Free Deep Blue Secret by Christie Anderson

dressed, her head wrapped in a towel. I couldn’t remember the last time I was ready for the day before her.
    “Morning.” She hopped on one foot yanking a sock over the other. “Sorry, I'm running a little behind. Give me just a minute and I'll get breakfast started.”
    I couldn't help but laugh at her. She leaned against the edge of her bed, the decorative pillows aligned neatly. Even when she was late, she never left the house without her bed in perfect order. It had something to do with an article she read about making your room a stress-free sanctuary.
    “No, don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll feed myself. I just want cereal.”
    “Are you sure? I'm almost ready.”
    “Didn't I tell you?” I said. “Cereal is my new favorite food. You have your meal and a beverage all in one. It's like killing two birds with one stone.”
    “Looks like I raised a multi-tasker.” She pulled a tank top over her head while hovering over her jewelry box at the same time.
    “Careful,” she joked, “you could end up like your mother.”
    She dropped an earring and plopped on the floor to search for it.
    I spotted it just behind her, hiding among the fibers of the carpet. “Here it is,” I said.
    She shoved it in her ear. “Thanks, sweetie, what would I do without you?”
    I laughed. “I don't even want to imagine.”
    She laced her tennis shoe. “I'm heading to yoga class this morning. I think I could use the extra endorphins.”
    “That sounds so good right now,” I said. “Maybe I should work out when I get home tonight.” I made a mental note of the idea.
    “Oh that reminds me,” she said. “I'm thinking about riding my bike to work today. So don't worry if you see my car here later and I'm not home.”
    “You're riding your bike? I don't think that's a good idea.”
    “Don't be silly,” she said, arranging her damp hair in a bun. “It's only a few miles away.” She turned to face me. “You think your mother’s getting too old to ride her bike a few miles down the road?”
    “No, that's not what I meant, at all. Not even close. You're more fit than most people my age.” I didn’t have to lie. She was incredibly in-shape for her age.
    The lines smoothed on her face, content with my answer.
    “You just get off work so late,” I explained. “I thought it might not be safe to ride your bike home alone.”
    “Oh you don't need to worry about that. I arranged a ride home with Mar– ” She stopped and corrected herself. “Dr. Jensen. He has a bike rack on his car. He offered to take me home anytime I want to ride my bike to work.”
    I knew exactly who she was talking about, Dr. Mark A. Jensen. I'd met him a couple of times over at the hospital. He was hard to miss.
    My tone was thick with implication. “Oh really ? The most gorgeous and single doctor at the hospital just happened to offer you a ride, any time you want?”
    “It's not like that, Sadie.” Her voice was abrupt, but her tone softened. “He’s very handsome. But don't worry, we're just friends.”
    I never understood why my mom was so unwilling to open herself up to meeting someone. I could barely convince her to go on dates, let alone get into a serious relationship.
    “That's exactly what I am worried about. You have handsome men interested in you, but you won't give them the time of day.”
    “Oh please, that’s not true.”
    I folded my arms to my chest and sent her a look that said I wasn’t convinced.
    “I just want to focus on what's most important right now…that’s my career.” She paused then added, “And spending time with my adorable, irrationaldaughter, who suddenly thinks that she's the parent…”
    She made light of the situation, as usual. Of course, most of the time, I was happy to live in ignorant bliss right along with her.
    “Whatever do you mean?” I joked. There really was no use in fighting her.
    She grabbed her keys off the night stand. “I have to get going, sweetheart. Have a great day, okay?”