“Jeez, way to make a girl feel welcome.”

“Sorry, I—”

“Lighten up! My parents have a chain of florists, and I help out on weekends.”

“Malee!” Her mom looks me up and down and then nods at a pile of bouquets. “Enough with the boys!”

Her dad catches my eye. “She can find a boy anywhere!”

I’ve never seen Malee look so mad. “STOP! You guys are the worst.” She rolls her eyes. “Be glad you go to an academy … AWAY from your parents.”

I’m about to repeat the sad story of my dying mother and then remember it’s false and that Malee will grow up to be Mrs. Somboon-Fox, who knows my living mother, and my brain melts. Instead, I say, “Has your school had prom yet?”

Both of her parents shoot her looks that Medusa would endorse.

“Not my thing!” She leans across the table, dramatically lowering her voice. “I was going with Dane, who’s Black, and my parents said no. They said I could go with an Asian boy, like our town is so full of them, or just with my girlfriends, but I was NOT going to roll over. So I skipped prom and met up with him anyway to make a point.”

My head may collapse into itself. The ruiner of my prom was a prom rebel herself?

Her mom hates not knowing what we’re talking about. “Malee! Work.”

I help. “Um. Do you have any extras?” God, what a dumb question. I don’t even say extra what.

Malee’s face lights up, happy that her parents haven’t scared me away.

“I can probably work something out for the right boy …”

Her mom swoops in. “Orders only. Nothing more. If you tell her your order number, she can put extra baby’s breath in it. I’m sure your girlfriend will love it.”

Malee’s dad is visibly amused at his wife’s move. I tell them I’m all set, and Malee mouths “SORRY” as I back out of the kitchen.

I encounter Chaz and Ernie, who looks like he was roused from slumber too soon, in the dining room, where they are putting finishing touches on the photo booth. Leeza and Ma Elena are nowhere in sight, but Chaz says that Leeza is probably already starting her hair and makeup. When I joke that I should be doing the same thing, Chaz laughs and Ernie, naturally, takes it seriously: “You wear makeup?” He looks scandalized.