Chapter34
“You’re pickier than I am,” Dora said with a laugh. Then she turned to him, smiling. “How about I take you out for dinner sometime?”
Erin waved a hand. “No need. I heard Rainbow Group just dropped a new Starry Night edition in their 98–key keyboard series.”
When she met his hopeful gaze, Dora gave a knowing nod. “Got it. I’ll make some calls and have one sent your way in a couple of days.”
Erin blew her a dramatic kiss. “Love you!”
Dora squinted at him in mock disgust. “Ugh, spare me.
Once everything was wrapped up, Erin and his crew packed up and left. Chris tried to get him to stay for dinner, but he politely declined.
With the outsiders gone, the family gathered around, trying to decide what to have for dinner.
After a full day of home renovations, neither parent had the time–or energy–to shop or cook. So that night, they decided to take the kids out for a proper meal.
“Dora, do you like French food?” Chris gently took Dora’s hand in hers. her voice warm and affectionate.
Dora wasn’t used to physical contact from people she wasn’t close with. She hesitated for a moment but didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she simply replied, “I haven’t had it much.”
The only time she remembered having French food was two years ago for Effie’s birthday. They’d gone to one of Effie’s own French food
restaurants The food had been great, but the prices. not so much.
The place had closed within two months. Since then, Dora hadn’t had French food again.
“Then French food it is,” Keith suggested. “That French food place on the corner’s pretty good. Everything’s fresh, too.” After all, Dora had gone out of her way to get the entire house redone–they ought to treat her.
With the decision made, the family quickly got ready and headed out.
The five of them walked together to the restaurant. Chris held tightly onto Dora’s hand the whole way, reluctant to let go. Dora noticed she was being more affectionate than usual today.
‘Maybe that’s just how mothers are,‘ she thought. She didn’t dwell on it and let her hold on.
At the restaurant, they took a large table. As soon as they sat down, Alberto handed the menu to Dora. “Order whatever you want–don’t hold
back.”
Dora passed the menu straight to Keith. “You handle it, Keith. I’m just here to eat.”
Everyone chuckled.
While Keith looked over the menu, Dora unzipped her backpack, pulled out a glossy certificate and a thick envelope, and handed them to Dewey. Time to put my plan into action,‘ she thought.
“Dewey, that drawing you gave me the other day–it was amazing. I submitted it to a school competition, and guess what? It won first place.”
Dewey opened the certificate and stared at it, eyes wide. “Whoa, this award looks so fancy!”
“Yeah, but I entered under my name, so the certificate has me listed as the winner. The prize money, though, belongs to you. Keep it safe”
“First place? That’s incredible!” Alberto perked up and reached over to take a look. Meanwhile, the envelope had already made its way into Chris’s hands.
“Wow, Ordstend Middle School really does go all out,” Alberto said as he examined the certificate. From the high–end cover to the elegant script inside, everything looked upscale–even the stamp was in ornate cursive. Though, come to think of it, it didn’t look like English. He couldn’t make any sense of it.
Dora rested her chin in her hand, looking entirely at ease.
Of course he couldn’t read it. It was in Hindi–just in case anyone got too curious. The stamp wasn’t official either.
And nowhere on the certificate did it actually say “Ordstead Middle School.” But no one had noticed that yet.
Chris let out a soft gasp. “This. this much?”
She had peeked inside the envelope and was stunned to find a thick stack of crisp bills–actual cash, not a voucher or coupon.
She remembered when Keith won a citywide speech competition–the prize had been 170 dollars, but it ended up being a 170–dollar book voucher. ‘Who gives out real money these days? she thought.
Dora sipped her coffee, completely calm. “1700 dollars. At Ordstead. Middle School, most of the kids come from wealthy families. The prize money’s just a formality.”
In truth, the school never gave out cash prizes at all. But since no one there cared about the money, it made for the perfect excuse. Dipping into her own wallet made the story all the more convincing.
Dewey’s eyes were huge. “Dora, I get to keep all of it?”
“Of course.” Dora replied smoothly. “You earned it.”
