Planning for prom doesn't include mom

"I think Scott is considering going to prom," my friend, Lisa, said in hushed tones. Her son, Scott, is a junior and painfully shy.

My daughter, Tess, and Scott have been in school together since kindergarten.

"Tess told me something about that," I shared. "In fact, when she found out we were having dinner together, her orders were for me to 'get the scoop.' "

"Tess probably knows more than I do," Lisa laughed. "Boys don't talk."

I smiled sympathetically.

"All I know is that he and his two buddies admit to some talk of prom -- not a lot of talk in front of me, mind you, but talk."

"It's at the Shedd Aquarium, for God's sake," I said. "Who wouldn't want to go?"

"I think that's part of the draw. Dinner and dancing at the Shedd. That's a pretty spectacular evening," Lisa said. She paused and leaned in closer. "They've been doing research," she giggled.

"Research?" I asked.

"They went and saw the movie Prom Night ," she said. "I heard them talking about the whole getting-ready thing and all the stuff leading up to it. They got the impression that it was a pretty accurate portrayal of what to expect at prom. Well, except for the whole mass murderer part.

"Actually, one of his friends is not speaking to him right now," Lisa said. "I think it's over this whole prom business. I want to help, but I can't seem to get close to him about this."

"Tess said that she saw Scott and one of his buddies arguing in study hall. She thought it had to do with prom," I said, reaching into my purse for my phone.

"Tess, it's Mom," I said once she answered. "Tell Mrs. L what you know about Scott and prom."

I switched the phone to speaker and we both leaned in.

"I think Scott's asking someone to prom. What do you know about it?" Lisa asked.

"Well, there's this girl in our study hall -- blonde, cute," Tess said. "Last Friday, Tim turns to Scott and starts nudging him to get up and talk to her. Scott didn't move and got really red. Tim said that he couldn't help him if he wasn't even going to try. Tim moved all his stuff and came and sat by me, and he's been there all week."

"Ahh-ha!" Lisa shouted. "I knew Tim was mad at Scott about a girl. I should have asked you earlier, Tess."

"Next time just give me a call, Mrs. L," Tess said. "You want my cell phone number?" she teased.

"Does this girl have a name?" I asked.

"Annie," Tess answered tentatively.

Tess told us the last name and asked, "Do you know her?"

"No," we both said. "But we can Google her now," I teased. "Mrs. L is going to check online to see if this girl has any priors or a police record."

"OK, I'm going to go now," Tess said.

"Does this girl have a MySpace?" Lisa shouted into the phone. "Do you think she'd be my friend?"

"Bye!" Tess shouted.

"It's no wonder my son doesn't tell me much," Lisa said.

"Yeah," I said. "Go figure."