Where did you get that ring

”

My throat tightened.

Brooke lifted her glass.

Grandma Ruth had mailed champagne money, so we were drinking something better than usual.

My mother looked at me.

“We’re proud of you.”

I did not know what to do with that.

So I smiled.

Not the old smile that asked permission to be liked.

A real one.

Later that night, after dinner, I walked home through warm city continue reading …