Page 168 of Breathe Again

Excellent, Olivia was still in a good mood.

“Hello, little bird! How are all your friends at the shelter?”

“Pretty good! Fourteen cats adopted new families this week, and five dogs went home, too. Two of them were big dogs, which is excellent. Big dogs are harder to place. We’re having a fun-raiser.”

She slipped off her runners and bounced into the kitchen, Bex following on her heels, smiling.

“A fun-raiser?”

“Fundraiser,” Bex corrected.

“Is there a snack for me, Mom? I’m hungry.”

“I’ll fix it now. You want to sit at the table and chat with us girls?”

“Nope. I’ve had enough chatting. I’m going to the sunroom. Can you bring my snack to me when it’s ready?”

“Yup!” I laughed. You always knew where you stood with Olivia.

Bex came up and hugged me sideways.

“Hi, Bex. Fundraiser?”

“Yes. Willa will talk to you about it.”

“Is Willa still coming? You staying for dinner and girls’ night or do you have to get the twins?”

“Willa’s coming, and I can stay but I don’t smell any food cooking, chickie.”

“Well!” I put my hands on my hips in mock outrage. “I was kind of busy, publishing my book!”

“What?” She slapped her hands over her cheeks. “It’s done?”

I smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

She raised her fist in the air and danced around me. “Woo Hoo! You are the shit, Mara!”

I twirled around with her, laughing and hooting.

“Can you guys be quiet? And Auntie Bex, no swearing!”

“Yes, little bird,” and “Sorry, beautiful girl,” rang out simultaneously.

Willa walked in while we were still snickering. “Oh, my Lord, what are you two on about now?”

“Oh, nothing…” Bex began, “just the fact that Mara published her book!”

“What?” Willa yelled, then ran over to me, jumping up and down and hugging me.

I jumped with her. I had to. It was either that or get beaned in the eyes by her massive boobs because she was taller than me.

She stopped to confirm. “You did it?”

“Yup!” I beamed up at her. “I did it.”

She wrapped her arms around me. “You’re amazing. I want to be you when I grow up.”

I scoffed, but she went on. “Really, Merry, you are an inspiration. Strongest woman I know.”

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