CHAPTER 21
“Mom? Did you hear? Is that ok?”
Gloria snapped her face up from the bowl she’d been drying. “What?”
Susannah eyed her cautiously. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m fine. I was just daydreaming. What did you say?”
“I asked if it’s all right if Ricky and I take off now. The fellowship hall’s all cleaned up.”
Gloria nodded absently. “Yeah. You’re going out to lunch, right? Do you know where he’s taking you?”
“We’re just grabbing burgers and shakes from The Creamery. Are you sure you’re ok?”
“I just have a lot on my mind, honey.”
Susannah lowered her voice. “Is it Derek? I shouldn’t have pushed you if you weren’t ready.”
“It’s not that. It’s just …”
“No,” Susannah interrupted, “I’m sorry. I was going to come here today and tell him that he should ask you out again because you’d
