Dustin and Kimmie left for Dustin’s senior prom when it was still light out, because after taking pictures at Kimmie’s mother’s apartment, they had to go to his mom’s place, where his mom, dad, and a noticeably pregnant Marcy were waiting to snap some photos of the happy couple, as well. Normally, Dustin would not have agreed to the extra hassle, but his mom was finally out of bed and had asked to share in the occasion, so he couldn’t refuse. He was surprised when she informed him that his father and Marcy would be coming over, too, but it made sense. The loss of their son had allowed them to set some of their past differences aside, at least for a little while. Life brought tragedy with the same hand that it brought joy, and Dustin and his beautiful girlfriend going to prom was one joyous moment they would treasure. His parents were rallying around him and Kimmie, and it was springtime in the city, a season of rebirth and renewal.

As Dustin and Kimmie danced to Tina Turner’s “Better Be Good to Me” in the ballroom of the St. Regis hotel, Kimmie listened to the words with a smile because she knew it wasn’t something she needed to worry about when it came to Dustin. She just hoped all the other girls dancing around them took Tina’s words to heart when it came to the boy they were dancing with.

“What are you thinking about, Dustin?” Kimmie asked the boy of her dreams, the boy who she now knew was her first and only true love, as he twirled her on the dance floor. Kimmie had let go of her anger and her black nail polish and combat boots and was back in the color she looked best in—pink. It was okay to be girlie, as long as it was her choice. Lately she had been teaching Dustin to ice-skate, which was going slowly because of his weak ankles, but she didn’t mind. They had plenty of time now that Dustin wouldn’t be leaving for college for another year.

He looked down at the beautiful girl in his arms and told her the truth, his truth. “I’m thinking about … you and me.”

Epilogue