(no subject)

[behindmothersback]

I have learned so much in this place, Father. I go to school now and have a job and do all kinds of things that real girls do. But there's still so much to do and tonight I hope to have another experience that I've heard so much about. I've watched movies and read books and nearly all of them talk about slumber parties as if they're the quintessential coming of age experience.

I want to have these experiences, things I never would have done had Mother succeeded.

So tonight I've planned a night with my friends, and invited them to invite a few of theirs. I have cookies and ice cream and pizza and games and scary movies to watch and I truly hope that everyone enjoys themselves. There are pillows and sleeping bags all over our living room and I have to thank you for allowing me to overrun the apartment like this.

I do hope we all have fun.

Comments

[makeithome]

"Everyone's bad at it to start with," Gwen says. "It takes practice and a steady hand. Here, let's get..." She inches closer to the table, shifting through the polishes until she finds the base coat again. "You start with this clear one. Some colors stain a little, that's why, but mostly it's just so the nail's, like, smooth before you put the color on."

[behindmothersback]

"At least I won't be see if I make a mess of it." I take the bottle and stare at it for a moment. Such a silly thing to worry about, Father, but I do. I feel like it's something I should already know how to do.

Pulling off my socks, I wiggle my toes a little before I pull a foot up to start the application. "How did you learn how to do this?"

[makeithome]

The question surprises Gwen. Thinking about it, it almost seems like something she just knew, but she knows that isn't true. It's like any of the other little things she does routinely; she's done it so many times it feels natural. "My mom," she says after a moment, and smiles. "When I was younger and we were hanging out once, she showed me. It was nice, you know? Just me and her spending time together without my brothers, doing girl things."