Of course, the Senator didn’t actually respect me not wanting anything for myself. The package came in the mail a week or so later.
I wasn’t sure who he bribed to find out my size, but it was a dress. A beautiful one. Not the highest end, but it was also…
I laughed. “I know what this is for.”
Kanesha peered at me. “Prom. He gave you a prom dress.”
“He did.”
She grinned. “Maybe I should rent a tux.”
“Nah. If anyone’s the masculine one it’s me. But I know where to find something for you.”
I looked at the dress again. He’d be upset if I sent it back. I was glad I knew he wasn’t interested in me sexually.
Then I realized what I was probably dealing with – a confused mix of emotions, but Sarlac had no kids. Maybe buying a prom dress for a girl who’d helped him out was his way to feel, for a moment, like a father.
Either way, I couldn’t send it back.
“I hope we won’t have any problems with school admin.”
She meant about her being there, being my date when she’d already graduated. “They’ve allowed it in the past.”
“For het couples.” She laughed a bit. “Maybe I should rent a tux.”
I envisioned Kanesha in a tux. “You’d look dashing.”
She studied the dress. “Would be cheaper, too.”
She sounded like she wasn’t joking any more. I grinned a bit. “Up to you. You know I can get good deals on a rental for you, or even a purchase. Especially as I don’t have to worry about mine.”
It was a gorgeous dress, too. Plain, flowing, blue skirt, and a bodice embroidered with intricate gold patterns. I was pretty embarrassed by the gift.
There was a note with it, I finally noticed. I tugged it out.
“I know you said you didn’t want anything, but I also know how tight money has to be for you – Sarlacc.”
It wasn’t that tight, but I wouldn’t have spent this much money on a prom dress. And then it hit me.
A politician probably didn’t like owing anyone favors. This was to even out the ledger. If I took it in that spirit, he would understand.
And politics was something I needed to learn more about, learn to move and live in if I was going to survive.