Free Molly's Cop by Joannie Kay

of love... a firm expression of loving disapproval. Even so, she didn't like that she was the cause of Kathleen's present distress. She wanted to cry and tell the woman she was very sorry, but was pretty sure that Kathleen wouldn't believe her for one second.
    Bridget kept them entertained with stories of her friends, and how they thought she was weird for wanting to be a Chef, but at the same time were always asking her to bake something for them to snack on. Kathleen told her to stick to her dreams and her passion, and to be her own woman. She also asked if Bridget had been looking at any schools in particular. Molly noticed that Mary turned to listen to her youngest child's answer and seemed surprised to learn that Molly had already started investigating different schools and had a mental list of pros and cons ready to share with her eldest sister.
    "Honey, you are only a freshman this year. I want you to keep an open mind and concentrate on getting good grades."
    "I know it is important, Mama. Culinary colleges check out grades and attendance, and all of the things that liberal arts colleges do. Community service is very important, and activities and clubs. I want to get in a great school, so I'm going to work my butt off now so I can get accepted when the time comes to apply."
    "You have it all planned out already?" Rachel asked in disbelief.
    "You are a junior, sister, dear. What are your plans?" Bridget demanded.
    "Well, finally, someone asks me!" she retorted, letting the rest of them know she did not like being ignored. "I am planning to go to college right here in town, so I can keep my job at the preschool and live at home to keep my expenses down. I'm going to study early childhood education."
    "That sounds wonderful, Rachel," Kathleen said with sincerity. "Has the preschool you work at offered you a job once you get your degree?"
    "Yes. They are even going to pay for some of my classes," she said proudly.
    "And when did you intend to share this with your father and I, young lady?" Mary asked, totally surprised.
    "When you got around to asking if I had thought of my future," Rachel said with a grin and a shrug. "Admit it, Mama... You are shocked. You didn't think I cared at all, did you?"
    "Honey, that is not true. I wasn't sure that you realized yet what you wanted to do. Your father and I will sit down with you and discuss all of this later tonight. I am so proud of you!" Mary added, giving Rachel a hug. "Goodness, all of my babies are growing up so fast that I am overwhelmed."
    "I know what you mean, Mary," Jenny said tearfully, putting her arm around her sister and hugging her. "We have raised wonderful children, haven't we, dear?"
    "Yes, we have," Mary agreed, smiling through her own tears.
    "Don't cry, Mama. Rachel and I didn't mean to upset you," Bridget offered, stepping forward to hug her mother.
    "I'm not upset, honey. I'm so proud I could burst!" Mary assured her, and then said, "Let's get this work done. I'm in the mood to play a long game of Monopoly."
    "I would like that, too," Kathleen agreed, only to have Lloyd come into the kitchen not one minute later and ask her how much longer she would be. "We are planning a game of Monopoly, Lloyd," she answered.
    He shook his head 'no'. "We will be leaving as soon as you are finished helping your Mother."
    "Go on, dear," Mary said firmly. "We are almost finished."
    Kathleen obviously did not wish to go, but she knew better than make a scene. Molly's eyes met hers in sympathy but Kathleen seemed to think the younger woman was mocking her. She stomped out of the kitchen without so much as saying goodbye to any of them.
    "And what was that all about?" Jenny asked of Mary, who also appeared confused.
    "Kathleen was rude to Molly," Linda spoke up. "Lloyd is going to punish her, and she darn well has it coming."
    "Oh... Molly, I am so sorry! I hope Kathleen didn't upset you...?" Mary demanded at once. "That girl has a terrible temper, which I fear she got from her