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“That won’t work, Mom,” giggled Charlie as she quickly retrieved her cap, while her mother struggled to keep it out of her reach. “You know I’m taller than you are, now.” She wound her hair back up and tucked it in her cap with practiced ease.
“Are you sure?” Anne pouted. “I’m five foot eight! I know your sister is five foot nine, but I thought you were still a little shorter than me…”
“No Mom.” Charlie smiled indulgently. “I’m five eight and a half, and you’re definitely the shortest one in the family! But don’t worry—you’re still a little taller than Gandalf.”
Charlie swung an arm over her mother’s shoulder to emphasize her “smaller stature” as they walked together into the den and collapsed onto the soft couch. Gandalf followed closely and lay down on the plush rug next to the couch, resting his head on Charlie’s legs to command her attention. She absently rubbed his ears while she gave a tired sigh.
“How was the flight from Denver? I thought Emily was picking you up from the airport on her way here an hour from now,” Anne queried.
“That was the original plan, but I caught a ride with Ellie and her boyfriend. She decided to book a ticket to see him when she found out I was coming. She was having withdrawal—she hadn’t seen him for a whole three months, except for Skyping,” Charlie quipped sarcastically. “I don’t know how any self-respecting girl could be so dependent on a boy. I guarantee that’ll never happen to me. Anyway… I decided to surprise you by showing up early. Plus, I get you to myself for a few hours before Emily comes home.”
“I bought you some Cheetos.”
“Oh—the puffy kind?” exclaimed Charlie as she ran to the kitchen to retrieve her prize.
“Of course I bought the puffy kind,” Anne said indignantly. “What other kind is there?”
“Yummmm!” Charlie popped a Cheeto in her mouth and licked her already orange fingers as she fell back onto the couch. “Okay, Mom… What’s the big news you wouldn’t tell me on the phone?”
“I was planning to tell you and Emily at the same time so I wouldn’t have to repeat the story.”
“Yes. But you could tell me now, and then I’ll tell Emily for you. That way you still only have to tell the story once.” Charlie’s huge gold eyes flashed with devilment.
“Your sister would have a fit if I told you first,” admonished Anne.
“No, she wouldn’t…”
“Yes, I would!” exclaimed a voice from the doorway.
Chaos broke out as Gandalf ran to greet the newcomer. He jumped up and put his front feet on her chest, knocking her against the wall, her bags crashing to the floor. She stood pinned against the wall in a joyful embrace, her stylish glasses knocked askew and a few stray hairs escaping from her long, neat braid of glossy, dark brown hair. The twenty-three-year-old Emily was neat and tidy, always organized and in control. Only when she was with her family did she let down her guard.
“Get down, Gandalf!” yelled Anne as she ran to the rescue.
“Sister!” shouted Charlie in greeting from the couch with a mouth full of Cheetos.
Emily laughed as she freed herself from Gandalf and rubbed his ears while kissing his nose. She turned to embrace her mom, but sneered at her sister.
“I’m not speaking to you—traitor. Trying to worm the story out of Mom before I got here. It’s a good thing I got off work early so I caught you red-handed.”
“Orange-handed,” corrected Charlie, wiggling her Cheetos-covered fingers at her sister.
“You started eating treats without me too,” huffed Emily.
“That’s because I’m the favorite,” claimed Charlie.
“I know I’m the favorite,” corrected Emily, “because I brought Mom a new book to read—the latest of the Kate and Curran series.” She pulled a book out of her bag and waved it in the air.
“Oh great.” Anne snatched the book from her hand, hugging it to her chest. “I’ve been waiting forever.”
Emily laughed. “You could buy your own copy, Mom.”
“Yeah Mom,” Charlie agreed. “I bought it last month on Kindle.”
“I know. But I never can keep up with what’s coming out when. I just wait until y’all give me a book or tell me what to buy. It’s so much easier, and that’s what daughters are for.”
“So I am the favorite?” Emily questioned her mom, with a wry smile at her sister. “What did you bring to Mom?” she asked her sister.
“I brought the best gift of all—something you can never bring—me.”
