My mom found a boyfriend

Aaron looks like a man who’s won the lottery. And I? I’m dressed in armor disguised as chiffon.

He finds me near the drinks table.

“Please don’t ruin this,” he says under his breath.

I face him, steady. “Funny. I thought you were the one who ruined things.”

“I made a mistake, Ava.”

“No. You made a choice.”

My voice is calm. Sharp.

I walk to the microphone continue reading …