Desperate for Approval novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Invitation

Brandon knocked on the apartment door with his elbow, because both his hands were full.

In one he held a flat white box, and in the other a sheet of glossy paper folded in thirds.

"Don't shut it," he said. "I came on the train. I left the car at home so he can't track it."

"Does he track your car?"

"He tracks everything. I only noticed last month." He looked past me into the apartment. "Is she here?"

Grandma was in the kitchen, sitting very upright at the table with a cup of tea.

She had heard the knock, and she had not turned around.

Brandon stopped three steps inside the room and held the box in front of him.

"Mrs. Aaberg."

"Brandon."

"I'm sorry about the way I used to laugh."

"You used to laugh at her on the phone," Grandma said. "I heard you through the speaker, one Christmas, when she called me crying."

His face went white.

"I'll say it again every day if you want me to," he said.

"Once is enough. If you mean it, I'll know by Christmas." She picked up her tea. "What's in the box?"

He put it on the table and opened it.

Inside was a dress, dark green wool with a small white collar.

"I picked it out with a salesgirl," he said. "I didn't know the size. I said she's about this tall and she holds herself like a queen."

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