Free Every Girl Gets Confused by Janice Thompson Page B

years? Dozens? No, hundreds was more like it.
    â€œOoh, a Blizzard. I can’t wait. It’s been ages since I had a Blizzard.” Alva giggled. “I don’t care how cold it is outside, I love ice cream.”
    â€œMe too.” First, though, I had to shake the chill that gripped me as I got out of the car.
    As soon as we walked inside, my gaze traveled to the booth where Casey and I had sat so many times, enjoying Blizzards. There in that spot sat my cousin Lori-Lou with her three children, the oldest two girls seated on the bench next to her and baby Joshie in a high chair at the end of the table.
    â€œYou made it!” She gestured for me to join them.
    â€œOf course I made it, girl. We’ve got a lot of planning to do.”
    I took a seat across from them, and the oldest two children immediately slithered under the table and popped up on my side. They jumped in my lap at the same time.
    â€œI miss you, Aunt Katie!” Mariela’s pigtails slapped me in the face as she snuggled up close.
    â€œMe miss you too,” Gilly added as she flung her arms around my neck, nearly suffocating her older sister underneath.
    â€œGet off me, Gilly,” Mariela scolded.
    â€œNo, you move!” Gilly shouted.
    â€œNo, you!”
    The squabble escalated until Lori-Lou threatened to take away their electronics. That settled it. They calmed down, Gilly on my right, Mariela on my left.
    Alva took a seat next to Lori-Lou and clucked her tongue at the children. “Are my babies being naughty?”
    â€œThem? Naughty?” Lori-Lou snorted.
    â€œI’m so happy this week is behind me.” I eased my way outof my jacket, nearly hitting Gilly in the head with my elbow. “It’s been crazy.”
    â€œGirl, you haven’t experienced crazy until you’ve tried to potty train one kid while pulling another one off the bottle. It’s a nightmare, I tell you.”
    â€œIt’d be a toss-up. Things are nuts at the shop right now. Glad to be here instead of there.”
    â€œOh? Planning an ooh-la-la bridal shower for your grandmother is more appealing than dealing with angry customers?” Alva asked.
    â€œActually, the ooh-la-la shower is the one Bessie May’s planning.” My cousin’s eyes grew large. “You don’t even want to know the particulars on that one, trust me. Just thank your lucky stars it’s only for Queenie’s bridesmaids.”
    Alva raised her hand and smiled. “I’m the maid of honor, and I can’t wait!”
    â€œWhat’s ooh-la-la, Mommy?” Mariela asked.
    â€œIt’s something grown-ups say.” Aunt Alva gave her a knowing look. “Now, I’m going to get myself some chicken strips and French fries. You hungry, Katie?”
    I nodded and she trotted off to the register to order.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind that the kids are here,” Lori-Lou said. “I tried to get Josh to watch them, but he couldn’t take any more days off. We’ve got a house payment to cover now.”
    â€œI understand. I’ve got a new car payment myself.”
    â€œSo happy for you.” She glanced through the window at my new SUV. “It’s beautiful, Katie. And no one deserves it more than you. That old clunker of yours was something else.”
    â€œIt wasn’t worth much as a trade-in, but I’m glad to be rid of it.”
    â€œWe’re still driving the minivan. Guess we’ll run it into theground. No fancy bells and whistles, but it’ll do until we can afford something newer.”
    â€œI understand. I drove my old car until it nearly gave up the ghost. Brady helped me pick out the SUV.”
    â€œHow is Brady?” Her smile morphed into a look of concern. “Scheduled for surgery?”
    â€œYeah. November 19th.”
    â€œAck. That’s close.”
    â€œYes, and you’ll never believe what I did. I scheduled a big event at the bridal