The weeks leading up to homecoming were tense. Samantha had all the cheerleaders jumping around, painting posters, hanging banners, and making "spirit boxes" for the football players. One day, the cheerleaders actually drove to In-N-Out and brought back about a hundred double-double cheeseburgers for the football team's lunch.
With all the preparations, I didn't have much time to focus on the vamp problem.
One Thursday after school, I went shopping with Poppy and Rose. They helped me pick out the perfect dress for the dance. It was deep midnight blue, silky to the touch, and fit me like nothing else I'd ever owned. I couldn't wait for Ryan to see me in it.
I was floating until we got home. Then I hit the ground with a thump.
Mom met us at the door. "Daisy, can you make something a little special for dinner tonight?"
"Sure, but what's the occasion?"
"I've invited Chief Mendez and Ryan for dinner," she said.
My sisters stifled their laughter.
"I told them seven-thirty. I hope that will be all right?"
Unbelievable. "Fine," I said.
She said, "Great. I've got to finish some work, but holler if you need anything." Mom wandered upstairs with a file in her hand.
As soon as she left, Rose said, "What was she thinking?"
"Dinner with the parents already?" Poppy said. "It's the kiss of death."
"We've had dinner with them before," I reminded her.
"Yeah, but that was before you two were dating," she said.
"What am I supposed to do?" I looked at my watch. "It's too late to cancel."
"You have to talk to her," Rose said.
"I'll talk to her later. I'll have to make the best of it for now."
"If it's any help," Rose said, "Mom gave me a list and I went grocery shopping earlier today, so we're all stocked up."
"That's a huge help," I said. "But I'd better get started."
I rushed to the kitchen and checked to see what Rose had bought, then rifled through my cookbooks. I had no idea what to make. Potluck would not do for a dinner with the parents. I had to make something special, in order to distract them. They'd be so full from stuffing themselves that they'd forget to ask any awkward questions.
What did guys like to eat? I thought frantically. Meat. Men liked to eat meat, right? Ryan wasn't a vegetarian and neither was the chief. I opened the fridge door and stared in. I spied a large beef roast in the back and grabbed it.
I'd make pot roast. I checked my watch again. I had just enough time to cook it, as long as I served munchies first.
I hated cooking under pressure, which is one reason I'd never make it as a professional chef.
I checked the oven to make sure Poppy hadn't stored anything inside. I'd never forget the time I accidentally set fire to her school project, which she'd left in the oven to dry. As the oven preheated, I went over my mental checklist. I'd make a quick salad.
I wished I had more time to prepare, but there was no sense in wringing my hands about it. When I turned around, a gorgeous salad sat in a big wooden bowl on the counter.
I frowned. How had it gotten there? Rose or Poppy must have made it, but when? It looked good, but it was missing shredded cheese. I was headed for the fridge when the refrigerator door opened and a package of shredded cheese floated out and to the counter, where it hovered uncertainly, as if waiting for further directions.
I did not have time for my sister's pranks. "Poppy," I called out. "Cut it out. I don't have time for this." There was no answer. "Poppy," I yelled it this time.
She walked into the kitchen a few seconds later. "You bellowed?"
I gestured toward the cheese, which still hung in midair.
"I'm stressed enough about making dinner for Ryan and his dad, so quit it, okay?" I said.
"I'm not doing it," she said mildly.
"Then who is?" I put my hands on my hips and glared at her. "You are," she said. That's when the package of cheese exploded.