Mom nodded softly.
Thank you.
That should have ended there.
But then Mom surprised everyone.
He approached Brianna.
“You know one thing?”
Brianna looked at her cautiously.
“When I was seventeen, I thought the prom was going to be the most important night of my life.
Brianna slightly put her eyes blank.
Mom continued.
“Then I found out I was pregnant.
The courtyard remained silent.
I saw my friends buy dresses. I saw them take pictures. I saw them go to parties while I was sitting at home wondering how I was going to pay for the diapers.
His voice trembled.
But I learned something.
He looked at me.
“Losing me one night didn’t destroy my life.
I swallowed saliva.
“He gave me to him.
Mom put her hand on my shoulder.
“And I would make the same decision again.
Someone who was nearby started clapping.
Then someone else joined.
Within seconds, the entire yard was filled with applause.
Mom’s eyes opened wide.
“Please don’t,” he whispered, laughing in tears.
I hugged her.
When we finally walked in, I kept wondering if I had been ashamed.
“Mom,” I said, “you could put on a pajama and dance on a table and I would still be proud of you.
She’s laughing.
“Don’t give me ideas.
After that, the night changed completely.
My friends received her on the dance floor.
The teachers praised her dress.
Even people I barely knew came to tell him how much they liked the reason he was there.
Little by little, nervousness disappeared from his face.
Then the DJ announced a slow song.
I extended my hand to her.
Mom stared at me.
“Oh, no.
Oh, yeah.
“I haven’t danced a slow song since about prehistory.
-Okay. Me neither.
She laughed and took my hand.
Halfway through the song, he put his head on my shoulder.
“I used to imagine tonight,” he whispered.
Your prom?
He nodded.
“I had the dress planned. The hairstyle. Everything.
Then his voice became lower.
When I found out I was pregnant, I thought my life was over.
I felt my chest being oppressed.
Have you ever regretted it?
He immediately raised his head.
“Never.
Not once?
Not for a second.
He touched my cheek.
