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Mara: Did you get deflowered?! Details!! (For book purposes of course ;))
Birdie: It was so sweet of him to have me get your stuff for you. *swoon*
Mara: The suspense is killing me, girl!
I smiled at my friends’ messages. They were so excited for me. I should have opened up sooner about my virginity. But for now, it was still intact.
Henrietta: I fell asleep before we could do anything. So freaking lame.
Mara: Was he bad in bed?
Henrietta: I wouldn’t know! He gave me a foot rub and I basically passed out on his couch.
I glanced at my clock, and my jaw dropped open. How had I managed to sleep past eleven o’clock? I must have needed the extra sleep. And I promised myself I’d make the most of my renewed energy tonight.
Birdie: There’s still time. You should have seen the way he was looking at you last night. That boy’s not going anywhere.
I smiled at the text.
Henrietta: Fingers crossed.
Henrietta: Now get back to your honeymoon, Mara.
Mara: Fine, but text me when it happens. I’ll drink a margarita to celebrate. Extra cherry on top. ;)
Henrietta: Gross lol and promise
* * *
I walkedinto the hospital carrying three sweet teas. A raspberry flavored one for Mom, peach flavored for Grandma, and blackberry for me. Usually we made flavored teas at home, and we’d sit on the back patio sipping away and chatting about the day.
Today was different.
We weren’t at home. We were in the hospital, and I felt the weight of that fact as soon as I got underneath the harsh fluorescent lights. Even though I’d had fun at the wedding, everything was different now, and the future was more uncertain than ever.
When I was younger and had worried thoughts like that, Grandma would say, “Stop with your stinkin’ thinkin’.” I tried to do that now, taking a deep breath to clear my mind before walking into the room.
Mom smiled at me, taking her tea, and Grandma grinned. “I was just thinking I needed some sweet tea,” she said.
I handed her the clear cup with ice crackling against the plastic. “I had them add some extra sugar for you.”
“You’re bad,” she said, giving me an appreciative yet scolding smile.
I took the other open chair by her bed and drank from my straw. Sweet liquid flooded my tongue, making me relax a bit. “How has it been, Gran? I still feel guilty for not being here this weekend.”
“Don’t be silly,” Grandma said. “You can’t stop living your life because I’m getting old.”
I gave her a look. “Getting?”
She batted her hand at me, and I laughed. “Can’t you just let me worry about you?” I asked, exasperated.
“If it involves pittea, then yes,” she replied. “Get it? Pitty-tea?”
I rolled my eyes letting out a laugh. “You’ve done better.”
“Well excuse me. My humor lately is almost as bad as the hospital food.”
Mom smiled at us, shaking her head. “How was the wedding?”