Mary raised her parasol like a banner before her, hookingMom’s elbow with her own and forging forward so Mom had no choice but to forgewith her.
“Now,we look to the future!” she proclaimed likeshe was releasing a battle cry.“And leave the wicked ways of the past behind!”
They disappeared inside.
Maxine came to us, and I wasn’t proud of it, but my mouthwas agape as she clasped Loren’s other arm and made us forge ahead too.
“Auntie Mary’s always a load of fun,” she shared.
“We’re learning that, poppet,” Loren muttered.
Poppet?
Maxine gazed up at him with bright eyes.
Oh my God!
Wasn’t he justthe best?
We made it into the house just as Mary was nearly shouting,“By Brigid!The wonders you have wrought!And I’m barely but ten steps inside!”She whirled on us.“Maxine.Come here, child.You and your mother are going totake me on a tour of these delightful changes you’ve made.I don’t want to missa thing.”
Maxine let Loren go and dashed to Mary.
“Carling, send someone to follow with pen and paper,” Marydemanded.“I might have notes.”
“Right away, milady,” Carling replied, and took off.
Mom looked over her shoulder at me as she pulled Mary andMaxine to the stairs, saying, “First, let’s start in Maxine’s room.I want youropinion.We’re redoing it.There’s this lovely yellow wallpaper that we’vefound.”
“Yellow, my dear?”Mary asked while they went up the steps,those words coming out like,the color of vomit, my dear?“Everyoneknows a bedroom should beblue.”
They disappeared up the stairs.
Loren turned me into his arms.
Mm.
This felt good.
When I caught his eyes, I said, “Hi.”
“We’re going toLe Cirque Magiquefor dinnertonight.”
Nice.
Our first date.
Instead of shoutingYippee!I said, “All right.”
“Tell Idina to pack a case.Your mother’s home is gettingcrowded.Tonight, you’ll again be staying with me.”
Nice!
“Righty ho,” I agreed, grinning.
He studied my mouth before he kissed the grin right off it.
I was panting when he lifted his head and shared, “Now, Ihave some things I need to do.I’ll arrive to collect you at seven this eve.”
