Page 109

When Ronnie’s mom, Georgia Draper, found out it was Bella’s day with the gerbil, she told me that if there were any problems to not worry. She had an in at the pet store. They’d replaced Apollo three times already this school year, so all I had to do was call her, and she would have them open up the pet store early so I could get a replacement Apollo.

I know I should probably be appalled, but instead I am very grateful to have a back-up if needed. Not that I wouldn’t be willing to step up and say there was a problem, but I don’t want Bella to go through elementary school known as the gerbil killer.

When I get to the school, I park my SUV instead of waiting up front like I normally would. I head to her classroom. Bella is one of the last kids in the class. She’s talking to her teacher, Mrs. Stapleton.

“Mama! Look, it’s Apollo! He’s coming home with us.”

I weave between the desks and stand next to her as her teacher puts Apollo into his ‘travelling’ cage.

“Do you have any other questions, Bella?”

“Are you sure he won’t want ice cream? I mean, if he eats all of his salad, I think he deserves dessert.”

“It’s not good for his digestive system. Just give him the food on the list.”

Mrs. Stapleton explains things really well for Bella. She puts up with my girl’s flights of fancy, and never gets impatient.

“How are you doing?” Mrs. Stapleton asks me. “I hear you had quite the adventure.”

“Uhhh.”

She frowns at me when I don’t answer her.

“Getting Luther and Violet to the hospital during that ice storm couldn’t have been easy.”

That adventure. Get a grip, Trenda.

“Yeah, that was something else,” I agree, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice. “Is there anything else we need to know before we take Apollo home with us?”

“Do you have any pets?”

“No. Mama said not right now, maybe when I’m older. I want a dog like Aunt Chloe’s and Uncle Zarek’s. His name is Slayer.”

“I think a gerbil is enough for now, Sweet Pea.” I look up at her teacher. “So, anything else?”

“Did you talk to Georgia Draper?” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.

“Uhm,” I look down at Bella who is looking up at the two of us with her big ears wide open. “I did talk to her, but hopefully her instructions won’t be necessary.”

“Unfortunately, they’ve been more helpful than I would have thought. This is my last year having gerbil sleepovers. I’ve heard turtles are a much better way to go.”

“Good to know.”

She hands me Apollo’s travelling cage, and Bella and I head out to the parking lot.

“Why did you have to talk to Ronnie’s mom?” Bella asks.

“She had an interesting idea she wanted to run by me.” Before she could get in a follow-up question, I ask her if she would like to get a vanilla latte. It’s worth going against my better judgement just so I don’t have to lie about my conversation with Georgia.

By the time Bella and Apollo are buckled in, I’m ready to head to town. The streets are clear now, which makes driving so much easier. I hit my blinker to go right down the two-lane highway that will take me into Jasper Creek proper.

“Hey, Mama?”

I look in the rearview mirror and see Bella swinging her legs in her booster seat. Then I quickly look back at the road.

“Yes, Baby?”

“Could Slayer have a sleepover at our house some time, like Apollo is?”