrying a bouquet of roses. She removes the crown from her head.