The Truth About Faking

thought…” He lets out a big exhale. “Can’t you forgive me?”
    I look down again. I know I should say yes and accept his apology. It’s what Dad would tell me to do, but this is totally different. I wonder if even he could forgive Trent so quick. Knowing Reverend Dad, he probably could.
    “I don’t know,” I say.
    “Why won’t your mom just say it’s not true? I’m sure everybody’ll believe her.”
    I shake my head. “My mom can be a little stubborn about certain things.”
    And maybe that’s the problem. My frustration with her is making it hard for me to accept his apology. I push a piece of hair behind my ear. This is so hard.
    We stand there a few minutes in silence. I don’t know what to say, but Trent doesn’t seem ready to let me go. He looks up at a nearby bush. Then I watch as he reaches over and breaks off one of the blooms and hands it to me. It’s small with thick white petals and dark green leaves, and the fragrance is sweet but strong like a magnolia.
    “It’s pretty,” I say.
    “Then it’s for you.”
    I sort-of smile. Is this supposed to be a peace offering?
    He puts his hands in his back pockets and looks down. “I kind of had another reason for wanting to talk to you,” he says. “I mean, I wanted to apologize for my mom, and I hope you’ll forgive me?”
    “I’m thinking about it.”
    “Well, maybe it would help if I apologize about Friday, too.”
    Now I’m totally confused. “You want to apologize for Friday?”
     “I’m really sorry about our date. The movie and all.”
    “Oh. Just forget it.”
    “It was supposed to be different, but I couldn’t seem to do it.”
    “Do what?”
    He shakes his head. “I mean, I want to do something to make all this up to you.”
    “You don’t have to.”
    “What if we went out again Friday? Yeah?”
    “Are you kidding?”
    “No! I was just thinking, like I said. I could do something nice for you.”
    I look down and shake my head. “No. But thanks.”
    “Oh, c’mon, Harley.” He says it like I’m being unreasonable. I don’t know what he’s thinking. “I know you’re mad right now, but you said we could talk before, and I think… I’d like to talk to you.”
    At this point, I can’t think of anything he might say I’d want to hear. And besides that, I’ve given him two chances. That’s enough tries, and even if it isn’t, there’s Jason.
    “Trent, I just don’t—”
    “Tell you what, we’ll go for coffee. I know the perfect place.”
    There’s only one place, I think as I prepare to refuse. But he quickly continues.
    “Don’t answer now. Just say you’ll think about it, and we can talk tomorrow.”
    I look back at the flower, not sure what to say. After all that’s happened, after his mom, after our two terrible dates and even worse kiss, after all that texting, after Jason… Why is he doing this? Why now?
    “You want to go for coffee,” I say.
    “Yes!” He practically shouts, seeming relieved. “A coffee date.”
    “Wait. I didn’t say date—”
    “We’ll talk more about it later.” He squeezes my hand and pulls me back to the front of the church, but I’m still trying to explain how I didn’t actually agree to go out on a date with him.
    He smiles and steps away once we’re in sight of everyone, like we weren’t just having a conversation that ended with him turning meeting for coffee into a date. I look up and see my parents walking toward our car, but Jason’s gone.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispers before going to his mother, who’s standing in a small circle talking to Mrs. Perkins. I can only guess what that cluster’s discussing.
    I hurry to catch up with my parents. There’s plenty of time before Friday to sort out whatever just happened. I reach Mom at the same time as Mrs. Bender who’s hurrying over from her car.
    “Jackie?” she’s huffing as she joggles up to us, and I’m reminded of those ducks that return every spring.
    My mom looks up and stops. “Lois.”
    “I just want you to know nobody believes that pack of lies Sandra’s spreading,” Mrs. Bender huffs out the words as she catches her breath.
    “I don’t know,” Mom says, glancing in the direction of the Perkins group. “I think some people might believe it.”
    “Idiots. Pawns and idiots. You just need to set the record straight, and we can get back to our lives.”
    Mom smiles. “Thank you, Lois. But I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my work over idle