Page 8 of The Perils of Pretending
“That’s my Poppy,” Michelle says. “A helper and giver.”
Michelle finds a parking spot a few spaces away from the shuttle stop. I’m grateful, considering all the luggage Sadie brought. I get that women tend to pack more than men, but it looks like Sadie’s packed for a few months instead of days. It’s not in me to let her struggle carrying everything on her own, but it doesn’t stop me from telling her it’s too much.
“Let’s get inside and see what treasures we get.” Brody hops out of the car. He genuinely looks excited. He said he was happy to get away for a while before his second child is born—they’re waiting to find out the gender at the birth.
Getting out of the SUV, I grab the first suitcase I see, setting it on the asphalt.
Sadie puts on her backpack. “All I want is chocolate.”
Brody looks at Sadie, a sympathetic frown on his lips. “Oh, is it that time of the month, Dee? That sucks.”
I’m glad I’m not a woman.
Sadie smacks Brody’s shoulder. “Because the only time I want chocolate is when I’m menstruating?”
“It’s usually when my sisters and co-workers want chocolate most,” I add. “I keep a stash in my office just for them.” Life is better when I can offer a little pick-me-up to my staff when they’re having a bad day.
“Same with Daphne,” Brody says. “She hides it in the pantry, top shelf.”
Mom puts her hand on Sadie’s back. “They’re trying to be helpful.”
I nod because it’s true. If Sadie needs chocolate, let’s get the princess her treat. “It’s a part of life. You don’t need to be ashamed of it.” People get way too weird about bodily functions. It’s part of being human. That’s not to say I want all the kids at school to go around farting and talking about their bathroom habits, but if someone is sick or a woman is menstruating, there doesn’t need to be so much shame and embarrassment about it.
Sadie puts a hand up in a stop motion. “For the record, I always get a chocolate-covered caramel apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and a Diet Dr. Pepper when I travel. It hasnothingto do with my hormones.”
Brody squeezes Sadie’s shoulder. “Sorry, sis. Let’s get you your traditional snacks. Yeah?”
I pull out the next suitcase.
“Yes. And no more talk of my cycle?” Sadie points a threatening finger at each of us.
Brody crosses his heart. “Promise.”
I like to tease Sadie, but I don’t want her to actually hate me. “Consider it forgotten,” I say.
Chapter 3
Sadie
Aftermakingitthroughthe security-line switchbacks, I heft my backpack on the screening conveyors and slide off my leather sandals. I grab my pair of old stretched-out ankle socks from my backpack.
“What is happening here?” Max asks, judgingly, pointing at my now cotton-clad feet.
“What do you mean?”
“Why didn’t you just wear sneakers and then you’d have socks on already?”
I stare at Brody, giving him a look like I can’t believe this guy is his best friend. “Because my feet swell on long flights and I want my skin to breathe plus these are old socks that will be going into the trash in T-minus two minutes, not back into shoes. I don’t want to get athlete’s foot or something worse from walking on the same filthy floor as thousands of other people.” Duh. It’s common sense.
Max chuckles. “Okay, germaphobe.”
Ugh, he’s so annoying. “I’m not afraid of germs. If I can prevent a disease, I’m going to do it.”
Brody drapes an arm around my shoulders and Max’s. “Come on, you two. Play nice.”
“I am being nice.” Max is the one being judgmental…again.
“You three dears are holding up the line.” Mom nudges Brody, stopping our squabble.
