Page 79 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
“We’re supposed to hit a record high.”
“Good day for the beach.”
“Maybe if the surf was up,” Mom says.
I put my phone down with a huff. “Wouldn’t you want to pay someone else to walk your dog in the heat of the day?”
“And have to smell sweaty dog for who knows how long as we’re couped up inside with the AC blasting?”
“Fair point.”
“So what are you going to do with your unexpected day off?”
“Take you out for ice cream.”
“At your cottage? I’d love to.”
“Nice try. I was thinking of the ice cream parlor down the street.”
“Pass. But tell me what it’s called. I’ll take Juliet.”
No one loves ice cream as much as my sister, except maybe her son. The Instagram stories I’ve seen are priceless.
Mom lifts up the side of her French toast and frowns. “But maybe not for another few weeks. Poor dear is miserably sick this go-around.”
“Must be a girl.”
Mom smiles. “We can only hope. Your father sends his love. It would be nice if you responded to his texts. Please tell me he isn’t still blocked.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“You get it from him, you know. That stubborn streak.”
“And what do I get from you?”
“Dazzling good intellect and keen beauty, among many other virtues.” Mom squints at her plate. “Is there glitter on my French toast?”
“Fun, right?”
“How did you find this place?”
“Mike brought me.”
“Did he, now? How is he?”
“Busy. I rarely see him now that the semester has gotten under way.”
“SDSU has a fabulous library—wonderful law section. Maybe you should do some research on campus. Meet Mike for coffee.”
“Are you attempting to find me a boyfriend or get me back together with law? Because neither plan is going to work.”
Mom pulls out her tarot cards.
I moan.
“What? You have something better to do?”
“I was going to go home and hunker down in the AC like everyone else.”
