By midnight, I had worn a path between the couch and the window.
At 12:07, headlights swept across the curtains, and I opened the door before they reached the porch.
“Iris?”
She came in first, eyes bright and wild.
“Mom, something happened tonight, and I don’t even know how to explain it.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No. It was just weird.”
Ryan came in behind her.
“Mom, something happened tonight.”
He was pale.
Iris dropped her shoes by the stairs. “Ryan’s stepdad showed up at prom.”
My stomach tightened.
“Okay. And?”
“He surprised Ryan. He flew back early from work because he wanted to see him in his tux before the night ended. It was sweet at first. Ryan introduced me, and his stepdad froze. Like, completely froze. He kept asking my name. Then he asked about you. Well, about my parents.”
My fingers curled around the doorframe.
“Ryan’s stepdad showed up at prom.”
“What was his name?”
Iris frowned. “Tony.”
The room narrowed.
“Mom?” Iris said.
“Sorry. I swallowed wrong.”
“No, you didn’t,” Ryan said, looking at me.
Iris glanced between us. “Ryan, do you want water? You have barely spoken since we left.”
“I’m fine, Iris. I think I’m just tired from dancing.”
“What was his name?”
“No, you’re not fine. I’ll get it.”
The moment she disappeared into the kitchen, Ryan lifted his head.
***
“You knew.”
“Ryan…”
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