I want to change the subject. I wrote out and memorized a list of conversation-starters for these moments. “Hey, Mom, how’s church?”

“Oh, the same. Keeping me busy. Don’t want to toot my horn, but I’ve been elected leader of the Moms’ Bible Study.”

“Congrats,” I say.

Mom gets shy. “It’s just thirty or so moms. I’m happy to be in service.”

New York is a religious place—so many different religions and places of worship. But no one talks about it at school. At least not like they did back home. And as far as I know, I haven’t met another Evangelical Christian.

“I should remember this,” Mom says. “What church do you two go to here?”

“Uh,” I say, looking at Aunt Lil.

“Uh,” she says back to me.

“Oh!” I nearly shout, happy to come up with an acceptable answer. “We watch an online service!”

“That’s wonderful,” Mom says, smiling, her eyes wide and bright blue. I’ve never seen her this happy. I want to live in this moment forever.

“Guess what,” Randy says. “We’re thinking about staying in New York another day.”

Mom claps excitedly. “We want to see more of your city. And you. Would you like that, honey?”

“I would,” I say, mostly telling the truth. But I have no other girl outfits. I’ll need to improvise. Maybe go to a thrift store in the morning.

Mom looks at Aunt Lil. “Would that be all right with you?”

“Of course,” she says with a really big (and really fake) smile.

“August?” I hear from behind me. I shut my eyes and pray someone is yelling about their favorite summer month. “August!” I hear again.

I watch Mom’s eyes moving between whoever just ruined my life and me. I turn around and see Sandra Dee herself, Kelsey Whitton, and her parents. “Hey,” I say, then stand up and hug her while my mind goes into overdrive figuring out how to get out of this situation.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Kelsey asks loudly.

“Are these your parents?” I ask, attempting to avoid the question.

“Yes, they are.” She presents them proudly. “Dad makes us come to this diner even though the baklava tastes like wet paper bags.” She looks at me and shakes her head. “Is that a barrette in your hair? August. What’s up?”

I turn and present my parents to them. “This is my family,” I say, hoping Kelsey can figure out to keep her mouth shut.

“Nice to meet you,” she says to my family.

“You were Rizzo,” I hear from behind Kelsey.

I look at her mom. “Yes,” I confirm.

“You were fantastic, sweetie.”

“Thanks,” I say, wishing I had an eject button from this moment.

Kelsey’s mom walks over to my mom. “You must be so proud.”

Kelsey follows her mom. “August has only been at SPA for two months. He’s a star!”