Six months later, I completed my training and earned the management position.

Mom cried when I told her I passed the interview!

Janelle immediately asked whether we could finally replace our washing machine.

“Yes,” I said.

She raised both arms. “BEST PROM EVER!”

I completed my training.

***

Georgia and I stayed friends.

When the new location opened, she gave me a framed prom photo.

It showed me attempting that terrible dance move while she laughed beside me.

Underneath, she’d written:

“Employee of the Month: Survived One Prom, Three Cupcakes, and a Very Strange Boss.”

Georgia and I stayed friends.

I hung it in my office.

Because that night taught me something.

Sometimes, people recognize your potential before you do.

But if you’re going to tell someone they deserve a promotion, a normal conversation works just fine.

I hung it in my office.

You really don’t need a school dance, a borrowed suit, and a boss who thinks getting the moon is a reasonable management challenge.

However, it made for a great story about how I became a manager after working for a year.

You really don’t need a school dance.

THE END..!