Page 88 of Merry Mayhem
Sam is still here with his new fiancée. Literally up in front of everyone, her diamond sparkling in the sunshine and twinkle lights. I was actually glad Josh was beside Violet when Sam approached her—after the kiss, of course—to tell her he was soglad she was okay. Even if it killed me a little to watch Josh slip an arm around her waist when she put hers around him.
Every move like that just goes further to confirm them as a couple to the town.
“You okay?” Nora asks me after I deliver the last burger and BLT.
We’re now leaning against the wall near the door to the kitchen in case Bruce needs to yell for help.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“You fell for him that fast?” my cousin asks.
What’s the point of denying it? “Yep.”
“You’re really going to be okay with him dating V?”
I laugh. “Absolutely not. I’m hoping they break up, and I never have to see him again.”
That’s not nice of me, but I’m not sure how I’ll survive seeing him with Violet across my parents’ dinner table for the rest of my life.
Actually, I’m sure Iwon’tsurvive.
If they don’t move away, I’ll have to.
Nora’s quiet for a moment. “You know, I love the new Merry Mayhem motto. I might expand it to everything Parks and Recreation does.”
“Motto?” I ask, looking over at her. What are we talking about?
“The all fun, no rules thing,” she says.
Ah. I laugh. She’s so transparent. “We need rules, Nora. They keep us safe.”
Rules like not breaking your sister’s heart if you can help it and sisters before misters, for instance.
“Well, sure, sometimes. But if rules keep us safe but unhappy, are they really good?” Nora asks. “They need to at least be revised, right? Like letting Patty and Muriel compete in theobstacle course with partners who would push them in amazing chariots when they couldn’t run or walk the course.”
“Chariots?” I ask, instead of commenting on the rest, because my chest feels really tight.
“Better word than cart,” she says with a grin. “Plus, those things arechariots.”
I smile, but then sigh. “What’s your point?”
“On the surface, not stealing a man from your sister is a very good rule.”
“I didn’t?—”
She holds up a hand to stop me. “But it also seems obvious that people should be able to do an obstacle course in order to, you know, participate in an obstacle course. But sometimes, you look closer and dig deeper, and it’s not that straightforward, andcommunicatingabout the rules and how a rule is actually not good in a certain situation for everyone is a really good idea.”
“How can this begoodfor Violet?” I ask.
“Not sure. But you could askher. Maybe see if she’s got a grocery cart you can paint pink.”
“I—”
“It’s a metaphor,” she says.
I laugh. “Not a great one.”
“I think it made my point.”
