Page 34 of Our Unexpected Beginning

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Julia quickly braided her hair in one long braid out of the way, slipped on sweats, and padded down to the kitchen.

She turned the corner and spotted Aunt Elaine on the phone standing halfway out of the screen door who held up a finger of silence before Julia could give her location away.

“Cassandra, come on. It’s not that big of a deal that Julia’s here. It’s only a few hours. I know, yes, it would be–how abo–” Aunt Elaine sighed and lowered her head, unable to get a word in with her sister on the other end of the line.

Julia winced. She knew what was coming, there was no way around it.

“Yep, I’ll see you at six. I can’t wait.” Aunt Elaine hung up the phone and shot Julia a painful grin. “We’ve got a guest for dinner.”

“No. No, not now.” Julia shook her head and quickly pulled her phone from her back pocket. “Make that two, I’m calling Melly.”

Jules:

Mel.

Jules:

Mel.

Jules:

Melody.

Mel:

What? What’s the fire?

Jules:

Okay, I lied. I can’t be here alone.

Mel:

What’s going on?

Jules:

Incoming hostels.

Jules:

Please come.

Jules:

Please.

Jules:

MelodyMarie, don’t do this to me.

Mel:

Okay! I promise I got you.

Mel:

I won’t leave you stranded.

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