MILDRED

WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?

"It was just so much that I had to bundle it over here to share the joy."

Vanessa's breathy explosion of words made it plain just how happy she was with the thoughts of Chase ordering dinner for her the previous evening. She never hesitates to send some my way.

I ate them all until I was full.

"It made my day yesterday." I smiled merrily, "Guess what I'm learning?"

Just then, there was a loud bang outside that made our hearts leap. I glanced at the clock, ten p.m.

"What was that?" I managed to ask when my breathing returned to normal.

Before...