Tammy the Tremendous and Terrific-Vol 1 Chapter 2

Tammy and Tara plan on going shopping and Tammy's dilemma is proposed.

chapter 2

On Friday evening, I texted Tara.

Me: So what r u planning on dressing as for the Halloween dance?!

Tara: Tammy, I'd never let myself be seen out in public at age 13 in a childish Halloween costume. Plus I want to look good for Rick <3 im getting a dress

Me: but I want to wear a costume :(

Tara: u can, but im not. im getting a dress, like I said. Want to go dress shopping with me 2moro?

Me: Sure, I'll ask my mom

"Mom, can I go dress shopping with Tara tomorrow?" I inquired from my comfortable seat in my bean bag chair. "What do you need a dress for?" she asked. I sighed and clarified, "I don't--she does. She doesn't want to wear a costume to the Halloween dance." Mom said, "I don't understand why she wouldn't want to dress in costume. Dressing up for Halloween is fun! But yes, you can go." I texted Tara to let her know I had permission to go, and then I got up out of my seat to admire the Tinker Bell costume I'd recently finished making. I'd planned on being Tinker Bell well in advance and therefore, had finished my costume before a lot of people had even decided what character they wanted to be! I also had my ways of making superb creations without spending more than $10.00, if any money at all. I'd found an old pair of ballet slippers from my dancer days (which surprisingly, still fit me) and spray-painted them green, a T-shirt which I also spray-painted green, and a pair of green leggings. The only part I had to buy was the pair of fairy wings. I'd gotten them on clearance for $3.50 from Target. I added my own finishing touch by brushing them lightly with fabric glue and sprinkling them with "pixie dust" (glitter). I took off my school clothes and tried on the costume, though I'd tried it on at least 375, 892 times already. Pirouetting around in bliss, I admired my work of art in the mirror. I was really proud of the result of all my hard work. Amidst my happiness, I remembered my only dilemma. Ever since I began going to school dances in 6th grade, I'd gone stag. I'd always gone with Tara and our friend Mark Lander, but I wanted to go with an escort this year. Almost all the other girls were always accompanied by a male, and Tara had a boyfriend now--Rick. So, of course, Tara would have a date, and I didn't want to look awkward. I thought about how I was going to ask Tony Smith. The idea of looking into his iridescent blue eyes made my heart flutter. Ah, Tony Smith. His mere existence was a miracle. He was quarterback of the school football team (whatever that is) and he was absolutely perfect. He had blue eyes (like I said), sandy blonde hair, an amazing body, and a perfect tan. I swooned over the fantasy of him possibly accepting my request to be my date. I rolled around in my bed, giggling cheerfully at the idea of kissing him. My imagination was abruptly interrupted when my mom burst into my room, unannounced. "Thinking of someone special?" she chortled upon seeing me giggling and kissing my pillow. I ceased and threw my pillow aside. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock before you come in?!" I shouted, my face turning beet red. She ignored my reprimanding and handed me an envelope. "You have a letter from your father," she said. Rolling my eyes and placing the letter on the dresser, I said, "I need to talk to you about something." Mom planted herself on the bed. "What's up?" Clearing my throat, I inquired, "How do I ask the guy I like to the dance? Every day, I plan to ask him, but when I see him in school, I can hardly maintain eye contact with him for a millisecond." Mom replied, "A real man will ask a girl instead of waiting on a girl to ask him." Infuriated because I knew Tony would never ask me first, I asked, "But what if he doesn't ask me?" Mom replied,

"Then go alone. Or go with Mark. I'm sure he'd love to go with you." I shuddered. "Eewwww! He's just a friend!" Mom chuckled. "You're likely to think quite the opposite before long. Anyway, I need to go finish the laundry. You did an awesome job on your costume, by the way." she exited my room.

I couldn't believe she'd suggested that I go with Mark. It wasn't that Mark was ugly or gross--he definitely wasn't. It's just that he and I had been friends since elementary school and I'd never thought of him being anything more. I felt sorry for him. He'd started asking girls on dates last year and got screwed over or turned down by nearly all of them. I departed from my thoughts and took a look at the letter my dad had written me. I didn't really have a good relationship with him. From what I'd been told, he'd run away the minute my mother announced she was pregnant. As time had gone by, however, he'd begun to write me letters, sometimes with money.

Praying he'd mailed some money along with the letter (I couldn't care less about the s**t he'd written to me), I opened the letter. He'd sent thirty dollars--that could pay for some new makeup for me to wear to the dance. I'd probably have some left over to buy the latest release of my favorite book series. Though I didn't have much interest in what he had to say, I decided to read the letter anyway...

Dear Tammy,

I recently heard that your school is having a Halloween dance. I figured you could use some money to help pay for any expenses. I'm hoping that maybe you'll come visit me at Thanksgiving or Christmas. I hope you're doing well.

Love You,

Dad

I threw the letter in the trash can and placed the money in my purse. If he loved me, he never would've abandoned Mom. At least he sent me money now and then, I guess. Plucking a book from the shelf, I indulged in a fictional paradise for the evening.

Author's Note

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Let me know what you think!