When I was a junior, a senior invited me to the senior prom. Of course, I knew I wasn't allowed to date, but I felt pressured by all our friends in the same class. Even the teacher got in on the act and encouraged me to say yes. So I did. My parents were divorced and my mom was inactive so I told him yes but I would meet him there. I visited my mom on the weekends and I think the prom was on a Friday or Saturday night. So when I was at my mom's I asked her if I could go and she said YES! I got dressed at my mom's and caught the bus to the swanky hotel ballroom where the prom was held. He greeted me with wrist corsage (looking very relieved I showed up). It was all very innocent. Lots of teachers and parents chaperoning etc. Very tame.
That summer, same boy sent me a postcard telling me what a great time he had and how he was looking forward to school starting in September. Only problem is, he sent it to my house and my dad, the elder read it. He beat me black and blue with his belt buckle. I had bruises all over my body. Even another sister in the hall who saw them when I was wearing shorts said "That isn't right!" Of course she was a single mom with no status in the congo so that went nowhere.
Well, I didn't go to my own senior prom. I was a little wary (traumatized) of proms after that episode. Yeah, those witness parents are so balanced aren't they?
Cog