The Truth about Us Read Online Free PDF

real estate agent costume. Power suit. Tight short skirt, low-cut blouse, a fitted blazer, and mile-high heels. My mom used to wear the same thing. When she worked.
    She’s glaring at us, and my face heats up. I wrap my arms tighter in front of myself and stumble. I have had way too much to drink to deal with this right now.
    â€œJesus, girls,” Nance’s mom sputters, glancing around at the coolers and cigarettes, her mouth open, her eyes shooting sparks. “This isn’t a nude beach. The neighbors can see you. Put your clothes back on.” She looks around, horrified someone might be peering over the fence, witnessing the debauchery in her backyard.
    â€œWhat will the neighbors think?” I shout with glee, but my giggle dies quickly in my throat when I see the look from Nance’s mom.
    Nance nonchalantly grabs her top and slides it over her head and hooks the back together with one hand. She rolls her eyes and inhales her cigarette and exhales smoke that travels toward her mom’s face.
    I’m frozen to the spot, my arms wrapped over my boobs, watching Nance’s mom cough and wave her hands in the air. Her eyes are bulging, which is kind of a feat with the amount of Botox she’s got injected in her face. Her eyes get even wider and her lips turn down. “Put that cigarette out. Now.” She turns her attention to me. “Jess! Put your top back on!” She looks about to commit murder. “Right now.”
    I’m too shocked and kind of looped to do anything but stand there staring at her, my hands over my boobs. I glance at my bathing suit top in the grass about thirty feet away, but I can’t make myself move to get it.
    â€œWe didn’t expect you for a while,” Nance says and then glances at my face and bursts into laughter.
    â€œJess.” Her mom’s voice is pitchy and high. “What’s wrong with you? Put your top back on. Immediately.”
    My face burns brighter, and with my arms still crossed in front, I run off the deck like a spaz and trip on the stairs. Nance laughs even harder as I scramble up and over to the spot on the grass where I threw my suit. I bend, trying to pick it up and keep myself covered. I finally manage to pull the top on and then clumsily tie up the strings in the back. Oh God. Nance’s mom saw my boobs. My mom hasn’t even seen my bare boobs in years.
    â€œI thought you girls had more sense,” Nance’s mom says.
    â€œSo did I,” I tell her as honestly as I can, digging my toes into the grass, looking around the yard and not at her.
    Nance snorts though, and the absurdity and the heat get to me. A laugh starts to build. It’s so ridiculous. And inappropriate and disrespectful. The more I try to stop the gigantic giggle that’s building, the worse it gets. I cover my mouth, but I can’t stop the laughter from spilling out of me. For a moment, I kind of lose my shit.
    When I can finally breathe again, I inhale gulps of air and stand straighter. They’re both staring at me. Even Nance has a look that could almost pass for concern.
    â€œJess!” Nance’s mom says. “You need to go home. Are you okay to drive?”
    I don’t think I am. But I don’t want to admit it. I bite my lip and stare at the grass, wiggling my toes around.
    â€œFor God’s sake, get dressed. I’ll take you home.”
    Nance’s mom starts digging around her purse.
    â€œMartin,” she says into her phone after she’s found it and dialed. “It’s Carol. Jess is here. She and Nance have been drinking. I’ll bring her home. No. She can’t drive herself. She’s had too much.”
    She turns her back on me, and I can only imagine what my dad is saying in the silence that follows. “No. It’s fine. I don’t mind. Yes. I’m sure. I’ll take her straightaway.” She listens for another moment and then hangs up.
    â€œGet dressed,